Public Accountability Statement
Great-West Life | London Life | Canada Life 2009
Building Stronger Communities Together™ Show of support at CancerCare Manitoba’s Challenge for Life, June 13, 2009. See page 10.
Building Stronger Communities Together™ 2009 Public Accountability Statement
table of contents
Corporate profile 2
Building stronger communities in challenging times 3
Stronger Communities Together 4
At a glance: 2009 Highlights 5
Major highlights of 2009 6 Supporting literacy: building stronger, more inclusive communities 7 Healthy returns: connecting for personal, environmental wellness 10 Knowledge into action: equipping Canada’s employers with information, tools and strategies to address workplace mental health 16 Turning challenges into opportunities: making a difference through our caring and commitment 20 Building capacity: helping caring organizations stay fluid, flexible and well positioned to deliver on their missions 28
Ongoing areas of focus 30 Evolving for long-term gains in health and wellness: sustaining relationships, promoting a transfer of knowledge 31 Responding to changing needs in education: broadening support to help Canadians make the most of opportunities 32 Nurturing creative instincts: bringing the benefits of the arts to disadvantaged youth 34 Campaigning to address social needs: stepping up with enthusiasm for United Way 35 Reaching home: fostering inclusiveness and greater opportunity in our communities 37
Committed to excellence 39 Employment in Canada 2009 40 A vibrant work environment 40 Employee health and wellness 40 Education and professional development 41 Business practices and procedures 42 Reducing our environmental footprint 43 Helping investors take advantage of socially responsible investing 45 Contributing to the economy 46 Appendix 47 Corporate profile
This report is the consolidated Great-West Life public accountability statement Founded in Winnipeg in 1891, Great-West Life is a leading Canadian insurer, with interests in the for The Great-West Life life and health insurance, investment, retirement savings and reinsurance businesses, primarily Assurance Company, London Life in Canada and Europe. In Canada, Great-West Life and its subsidiaries, London Life and Insurance Company, Canada Life Canada Life, offer a broad portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions and serve the Financial Corporation and financial security needs of more than 12 million people. The Canada Life Assurance London Life Company in Canada. Founded in London, Ontario, in 1874, London Life offers financial security advice and planning through its more than 3,200-member Freedom 55 Financial™ division. Freedom 55 Financial offers London Life’s own brand of savings and investments, retirement income, life insurance and mortgage products. Canada Life Founded in 1847, Canada Life was Canada’s first domestic life insurance company. Today, Canada Life offers Canadians a broad range of insurance and wealth management products and services for individuals, families and business owners from coast to coast. In Europe, Canada Life provides insurance and wealth management products and services in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man, Ireland and Germany.
The companies are members of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies.
Great-West Lifeco Inc. As an Imagine Caring Company supporting the principles of The Great-West Life Assurance Company corporate citizenship and benchmarks for community investment established by London Life Insurance Company The Canada Life Assurance Company Imagine Canada, we donate a minimum of one per cent of average pre-tax profits to non-profit, charitable and community organizations each year.
2 Corporate profile Building stronger communities in challenging times
Responsibility, relationship-building and sustainability key in 2009
Allen Loney
n the year since we published our 2008 Public Accountability IStatement, the downturn in the world economy has challenged organizations from a business perspective, as well as their commitment to the community as a whole.
At Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, our comprehensive approach to building Stronger Communities Together™ – developed with long-term sustainability as its goal – served us well. It allowed us to strengthen our ties to the community during this difficult time.
Our corporate citizenship program continues to prove itself an effective tool to help facilitate strong links with – and between – non-profit, charitable and community organizations. It is the strategic framework through which we help people and organizations to collaborate, share knowledge and best practices, and build their collective capacity to address issues of concern to Canadians. It is also the means through which we contributed $12.8 million in funding to non-profit, charitable and community organizations that share our goal of building stronger communities.
Coast to coast, our staff and distribution associates are at the heart of our success. Their empathy, leadership and resourcefulness embody our commitment to responsible corporate citizenship. This report is a tribute to their efforts.
Allen Loney President and Chief Executive Officer
building stROnger communities together 3 Stronger Communities Together
The Key to Giving
he operational framework behind our goal of building Stronger TCommunities Together is the Key to Giving™ – the national corporate citizenship program of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. Through the Key to Giving, we contribute to non-profit, charitable and community organizations across the country focusing on health and wellness, education, social services, arts and culture and civic initiatives. The program also supports the volunteer involvement of staff and distribution associates in their efforts to help meet the needs of the communities in which they live and work.
As important components of the Key to Giving, our Community Partners™ and Community Builders™ programs provide corporate financial contributions directly to the qualifying organizations with which our staff and distribution associates are actively involved. Community Partners The Community Partners program supports our field offices and distribution associates across Canada working with non-profit, charitable and community organizations in their communities. Our Community Partners Planning Kit guides them through the annual process so that community engagement becomes part of their planning and ongoing operations. Reflecting our belief that the personal commitment of individuals is at least as important as financial donations, theCommunity Partners program advocates developing and sustaining long-term relationships between our people and the causes that matter to them and their communities. The program also supports the collective generosity and efforts of field offices and distribution associates who organize corporate teams to participate in community-based fundraising events. Community Builders Through our Community Builders program, we support staff in our major centres who volunteer their time, expertise and leadership in their communities. Staff performing head office functions in Winnipeg, London, Toronto, Regina and Montreal are eligible to apply for a Volunteer Recognition Grant for their chosen charity. Through Community Builders, we also recognize the collective generosity and efforts of staff who organize corporate teams to participate in community-based fundraising events.
Like the organizations we support, the Key to Giving continues to evolve to anticipate and meet emerging needs within its broad framework for community engagement. For more information on our corporate giving policy, visit us online at www.greatwestlife.com, www.londonlife.com or www.canadalife.com.
4 Stronger Communities Together At a glance:
2009 Highlights
Taking participants through some of Winnipeg’s most beautiful neighbourhoods, CancerCare Manitoba’s Challenge for Life begins and ends $12.8 million contributed directly to non-profit, charitable and in the city’s Assiniboine Park. community organizations across Canada. 835 community-focused organizations supported. 134 field offices participated in theCommunity Partners program. $577,000 raised by 81 corporate teams working together through the Community Builders and Community Partners programs. 1,077 community-based initiatives undertaken to build stronger communities together.
Focus of Support in 2009
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Arts & Culture Arts & Culture 11% Civic Activities 19.5% Education 17.9% Health & Wellness 33.1% Social Services 18.5%
Distribution of Support in 2009
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Atlantic 2.8% National 23.9% Western 12.5% Manitoba 18.3% Ontario 32.4% Quebec 10.1%
At a glance 5 Major highlights of 2009
Strong relationships and people at the core of corporate citizenship
Community building took many faces in 2009. From left: MS Walk for Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada in Owen Sound; Support for Yonge Street Mission in Toronto; Promoting sustainable and affordable housing with Habitat for Humanity Canada in Victoria.
he complex socio-economic issues in our communities can seem Tdaunting. Through collective knowledge, co-operation and genuine regard and respect for one another, productive action can emerge – even in challenging times. We took action in 2009 by exploring how as a responsible corporation, we can best facilitate solutions, and equip our staff and distribution associates with the tools and the encouragement to help support the causes that matter to them. Throughout the year, we continued to work with motivated, resourceful and trusted charitable organizations to address important new and longer-term issues.
6 Major highlights of 2009 Supporting literacy: building stronger, more inclusive communities
We work with a wide range of organizations, including Frontier College, that are committed to addressing the complex social, educational articularly in today’s Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life’s and economic issue of literacy. Pchallenging economy, association with ABC Life Literacy Canada literacy is a complex social, began in 1999. For more than a decade, we’ve helped to support the organization’s operational educational, and economic infrastructure and advance its goals of greater issue with broad ramifications national literacy awareness, actionable research within our communities. It is a towards a fully literate Canadian population, and key component in addressing a direct service funding to local literacy groups range of priorities that include across the country. We’ve also been proud local youth violence, civic engagement, legacy sponsors of the Peter Gzowski Invitational golf tournaments. Since their inception, the community development, tournaments have raised more than $10 million employment and retraining, to support local, grassroots literacy initiatives in poverty reduction and the each of Canada’s provinces and territories. challenges faced by newcomers Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life to our country. have also had a long-term association – more “Working to improve literacy levels is a great than ten years – with Frontier College, a Canada- challenge for our nation,” says Margaret Eaton, wide, volunteer-based literacy organization President of ABC Life Literacy Canada, a founded more than a century ago. national, private-sector champion for adult “We’ve certainly benefited from Great-West literacy. “People tend to think that someone is Life, London Life and Canada Life’s long-term either literate or illiterate; they don’t understand strategic contributions and vision. We don’t have that literacy is a continuum. It isn’t just about many funding organizations that make that reading. It’s also about comprehension and type of long-term commitment,” says Sherry about having some facility with technology. Campbell, President of Frontier College. “The Not so long ago, a Grade 6 level of literacy was norm is a three- or five-year cycle before an sufficient for many well-paying jobs. Today, organization moves on to fund another issue. people really need a high school level or better to The companies’ support has allowed us to build have the tools necessary to protect themselves in one year’s success upon another and to build this challenging economy.” greater capacity in the community.” As an example, Eaton cites workers who have It’s a commitment that has helped Canada’s recently lost their jobs in the manufacturing original literacy organization deliver free literacy sector. After decades on an assembly line, many programs to children, youth and adults through have looked to upgrade their literacy skills in its network of over 2,500 volunteers and more pursuit of jobs in other sectors. than 250 community partners across Canada. “We all have issues, and we all want to learn. What ABC Life Literacy Canada is striving to (continued on page 8) create is a culture of literacy where all Canadians, regardless of their circumstances, have the opportunity to increase the skills that help them realize their full potential at work, at home and in the community.” Major highlights of 2009 7 Major highlights of 2009
In 2009, Great-West Life, (continued from page 7) London Life and Canada Life were proud recipients of The “It is important for us to be in many places so that people can access programs where they feel most Honourable Joyce Fairbairn, comfortable. The support we’re getting helps us provide literacy programs in family centres, women’s P.C. Literacy Public Awareness and youth shelters, reading circles, Aboriginal health centres and with other community partners. Award, presented by ABC It also helps us remind people that literacy is an issue that has a significant role to play in helping Life Literacy Canada. The to address poverty, poor health, unemployment and crime, and some of the biggest challenges to “Joycee” Award, as it’s more Canada’s social and economic well-being.” familiarly known, recognizes Increased levels of literacy are particularly important for Canadians who rely on the country’s social Canadian corporations’ safety net, Campbell adds. exceptional contributions in “As the safety net becomes more complex, those with low literacy are at risk of being marginalized,” support of literacy. We were she says. “For instance, if changes are made to a social housing waiting list policy, a person with low also honoured to receive the literacy may not be able to successfully navigate through those changes and may be at increased risk Virox Business Award from the for falling out of the system. Likewise, someone with low literacy might not be able to fully understand Sheridan Institute of Technology the benefits of immunization against the H1N1 flu. How do you make an informed decision if you and Advanced Learning in can’t understand the information presented? Part of the work we do helps community agencies filter recognition of our leadership their information to communicate in a fashion that helps ensure those with literacy challenges aren’t and achievement in our industry, further marginalized.” our commitment to excellence, Campbell credits Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life not only for their long-term approach and our longtime support to funding, but for taking the time to understand Frontier College’s needs. of Sheridan. “They’ve been incredibly open,” she says. “They understand the issue, how we work as an organization, and that it takes more than a cheque to address literacy in a holistic fashion. Their approach goes beyond ‘how can we help?’ to helping us determine where ties and relationships need to be built and how we can best evolve. Through their sponsorship of our Connecting Communities conferences, they’ve also helped us host 22 literacy workshops involving more than 700 literacy volunteers and professionals across Canada. The training, development and networking available at the conferences has helped increase our ability to address literacy in cities throughout the country.”
8 Major highlights of 2009 Major highlights of 2009
Helping give new Canadians Like The Centre for Literacy of Quebec, we look toward a society where lifelong learning opportunities and community supports enable the tools to succeed everyone to fully participate in their communities as family members, With new Canadians representing a largely untapped skilled resource citizens and workers. Helping to meet that goal is the Centre’s HIPPY in our economy, opportunities to assist newcomers through language Montreal (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) and vocational training are critical to help individuals and their families program. This in-home, peer-based educational program helps address to integrate more fully into their workplaces and communities. the needs of parents and preschool children from disadvantaged and immigrant backgrounds. While some immigrants come to Canada with all the tools they need to succeed, many others face significant linguistic, cultural The 30-week facilitated program, in French or English, is designed to and educational challenges in adapting to their adopted home. In help parents learn how to support their children at various stages of 2009, we were pleased to support a number of initiatives aimed at their development, how to identify the strengths, weaknesses and smoothing newcomers’ transition to life in Canada. interests of their children, and how to maintain good working habits through better time management and organization. In British Columbia, our first year of involvement withVancouver Community College (VCC) saw us take a hand in funding a Parents also gain knowledge of the Quebec school system and new initiative to help bridge gaps in educational opportunities for insights into what their children will need to succeed in school. With under-served populations, including newcomers to Canada. The the encouragement to become active participants in the schooling of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Scholarship for New their children and to access available social and academic resources, Canadians targets older immigrant youth wanting to complete high these parents are in a better position to help ensure their children’s school credentials and/or enter post-secondary training programs at continued success. the College. Our support of the program helped HIPPY Montreal serve 133 children The College’s experience and knowledge in helping newcomers from 114 families in 2008-2009. A group of 11 home visitors – other succeed, along with its strong reputation in serving Vancouver and its parents or former participants – delivered the program in family unique needs, provided the outstanding opportunity to build capacity homes, supported by a co-ordinator and a program assistant. and to help address the socio-economic needs of the community. In Ontario, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life have a long Vancouver Community College is the oldest and largest college association with Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced in British Columbia and is foremost among provincial colleges in Learning, whose approach to education focuses on helping foster helping meet the demand for skilled workers to support the provincial innovation, on developing a dialogue with stakeholders, and on economy. In 2008, the College was the recipient of a national award broadening access to post-secondary education for Canadians from all from the Association of Community Colleges of Canada for its cultural, social and economic backgrounds. Our $200,000 pledge to literacy work in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhood. the College’s capital campaign equally supports the development of The College serves immigrants at close to three times the rate of other Sheridan’s Centre for Internationally Trained Individuals at the College’s post-secondary institutions through programs such as Worldbeat, a new Mississauga campus, and a set of related scholarships and collaboration with community organizations to offer language and bursaries for new Canadians. The Centre is a reflection of Sheridan’s essential workplace skills to marginalized immigrant youth. wide-ranging commitment to facilitate the integration of newcomers into the economy, which is of critical importance in facilitating the Additional funding was provided to purchase laptops for VCC’s English success of both newcomers and the communities Sheridan serves. as a Second Language learning outreach centres in the community. Providing capital for program infrastructure is another way for us to help ensure the longevity of innovative programs. The College was able to match these funds dollar for dollar.
Major highlights of 2009 9 Healthy returns:
connecting for personal, environmental wellness
Great-West Life staff got active for their own health and for cancer research in CancerCare Manitoba’s second annual Challenge for Life.
he multiple stressors of daily life, of getting by or getting ahead, can Ttest an individual’s good health as surely as the natural environment is challenged by demands on its resources. Recognizing that wellness of the mind, body and environment are connected, we took further strides in 2009 to promote a healthy, active workplace, to advocate and advance responsible environmental practices within our own operations, and to work with environmental leaders fostering creative, collaborative solutions to address the health of the world around us.
