Community investment

Our approach
As a long-standing Canadian company, we view community investment not simply as a responsibility but as an essential component in building strong and healthy communities. We give back to local communities where we have a presence through financial contributions, in-kind donations and volunteer efforts.

Allocation of community investments

What we are doing
In 2010, we contributed $14.8 million to about 600 projects across Canada. Our main focus is on projects that promote:

  • math, science and technology education
  • environmental conservation and education
  • civic and community programs

New national program for Aboriginal women
In 2010, we joined with ExxonMobil in committing $4 million over five years to support a new program for Aboriginal women, based at the Coady International Institute at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. The program is designed to inspire First Nations, Métis and Inuit women leaders to spearhead community development projects. Participants will attend a three-week, campus-based leadership preparation program, followed by a three-month community placement where they will work closely with an experienced mentor. The first campus session started in May 2011 with 12 students from across the country.

Up close: The business case for supporting math and science education
We sponsor education programs designed to spark Canadian students’ interest in science, mathematics and technology – skills essential to our country’s prosperity. In the last decade, there has been a decline in the number of degrees in math and science awarded in Canada. This decline has reinforced Imperial's commitment to math and science education. In 2010, we awarded almost $1.8 million in renewed grants to math and science programs.

 

Up Close

Up close:

The business case for supporting math and science education

We sponsor education programs designed to spark Canadian students’ interest in science, mathematics and technology – skills essential to our country’s prosperity. In the last decade, there has been a decline in the number of degrees in math and science awarded in Canada. This decline has reinforced Imperial's commitment to math and science education. In 2010, we awarded almost $1.8 million in renewed grants to math and science programs.

Aboriginal community investment
In 2010, we invested more than $1 million in community, education and training programs supporting Aboriginal people. This is compared with $600,000 in the previous year. The increase reflected a growing focus on the needs and interests of our Aboriginal neighbours, as we carry out exploration and development activities or look for new ways to contribute to workforce development.

Here are highlights of our activities in 2010:

  • Fort McMurray region: We contributed to various community projects, including creation of a youth-elder lodge in Fort Chipewyan and cultural and language education in Fort McKay. A key investment was a $500,000 contribution over five years to Keyano College to fund education programs, including pre-college courses and trades training, at the college's new campus in Fort Chipewyan. We also donated $90,000 to retrofit a computer lab for the Athabasca Delta Community School in Fort Chipewyan. This will enable the school to purchase much-needed equipment to support math and reading programs and expand computer literacy courses for students and adults in the region.
  • Horn River: We sponsored the introduction of BUGS (Bringing Up Grades) to the Fort Nelson First Nation's Chalo School. This educational support program is designed to help students become successful learners through different support mechanisms, including homework help, coaching, community service and other assistance. In 2010, more than 30 students from all grade levels participated in the program.
  • Beaufort Sea: We continued to invest in community initiatives throughout the Inuvialuit settlement region. In particular, Imperial was proud to be part of the Inuvialuit History Project, an initiative that advances traditional culture and education. The project will collect assets on Inuvialuit history to create educational materials that will help build the pride and confidence of Inuvialuit culture among the youth in each community.
  • Sarnia: We contributed $400,000 over five years to Lambton College in Sarnia. Our funding will be used to complete a major overhaul of the college's welding shop and improve its First Nations' Student Centre. The upgrade to the welding shop will help students train in an updated and safer environment, and local industries will benefit from a more skilled workforce.