10 Major highlights of 2009
Great-West Life’s Kimberly Cork
Taking it to the streets Recognizing Challenge for Life as a unique event Rising to the that combines fundraising, prevention strategies (and the park next door) and disease awareness, Great-West Life has Challenge made this event its premier Manitoba cancer Great-West Life’s Kimberly In 2009, Great-West Life and London Life, fundraiser, building on nearly eight decades of Cork took part in the inaugural together with their staff and distribution support for CancerCare Manitoba. Challenge for Life – the first associates, tackled two distinct facets of wellness event in Manitoba to combine Annitta Stenning, Executive Director, with energy, enthusiasm and commitment to fundraising, prevention strategies, CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, appreciates building stronger – and especially healthier – and disease awareness into one how Great-West Life is making a positive impact communities. event – to honour her father. Stan on several levels. Cork battled cancer over the span On June 13, more than 700 caring and committed of 19 years yet managed to live Manitobans – including Great-West Life’s “Great-West Life’s funding for Challenge for life to the fullest before passing 50-member Heroic Feet team – hit the pavement Life, and their support for many more of our away in March 2008. for a life-changing 20 km walk around some of initiatives and events, is significant in itself. Winnipeg’s historic neighbourhoods, celebrating But we also see a corporate culture of community Impressed by Kimberly Cork’s months of training and raising vital funds leadership, one in which their employees story and her highly successful and awareness for all cancers in CancerCare are encouraged to become volunteers, to get fundraising efforts, Challenge Manitoba’s second annual Challenge for Life. involved as fundraisers and participants, and organizers invited her to serve in Nearly half of all cancers might be prevented in the case of someone like Kimberly Cork a newly created position as an through healthy living and wise lifestyle choices. (see sidebar story), to step into a higher-profile Honourary Community Co-Chair Currently, cancer is among the leading causes of role in supporting a cause. for the 2009 Challenge for Life. premature loss of life in Canada. While taking on a more public role “In ‘walking the talk’, Great-West Life and its to promote the unique event in Walks intended to raise funds and awareness people are highly visible in the community. the community, Cork also worked for many different causes are not uncommon When CancerCare Manitoba approaches within Great-West Life, alongside throughout Canada’s warm-weather months. other organizations for support, we showcase colleague Angela Morelli, Captain What distinguishes the made-in-Manitoba Great-West Life as an example of the of the Heroic Feet team, to Challenge for Life is that the day of the commitment that is possible in helping us encourage staff to build its largest event is simply the culmination of personal deliver the best possible care and treatment and most successful Challenge for commitments that take place over the months for all Manitobans and their families living Life team yet. that lead up to it. Participants commit to two with cancer.” At a time when it seems everyone goals – a fundraising goal and a personal health The demonstration of corporate support, along has a personal cancer story to and fitness goal. with corporate sponsorship of the event and the share, the Challenge for Life Through the early months of 2009, our corporate direct involvement of some of their colleagues, tackles cancer’s societal impact on multiple fronts. As sponsors, team organized numerous team fundraisers, encouraged Great-West Life staff to participate. volunteers and direct participants, including bake sales and prize raffles. Twenty- All of these efforts heightened the profile of an that’s the kind of story Great-West five more staff volunteered for the event. event that was not just about raising money and Life and its staff and distribution Responsible for the fourth check-stop of six awareness of cancer – but about taking practical associates want to help write by along the 20 km route, they created a theme and steps to improve one’s physical wellness. supporting this initiative. decorations, provided refreshments, and cheered on the participants. The efforts of staff resulted in a fundraising total of $34,000.
Major highlights of 2009 11 Major highlights of 2009
Trees, please! branching out in the Forest City
“London Life exemplifies our Originally graced with an abundance of natural goals for empowerment, tree coverage, the city of London has proudly education, and environmental called itself the Forest City for more than a century. Today, however, it trails many Canadian health. The company has communities in actual tree cover. Marshalling engaged its employees in resources to help ensure the city lives up to its becoming actively involved moniker, ReForest London engages individuals, in tree planting and learning groups and businesses in planting and caring more about the important roles for trees in neighbourhoods and natural areas trees play in the wellness of throughout London. our communities. We greatly With London Life as its new lead sponsor for appreciate their leadership and 2009, ReForest London kicked off spring planting their sponsorship.” season on May 2 by planting more than 400 trees and shrubs at Ann Street Park, just a short - David Crockett, distance from the London Life Recreational ReForest London Board Chair Centre. London Life employees and their families were on hand to help with the planting and join in a simple but powerful declaration on behalf of the community: Trees, please!
The planting event, featuring special guests, a barbecue and fun opportunities to learn about local trees and forests, was the final in a series London Life staff and their families planted more than 900 trees and shrubs. of events that London Life organized as part of its Trees, please! initiative promoting employee “By helping to rejuvenate this park, we’re all participation in reforesting the city. doing something essential to help London stay the Forest City,” explained Nick Pszeniczny, Executive Vice-President, Individual Distribution, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. “London’s forests help strengthen our habitat, our neighbourhoods and our personal harmony with nature. When we walk in the woods, play in a park or simply enjoy cover under a tree’s shade on a sunny day, we are benefiting from a natural gift we share – and one that calls for great care.”
Showing just how deep their roots in the community reach, employees also planted 500 seedlings at their homes and donated close to $1,000 in support of ReForest London. The planting of the seedlings boosted the overall number of new trees in the Forest City by more than 900.
12 Major highlights of 2009 A wellspring of support: taking An initiative of the National Quality Institute (NQI) in collaboration with the Canadian Centre strides for workplace wellness for Occupational Health and Safety, Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month featured weekly Recognizing that workplace wellness has sub-themes placing emphasis on feeling great important implications for the health, at play, with family, at work, and giving back. productivity and performance of employees and The final theme of giving back recognizes organizations alike, Great-West Life, London Life the wellness benefits of engaging within our and Canada Life continued to build on strategic, communities. It also ties directly into Great-West national efforts to promote the benefits of a Life’s support for employees who seek to raise healthy workplace. money for a cause at an event or volunteer for After taking on the role of the title sponsor of an organization, as well as the company’s work Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month in 2008 with charities and non-profit organizations and supporting the expansion of this national across Canada. wellness initiative from a single week to an Great-West Life’s workplace campaign in Regina entire month, Great-West Life aimed to set a earned Top Three honours from NQI among good example in 2009. We staged workplace participating organizations employing 250 or campaigns at our major centres infused with more people for the quality of the organized the energy of the campaign’s theme: Healthy events that best emphasized the related themes Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy Work – Feeling Great of weeks 1 and 4. In the category of organizations About Life! Through October, employees enjoyed with fewer than 50 employees, our Group opportunities to stay active by taking part in Insurance office in the London/Windsor region workplace walks and runs. They could also learn was an overall winner in each of the four more about staying well by attending lunch-hour weekly challenges. educational seminars and health fairs on site. Finally, they were encouraged to carry forward While each of our major centres staged through the balance of the year an active lifestyle unique events in 2009, event organizers within and healthy habits, and to put into practice what Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life are they had learned through the month. working towards expanding events throughout our operations, in keeping with the national In Winnipeg, the health fair included information scope of Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month. on Working Through It™, a series of web-based videos designed to speak directly to people Along with support for Canada’s Healthy facing mental health issues (see p. 19). A valuable Workplace Month, we also continued to resource presented by the Canadian Mental support the National Quality Institute’s efforts Health Association, Ontario (Mental Health to promote strategic approaches to wellness, Works) and Mood Disorders Association of to organize events, and to develop materials Ontario and funded by Great-West Life in for implementing exemplary principles and support of the Great-West Life Centre for Mental practices in the workplace. Health in the Workplace, these videos are free resources, accessible on the Centre’s website.
Major highlights of 2009 13 Major highlights of 2009
How green is your workplace? Sustainable, affordable housing: pouring the Few issues illustrate the need for collaboration like those concerning the wellness of our foundation for stronger homes, environment. Widely considered a leader among communities organizations addressing environmental issues, the David Suzuki Foundation collaborates In efforts to help keep the environment healthy with scientists, business and industry, and break the cycle of poverty through home academia, government and non-governmental ownership, the availability of sustainable and organizations, seeking the best research to affordable housing is a major concern. provide innovative solutions to help build a In May, Habitat for Humanity Canada officially clean, competitive economy that does not launched the Great-West Life, London Life and threaten the natural resources that support Canada Life National Award for Leadership all life. in Sustainable and Affordable Home Building. In 2009, the Foundation launched the newly Created in response to Habitat’s vision for revised David Suzuki at Work, a workplace advancing standards for sustainable home sustainability program to create a national building, the award recognizes local leaders who network of environmental leaders within the support Habitat’s efforts and who are working Canadian workforce. Helping make this possible to increase awareness of the need for affordable was Great-West Life – the Foundation’s first-ever housing featuring environmentally responsible corporate donor on an outreach initiative. Our design and construction. The annual award of funding supported the relaunch of a revised $25,000 is granted to one Habitat for Humanity and enhanced David Suzuki at Work tool kit, a Canada volunteer for direction to a sustainable, complete online guide for people who want to affordable building project. green their workplaces. In building more sustainable and affordable The funding also supports ongoing promotion homes, Habitat’s goal is to give a true “hand up” by David Suzuki Ambassadors. These trained to families in need by reducing energy costs in professionals – who are also committed the home. While close to 40 per cent of Habitat volunteers – are aiming to reach 6,000 Canadians homes are now built to local best-in-class at their workplaces over the next two years to sustainability standards, the goal is to increase guide them through interactive workshops based that number to 100 per cent by 2011. on the toolkit. “The award helps Habitat for Humanity In approaching Great-West Life, the David continue its leadership in developing practices Suzuki Foundation built on a relationship that that are both sustainable and affordable, while has developed in recent years between the recognizing the hard work of volunteers,” says Foundation and GWL Realty Advisors Inc., a Stewart Hardacre, President and COO, Habitat for subsidiary of Great-West that develops and Humanity Canada. “Each Habitat home built to manages real estate. Active supporters of the recognized green standards achieves a reduction annual international Earth Day, GWL Realty in greenhouse gas emissions by more than two Advisors has engaged in a dialogue with its tonnes per year and saves partner families about tenants, clients and staff on environmental $500 in utility costs annually.” issues, diversion rates, recycling, and energy The founding of the award is consistent with the savings. This commitment has included the longtime support by Great-West Life, London commissioning of studies on green-building Life and Canada Life for Habitat for Humanity. performance and the use of alternative This includes home builds and events in many technologies in place of energy-intensive air Canadian cities, including Windsor-Essex, conditioning to keep buildings cool. GWL Realty Calgary, Edmonton, London, Vancouver, Toronto, Advisors has also made contributions to the Wellington, Winnipeg, and Regina, along with David Suzuki Foundation’s climate change and the commitment of labour and consultative clean-energy programs. expertise from staff and distribution associates. 14 Major highlights of 2009 In 2009, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life built on their long history of financial and volunteer support for Habitat for Humanity Canada that includes participation in home builds like this one. The founding of a national award for leadership in sustainable and affordable home building serves to promote individual and collective efforts to protect the environment and develop affordable homes.
For GWL Realty Advisors, a leading real estate The inaugural Great-West Life, London Life and investment advisor and a subsidiary of Canada Life National Award for Leadership Great-West Life, the goals of Habitat resonate in Sustainable and Affordable Home Building as especially important. GWL Realty Advisors was presented in June to Habitat for Humanity has long understood the advantages of reduced Victoria to recognize Casey Edge for his work on energy consumption and environmentally the Flex-Plex affordable housing project in sustainable development, and has adopted a region where housing costs are among Habitat as one of their main community causes. Canada’s highest. Since their first involvement with Habitat in Edge is not only a volunteer and community 2004, GWL Realty Advisors has brought their partner with Habitat’s Victoria affiliate, but also commitment to the cause on multiple fronts: the Executive Officer of the Canadian Home as fundraisers, sponsors and volunteers for Builders Association (Victoria). He has worked numerous builds, and as an organization for years on making the project a reality by with an extensive network of contacts in advocating, fundraising and promoting the the property management industry and the environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art resources, network, culture and people to make design as a model for sustainable and green a significant impact on the issue of affordable building practices. housing.
Major highlights of 2009 15 Knowledge into action:
equipping Canada’s employers with information, tools and strategies to address workplace mental health
ary Ann Baynton, Program Director of the Great-West Life MCentre for Mental Health in the Workplace, suggests a no-nonsense approach for helping more Canadian organizations address the growing issue of workplace mental health: start at the top.
“Executive buy-in is essential for success,” she says. “Those who understand the importance of workplace mental health can’t continue to preach to the converted among middle management and occupational health and human resources professionals. I believe that the vast majority of executives do care about the issue, but we need to remember that business viability and sustainability is their primary role. If we want them to make workplace mental health a higher priority, we must present a business case for it.”
The case is indeed being made and we’re proud to be a part of that effort. Our strategy for helping address the issue of workplace mental health involves funding initiatives that help drive public education and awareness of the issues and supporting projects and organizations dedicated to providing actionable research.
www.gwlcentreformentalhealth.com
16 Major highlights of 2009 Among the most significant results of this The Centre’s website, which in 2009 won the Web strategy in 2009 were: Marketing Association’s award for Outstanding Achievement in Web Development, has been 1. The continued development of the Great-West an important vehicle for the dissemination Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace, and exchange of research and other relevant a resource which brings a unique focus to information for employers across Canada. an important issue for Canadian employers, Recent additions to the site include Guarding managers and employees. Minds @ Work and Working Through It (see 2. The launch, in April, of Guarding Minds @ following pages). Work: A Workplace Guide to Psychological In addition to its own website, the Centre Safety & Health – a breakthrough resource, As an organization that not only helped develop a website for the Mental Health developed by leading Canadian mental health Commission of Canada’s Framework for focuses on health and safety, but researchers, that provides tools to assess Advancing Workplace Mental Health. The site, also recognizes the significance workplace risks to psychological health, to www.mhccleadership.ca, features a powerful of workplace mental health implement appropriate solutions, and to series of video testimonials by prominent and psychological safety, the measure the effectiveness of actions. Canadians including the Honourable Michael Industrial Accident Prevention Wilson (at that time Canada’s Ambassador to 3. The launch, in September, of Working Association saw that its Toronto the United States), union leaders and leading Through It™, a series of web-based videos conference would be a good (also available on DVD) featuring real people executives that quickly take viewers through the site for the launch of Guarding (not actors) sharing their experiences of business case for creating a mentally healthy Minds @ Work™, a set of tools working through mental health pressures at workplace. Included in the website are tools and work, off work and during return to work. information necessary for effective workplace for assessing and addressing mental health strategies. The project’s second psychological safety in the 4. Hosting the Special Forum: Toward a phase, which will be launched in 2010, will workplace. This project National Standard in Psychological Health feature a national rollout of leading executives was commissioned by the and Safety in the Workplace with 40 select talking directly to their peers about these issues. Great-West Life Centre for invitees from across Canada representing leadership in business, government, labour, The Centre’s presence at major conferences, Mental Health in the Workplace, standard-making organizations and others in including the Industrial Accident Prevention and funded by our national December in Vancouver, British Columbia. Association’s Health and Safety Conference corporate citizenship program. in Toronto, the Health Work and Wellness™ More on p. 18. Expanding the reach of a Conference in Gatineau, and the Mental unique resource for mental Health Commission of Canada’s Into the Light conference in Vancouver, served as a platform health in the workplace for sharing best practices, and helped employers understand the linkages between a mentally safe The Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health and healthy organization, improved employee in the Workplace was created in the summer of recruitment and retention, and improved 2007, amid growing awareness and evidence business performance. of the economic and human costs associated with mental health issues in the workplace. Mary Ann Baynton, Program Director, says the At the time, resources and tools available to Centre’s growth has been so successful and help employers address the issue were few. In its resources so welcome that, “At first there the nearly three years since it was formed, the is disbelief. People sometimes say, ‘There has Centre has been hard at work, developing into to be a catch. There’s going to come a time a trusted, free public resource to help Canadian when we’re going to be asked to pay for this.’ employers turn knowledge of mental health However, the word is getting out that we’re a free issues into cost-effective action plans. public resource that helps Canadian employers improve both employee well-being and the bottom line.”
Major highlights of 2009 17 Major highlights of 2009
Guarding Minds @ Work: Research undertaken in the spring of 2009 for COMH and conducted by Ipsos Reid supports workplace guide to the growing need for such tools. The survey of psychological safety & health 6,800 employed Canadians was the largest and most significant Canadian study to evaluate risk Guarding Minds @ Work provides Canadian levels of psychological safety and health in the employers with practical, user-friendly tools to workplace by employment sector. help assess their organization’s psychological The survey of the Canadian workforce safety and health, and recommends proactive revealed that: steps to improve the workplace. It was developed by the Consortium for Organizational Mental • One in five (19 per cent) Canadian Healthcare (COMH, a leading national research employees feel their work environment is centre in the Faculty of Health Sciences at not psychologically safe or mentally healthy. Simon Fraser University), commissioned by the • While 19 per cent of employees perceive Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the an issue, when research-based criteria are Workplace, and funded by our national corporate applied, the number climbs to 29 per cent, citizenship program. This resource includes: which means 3 in 10 employees may actually • An explanation of the concept of be experiencing a work environment with psychological safety and health. significant or serious psychological risk concerns. • The business case and some legal and health considerations on why mental health in the • Employees most at risk are involved in shift workplace is important. work; hold more junior level positions; are more likely to be union members; are • Practical, user-friendly assessment tools, male; work more than 50 hours per week; including an organizational audit and an are middle aged; have a high school or less online survey to measure psychological education; and/or work for medium-sized or safety and health in the workplace through larger companies. 12 risk factors such as levels of psychological support and protection, workload • Industries with employees most at risk management, work/life balance and more. include transportation and warehousing, manufacturing, health care and social • A risk “report card” with suggested actions services, and public administration. to help reduce psychological risks in the workplace. Nearly 600 companies expressed an interest in • Evaluation tools to measure progress and Guarding Minds @ Work surveys over the nine outcomes of actions adopted by managers. months following the April 2009 launch of this resource. The website also received more than 14,000 visits over this period.
“As a leading provider of group benefit plans, Great-West Life sees the effects of mental health issues on people and businesses every day,” says Mike Schwartz, Senior Vice-President, Group Benefits, Great-West Life and Executive
18 Major highlights of 2009 Mary Ann Baynton
Director of the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Funded through our national corporate Recognition Health in the Workplace. “Through the Centre, citizenship program, and the result of a we are committed to increasing knowledge and collaboration between Canadian Mental Health for the Centre awareness related to mental health issues and Association, Ontario (Mental Health Works) Mary Ann Baynton, Program their impacts in the workplace, and to turning and Mood Disorders Association of Ontario, the Director of the Great-West Life this knowledge into action. Guarding Minds @ entire resource is available on the Centre website Centre for Mental Health in the Work is a great example of this at work.” and is absolutely free. A DVD of the videos has Workplace, was the recipient of a been created for distribution to a number Who’s Who in Workplace Health “We have started to pilot these tools in our offices of Canadian organizations dedicated to award, an honour that recognizes at Great-West Life, and are finding it to be a mental health. individuals and organizations beneficial resource to help us manage our work demonstrating leadership and environments.” As Mary Ann Baynton explains, “There is a lot of innovation in workplace health. information for people struggling with a mental Guarding Minds @ Work provides an evidence- The award, in the Provider health issue, but it can be difficult to sift through Leadership category, recognizes based process that employers can easily and when you are not feeling well. Having ordinary outstanding and distinguished quickly implement to protect psychological people talk about the issue allows viewers to work in providing consulting and/ safety and promote psychological health in relate to the message in an accessible manner or support services to employers their workplace. It can also help respond to during a period when their concentration may and in contributing to the health emerging trends in Canada for the protection of be impaired. Anyone who has struggled with a and well-being of Canadian employee mental health in the workplace and mental health issue, or is struggling now, will be employees. the promotion of civility and respect at work. inspired and learn.” Employers may increasingly be required to The Great-West Life Centre for develop comprehensive strategies for ensuring While each of the 10 video participants is unique, Mental Health in the Workplace a psychologically safe workplace, and Guarding they share a few things in common, Baynton was among organizations Minds @ Work can help employers develop says. “They were working when faced with a recognized for outstanding policies and programs in this regard. mental health issue, and they are all working achievement in web development now. Each of them was able to find coping by the Web Marketing A personal approach to strategies. And, of course, they’re all ordinary Association. The Association’s WebAward Competition is an people. Anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by working through it annual website award competition life can relate to them.” that names the best websites in Working Through It is a series of videos designed 96 industries while setting the to speak directly to people struggling with mental standard of excellence for all health issues. In the videos, real people (not website development. actors) share their experience of working through times of mental health pressures at work, off work and while returning to work. For people who struggle with these issues, the testimonials deliver the message that they are not alone, that there are things they can do to reclaim their well-being, and that there is hope for a better tomorrow.
Major highlights of 2009 19 Turning challenges into opportunities:
making a difference through our caring and commitment
Our staff and distribution associates have built on long traditions, once again forming teams and raising funds for cancer research through events such as Defi Corporatif Canderel (in Montreal) and the Terry Fox Run (in London).
ime and again, our staff and distribution associates demonstrate Ttheir personal, voluntary choices to make safer, stronger, healthier and more vibrant the communities they call home. This longstanding community commitment has not wavered through the current economic downturn; in fact, as the stories on the following pages reveal, our people demonstrated caring approaches that differed widely by location, by individual and by community need. From corporate teams to individual efforts, long-term commitments to remarkable first-time outreach, we witnessed their unprecedented commitment of time, resources, and expertise to meet the new challenges in their communities. As leaders and compassionate citizens within Great-West Life, London Life, and Canada Life representing all areas of responsibility and business activity, they provided the public faces of our corporate focus on building stronger communities together.
20 Major highlights of 2009 Greatful Tread, a group of Great-West Life cycling Great-West Life celebrated its 20th consecutive year as sponsor of the enthusiasts that has raised funds for MS research, is just Manitoba Marathon’s popular 2.6-mile Super Run in 2009. Great-West Life one of our many corporate teams helping out in their staff and their families are actively involved in the Marathon each year as communities. participants and volunteers. Straight from Many hands, one mind: the heart teaming with enthusiasm for important causes At the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba’s 2009 Annual General Meeting, The commitment of our staff and distribution London Life has supported the efforts of its staff President and CEO Debbie Brown associates continues to grow as they team up to raise funds for the Terry Fox Foundation since presented Jill Magis (above, right) and bike, boat, bowl, walk, run and take part in the first Terry Fox Run in 1981. Our corporate with the Big Heart award for her fundraising events. In doing so, they are making team in London has been recognized many times volunteer efforts in helping the a big impact for important causes. On the surface for outstanding fundraising results as it collected Foundation achieve its mission. it seems like fun and games, but the motivation a cumulative total of more than $150,000 for Magis, a health environment behind these efforts stems from compassion and the fight against cancer. The past year was no specialist with Great-West Life regard for others. Recognizing this remarkable exception with the 27-member strong Team in Winnipeg, was co-captain commitment and as part of our Community London Life carrying on the tradition by of the company’s corporate Builders and Community Partners programs, raising $12,800. team in the Big Bike fundraising Great-West Life, London Life and Canada event in support of heart Some of our teams start tentatively, gathering Life have for many years added matching disease and stroke research. strength with support from the company. In contributions up to $6,000 to the efforts of She has volunteered with the Toronto, a handful of staff members wanted each qualifying team. In 2009, these matching organization since 1994 and to raise a few hundred dollars for SickKids contributions and team fundraising efforts traces her motivation back to the Foundation through Heatwave, a beach added up to more than $921,000, reflecting the death of her father 20 years ago volleyball tournament that raises funds for strength of efforts taking place coast to coast, in at the age of 37. “My passion childhood cancer research. Two months communities across Canada. met with a need when I began later the group had grown to 15 and they had volunteering with Heart and In Regina, for example, the 13th Annual raised $9,000, making it the second strongest Stroke Foundation.” KidSport™ Fun & Fitness Corporate Challenge fundraising team at the 260-team event. took place in May, raising a new record of For the past 20 years, every first Friday in May, $105,000 for KidSport™ Saskatchewan in its dozens of teams of runners, representing various commitment to assist children of families facing companies throughout Montreal, gather for a financial obstacles to participate in community wild, fun-filled run through the city’s downtown sport programs. Sponsored by Great-West streets. Defi Corporatif Canderel raises funds Life, London Life and Canada Life, the event for cancer research at McGill University and the tested corporate teams from Regina and the University of Montreal, and in 2009, the 30 men surrounding area in sport activities designed to and women making up The Great-West Life Green challenge the mind, body and sense of humour. Lights raised $15,145. Great-West Life, London The Canada Life L’il Stinkers and the Great-West Life and Canada Life are corporate sponsors Phantoms were among the teams raising funds of the Defi Corporatif Canderel run and have and promoting the idea that by participating in supported a team in the event since 2001. sports and recreational activities, children can learn about teamwork, personal goal-setting and (continued on page 22) the importance of being active.
Major highlights of 2009 21 Major highlights of 2009
If I could solve all the problems myself, I would. - Thomas Edison, asked why he had a team of assistants
(continued from page 21) By the Numbers Volunteer Recognition Greatful Tread, a team of Great-West Life cycling $577,000: Funds raised by enthusiasts, geared up once again in August for Grants: a shot in the arm for corporate teams in 2009. a two-day, 170-kilometre round-trip ride out dedicated volunteers and the of Winnipeg. One of numerous Rona MS Bike 52%: Increase in funds Tours across the country, it’s a challenge called causes they support raised by corporate teams Biking to the Viking, for the Viking statue that from 2007 to 2009. greets riders in the predominantly Icelandic Effective community building takes many $344,571: Matching community of Gimli, Manitoba. The 59-member forms, including the long-term commitment corporate contributions team raised close to $54,000 in the event, an of individuals who devote their own time to the in 2009. annual fundraiser of the Multiple Sclerosis causes they care about. Society of Canada (Manitoba division) in 81: Corporate teams support of MS research and services. In total, Stories of such dedication abound among the in 2009. the 2009 event raised more than $520,000. Since staff of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada first pedalling their way to the Viking in 2002, the Life. And while the charities they support 32%: Increase in number Greatful Tread team has raised approximately and their reasons for doing so are as varied as of corporate teams from $240,000 and inspired a sister team to form in community needs across the country, these 2007 to 2009. London, generating another $92,000 for individuals share a common desire to build 1,510: Staff and distribution the cause. stronger communities. They also share in access associates participating on to Volunteer Recognition Grants, a special form In Owen Sound, Ontario, a Freedom 55 Financial teams in 2009. of corporate support in recognition of their financial security advisor is also demonstrating leadership in his commitment to raise funds for commitment and to support the charity to which multiple sclerosis research and services. they are committed.
Warren Bazinet first got involved in the “It provides a huge shot in the arm for your community’s MS Walk in 2003. As captain of event,” says Mark Del Degan, Associate Regional Freedom 55 Financial’s corporate team, he has Manager with Great-West Life, describing the marshalled the efforts of a group of similarly impact of the grant, a donation available for See the appendix for a complete dedicated colleagues that has increased its qualifying projects through our Community list of corporate team events we fundraising results each year. Since its inception, Builders program. supported in 2009. the team has raised more than $55,000 for the MS Society and has been the top fundraising team at The grants recognize that volunteering with a the Walk every year since 2006. charitable organization provides many personal rewards and benefits, along with benefits to the Bazinet’s involvement has only grown. Now Chair community. Staff members at our head office of the MS Walk organizing committee, MC on locations who have been active, registered event day and even the DJ, Bazinet brings an volunteers over the previous 12 months can abiding commitment to this cause. apply for the grants, which the company “I was diagnosed with MS in 2000,” explains provides in the form of a corporate donation Bazinet, who has worked with Freedom 55 made directly to the qualifying charities. Financial in Owen Sound since 1995. “So in a sense, it’s for a selfish reason that I got involved. Yet the disease affects so many people and so much promising research is taking place…I hope one day we’ll have a good reason not to hold the Walk.” 22 Major highlights of 2009 Major highlights of 2009
Mark Del Degan, Bill Toews and Kevin Eagleson commit their time to causes they care about with the support of Volunteer Recognition Grants.
And while these grants are payable to the charity, it’s at the Drawing on his information technology background, Toews has discretion of successful applicants to designate the purpose, worked to equip Ronald McDonald House with the hardware whether it be the operating budget, a special event, or a and software to operate efficiently, an important need for the specific project. 14-room facility as it schedules visits by multiple families.
Del Degan is Co-Chair of the Toronto-area Tin Cup golf “We all can bring our skills to an organization that needs tournament, an annual fundraiser in support of the Canadian them. Volunteers and donations help make sure this remains a Cancer Society. It’s an event he initiated nine years ago after comfortable place for families to stay and to get strength from cancer claimed his 8-year-old niece. Eight golfers raised $845 being with other families in similar situations. I derive a great at that first event. From this modest beginning, the event has deal of satisfaction knowing the House can provide a measure grown into a highly anticipated and popular summer tradition of normality during very stressful times.” at Toronto’s Angus Glen Golf Club, attracting as many as 72 The personal became the public for Kevin Eagleson, Senior participants. Through 2009, the tournament has raised more Field Payroll Administrator with London Life, after he was than $80,000, a total that Del Degan hopes to increase to diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2001. He became involved $100,000 with a tenth-anniversary event in 2010. with an affiliate of theCrohn’s & Colitis Foundation of Canada “It’s one thing to write a cheque; it’s another to devote your (CCFC) in Strathroy, a municipality of 12,000 people just skills and your time, which I prefer to do,” says Del Degan, west of London. First tapped to serve as Honourary Chair of who allows that his golf score usually suffers at the event as he the affiliate’sHeel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon, a major national CCFC tends to the myriad details of putting on the tournament. “I fundraising event, Eagleson became the affiliate’s president in had no idea how big the event would grow. The support of the 2004, a volunteer position he’s held since. company and its people as volunteers and donors are really “We’re a small organization without many bodies to do the strong factors in its success. It is enormously rewarding to turn work,” explains Eagleson, a self-described natural organizer. over the proceeds to the Canadian Cancer Society.” “There’s no other immediate resource for people in this In Winnipeg, Bill Toews had already long devoted his time community who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease and leadership in numerous volunteer positions with Ronald (IBD). As important as it is to raise funds for research – the McDonald House before he joined Great-West in 2006. Toews, ability to share experiences and to learn more for one’s self are Director, Information Services, was quick to discover that also critical.” through a Volunteer Recognition Grant, his efforts would lead Eagleson, who has also played a major volunteer role with to financial support for his favourite charity. London Life’s United Way campaign for a number of years, “All the information I needed was right there in the package for recognizes the effectiveness of Volunteer Recognition Grants for new employees, front and centre,” says Toews, who is currently those with a recognized cause. a Board member of Ronald McDonald House Winnipeg and “The volunteer recognition program is great. It’s encouraging to chair of its governance committee. “The support has certainly know that the company recognizes that you not only have your been valuable in achieving our goals at Ronald McDonald job but also your life outside of work, and that sometimes one House. It’s a great thing to know the company you’re working impacts the other.” for has resources that promote community engagement.”
Major highlights of 2009 23 Major highlights of 2009
Meals today, brighter prospects tomorrow: long-term commitment in our field offices
With their roots in cities and towns across Canada, our staff and distribution associates demonstrate the volunteering commitment to take on a community’s challenges as their own. In Alberta, for example, our operations in the province’s two largest population centres are supporting long-term grassroots solutions to break down barriers caused by malnutrition and help alleviate a range of poverty-related problems. While such solutions might feature a special event that garners special attention or publicity, the commitment to address vital needs is year- round, behind the scenes, and steadfast.
Seven agencies in Edmonton’s inner city combine their efforts as The Inner City Agencies Foundation (ICAF) to raise funds and provide ICAF’s Roast Beef Dinner helps address the needs of those who work, live a network of services to address that community’s needs for housing, and receive support from social agencies. addiction services, healthcare, nutrition and education.
Our support for ICAF goes back nearly a decade and for the past several Why they give years, The Resource Centre for Great-West Life in Edmonton has been a Ayumi Yamanouchi and Karen Johnson have volunteered major supporter of ICAF’s Roast Beef Dinner – one of three well-known, at ICAF’s Roast Beef Dinner in Edmonton. meal-focused events the Foundation stages annually. “We often forget how lucky we are to have a house to At the Roast Beef Dinner, which takes place during the greater Inner City live in where it’s warm and have food on the table. This Awareness Week, economically disadvantaged residents of Edmonton’s event is a reminder for all of us to recognize that there inner city are served a prime-rib meal. Great-West Life staff have are a lot of people who need our help, and this is a been perennial volunteers at the event and 2009 was no exception. yearly event where we get a chance to give back to our Ten individuals each devoted eight hours of their time alongside local community and help people in need. celebrities and public figures to help serve some 1,600 meals, complete with clean-up and other duties as necessary. Also, I know that what we do makes a difference in someone’s life and that is very rewarding.” While the roast beef dinner takes place over the course of one night, the underlying strategy is one of long-term sustainability to help address the Ayumi Yamanouchi needs of those who work, live and receive support from social agencies to Employee Benefits Specialist, Great-West Life see them through crises. “The Roast Beef Dinner provides a meal to those who A three-hour drive south, the Freedom 55 Financial Centre in Calgary regularly go hungry. Food is a basic need and there are has worked closely over the past three years with Brown Bagging for hundreds of people within the community who don’t Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK), a charity taking action with the knowledge that have that basic need met. To see smiles on those who children who eat regular, healthy meals do better in school, are sick less face such challenges in life as hunger, is rewarding and often and form healthier relationships with their peers. As part of their humbling.” effort to provide nutritious lunches to the city’s children in need, our staff Karen Johnson, ACS, AIAA and distribution associates head to the Brown Bagging facility one day Regional Specialist Technology, Great-West Life each month, preparing more than 1,000 lunches each day. The Centre’s support doesn’t begin and end with this monthly support; an annual golf tournament raises funds through silent auctions, raffles and draws, and staff also collect money by selling candy and through a Denim Days event in the office.
In fact, the organization’s name has become a misnomer; lunches are no longer distributed in brown bags but rather in kits that provide schools with greater flexibility, reduce food and paper waste and do not so easily identify students making use of the service. And the need remains; in 2009, BB4CK delivered more than 1,500 lunches daily to over 70 schools.
24 Major highlights of 2009 Profile in community commitment: Terry Zavitz
If you want something done, the saying goes, ask a busy person.
One would do well to call upon London-based financial security advisor Terry Zavitz, who devotes her time to numerous community causes while still delivering exemplary service to her clients.
“I can’t recall when I wasn’t involved with a community cause,” Terry says. “There are so many causes and a volunteer can always help out in different areas. I’ve picked up different skills with each project; I think that you learn so much by volunteering that it’s like getting your MBA for free.”
For her outstanding community commitment, Terry was named the 2009 recipient of Great-West Terry Zavitz, 2009 Jack Hopwood Memorial Award Winner Life’s Jack Hopwood Memorial Award, created to commemorate Warren Jackson Hopwood, Jr., a Winnipeg financial security advisor, associated with Great-West Life, who dedicated himself to the service of his clients and his community.
Presented every two years, the award includes a $10,000 corporate contribution to the charity of the recipient’s choice. Terry elected to have the donation shared between The London Health Sciences Centre, Goodwill Industries, Merrymount Children’s Centre and Fanshawe Chorus London.
Taking an active role in London’s music community, Terry is a member of Fanshawe Chorus London. She has also served on the committee of Music Reigns, one of London’s premiere fundraising events, and has served as Chair of the Advisory Council for Orchestra London.
Terry is past recipient of the YM/YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, Businesses and Trades.
In addition, Terry has donated her time to Advocis, the largest professional membership association of financial advisors in Canada, and many local non-profit organizations. She was instrumental in creating one of Canada’s first planned giving programs for healthcare, as well as for spearheading the development and launch of the London Health Sciences Foundation hospital campaign. She has also served as a director of the Merrymount Children’s Centre.
Terry demonstrates that, no matter how busy life becomes, there is always time to make a difference in the community.
“We have a duty of care to the community we live in,” she says, reflecting on her approach to giving back. “It’s important to honour that duty.”
Major highlights of 2009 25 Hunger to give
As the economic climate shifted in 2008, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life were proud to assist Food Banks Canada and its many member organizations to better cope with growing demand. Recognizing Meeting urgent the negative impact of the economy, needs with a on top of ongoing support to food decisive, spirited banks in our major centres, we made a special $100,000 financial contribution response allocated to food banks across the country in December 2008. While our corporate strategy to help address social service needs We kept that momentum going in 2009 across Canada has centred on as staff and distribution associates our national support for United continued to express their strong Way, we have also taken action interest in supporting food banks. in special circumstances to They did so not only recognizing that emergency food programs remained address a critical need, such as In London, Freedom 55 Financial was instrumental in Stuff the Bus, food supplies, where we can challenged to address hunger amidst a heartfelt and enthusiastic drive to help the many families who struggle to provide the supplies their children need to go to school. help build an innovative model recessionary pressures, but also with or program. the recognition that they were helping their neighbours and fellow citizens. Our efforts to help address Pack to school! demand for essential social To coincide with our sponsorship of Food Banks Canada’s National Hunger Awareness Day on services include the contributions Even the most motivated students can’t achieve June 2, we staged a corporate food drive at our of the staff and distribution classroom success without the basic supplies major centres in Winnipeg, London, Toronto, associates of Great-West they need for school. Life, London Life and Canada Regina and Montreal. From May 25 to June 5, Life, who in 2009 responded staff at each location were encouraged to bring As the start of the fall school year approached, decisively to the struggles of in baby food, canned fruits and vegetables, drives in London and Winnipeg were underway others in the communities peanut butter and other staples for a healthy to address the great need for school supplies in where they live and work. diet. All food items collected were delivered to a each community. local food bank. Staff at Great-West Life, London With company support and In London, as part of the Supplies for Students Life and Canada Life donated 6,335 pounds of a spirit of volunteerism that annual campaign, Freedom 55 Financial food items over the drive to help low-income keeps them in close touch organized Stuff the Bus, an event which invited Canadian families. with community agencies, people to stuff a mini school bus with backpacks they mobilized, organized, This first-time initiative – wholly voluntary – and school supplies. fundraised and generally filled reflected the energy, generosity and goodwill The initiative got rolling in a big way on a vital role in providing a timely of staff while building on our decades-long August 19, as more than 100 people from response to shortfalls in food commitment to food banks and social agencies London Life, Freedom 55 Financial and bank inventories, school supplies across Canada, co-ordinating and leveraging businesses in downtown London made their way for children, and social services both for maximum community impact. With our over to the parking lot of London’s Life’s offices to among the urgent needs in their continued support of National Hunger Awareness donate supplies or make a financial contribution. communities. Day and the encouraging 2009 results, we plan to undertake the corporate food drive once again in Supplies and contributions collected went to our major centres and look to expand it into our the Thames Valley District School Board and field office locations. the London District Catholic School Board, which distributed the supplies discreetly to economically disadvantaged students identified by school principals. 26 Major highlights of 2009 The Supplies for Students campaign generated social problems by looking at root causes and over 1,250 backpacks in 2009, with contributions prevention.” through Stuff the Bus accounting for more than Bacik stepped up to the role of Chair in the same 20 per cent of this total. year that Windsor, one of the country’s major Natalie Trimble, a financial security advisor with automobile manufacturing centres, was being Freedom 55 Financial, and Chantal McLaughlin, hit particularly hard by a slumping economy; a project manager with London Life, volunteer the city’s unemployment reached a 25-year high With United Way representatives, Christy Bacik, as Program Co-ordinators with Supplies in mid-2009, making fundraising especially Regional Director of The Resource Centre for Great-West Life in Windsor (centre) demonstrates for Students. challenging. her commitment to the community at iClimb, a United Way fundraiser in Windsor. “The idea of stuffing a school bus really illustrates Looking back on chairing a 12-month campaign the need,” Trimble noted at the campaign kickoff. to raise $5 million – a goal the campaign “By supplying families with the basic tools for successfully met and exceeded – Bacik recognizes learning – like paper, pens and rulers, and a the value of collaboration in achieving change. backpack to store them – we are helping ensure “Addressing any major social issue requires that more children are off to a stronger start all stakeholders – from business, government, in life.” community groups – to be at the same table. In Winnipeg, the same commitment to provide United Way demonstrates its leadership in the essential supplies for learning was behind a fostering a collective effort that makes the Winnipeg Harvest drive to help feed children’s most impact.” minds along with their bodies. Great-West Life Bacik, who has also served as workplace encouraged Winnipeg staff to register their work co-ordinator for Great-West Life’s local United area to provide backpacks full of school supplies. Way campaign, is quick to point out that The strong response in Winnipeg – 75 filled Great-West Life and Freedom 55 Financial offices backpacks were donated – combined with the in Windsor are among the most enthusiastic bus-stuffing success of the London initiative, has contributors. While engaging in some light- our organizers considering an expansion of the hearted competition with one another, the school supply drives to our other major centres. offices have staged a variety of fun money-raising United in a hard hit events including draws, denim days and a chili cook-off, encouraging staff to make individual community pledges and donations.
It’s easy to conclude that, in a city with an Growing up in London, Ontario, Bacik saw her unemployment rate among Canada’s highest mother serve on the United Way board. Having through 2009*, the demand for social services made Windsor her home and professional might outpace the community’s capacity base for the past 11 years, Bacik recognizes the to respond. opportunity United Way presents.
In hard hit Windsor, Christy Bacik, Regional “I grew up in a family that heavily supported Director of The Resource Centre for Great-West many causes, including United Way, and that’s Life, led the way to meet these challenges head why I am so supportive of this organization. on as 2009 Campaign Chair for United Way When everyone comes together to help change Winnipeg staff gave generously in a first-time school supply drive similar to Stuff the Bus Windsor-Essex County. lives – whether by investing time, ideas, money in London. or by participating in an event – it makes “No other organization protects the community a difference. Here in Windsor, I’ve had the like United Way,” explains Bacik, whose term opportunity to make a good living; it makes as Chair came in year two of a three-year sense to me to give back.” commitment she made to serve on the agency’s board. “There are so many people in our Accepting United Way’s invitation to extend her community who need help – children who need term on the Board of Directors for an additional programs that support literacy; seniors who need two years, Bacik has the opportunity to continue support to remain independent; and people who putting this approach, along with her remarkable need to be fed. United Way addresses commitment, into action. Major highlights of 2009 27 * online edition of Windsor Star, Dec. 4, 2009 Building capacity:
helping caring organizations stay fluid, flexible and well positioned to deliver on their missions
e use the words “developing capacity” to describe the many ways in Wwhich we work with others to increase opportunities for individuals and organizations to contribute to their communities’ vitality. It also describes our efforts to facilitate effective solutions within and between the individual non-profit, charitable and community organizations we support.
Marcel Lauzière is President and CEO of Imagine Canada, a national charitable organization that focuses on reinforcing the charitable and non-profit sector’s collective voice, acts as a forum and meeting place, and creates an environment in which organizations contribute to building stronger communities. He knows the importance of fostering effective and sustainable charitable and non- profit organizations.
“Charitable and non-profit organizations are one of the pillars of Canadian society,” he says, “and they have an enormous role to play in our quality of life. Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life not only recognize that role, but also know that issues such as governance, human resources and financial transparency are an important part of the solid infrastructure that helps charities do their work.”
As part of an effort to help charitable organizations create a higher level of confidence among potential donors, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life have been proud to support Imagine Canada’s Ethical Code Program. The Code prescribes standards for charitable organizations to manage and report their financial affairs responsibly. To date, more than 250 charities, collectively representing more than $1 billion in fundraising revenue, have joined the Ethical Code Program, earning the right to use the Ethical Code trustmark, which signals to donors that the charity complies with the Code’s fundraising and financial accountability standards.
In September, Imagine Canada, the HR Council for the Voluntary and Non-Profit Sector and Volunteer Canada hosted a web conference aimed at creating a Standards Program for Canada’s charities and non-profit organizations in the areas of governance, human resources (paid and unpaid), accountability, transparency and financial management.
“The standards we’ve made available to charities not only aid in fundraising, but show Canadians these organizations are serious about transparency and following best practices,” Lauzière says. “Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life have been with us throughout the process. It’s been more than just a funding relationship; they’ve shared our vision of what needs to be done and have brought a long-term view that’s helped us in the development and rollout of these initiatives.”
Betsy Little, Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer Society of London and Middlesex™, shares a similar viewpoint.
“We’ve found that, collectively, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life are a wonderful example of an organization that ‘gets it,’” she says. “When we approach them with a proposal, they drill down in a very strategic manner and do a lot of research into how they can best help us to achieve our goals.”
28 Major highlights of 2009 Innovative models for community healthcare, education and service delivery
Recognizing the limits of finite resources and funding, community-oriented organizations of all kinds are looking to Creating a memory book is central in Bridging the Gap, a multigenerational program develop their capacity to better respond to current demands to assist Alzheimer Society clients in recalling information. and to ensure a strong position for building on their work in As an example, Little cites a newly created public education the future. In 2009, our efforts to assist such organizations initiative designed to meet the expanding needs of clients, – as they expanded their community focus, strengthened families, healthcare professionals and paraprofessionals their infrastructure, and gathered to share information and dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. best practices, for example – took place across a spectrum of Among the projects included in the initiative are: community needs. • Bridging the Gap, a multigenerational program in In the past year, we completed our $300,000 pledge of which high school student volunteers help clients support to the Transdisciplinary Community Health Program create a Senior Memory Book. The book is useful in offered by the University of Ottawa – Faculty of Health employing a spaced retrieval technique, a memory Sciences. The innovative program is designed to give intervention that helps improve quality of life and self- students from varying disciplines within the University’s confidence by giving clients practice at successfully health sciences program valuable experience working recalling information over progressively longer with community-based organizations serving marginalized periods of time. populations. The emphasis on inter-professional health practice is a great benefit for participating students, allowing • Personal Support Worker Training to give caregivers a them to hone their skills and learn from one another while clear understanding of how best to care for individuals gaining an understanding and competency in all aspects of with dementia. community health. • The Healthy Brains Public Education Program, which The community health centres involved benefit from provides information and general awareness on brain approximately 75,000 volunteer hours students provide each health and helps reduce the stigma associated with year. This is an area of need in communities across Canada, dementia. and specifically addresses an important programming From Little’s perspective, the projects are remarkable not objective within the University’s health sciences faculty. The only for their impact in the community, but for the way expectation is that this experiential curriculum model can be adopted and adapted to other colleges and universities. they’ve built an added level of collaboration between the Furthermore, the University of Ottawa is anticipating that by Alzheimer Society of London and Middlesex and its sister developing community leadership in students in conjunction organizations in Toronto, Ottawa and Renfrew County, with providing youthful organizational capacity to under- and Hamilton Halton. Also noteworthy, Little says, is the resourced non-profit health care organizations, they will play multi-year funding commitment made by Great-West Life, an eventual part in improving the efficiency and effectiveness London Life and Canada Life. of health care delivery in our communities.
“We’re in year one of a four-year commitment, which “With the support of Great-West Life, London Life and is especially important in a challenging economy,” she Canada Life, the University of Ottawa’s groundbreaking says. “Some of the foundations we can normally turn to Transdisciplinary Community Health Program has been able for support have been unable to dispense grants because to build new approaches to health and wellness programs of reduced capital. So a four-year commitment not only with community organizations that serve marginalized demonstrates long-term, strategic thinking, but also gives populations,” explains Dr. Denis Prud’homme, Associate us one less thing to worry about. Alzheimer’s is a disease of Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences of national priority – a fact that Great-West Life, London Life the University of Ottawa. “We are very proud to share this and Canada Life truly appreciate.” success with our partners and the community.”
Major highlights of 2009 29 Ongoing areas of focus
Evolving solutions signal adaptability to complex issues
Helping create better opportunities. From top left, clockwise: pancake breakfast in support of United Way; youth developing self expression through music in a program run by Sketch; opening St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation’s new MRI waiting room in Hamilton. Sketch photos by Sonya Reynolds.
n a world where complex, interdependent systems impact the Iindividual, the family and the community, collaboration and innovation are central in finding solutions, in making best use of resources, and in bringing about positive change. This is especially true during an economic downturn.
With the enthusiastic participation and support of our staff and distribution associates, and by consulting directly with non-profit, charitable and community organizations across the country, we continue to look for practical and effective ways to address issues of concern to Canadians.
Through 2009, collaboration and innovation built on our long-term involvement across a range of initiatives in health and wellness, education, the arts, social services and civic development to which we have long brought our support. Many of these projects, and our relationships with the organizations that lead them, have evolved and deepened, illustrating that while our commitment to community building has not changed, effective approaches for community building naturally should.
30 ongoing areas of focus Evolving for long-term gains in health and wellness: sustaining relationships, promoting a transfer of knowledge
he rising expenses of For example, we began providing support to Thealthcare. The needs and The Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research the implications of an aging (CANFAR) in 2000 in the form of an academic research grant. By 2004, we had increased our population. The social and support of basic research to the Have A Heart economic costs of mental health. program, CANFAR’s national awareness and In the current public dialogue on fundraising program to engage youth active health and wellness, these and in educating their peers about HIV/AIDS. The other issues continue to increase outreach program complements our interest in prominence. to take research a step further by promoting awareness. Both elements are important in As a leading provider of life and health insurance addressing the complex impact of AIDS in our and as members of the communities we serve, community, and our support for both recognizes we take special interest in supporting innovative this need. programs that address the health and wellness With our organization touching many concerns of Canadians. communities across Canada, we also bring As was the case in years past, many of our our support to many more healthcare projects initiatives built upon existing relationships, that resonate with our people and their local reaffirming our support for projects that are communities. sustainable and have long-term potential. A good example comes from Oshawa’s Hearth Initiatives promoting knowledge transfer within Place Cancer Support Centre, where cancer the healthcare and charitable sectors were also patients and their families can come and share a key focus. Simply put, knowledge transfer their experiences, find resources and discover involves the communication and application of new ways to care for themselves and each other. specialized knowledge and expert solutions to London Life and Great-West Life distribution a wider community of interests. Through this associates were among a small group of people process, great ideas and practical knowledge who helped start Hearth Place in 1997. gleaned within the scope of one project or organization can be shared on a larger scale and Their ongoing involvement as enthusiastic to greater advantage. and dedicated volunteers, donors and ambassadors was instrumental in the funding In working with healthcare researchers, public of a significant addition to Hearth Place in 2009. health organizations and agencies committed The Great-West Life and London Life Healing to promoting wellness within our communities, Garden features stonework, shrubs and garden we have stayed responsive to changing needs, furniture, providing an outdoor space for quiet priorities, practices and resources. Often this contemplation, relaxation and renewal. requires relationships that evolve or deepen to better address challenges communities across Canada face.
ongoing areas of focus 31 Responding to changing needs in education:
broadening support to help Canadians make the most of opportunities
Sheridan College is among the institutions evolving to better meet community needs for training and education, including programs to better integrate newcomers into the Canadian economy (see p.9).
s the landscape of the Canadian workplace evolves, so must the tools Afor Canadians of all backgrounds to gain the education, training and credentials that are critical for maximizing their professional and vocational opportunities.
As employers and community supporters, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life recognize that education must be relevant, practical and accessible. To help achieve these goals, we continued to support a range of educational institutions with which we have developed effective relationships. Building on existing initiatives, we sought to develop unique scholarships and bursaries for disadvantaged populations to foster an interest in completing credentials or to bridge gaps. We also provided support to organizations dedicated to providing youth and disadvantaged populations employment retraining and career development. (See the appendix for a cumulative list of bursaries and scholarships.)
32 ongoing areas of focus As the funding landscape changes, a question emerges: Which organizations are going to change with it? Perhaps York University Foundation provides an instructive example.
Six years ago, we provided traditional support to this institution in the form of a scholarship for a student in financial services. In 2007, we broadened support to help fund theACE Book Program. This program is a component of the ACE partnership between York University and the Toronto District School Board to provide high school students with post-secondary education experience in a supportive environment. Our support helps cover the costs of textbooks for participating students who select York University for their post-secondary education.
Through 2009, we continued to foster a strong relationship with York University, broadening our longer-term commitment to education and employability by supporting the University in efforts to assist skilled newcomers to Canada through its new bridge-training programs. With the provincial government making a significant investment in this initiative, we are providing four years of pilot funding to York University’s Collaborative Research and Knowledge Exchange Project to help fully understand how to successfully integrate newcomers into the skilled workforce.
Taking place with considerable input from industry and business, York’s research is interactive and built on collaborative dialogue. We expect that the findings will be reflective of business, industry, policy and cultural needs, and actionable, by yielding insights into how best to facilitate professional success for internationally educated professionals. This is an outcome that carries important and positive implications for the strength and vitality of communities in distressed regions of Ontario and also for Canada’s overall social and economic fabric.
We have been supporting Montreal-based employment and training developers Fondation Ressources-Jeunesse since 1998. The organization operates a service centre that provides career improvement, employability and development for youth between the ages of 18 and 30. With a sophisticated approach to understanding the problems linked to employment and careers of youth, the Foundation strives to help out-of-work youth reintegrate into the workplace for the long term and to help them to take charge of managing their careers.
We elected to expand our funding for the organization in 2009, recognizing in their approach a compatibility with our strategies for supporting education and training. Fondation Ressources- Jeunesse’s job integration programs assist young adults who want to set up a career path through workshops, presentations and programs that train participants to find and maintain employment.
We also continue to work with organizations already on a path of collaboration with various partners to leverage different kinds of funding (industry and government) for research. We do this with the recognition that universities, researchers, and traditional funding organizations like government all have fewer funds. We are looking to encourage leadership among institutions that understand the benefits of being creative to be successful.
ongoing areas of focus 33 Nurturing creative instincts:
bringing the benefits of the arts to disadvantaged youth
n a competitive global economy and society, creativity is currency. IRecognizing that cultural vitality remains important for rebuilding resourceful communities, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life continued to build on the long-term relationships we’ve developed with diverse arts and cultural organizations across the country.
We concentrated our support on projects to reach at-risk youth in major centres and encourage their creative participation, as well as educational programs that expand access to the arts for those who need it most. With the belief that creative concepts nurture the mind and contribute to truly creative communities, we looked to support arts projects that encouraged disadvantaged youth to develop the creator within.
In Toronto, for example, Sketch – Working Arts For Street Involved and Homeless Youth (Sketch) seeks social impact through the arts by equipping street-involved and homeless youth ages 15-29 with the skills to gain employment, to explore options beyond the streets and to participate in the life of their community by engaging in the arts. Building on support going back to 2005, in 2009 our funding continued in the form of support for Youth Arts Skill Development: Music in the Studios, which provides employment-oriented arts and technical skills development for more than 500 participants. Funding focuses on skill development and career transition so that training remains relevant and effective. The program educates youth in the art of song composition, music arranging and orchestration, recording techniques, music mixing, and CD cover design while working in a team setting. The youth learn to market themselves to local venues, through the Internet and collaborative performances.
Throughout Regina, southern Saskatchewan and regions beyond, Regina Symphony Orchestra (RSO) seeks out as wide an audience as possible to experience firsthand the benefits of live orchestral music. Through programs sponsored by Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, RSO, an organization we have supported since 2002, is reaching out to educate and engage new young audiences. RSO performs more than 30 concerts annually for over 10,000 elementary and high-school students, with an emphasis on inner-city and community schools. Younger students have the opportunity to explore instruments, while older students are offered workshops in their band program. All students are invited to attend a dress rehearsal and go on a backstage tour to experience the workings of a professional orchestra.
Art teaches nothing, except the significance of life. - Novelist and Painter Henry Miller
34 ongoing areas of focus Campaigning to address social needs: stepping up with enthusiasm for United Way
Staff take action in ways big and small to meet community needs. Efforts like this bake sale on the Canada Life campus in Toronto on behalf of United Way illustrate their compassionate and sustained commitment.
s the economic downturn generated an increased need for social Aservice programs, and as funding from many traditional sources shrank, we were proud to maintain our support for United Way.
After the government, the United Way movement is the largest funder of social services in Canada, supporting the work of thousands of organizations across the country through 119 local United Way chapters.
Each organization reviews local needs and the ability of local agencies to meet them, carefully disbursing and then monitoring the use of donations. The efforts of United Way staff are augmented by the energy and commitment of 200,000 volunteers nationwide, providing an efficient and dependable way to allocate funds where they’ll produce the most impact.
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ongoing areas of focus 35 (continued from page 35)
Many of our staff and distribution associates from offices across the country are among those who step up with enthusiasm to volunteer for United Way.
In Calgary, for example, Scott Taylor, Vice-President, GWL Realty Advisors (Prairie Region) has rallied staff to organize major events in each of the past three years, raising more than $160,000. Over 44 days in 2009, they took turns riding a stationary bike 7,280 kms, representing a cross-country ride from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Victoria, British Staff like Daphne Bilokury (left) and Trina Owens in Regina led the way in successful Columbia. They crossed the finish line on the day of their office Christmas party, making the theme of United Way campaigns at our offices across the country. their festivities the value of giving back to the community.
The Resource Centre for Great-West Life in Kelowna began planning several months in advance for a food and wine event to be held in October. Heather Pesta, Employee Benefits Specialist and part-time sommelier, collected donations and recruited colleagues, spouses and friends to make appetizers to be paired with local wines. The event raised more than $1,900 – and several requests for the event to be repeated next year.
And in Kingston, this was Nicole Gibbins’ seventh year as employee campaign co-ordinator for the local Freedom 55 Financial office. Not satisfied with the $600 raised in 2008, she set a goal of $1,000 and formed a committee to help achieve it. Through a variety of events and improved payroll contributions, they raised more than $2,500 in 2009.
In our major centres – Winnipeg, Regina, London, Toronto and Montreal – committees start meeting in late spring to organize their annual campaign each autumn. Raffles, events and sales are organized to create fun while raising funds and promoting year-round contributions through payroll deductions.
In Regina, Daphne Bilokury and Trina Owens were recognized by United Way with the Outstanding Employee Campaign Co-ordinator Award. They received this award for their strong personal commitment, for running a creative, effective and organized campaign, and for personally motivating others in the workplace to help with the campaign and make a personal donation.
Many of our staff support United Way in additional ways. Darlene Sundercock of London has not only volunteered for several years on the workplace campaign, but also the United Way committee that reviews applications by local organizations for funding support. In addition, she volunteers for a local United Way member agency. These three roles give her a well-rounded perspective of United Way that she uses to build awareness and enthusiasm for the organization within the workplace.
Together, staff, distribution associates and retirees raised almost $1 million for United Way in 2009. Combined with our corporate funding to campaigns in 61 communities, this resulted in a total financial contribution of more than $2.5 million. This repeated strong support is the reason why we’ve received the United Way Thanks a Million Award for the past several years.
36 ongoing areas of focus Reaching home:
fostering inclusiveness and greater opportunity in our communities
John Mann (front), Tom Jackson in Beyond Eden, a unique Theatre Calgary production blending cutting-edge multimedia, traditional theatrical techniques and a message of healing within and between societies. Photo by David Cooper.
o call a community home is to be certain that you belong. Across Tthe country, hundreds of agencies are taking direct action to make communities a better home – through economic development, by exploring our cultural heritage, in relieving hunger, developing young leaders and in promoting wellness, for example. Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life continue to share in their commitment and to support projects that help build the strength and capacity of communities. Safe, secure, inclusive and liveable communities help Canadians of all backgrounds and means reach their potential and share it for the benefit of others.
(continued on page 38) ongoing areas of focus 37 (continued from page 37)
In Winnipeg, LITE (Local Investment businesses are given to the Christmas Cheer Toward Employment) is a non-profit Board. By purchasing the supplies at locally granting organization supporting economic owned businesses, the charitable giving stays in development initiatives in the city’s distressed the area that needs it most. North End community. Funds donated to In Calgary, community building came in the LITE build communities and stimulate the form of a unique theatrical production. We were inner-city economy through grants to partner proud to play a supporting role in bringing a organizations that provide year-round skills little-known but important chapter of Canada’s training and work experience for at-risk youth, history to the stage in the Theatre Calgary single mothers, immigrants, and others facing world premiere production Beyond Eden. obstacles to skill-based employment. Powered by the energy and A story of the struggle, love, loss, redemption enthusiasm of youth of high During the holiday season, this support makes and transformation triggered by the clash of school and post-secondary a special impact. When many families in need European cultures and the ancient arts and age, Toronto’s Meal Exchange receive a hamper of clothes, food and toys from culture of the Haida Nation, Beyond Eden strives to eliminate root causes of the Christmas Cheer Board, a community-based presented a theme of healing within and hunger by engaging tomorrow’s organization in Winnipeg that aims to coordinate between societies that aligns with our belief leaders in the issues. In line with all Christmas giving in order to eliminate that the arts contribute to greater human key areas of community focus duplications, local businesses can feel the pinch understanding and ultimately, to stronger for Great-West Life, London Life of fewer purchases from area residents who’ve communities. and Canada Life, our funding received hampers. Blending cutting-edge multi-media and supports Meal Exchange’s Funding from Great-West represented an traditional theatrical techniques, Beyond Eden Stomach This! pilot program, investment in the local community, supporting was presented at the Vancouver Playhouse which provides youth leaders jobs and business sustainability. LITE uses the Theatre as part of the Vancouver 2010 Cultural with the training to encourage funds to purchase food for Christmas hampers Olympiad, a showcase and celebration of their peers to get involved in from partner businesses in the area. The hamper Canada’s creative arts. addressing hunger and poverty. supplies purchased from the community In the program – the result of collaboration between Meal Exchange and the University of Toronto’s Centre for Health Promotion – workshop participants make personal commitments to the cause, and using an online platform, connect with one another to work on projects in their community.
Young Heritage Leaders is an Ontario-based award and scholarship program recognizing youth like North Bay’s Nbisiing Spirit Creations (pictured here) who have made significant voluntary contributions to local heritage and ecology preservation, inspiring greater community involvement in themselves and others. Photo courtesy of the Ontario Heritage Trust.
38 ongoing areas of focus Committed to excellence
Corporate responsibility
Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life head offices in Winnipeg, London and Toronto respectively.
hroughout 2009, the people of Great-West Life, London Life and TCanada Life continued to make a difference by working hard to meet the needs and expectations of our clients, and by being caring members of the communities where we live and work.
Our nearly 10,000 full and part-time staff work out of more than 100 locations across Canada. Together, they and our distribution associates serve the financial security needs of more than 12 million people.
We distribute our products and services through: • Great-West financial security advisors • Freedom 55 Financial and Wealth & Estate Planning Group financial security advisors • Independent advisors associated with managing general agencies • National accounts including Investors Group consultants • Great-West group insurance and retirement sales and service staff in offices across Canada • Independent advisors, brokers and benefit consultants
Products and Services: • Life, disability and critical illness insurance for individuals, business owners and families • Retirement savings and income plans for individuals and groups, including segregated funds, as well as proprietary and third-party mutual funds through Quadrus Investment Services Ltd. • Fund management, investment and advisory services through GWL Realty Advisors Inc., GWL Investment Management Ltd., London Capital Management Ltd. and Laketon Investment Management Ltd. • Comprehensive benefit solutions for small, medium and large employer groups, including life, short-term and long-term disability, critical illness, hospital, prescription drug, dental, extended healthcare and out-of-country medical coverage. Services include online plan member and plan administrator services, attendance support services, disability management and employee rehabilitation services as well as absence services, employee assistance plans and Best Doctors® medical referral services
committed to excellence 39 committed to excellence
Employment in Canada 2009
Full-time and part-time employees Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life (as of December 31, 2009)
Province Regular Regular 2009 Full-time Part-time Total
Alberta 351 11 362 British Columbia 426 19 445 Manitoba 2802 220 3022 New Brunswick 30 2 32 Newfoundland and Labrador 16 0 16 Nova Scotia 107 0 107 Ontario 4061 140 4201 Prince Edward Island 5 0 5 Quebec 880 35 915 Saskatchewan 645 12 657 Total 9323 439 9762
A vibrant work environment
Attracting and retaining professional, knowledgeable staff is key to providing superior products and services, the positive impact we have as caring members of our communities, and to our overall success.
We offer a vibrant and fulfilling work environment that features a variety of workplace amenities, benefits, flexible working hours and competitive wages for our staff. Our compensation and benefits program includes a defined benefit pension plan for regular staff, a voluntary group RRSP program and a voluntary share ownership plan.
Employee health and wellness
We foster a healthy work environment through dedicated health services facilities in our Winnipeg, London, Toronto and Regina offices. These facilities also provide outreach services to regional offices.
Health services facilities are staffed with registered nurses qualified to provide selected over-the- counter medications and vaccinations, and to assess and treat minor workplace injuries or non- occupational illnesses. Nursing staff also act as a resource for staff seeking health information and can provide health and wellness counselling services such as weight management care and support, and lunch and learn sessions on topics such as nutrition and stress management. They conduct ergonomic assessments, help staff returning to work from a disability reintegrate into the workplace, and assist with accommodation plans for staff who, due to a medical condition, require adjustments to their work environment or schedule. Some locations also host annual healthy workplace campaign activities with seminars and promotions that increase health awareness and healthy lifestyle choices.
40 committed to excellence Quiet rooms in our health services facilities are available for rest or meditation.
At our Winnipeg, London, Toronto and Regina locations, we provide cafeteria services that offer a range of affordable and nutritious breakfast, lunch and special-event meal options that assist our staff in their efforts to make healthful dietary choices. For a nominal fee, staff at our head office locations (Winnipeg, London, Toronto) also have access to on-site fitness centres before, during and after business hours. The fitness centres include modern weight and cardio equipment and a range of fitness programs available during the work week.
Our GroupNet for Plan Members web resource allows staff to keep track of their health, dental and vision benefits online, and includes access to an external health and wellness website with articles on health and wellness issues. It features an interactive tool staff can use to do self-assessments of their personal health and A responsible approach to printing wellness, along with suggestions on how to improve their health London Life’s in-house print facility holds chain-of-custody and wellness based on their responses. New searchable databases certification (SW-COC-003666) from the Forest Stewardship available on the health and wellness website describe what to Council (FSC) Canada, an international, non-profit organization expect when preparing for a variety of medical tests that supports environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and procedures. and economically viable management of the world’s forests. Our employee assistance program provides confidential Under FSC certification, forests are certified against a set of strict counselling to assist staff and their family members with environmental and social standards, and fibre from certified personal or work-related issues. forests is tracked all the way to the consumer through the Chain of Custody certification system.
Education and professional “We were the first print facility in the North American financial services sector to receive Chain of Custody certification,” development says Len Cymbal, Manager, Print Procurement and Forms Management for Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. As an organization and as individuals, we believe in the concept “With FSC-certified paper and our Chain of Custody certification of continuous learning as a means of enhancing the knowledge, we guarantee that the products we print with the FSC logo expertise and value we offer our clients. come from forest-friendly sources that meet the highest Staff can access up to $1,800 per calendar year for work-related international standards.” courses at universities, colleges and accredited institutions. FSC is considered the gold standard in global forest stewardship, We support industry education offered through LOMA (Life and is the only forest certification system supported by groups Office Management Association) or ICA (International Claims such as The Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy and the World Association), AHIP (America’s Health Insurance Plans) and CEBS Wildlife Fund. (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist). We provide support for staff participating in external training workshops and seminars, Located in London, Ontario, London Life’s Print Facility meets self-study courses, and online learning for desktop, project many of the digital printing needs of Great-West Life, London management or business skills. Life and Canada Life.
Our Training and Education department also manages a variety of in-house business skills workshops held at our offices in London, Toronto, Winnipeg, Montreal and Regina. Courses are developed or adapted to meet the special needs of our staff or departments.
committed to excellence 41 Business practices and procedures
e have developed a solid foundation of Our Codes of Business Conduct and Ethics for financial security Winternal policies, guidelines, practices advisors set out the standards of business conduct that advisors and standards that guide our actions and under contract with our companies must follow when engaging in the sale or service of our financial products or services. those of our staff and distribution associates. These include health and safety standards These codes describe the obligations of staff, board members and procedures, codes of conduct, and anti- and distribution associates in such areas as privacy of client harassment and employment equity policies. information, behaviour in the workplace, conflict of interest, and disclosure requirements, among others. Our Joint Health and Safety Committees work with company We are committed to providing a workplace in which all people management to establish safe workplace procedures that apply are treated with dignity and respect, to the principles and practice to everyone working on company property, including contractors of employment equity, and to fair competition in the markets in and tradespeople. which we participate. We strive to maintain human resource policies that are inclusive and responsive to today’s changing employment environment and Client relationship management that help to maintain a positive work environment. We strive to provide superior service to our clients. Where issues Code of Business Conduct and Ethics – arise, our goal is to address client concerns promptly and fairly Conducting our business through established channels and processes for the resolution of complaints, discrepancies, and other client relationship issues.
Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors, Officers and Clients can address their concerns directly to their usual business Employees sets the standards of conduct for all board members contact or to management. Should the business unit be unable to and employees of our organization. This Code is made available resolve a concern, we have established an internal ombudsman’s to all staff and board members in booklet form, and online. They office to address client concerns. are asked to review and acknowledge the Code on an annual basis. New staff are required to review and acknowledge the Code when Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life are members of they begin work. the OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance (OLHI). This independent service assists consumers with questions and Our Chief Compliance Officer provides guidance on compliance concerns about life and health insurance products and services related matters, and will ensure that an investigation is conducted through the CLHIO Consumer Assistance Centre. The Centre is for all reported breaches or potential breaches. Using a staffed by counsellors with extensive experience and knowledge in combination of posters and online educational material, we have life and health insurance. Information guides on life insurance and developed awareness programs that help staff relate the principles financial planning are available through the Centre, and on the of ethical behaviour in the Code to real-life situations that could Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life websites. arise on the job.
42 committed to excellence Reducing our environmental footprint
In managing hundreds of properties across Canada including 180 Queen Street in Toronto, GWL Realty Advisors Inc. looks to reduce waste, reuse materials and consume energy as efficiently as possible.
e endeavour to respect the environment and to take a balanced and Wenvironmentally sustainable approach to conducting business.
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committed to excellence 43 committed to excellence
(continued from page 43)
As in past years, our organization continues to reduce paper GWL Realty Advisors’ Environmental Management Plan (EMP), consumption by posting certain documents online and created to help ensure compliance with applicable environmental communicating client account and transaction information via legislation, also outlines best-practice guidelines and procedures secure websites. Website postings and email communications to in responsible management practices designed to protect and our staff and advisors across the country also help reduce paper, preserve the environment. GWL Realty Advisors’ proactive printing and mailing. approach to managing and improving its EMP includes:
Two important priorities for our real estate investment subsidiary, • Ensuring compliance with applicable environmental GWL Realty Advisors Inc., are sustainability and environmental legislation, laws, codes and policies and undertaking a compliance. The sustainability program includes reducing waste, leadership position with their clients and within the real reusing materials, and consuming energy as efficiently as possible. estate industry. Environmental management helps ensure compliance with • Ongoing review of GWL Realty Advisors’ environmental applicable environmental laws, with a view to enhancing managed objectives, programs, policies and procedures to ensure properties and protecting the environment. consistency, effectiveness, quality and application. GWL Realty Advisors manages our regional and head office • Establishing and maintaining best practices through properties, as well as 332 buildings on behalf of their clients across corporate programs and initiatives. Canada. Properties include office, multi-residential, industrial, and • Emphasizing environmental awareness among its staff, retail assets totaling more than 61 million square feet. Its wholly- service providers and clients. owned subsidiary, Vertica Resident Services, is a multi-residential property management business that manages more than 6,500 To quantify their efforts in sustainability and environmental apartment units in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Calgary, practices, GWL Realty Advisors has developed a Corporate Social Edmonton and Montreal. Responsibility Scorecard that includes reporting on environmental initiatives. Annually, GWL Realty Advisors prepares a greenhouse GWL Realty Advisors, in co-operation with their clients gas (“GHG”) Emissions Report which measures GHG emissions and tenants, has taken significant steps in reducing energy in their managed properties. From 2001 until 2008, GWL Realty consumption. Innovative practices include the deep water cooling Advisors has achieved a 19.7 per cent reduction in GHG emissions systems at select properties in Halifax and Toronto that use cold in their office portfolio and between 2007 and 2008, a 6.3 per cent water to cool the complexes, reducing reliance on energy-intensive reduction in Vertica’s multi residential portfolio. air conditioning in the summer months. Energy-efficient lighting systems employing motion-activated lights and computer For 2008, the reduction in GHG emissions was equivalent to 68,252 technology to provide lighting more efficiently also help reduce tonnes of carbon dioxide (tCO2e). This is approximately equivalent energy consumption. to taking 12,500 cars off the road for one year, or planting of 1.7 million tree seedlings and growing them for 10 years. The majority of GWL Realty Advisors’ managed properties have been certified under theBOMA Building Environmental Standards 2009 also marked the second year that GWL Realty Advisors (BOMA BESt) program, which recognizes best practices and measured GHG emissions in their regional corporate offices, improved environmental performance and management by an including emissions associated with corporate travel. independent, third-party audit process. By focusing on a continued commitment to “Shape the The development of green buildings is an important focus for Environment” as a blueprint for green initiatives, energy, waste GWL Realty Advisors. The company is aiming to include reduction and the conservation of resources, we actively work to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards reduce our environmental footprint. for new developments. The LEED Green Building Rating System™ is an industry benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance, or green, buildings.
44 committed to excellence Helping investors take advantage of socially responsible investing
A green roof provides aesthetic, environmental benefits.
Building green, naturally ohn Smith, President of GWL Investment Management Ltd., an investment In 2009, two events served as excellent examples of GWL Realty J Advisors’ commitment to greener thinking. counselling and portfolio management subsidiary of Great-West Life, recognizes In Toronto, GWL Realty Advisors has constructed a “green” the importance of building opportunities roof on the Hazelton Place Residence property. In addition to for clients who are interested in socially the roof’s aesthetic qualities – it is a key differentiator during marketing tours and a visually pleasing feature for residents – responsible investing (SRI). it has a number of environmental benefits.F irst, it produces “Investors shouldn’t think that they have to trade off oxygen and absorbs carbon dioxide and other toxins, a returns when they choose to invest in socially responsible welcome circumstance in a city where air quality is sometimes a investments,” he says. “That’s why, over the last 10 years, we’ve concern for residents and visitors alike. Secondly, the green roof partnered with leading organizations like Jantzi-Sustainalytics conserves heat for residents on the west side of the building, and Meritas Financial Inc. to promote SRI and to create reducing energy costs. opportunities for socially responsible investing for our clients.”
With a soil depth of five inches, the green roof is supported Socially responsible investing integrates environmental, social by an innovative irrigation system that captures rainfall and and governance (ESG) performance research into decision eliminates the need for watering. making, says Jantzi-Sustainalytics Chief Executive Officer, Michael Jantzi. In Calgary, Gulf Canada Square, a 1,145,000 square foot office building located on 9th Avenue in the heart of Calgary’s business “In the last decade, SRI has evolved from negative screens to district, was selected for a national Building Owners and analysis that better informs investment strategies. In fact, there Managers Association (BOMA) Earth Award. BOMA describes has been tremendous growth in awareness among mainstream the award program as “the most prestigious and comprehensive investors, who are beginning to recognize that ESG program of its kind in the commercial real estate industry, performance factors can be material to financial performance.” recognizing excellence in environmentally sound office building management.” Applicants are evaluated by a panel of their Mainstream investors, he says, tend to view ESG factors industry peers in the areas of Workplace Hazardous Materials through the single lens of investment risk. Social investors, Information Systems (WHMIS), environmental management, however, continue to view the world through a dual lens. water and energy conservation, indoor air quality, green They are interested in competitive bottom line returns, but purchasing, tenant communication, and employee health they want to achieve these returns within the framework of and safety. personal values or, in the case of institutional investors, the organization’s mission. During the recent economic downturn, Among the many environmentally friendly features at Gulf Canadian investors maintained their interest in SRI. Canada Square is sustainable landscaping that incorporates native, drought-tolerant Alberta plantings nourished by a According to the Social Investment Organization, a national rainwater irrigation system. The building’s administrative offices membership-based organization that includes financial make use of wind-generated electricity. Daytime cleaning results institutions, investment firms, financial advisors, and various in a saving of 400,000 kilowatt hours per year. Together, these organizations and individuals interested in socially responsible and other features resulted in an unprecedented score of 96 per investment, SRI assets under management have grown to cent in the peer evaluation. more than $609 billion in 2009 from $503 billion in 2007. This includes retail investment fund assets, which totalled $22 billion, a 22 per cent increase from $18 billion in 2006.
committed to excellence 45 Contributing to the economy
e have an economic impact on the Capital tax and Income Tax premium tax communities where we live and work ($ thousands) W ($ thousands) in a variety of ways, from the salaries and commissions we pay our staff and distribution FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 121,606 - associates, to the taxes we pay. BRITISH COLUMBIA 2,970 20,119 ALBERTA 1,990 20,038 We pay a range of taxes to municipal, provincial and federal SASKATCHEWAN 1,609 9,741 governments in Canada. During 2009, Great-West, London Life MANITOBA 570 8,551 and Canada Life paid in excess of $512 million in taxes to all levels ONTARIO 52,861 99,763 of government in Canada. This comprised more than $191 million QUEBEC 7,925 32,697 in income taxes, nearly $207 million in capital and premium taxes NEW BRUNSWICK 435 3,260 (most provincial governments levy premium taxes on insurance companies in lieu of capital taxes) and almost $114 million in NOVA SCOTIA 588 6,656 payroll taxes (employer portion), business taxes, property taxes, Prince Edward Island 98 1,163 and GST and sales taxes. We also invest in public sector debt NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR 205 4,817 financing through the brokerage community, and direct debt NorthWest Territories 81 869 financing through private placements and commercial mortgages. other - - TOTAL 190,938 207,674
New private & commercial mortgages loan fundings - January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009
$100,000 - $250,000 - $500,000 - $1,000,000 TO $5,000,000 $249,999 $499,999 $999,999 $4,999,999 & GREATER TOTAL
# Of # Of # Of # Of # Of # Of $ Acct $ Acct $ Acct $ Acct $ Acct $ Acct
BRITISH COLUMBIA - - - - 1,716,418 2 22,683,796 9 292,649,397 15 317,049,611 26 ALBERTA ------37,702,629 14 192,702,307 11 230,404,936 25 SASKATCHEWAN - - 248,555 1 ------248,555 1 MANITOBA 149,469 1 309,021 1 632,511 1 20,386,239 9 37,273,351 3 58,750,591 15 ONTARIO 111,483 1 800,449 2 5,288,349 7 177,049,718 68 349,248,313 21 532,498,312 99 QUEBEC - - - - 944,654 1 12,791,693 6 73,288,579 6 87,024,926 13 NEW BRUNSWICK ------18,700,000 1 18,700,000 1 NOVA SCOTIA ------1,663,469 1 - - 1,663,469 1 Prince Edward Island ------9,999,600 1 9,999,600 1 NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR ------15,048,100 1 15,048,100 1 NorthWest Territories ------
TOTAL 260,952 2 1,358,025 4 8,581,932 11 272,277,544 107 988,909,647 59 1,271,388,100 183
46 committed to excellence Appendix
Contributions to Communities in 2009
30 Hour Telethon for Palliative Care Services Association of Fundraising Professionals, Manitoba Chapter Burlington Performing Arts Centre Campaign 980 CJME’s Santa’s Anonymous Association of Fundraising Professionals, Regina Chapter Burlington Teen Tour Band ABC Head Start Society Atlantic Institute for Market Studies Business and Professional Women’s Club Saskatoon Inc. ABC Life Literacy Canada Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) Business Council of Manitoba Acadia University Autism Ontario London Business for the Arts
Actuarial Students’ National Association B’nai Brith Canada - Midwest Region C.D. Howe Institute Adsum for Women & Children Ballet Kelowna Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre Adult Learning Centre The Banff Centre Calgary Health Trust Advocis BC Cancer Foundation Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank Agassiz International Summer Chamber Music Festival BC Children’s Hospital Foundation Calgary Philharmonic Society Agence nationale et internationale du Manitoba (ANIM) Bethlehem Projects of Niagara Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation Agur Lake Camp Society Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto Camp Circle O’Friends AIESEC Canada Big Brothers Big Sisters of Barrie and District Camp Massad of Manitoba AIESEC Manitoba Big Brothers Big Sisters of London & Area Camp Oochigeas Albert Community Library Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters Association Camp Toronto Triple Threat Bursary Fund Alberta Cancer Foundation Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg Canada’s National History Society The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation Big Brothers Big Sisters Windsor Essex Canadian Abilities Foundation Algoma Residential Community Hospice Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver Foundation Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP) ALS Society of Ontario Big Brothers of Regina Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professionals Alzheimer Society of Kingston Bluewater Health Foundation Canadian Association of Student Activity Advisors Alzheimer Society of London and Middlesex Boys and Girls Club of Dieppe Canadian Association of University Business Officers Alzheimer Society of Manitoba Boys’ & Girls’ Club of London Foundation Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Atlantic Region Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan Brandon University Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Chapter The Amabile Choirs of London, Canada The Brantford General Hospital Foundation Canadian Cancer Society - Alberta/N.W.T. Division, Grande Prairie Unit Amcal Family Services Brantford Symphony Orchestra Canadian Cancer Society - British Columbia Applewood Centre for Adult Learning Breast Cancer Action Kingston and Yukon Division Arcady Breast Cancer Action Saskatchewan Canadian Cancer Society - Burlington Unit Art City Breast Cancer Support Services Canadian Cancer Society - Elgin-Middlesex Unit Art Gallery of Hamilton Brescia University College Canadian Cancer Society - Fraser Valley Region The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba Brigadoon Children’s Camp Society Canadian Cancer Society - Major Mackenzie Unit Art Gallery of Windsor British Columbia Paraplegic Association Canadian Cancer Society - Manitoba Division Art Starts Neighbourhood Cultural Centre Broadway Neighbourhood Centre Canadian Cancer Society - National Office The Arthritis Society - Southwestern Ontario Brock University Canadian Cancer Society - Oxford County Unit Arts Club Theatre Company Brockville and District Hospital Foundation Canadian Cancer Society - Peterborough & District Unit Arts for Children of Toronto Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids Society Canadian Cancer Society - Quebec Division The ARTS Project Burin Peninsula Health Care Foundation Canadian Cancer Society - Saskatchewan Division Arts Umbrella Burlington Art Centre Canadian Cardiac Rehabilitation Foundation Association of Fundraising Professionals, Burlington Caribbean Connection Canadian Centre for Diversity Greater Toronto Chapter Burlington Community Foundation appendix 47 appendix Contributions to Communities in 2009
Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association Centraide Estrie Community Foundation Grey Bruce (CCTFA) Centraide Lanaudière The Community Foundation of Durham Region Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Centraide Laurentides Community Foundation of Oakville Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Durham Centraide Mauricie Community Living Guelph Wellington Region Chapter Centraide Outaouais Community Living Ontario Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Kitchener-Waterloo Chapter Centraide Québec et Chaudière-Appalaches Community Living St. Catharines Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - London Chapter Centraide Richelieu-Yamaska The Concerned Kids Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Peel & District Centraide Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Concordia University College of Alberta Chapter Central Okanagan Hospice Association Conestoga College Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Peterborough Chapter Centre de bénévolat de Laval Confederation Centre of the Arts Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Windsor Chapter Centre de recherche sur l’atelier de L’Arche et son époque The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Winnipeg Chapter Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation The Cosmopolitan Learning Centre Inc. Canadian Diabetes Association - Calgary & District Branch Centre for Entrepreneurship and Development (CEED) Covenant House Canadian Diabetes Association - London & District Branch Centre for Information & Community Services of Ontario Creative Retirement Manitoba (CICS) Canadian Diabetes Association - National Office Creative Trust The Centre for Literacy Canadian Feed the Children The Credit Valley Hospital Foundation The Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada - Grande Prairie Certified General Accountants Association ofM anitoba Chapter The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons Champions for Grace Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada - Toronto The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) Chapter The Cheshire Foundation (Quebec) Inc. Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc. Daily Bread Food Bank Child & Youth Friendly Calgary Canadian Life Insurance Medical Officers Association The David Suzuki Foundation Child Advocacy Centre of Niagara Canadian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Défi Corporatif Canderel Children’s Aid Foundation The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame DMF for Seniors Charitable Foundation Children’s Aid Foundation of Halton Canadian Mental Health Association - Calgary Region Don Mazankowski Scholarship Foundation Children’s Aid Society of London and Middlesex Canadian Mental Health Association - Manitoba Division Douglas Hospital Foundation Children’s Health Foundation (London) Canadian Mental Health Association - Quebec Division Down Syndrome Research Foundation Children’s Health Foundation of Saskatchewan Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation (CMSF) Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba Canadian Museum for Human Rights The Dr. Jay Charitable Foundation Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation Ducks Unlimited Canada Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation Canadian Opera Company The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award - Charter for Business Children’s Rehabilitation Centre - Algoma Foundation Canadian Pension & BenefitsI nstitute (CPBI), The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award - Ontario Ontario Region Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada - Alberta & N.W.T. Chapter Dunnville Hospital & Healthcare Foundation Canadian Theatre Festival Society Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada - Manitoba Chapter Durham Children’s Aid Foundation Canadian Urban Institute Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada - National Capital Durham Hospice The Cancer Research Society - Montreal Region Chapter Earth Rangers CancerCare Manitoba Foundation Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada - Nova Scotia Easter Seal Ontario Chapter The Canadian Stage Company Easter Seals Ontario - Kingston Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada - Prince Edward The Caring Place Island Chapter Easter Seals Ontario - Peterborough The Carpenter Hospice Christmas & Winter Relief Association Edmonton Down Syndrome Society Carrefour jeunesse emploi de l’Outaouais The CHUM Christmas Wish The Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford Local Training Board Casey House Foundation The Citadel Theatre Elizabeth’s Concert of Hope Foundation Catholic Social Services City of Regina Commuter Challenge Emergo Respite Services - Autism and Pervasive Catholic Youth Organization - Marydale Park Developmental Disorders CNIB - Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Winnipeg Office The Cedars Cancer Institute Endeavour CNIB - Ontario Central, Durham Office Celebrate London Enfield Road Races Coalition to Save the Elms Centaur Theatre Company Enterprise Greater Moncton Coast Mental Health Centraide Abitibi Témiscamingue et Nord-du-Québec Epilepsy Support Centre Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation Centraide Bas-Saint-Laurent Ethno Business Council of British Columbia Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada Centraide du Grand Montréal Eva’s Initiatives Common Weal Community Arts Incorporated
48 appendix appendix Contributions to Communities in 2009
The Exploration Place Girl Guides of Canada - Manitoba Council The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba FACS Niagara Foundation Girl Guides of Canada - Ontario Council The International Symphony Orchestra Fanshawe Chorus London Globe Theatre Interval House Fanshawe College Goodwill Ontario Great Lakes IWK Health Centre Foundation Farha Foundation Grace General Hospital Foundation The Jason Edmonds Foundation for Road Safety Federation CJA Grand River Regional Cancer Centre Jazz Winnipeg Festival d’Échecs de Montréal The Grand Theatre The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Festival du Voyageur Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal Jewish National Fund of Canada - Winnipeg Firefighters’ BurnF und The Greater Vancouver Food Bank Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital Foundation First Nations Awards GroundSwell Junior Achievement of British Columbia - Okanagan Region Five Counties Children’s Centre Group for Prevention and Promotion Strategies (GP2S) Junior Achievement of Canada FMG Dragon Boat Groupe Action Nouvelle Vie Junior Achievement of Central Ontario Fondation Armand-Frappier Groves Memorial Community Hospital Foundation Junior Achievement of Chatham-Kent Fondation Autisme Laurentides The Guild Junior Achievement of London & District Fondation Chevalerie Passion Habitat for Humanity Canada Junior Achievement of Manitoba Fondation CSSS Jeanne-Mance Habitat for Humanity Edmonton Junior Achievement of Saskatchewan Fondation Daniel Brière Habitat for Humanity Toronto Juravinski Cancer Centre Foundation Fondation de l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - North Eastern La Fondation du CSSS de Gatineau Habitat for Humanity Winnipeg Ontario Region Fondation du maire de Montréal pour la jeunesse Hamilton All Star Jazz Band Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - Winnipeg La Fondation Élan Hanover Regional Recreation Complex Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada - BC Fondation Hotel-Dieu d’Arthabaska Health Employers Association of BC - Vancouver Region Fondation Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Health Sciences Centre Foundation (Winnipeg) Kaiser Foundation Pneumologie de Québec Health, Work and Wellness Conference Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation Fondation Jean Lapointe Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba Kelowna Art Gallery Fondation Louis-Philippe Gagnon Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia Kerr Street Ministries Fondation Mira Inc. Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario The Kidney Foundation of Canada - Central Ontario Fondation Neuro Trauma Marie-Robert Branch Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario - Belleville Fondation Ressources-Jeunesse The Kidney Foundation of Canada - Southwestern Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario - Brockville Chapter Fondation Sourdine Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario - Chatham-Kent Kids Help Phone Foundation Food Banks Canada Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario - London KidsAbility Foundation Foothills Country Hospice Society Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario - York Region KidSport Canada Forces AVENIR South KidSport Manitoba (Sport Manitoba) The Forks Renewal Corporation Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre KidSport Ontario - Hornepayne Fort Whyte Alive Heritage London Foundation KidSport Saskatchewan Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Heritage Winnipeg Kinesis Dance Foundation of the Canadian Psychiatric Association Hockey for the Homeless Kingston General Hospital Auxiliary French for the Future - London Hospice & Palliative Care Manitoba Kirkland and District Hospital Foundation Friends of H.M.C.S. HAIDA Hospice of London Kiwanis Club of Wascana The Friends of the Assiniboine Park Conservatory The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County L’orchestre de chambre I Musici de Montréal Frontier College Hospitals of Regina Foundation Labatt 24-Hour Relay London Frye Festival Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital Foundation Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation Future Leaders of Manitoba Council Huntington Society of Canada - Winnipeg Chapter Leadership Winnipeg Future Possibilities Canada Huron University College Foundation LEAF Manitoba The Gairdner Foundation Imagine Canada Learning Disabilities Association of Manitoba Gardiner Museum Imperial Oil Centre for the Performing Arts Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario The George Hull Centre Foundation Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA) Leave Out Violence (LOVE) - Quebec George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation Information and Communication Technologies Association of Manitoba Lennox & Addington Country General Hospital Foundation The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Winnipeg Inner City Agencies Foundation Let’s Talk Science Girl Guides of Canada
appendix 49 appendix Contributions to Communities in 2009
Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership Forum McMichael Canadian Art Collection Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre The Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Experience Program Meal Exchange One Kids Place Children’s Treatment Centre The Lighthouse, Children and Families Meals on Wheels of Winnipeg Ontario Heritage Trust Lions Gate Hospital Foundation Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation Ontario Senior Games Winterfest 2009 - Brockville and Area LITE Mendel Art Gallery Foundation Ontario Track 3 Ski Association for the Disabled Literacy Unlimited Mental Health Works Opera Atelier The Livia Stoyke Foundation Meres et Monde L’Opéra de Montréal London Chamber of Commerce Merrymount Children’s Centre Operation Red Nose London Curling Club Metropolitan United Church of London’s Meal Program Orchestra London London Food Bank Michael Cuccione Foundation Orchestre symphonique de Montréal London Health Sciences Centre Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem Orford Arts Centre London Health Sciences Foundation The Miracle League of Amherstburg Original Kids Theatre Company London Humane Society Miramichi Regional Hospital Foundation Osborne House London International Children’s Festival Misericordia Health Centre Foundation Oshawa Community Health Centre London Museum School Mississauga Symphony Oshawa Durham Symphony Orchestra London Pro Musica Moncton Youth Residences Inc. The Oshawa Hospital Foundation London Prostate Cancer Centre The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation The Ottawa Hospital Foundation London Regional Children’s Museum The Montreal General Hospital Foundation Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre Foundation London Santa Claus Parade Corporation Montreal Heart Institute The Ottawa Rotary Home Foundation The London Youth Symphony The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Our Place Society London-Elgin-Middlesex Crime Stoppers Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital Park House Inc. Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People Mood Disorders Association of Ontario Partners for Youth The Lung Association of Ontario Moorelands Partners in the Park Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre The Mount Royal University Foundation Peel Children’s Aid Foundation MacKenzie Art Gallery Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation Make-A-Wish - Southern Alberta The Movement Centre of Manitoba Performing Arts Burlington Make-A-Wish - Southwestern Ontario MukiBaum Treatment Centres Persephone Theatre Make-A-Wish - Toronto & Central Ontario Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada Peterborough Festival of Trees Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Alberta Division Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation Manitoba Artists in Healthcare Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Manitoba Division Pillar Nonprofit Network Manitoba Arts Network Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Ontario Division POGO - Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario Manitoba Business Leadership Network Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Quebec Division Pollution Probe Manitoba Chamber Orchestra Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Southwestern Ontario Porcupine United Way Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Muscular Dystrophy Canada - British Columbia Office The Port Hope & District Healthcare Foundation Manitoba Children’s Museum Muscular Dystrophy Canada - Quebec Regional Office Port Perry Hospital Foundation Manitoba Curling Association Musée de Charlevoix Prairie Theatre Exchange Manitoba Customer Contact Association Museum London Promoting Awareness of RSD in Canada (PARC) Manitoba Farmers with Disabilities The Naramata Conservation Society Prostate Cancer Canada Manitoba Marathon National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation Providence Healthcare Foundation The Manitoba Museum National Arts Centre Quebec Breakfast Club Manitoba Opera The National Ballet School Queen Elizabeth II Hospital Foundation Manitoba Schizophrenia Society National Quality Institute Queen’s University Manitoba Schools Science Symposium Nature Conservancy of Canada - Manitoba Region Radiology Research Foundation Manitoba Theatre Centre Neil Squire Society The Rainbow Society Manitoba Theatre for Young People Niagara Health System Foundation Rainbow Stage Manitoba Wheelchair Sport Association Nightswimming E. A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts McCord Museum The North Bay Symphony Society Reach for the Rainbow McGill University Northern Ontario Art Association Reaching E-Quality Employment Services Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Foundation Red River College 50 appendix appendix Contributions to Communities in 2009
Redeemer University College Sault Area Hospital Foundation St. Paul’s High School ReForest London The Scarborough Hospital Foundation St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation (Saskatoon) Regina & District Food Bank Scouts Canada - 2nd Bay Ridges Group St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation (Vancouver) Regina Early Learning Centre Inc. Scouts Canada - South Western Ontario Stratford Festival of Canada Regina Indian Community Awareness Incorporated (RICA) Scouts Canada Foundation Stratford Perth Museum Regina Science Fair Council Second Harvest Sudbury Food Bank Regina Summer Stage Semiahmoo House Society Sudbury Regional Hospital Foundation Regina Symphony Orchestra Seniors’ & Elders’ Day Committee Summer Street Industries Reh-Fit Centre Foundation SEVEC Sunnybrook & Women’s Foundation Rehabilitation Centre for Children Foundation Seven Oaks General Hospital Foundation Inc. Sunnybrook Hospital Resource Conservation Manitoba Shad International Sunrise Youth Group Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. - Shakespeare in the Ruins Sunshine Centres for Seniors Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival Sunshine Dreams for Kids Riverview Health Centre Foundation Share the Warmth Swampy Cree Tribal Council Roberts Bank Lifeboat ShareLife - Archdiocese of Toronto Tafelmusik Ronald McDonald House - British Columbia Shaw Festival Take Pride Winnipeg Ronald McDonald House - Hamilton Sheena’s Place Talisker Players Chamber Music Ronald McDonald House - London Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced The Terry Fox Foundation Ontario Ronald McDonald House - Ottawa and Eastern Ontario Learning Thames Region Ecological Association Ronald McDonald House - Toronto SickKids Foundation Thames Valley Children’s Centre Ronald McDonald House - Winnipeg Simon Fraser University Thames Valley Education Foundation Rose and Max Rady Jewish Community Centre Sketch - Working Arts for Street-Involved and Homeless Theatre Aquarius Youth Rotary Paradise Youth and Community Centre Theatre Calgary Skills Camp Rowbust Dragon Boat Racing Team Le Théâtre du Nouveau Monde Skills Canada Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans’ Association Theatre New Brunswick SMARTRISK The Royal Conservatory of Music Theatre Nova Scotia Smile Theatre Company Royal Ontario Museum Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation Social Investment Organization (SIO) Royal Ottawa Health Care Foundation Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra The Society of Management Accountants of Manitoba Royal Winnipeg Ballet Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts Soulpepper Theatre Company Royal Winnipeg Rifles Toronto Arts Council Foundation South Temiskaming Activity Trails Organization S.U.C.C.E.S.S. (United Chinese Community Enrichment Toronto Public Library Foundation Services Society) Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation Toronto Symphony Orchestra The Salvation Army - Alberta and Northern Territories Special Olympics Burlington Transition to Betterness The Salvation Army - Hamilton Special Olympics Canada Trillium Health Centre Foundation The Salvation Army - London Special Olympics Canada Foundation Trinity Western University The Salvation Army - Manitoba & Northwest Ontario Special Olympics Kitchener-Waterloo Trout Forest Music Festival The Salvation Army - Victoria Special Olympics Manitoba True Patriot Love Foundation Santa Claus Parade Inc. Spence Neighbourhood Association United Firefighters of Winnipeg SARI Therapeutic Riding The Spirit of Giving United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island Saskatchewan Arts Board Spruce Meadows/Equestrian Improvement Foundation United Way Northern British Columbia Saskatchewan Cancer Agency St. Anthony’s Hospital United Way of Ajax-Pickering-Uxbridge Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce St. Boniface Hospital & Research Foundation United Way of Brandon & District Saskatchewan Express St. John’s Therapeutic Riding Association, Rainbow Riders United Way of Bruce Grey Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation (London) United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton Saskatchewan Literacy Network St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation (Hamilton) United Way of Calgary and Area Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club St. Joseph’s Hospice of Sarnia Lambton United Way of Cambridge and North Dumfries Saskatchewan Science Centre St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation United Way of Cape Breton Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation United Way of Central Alberta Saskatoon Interval House St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Community of Regina United Way of Chatham-Kent Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) appendix 51 appendix Contributions to Communities in 2009
United Way of Grande Prairie & Region University of Saskatchewan Women’s Health Clinic United Way of Greater Moncton & Southeastern New University of Waterloo Women’s Health Research Foundation of Canada Inc. Brunswick Region The University of Western Ontario Women’s Mid-Life Health Centre of Saskatchewan United Way of Greater Saint John University of Winnipeg Women’s Place St. Catharines & North Niagara United Way of Greater Simcoe County Vancouver Chamber Choir Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars United Way of Greater Victoria Vancouver Community College Woodview Children’s Centre United Way of Halifax Region Vancouver International Children’s Festival World Wildlife Fund Canada United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Vancouver Opera Yaletown House Foundation Addington The Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation United Way of Kitchener-Waterloo and Area Variety Children’s Heart Centre YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth United Way of Lanark County Variety, the Children’s Charity of Manitoba YMCA of Greater Toronto United Way of Leeds and Grenville Victoria General Hospital Foundation YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington United Way of London & Middlesex Villa Charities Foundation YMCA of Oakville United Way of Lunenburg County Villa Rosa YMCA of Regina United Way of Newfoundland and Labrador Vision Quest Conferences YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka United Way of Oshawa-Whitby-Clarington-Brock & Scugog VOCM Cares Foundation YMCA of Western Ontario United Way of Peel Region Volunteer Centre of Winnipeg Brockville and Area YMCA-YWCA United Way of Peterborough & District VON Middlesex-Elgin YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg United Way of Prince Edward Island Waterloo Regional Down Syndrome Society Yonge Street Mission United Way of Quinte Welcome Hall Mission York Central Hospital Foundation United Way of Regina Wellspring London and Region York University United Way of Sarnia-Lambton Wellwood Resource Centre of Hamilton Youth in Motion Education Foundation United Way of Saskatoon & Area West Central Women’s Resource Centre Reseau-Ado du Quebec United Way of Sault Ste. Marie West Park Healthcare Centre Foundation Youth Opportunities Unlimited United Way of South Western Alberta West Region Tribal Council Youth Singers of Calgary United Way of St. Catharines & District Western Area Youth Services YWCA of Peterborough, Victoria and Haliburton United Way of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Western Canada Aviation Museum YWCA Regina United Way of The Alberta Capital Region Westminster Housing Society YWCA Toronto United Way of the Central & South Okanagan/Similkameen The Willett Hospital Foundation Zoological Society of Manitoba United Way of the Fraser Valley Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation We also support many professional, voluntary sector, United Way of the Lower Mainland and business organizations. Many of our staff are Windsor Symphony Orchestra United Way of Thunder Bay involved in advisory or consultative capacities with The Winnipeg Art Gallery industry organizations or working groups including United Way of Winnipeg members of private industry and regulatory Winnipeg Blue Bombers United Way of York Region agencies. Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce United Way Toronto Better Business Bureau Serving Manitoba & N.W. Ontario The Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre United Way/Centraide (Central N.B./Région du Business for the Arts Centre N.-B.) Winnipeg Folk Festival Business Council of Manitoba United Way/Centraide Ottawa The Winnipeg Foundation Canada Safety Council United Way/Centraide Sudbury and/et District The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival - Kids Fringe Canadian Chamber of Commerce United Way/Centraide Upper Ottawa Valley Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club’s Community Zone Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Partnership United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County Canadian Council of Chief Executives Winnipeg Harvest UNITY Charity C. D. Howe Institute The Winnipeg Humane Society Université de Montréal Chambre de commerce du Montréal Metropolitain Winnipeg International Children’s Festival University Hospitals Kingston Foundation Conference Board of Canada Winnipeg Jewish Theatre University of Alberta Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec Winnipeg Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) The University of British Columbia Frontier Centre for Public Policy Winnipeg Music Festival University of Calgary Imagine Canada Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir University of Manitoba The London Chamber of Commerce Winnipeg Police Association’s Fundraiser University of Ottawa Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra University of Regina Ontario Chamber of Commerce Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers 52 appendix appendix Contributions to Communities in 2009
Regina & District Chamber of Commerce Fondation universitaire de l’Université du Québec (Québec, Trinity Western University (Langley, BC) QC) Great-West Life Endowed Scholarship - School of Business The Toronto Board of Trade Great-West Life Merit Scholarship in Management Science Université de Moncton (Moncton, NB) Toronto Financial Services Alliance and related fields Great-West Life Scholarship in Business Administration The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario (Toronto, ON) London Life Scholarship The Great-West Life and London Life Research Scholar Bursaries and Scholarships Université du Quebéc à Hull (Hull, QC) HEC Montréal (Montréal, QC) The Great-West Life and London Life Scholarship Fund Algoma University College Foundation (Sault Ste. Marie, Great-West Life Scholarship ON) University Health Network (Toronto, ON) The Great-West Life Assistance Fund for Indigenous Huron University College Foundation (London, ON) The Charles H. Hollenberg Chair in Medicine London Life Fourth Year Scholarship Students University of Alberta - Development Office (Edmonton, AB) The Great-West Life Student Assistance Fund The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba The Great-West Life Bachelor of Commerce Scholarship The Banff Centre (Banff, AB) (Winnipeg, MB) The Great-West Life Bilingual Bachelor of Commerce Banff Centre Scholarship Fund Great-West Life Leadership Award Scholarship Brock University (St. Catharines, ON) Lakehead University (Thunder Bay, ON) University of Calgary (Calgary, AB) The Great-West Life Scholarship in Business Administration Freedom 55 Financial Scholarships Chair in Insurance and Risk Management Risk Management and Insurance Program - Great-West Laurentian University - Northern Ontario School of Business Council of Manitoba (Winnipeg, MB) Life Business Education Scholarship Medicine (Sudbury, ON) Aboriginal Education Award Program Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Award University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, MB) Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (Toronto, ON) Bison Sports Athletic Scholarship Fund McGill University (Montreal, QC) FAAY (Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal G. Clarence Elliott Fellowship Great-West Life and London Life Scholarship in Arts Youth) Scholarships Lloyd A H Warren Chair in Actuarial Science Great-West Life and London Life Scholarship in Canadian Diabetes Association - National (Toronto, ON) Management University of Northern British Columbia (Prince George, BC) Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Young National Institute of Disability Management and Research McMaster University (Hamilton, ON) Scientist Award and Diabetes Educator Section - Great-West Life Graduate Scholarship in Disability Centre for Health Promotion and Rehabilitation: The Great- Scholarships Management West Life Ontario Graduate Scholarship The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (London, ON) University of Ontario Institute of Technology (Oshawa, ON) Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John’s, NL) Great-West Life and London Life Scholarship Fund The Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Award Great-West Life Scholarship in Business Administration University of Regina (Regina, SK) Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation (CMSF) (Toronto, Mount Allison University (Sackville, NB) Freedom 55 Financial Scholarship ON) London Life Business Education Scholarship Loran Awards Great-West Life Scholarship in Disability Management The Mount Royal University Foundation (Calgary, AB) University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, SK) Carleton University (Ottawa, ON) The Great-West Life and London Life Scholarship Fund The Great-West Life Assurance Company Award in Business Education Bursaries Business National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (Ohsweken, Freedom 55 Financial Scholarship in Business ON) Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Award in University of Toronto (Toronto, ON) Great-West Life Bursary Program Business Woodsworth College - Peter Bronfman Woodsworth Certified General Accountants Association ofM anitoba Okanagan College Foundation (Kelowna, BC) Scholarship The Canada Life Award - Bachelor of Business (Winnipeg, MB) The University of Winnipeg Foundation (Winnipeg, MB) Administration Endowed Scholarship CGA Manitoba Scholarship Trust Fund Bachelor of Arts, Applied Management Studies (Great- Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface (Winnipeg, MB) Parkwood Hospital Foundation (London, ON) West Life) Program Great-West Life Endowment Fund London Life Studentship in Stroke Rehabilitation Research The Tony Tascona Bursary Fund in Art History Concordia University (Montreal, QC) Queen’s University (Kingston, ON) Vancouver Community College (Vancouver, BC) Great-West Life Business Education Awards Great-West Life Scholarship in Finance Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Scholarship Great-West Life School of Medicine Studentship for New Canadians Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Red River College (Winnipeg, MB) Learning (Kitchener, ON) Western Area Youth Services (London, ON) Great-West Life Scholarship and Bursary Freedom 55 Financial Scholarship in Financial Planning Youth Scholarship Program Freedom 55 Financial Awards for students pursuing careers Redeemer University College (Ancaster, ON) York University Foundation (Toronto, ON) in financial planning Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Business Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Award in Scholarship Fanshawe College (London, ON) Financial Services London Life Bursary Richard Ivey School of Business (London, ON) Team Events London Life Scholarship in Business Studies London Life Paul Desmarais Finance Fellowship London Life Student Awards in Communications Great-West Life MBA Continuing Scholarship West Coast Fondation Armand-Frappier (Laval, QC) Royal University Hospital Foundation (Saskatoon, SK) Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver Foundation Fête Champêtre - Great-West Life, London Life and The Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Medical Bowl for Big Brothers Classic Canada Life Doctoral Scholarship Training Endowment CBI Financial Services Freedom 55 Financial, Vancouver Georgia Fondation de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology pneumologie de Québec (SIAST) (Regina, SK) Canadian Cancer Society - British Columbia and Yukon (Ste-Foy, QC) SIAST Centennial Merit Scholarships and Bursaries Division The Great-West Life/Institut de cardiologie de Québec Freedom 55 Financial Centennial Merit Scholarship for Relay for Life - Celebrating Children of Courage Scholarship Financial Services Freedom 55 Financial, Vancouver Fraser Valley The Freedom 55 Financial/Institut de cardiologie de Québec Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada - BC Scholarship Learning (Oakville, ON) Region Fondation Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (Trois- Theatre Sheridan: Great-West Life and London Life Bursary Walk to Cure Diabetes - Kelowna Rivieres, QC) Freedom 55 Financial, Kelowna Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, BC) Freedom 55 Financial Business Program Scholarship The Great-West Life Scholarship in Business Administration
appendix 53 appendix Contributions to Communities in 2009
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada - BC Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario Region Becel Ride for Heart ALS Society - London Chapter Walk to Cure Diabetes - Fraser Valley Canada Life Head Office Walk for ALS - London Freedom 55 Financial, Vancouver Fraser Valley London Life Head Office Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada - BC 7 Summits Challenge ALS Society of Ontario Region GWL Realty Advisors, Toronto Walk for ALS – Durham Walk to Cure Diabetes - Vancouver Island Freedom 55 Financial, Peterborough Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario - Brockville Freedom 55 Financial, Vancouver Island Heart & Stroke Big Bike Autism Ontario London Prairies Freedom 55 Financial, Brockville Bowling for Autism Canadian Cancer Society - Alberta/N.W.T. Division - Grande London Life Head Office Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario - Belleville Prairie Unit Heart & Stroke Big Bike Big Brothers Big Sisters of London & Area Relay for Life Active Wealth Management Big Brothers Bowl for Kids’ Sake The Resource Centre, Grande Prairie London Life Head Office Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario - Chatham-Kent Canadian Cancer Society - Manitoba Division Heart & Stroke Big Bike Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - National Office Manitoba Dragon Boat Festival Freedom 55 Financial, Chatham CIBC Run for the Cure - London Great-West Life Head Office London Life Head Office Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario - London Area Canadian Cancer Society - Manitoba Division The Resource Centre, London Office Relay for Life - Winnipeg Heart & Stroke Big Bike Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - National Office Great-West Life Head Office London Life Head Office CIBC Run for the Cure - Blackburn Hamlet Canadian Cancer Society - Saskatchewan Division Freedom 55 Financial, Ottawa Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario -York Region Relay for Life South Office Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - National Office Regina Administration Centre Heart & Stroke Big Bike CIBC Run for the Cure - Peterborough The Resource Centre, South Saskatchewan Freedom 55 Financial, North York Freedom 55 Financial, Peterborough Freedom 55 Financial, Toronto East CancerCare Manitoba Foundation Inc. Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Chapter Challenge for Life Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada - North CIBC Run for the Cure - Toronto Great-West Life Head Office Eastern Ontario Region Canada Life Head Office Ride for Diabetes Research Edmonton Down Syndrome Society Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – National Office Freedom 55 Financial, Ottawa Buddy Walk CIBC Run for the Cure – Windsor Edmonton Disability Management Services Office London Food Bank Windsor Group Sales Office Race to Erase Hunger Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba Canadian Cancer Society - Burlington Unit London Life Head Office Heart & Stroke Big Bike Relay for Life Great-West Life Head Office London Humane Society Continuum II Inc. Bark in the Park Dog Walk-a-thon Huntington Society of Canada - Winnipeg Chapter Canadian Cancer Society - Elgin-Middlesex Unit London Life Head Office Huntington’s Indy Go-Kart Challenge Relay for Life - London Great-West Life Head Office Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southwestern Ontario London Life Head Office Go Blue! Go Bald! Charity Head Shave Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Winnipeg Chapter London Group Sales London Life Head Office Ride for Research Canadian Cancer Society - Peterborough & District Unit Great-West Life Head Office Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Ontario Division, Relay for Life Southwestern Ontario KidSport Saskatchewan Freedom 55 Financial, Peterborough Fund Raising Office Corporate Challenge Cardiac Health Foundation MS Walk - Owen Sound Regina Administration Centre Walk of Life – Toronto Freedom 55 Financial, Cambridge Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Alberta Division Canada Life Head Office Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Ontario Division, Rona MS Bike Tour 150 – Leduc to Camrose Children’s Aid Society of London & Middlesex Southwestern Ontario Freedom 55 Financial, Edmonton Labatt 24-Hour Relay Fund Raising Office Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Manitoba Division London Life Head Office MS Walk - London Rona MS Bike Tour - Biking to the Viking London Life Head Office Children’s Health Foundation Great-West Life Head Office Change Bandits Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Ontario Division, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Manitoba Division London Life Head Office Southwestern Ontario Manitoba Lotteries MS Walk - Winnipeg Fund Raising Office Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation Great-West Life Head Office MS Ride - Grand Bend to London Tour For Kids London Life Head Office Reh-Fit Centre Foundation Canada Life Head Office Walk of Life and Health Fair Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre Foundation Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation Great-West Life Head Office Spike for Life Volleyball Tournament The Inside Ride Ottawa Disability Management Services Office Canada Life Regional Marketing Centre, Ontario Region The Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba Ottawa Group Sales Office Stationary Bike Race Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada Great-West Life Head Office Run for Ovarian Cancer Mississauga Marathon Corporate Relay In support of London Health Sciences Foundation Freedom 55 Financial, Mississauga The Livia Stoyke Foundation London Life Head Office Spin Around the Clock Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada - Metro Toronto Freedom 55 Financial, Edmonton SARI Therapeutic Riding Chapter Bowling for Ponies Heel ‘N’ Wheel Athon The Winnipeg Humane Society London Life Head Office Paws in Motion Event London Life Head Office Great-West Life Head Office SickKids Foundation Five Counties Children’s Centre Heatwave Carl Oake Swimathon Canada Life Head Office Freedom 55 Financial, Peterborough
54 appendix appendix Contributions to Communities in 2009
Thames Valley Children’s Centre Canada Life Regional Marketing Centre, British Columbia Freedom 55 Financial, Timmins Forest City Road Races Canada Life Regional Marketing Centre, Eastern Region Freedom 55 Financial, Toronto London Life Head Office Canada Life Regional Marketing Centre, Ontario Region Freedom 55 Financial, Toronto East The Easter Seal Society, Ontario Power Play for Easter Seals Canada Life Regional Marketing Centre, Prairie Region Freedom 55 Financial, Toronto Metro Freedom 55 Financial, Peterborough CBI Financial Services Freedom 55 Financial, Toronto Northwest The Lung Association, Ontario Office Amazing Pace Continuum II Inc. Freedom 55 Financial, Toronto West Central Freedom 55 Financial, Forest City Creaghan McConnell Group Ltd. Freedom 55 Financial, Tri-Cities The Resource Centre, Toronto Donvito O’Neill Financial Inc. Freedom 55 Financial, Trois Rivieres The Salvation Army- Ontario Great Lakes Division Santa Shuffle Edmonton Group Sales Office Freedom 55 Financial, Vancouver Asian London Life Head Office Freedom 55 Financial, Barrie Freedom 55 Financial, Vancouver Fraser Valley The Terry Fox Foundation Ontario Freedom 55 Financial, Brockville Freedom 55 Financial, Vancouver Georgia Terry Fox Run - Hamilton Freedom 55 Financial, Hamilton Freedom 55 Financial, Burlington/Hamilton Freedom 55 Financial, Vancouver West Coast The Terry Fox Foundation Ontario Freedom 55 Financial, Calgary Freedom 55 Financial, Victoria Terry Fox Run - London Freedom 55 Financial, Cambridge Freedom 55 Financial, Windsor London Life Head Office Freedom 55 Financial, Chatham Freedom 55 Financial, York North The Terry Fox Foundation Ontario Terry Fox Run - Oshawa Freedom 55 Financial, Durham/Peterborough Glen Oliver & Associates Financial The Resource Centre, Central Ontario Freedom 55 Financial, Eastern Ontario GWL Realty Advisors Inc., Calgary Trillium Health Centre Foundation Freedom 55 Financial, Edmonton GWL Realty Advisors Inc., Commerce Court R.E. Walk of Life Maintenance The Resource Centre, Mississauga Freedom 55 Financial, Forest City Freedom 55 Financial, Mississauga GWL Realty Advisors Inc., Sussex Freedom 55 Financial, Fredericton VON Middlesex-London GWL Realty Advisors Inc., Toronto Great Community Walk Freedom 55 Financial, Georgian Bay GWL Realty Advisors Inc., Trillium Executive Centre London Life Head Office Freedom 55 Financial, Hamilton Halifax Group Retirement Distribution World Wildlife Fund Canada Freedom 55 Financial, Kelowna WWF CN Tower Climb Hamilton Group Sales Office Canada Life Head Office Freedom 55 Financial, Laval Rive-Nord London Life Head Office Healy Financial Planning Freedom 55 Financial, Manitoba York Central Hospital Foundation Leipert Financial Group Freedom 55 Financial, Mississauga Share the Spirit of Care 5K Race Les Services Financiers David Forest Freedom 55 Financial, Toronto Northwest Freedom 55 Financial, Moncton London Group Sales Office Quebec Freedom 55 Financial, Montreal Est Matthews McDonough Financial Services Defi Corporatif Canderel Freedom 55 Financial, Montreal Metropolitan In support of McGill Cancer Centre and Insitut du cancer McAuley Financial Services Inc. Freedom 55 Financial, Montreal Ville Marie de Montreal McMahon Chapman Financial Group Inc. Montreal Head Office Freedom 55 Financial, Nanaimo Millcroft Financial Group Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation Freedom 55 Financial, New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Dragon Boat Challenge Montreal Group Retirement Distribution Freedom 55 Financial, Montreal Metropolitan Freedom 55 Financial, Newfoundland Montreal Group Sales Office Freedom 55 Financial, Montreal Ville Marie Freedom 55 Financial, Niagara Ottawa Disability Management Services Office Atlantic Freedom 55 Financial, North Bay Ottawa Group Sales Office Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Atlantic Region Freedom 55 Financial, Northern Ontario CIBC Run for the Cure - St. John Owens MacFadyen Group Inc. Freedom 55 Financial, P.E.I. Freedom 55 Financial, Nova Scotia PAL Insurance Services Ltd./Pal Benefits Children’s Wish Foundation Freedom 55 Financial, Ottawa Regina Group Sales Office Exile Island Event Freedom 55 Financial, Peterborough Atlantic Provinces Group Sales Office Robert J. Spencer Financial Services Inc. Freedom 55 Financial, Prince Edward Island St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation Secura Financial Group Ltd. Freedom 55 Financial, Quebec Northwest St. John Dragon Boat Festival Services Financiers Stéphane Roy Freedom 55 Financial, P.E.I. Freedom 55 Financial, Quebec Saguenay Sovereign Wealth Management Inc. 2009 Field Offices Participating in Freedom 55 Financial, Regina Community Partners Program St. Cyr & Associates Freedom 55 Financial, Saguenay Active Wealth Management Stephen J. Pustai Freedom 55 Financial, Saskatchewan Atlantic Provinces Group Sales Office Stephen S. Healy Financial Services Ltd. Freedom 55 Financial, Sault Ste. Marie Brady Financial Group Inc. Stepright Capital Planning Inc. Freedom 55 Financial, South-East Quebec Bruce W. Etherington Agencies Inc. The Resource Centre, Brossard Rive-Sud Freedom 55 Financial, Southwestern Ontario Calgary Disability Management Services Office The Resource Centre, Calgary Freedom 55 Financial, Thunder Bay Calgary Group Sales Office The Resource Centre, Central Ontario appendix 55 appendix Contributions to Communities in 2009
The Resource Centre, Central Saskatchewan The Resource Centre, Eastern Ontario The Resource Centre, Edmonton The Resource Centre, Fraser Valley The Resource Centre, Grande Prairie The Resource Centre, Kingston The Resource Centre, Kitchener-Waterloo The Resource Centre, Laval Rive-Nord The Resource Centre, London The Resource Centre, Mississauga The Resource Centre, Montreal The Resource Centre, New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island The Resource Centre, Newfoundland The Resource Centre, Northern Ontario The Resource Centre, Nova Scotia The Resource Centre, Okanagan The Resource Centre, Quebec The Resource Centre, South Saskatchewan The Resource Centre, Southwestern Ontario The Resource Centre, Toronto The Resource Centre, Vancouver The Resource Centre, Windsor The Resource Centre, Winnipeg Toronto Group Retirement Distribution Toronto Group Sales Office Toronto Mortgage Investments Vancouver Group Sales Office Walker-Bumstead Insurance Ltd. Windsor Group Sales Office Winnipeg Group Retirement Distribution Winnipeg Group Sales Office Wm. Brian Callery Agencies Inc.
56 appendix Building Stronger Communities Together™
Cover images: From left: Saying Trees, please! in London, computer learning at Yonge Street Mission, corporate team in Heatwave, a beach volleyball tournament fundraiser for cancer research. Building Stronger Communities Together™
Great-West Life and the key design and Stronger Communities Together are trademarks of The Great-West Life Assurance Company. London Life and design are trademarks of London Life Insurance Company. Canada Life and design are trademarks of The Canada Life Assurance Company. Other trademarks which appear in this statement are trademarks of The Great-West Life Assurance Company or other owners, and are used under license or with permission. E1227(09PAS)-5/10 Community Builders is a trademark of the United Way Canada - Centraide Canada.