ESG Rewind: A Recap of the Last Three Months
ESG, News
Deploying ESG initiatives on our sites is a part of our strategy to build stronger relationships with Indigenous communities and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. In 2023, we witnessed several of our initiatives in action, including the start of the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority’s (WAHA) redevelopment project and our Heat Better Challenge.
WAHA
In February of this year, we were awarded the Site Preparation Early Works contract for the WAHA redevelopment project. The Early Works phase is dedicated to completing tasks associated with preparing the site pad to support the construction of the new hospital campus in Moosonee.
The project team is connecting with the six communities in the Mushkegowuk Territory to learn about their needs, receive knowledge from them, host events and foster opportunities for collaboration. These relationships have borne the inclusion of traditional and spiritual healing spaces in the design, and culturally inclusive language, signage, colours and materials.
Denise Angelakos, a Pre-Construction Senior Bid Manager for our Alternative Projects Center of Expertise (APEX), is one of the people who is building relationships with communities and clients for the project.
This project is unlike any other I have been on. I see the passion in our team. We’re not just building a hospital, but we’re supporting a community and providing First Nations Communities with much needed healthcare access. In meeting the objectives of Indigenous Participation Plan (IPP) our team is happy to report that all Early Works contracts have been awarded to the First Nations Communities’ businesses, using local labour.
The Heat Better Challenge
After a successful pilot heating project, we launched the Heat Better Challenge over the winter of 2023-2024.This internal initiative, driven by collaboration among different Pomerleau teams, aimed to expand the use of remote monitoring units, optimize heating conditions, and increase the use of electric units. Overall, 17 project teams participated in the challenge, installing more than 150 units, and putting Pomerleau on track to reduce 1,000 tons of CO2e.
Audrey Bonneau, a Logistics Coordinator, procured and supplied the heating units used by the participating sites. She worked closely with the environment team to ensure each site received the proper equipment, adapting to the feedback given by those on-site. The work conducted by the logistics team also influenced suppliers to expand their inventory to incorporate smart heaters.
I love working with the environment team. The Heat Better Challenge was a great opportunity to collaborate, and it was nice to have our suppliers follow in our footsteps.
Our People Are at the Heart of Our Success
Progress cannot be made without the commitment of our people. Their dedication to making their surrounding environments and communities better is inspiring. We are nowhere near perfect, but together we are working toward achieving our ESG goals and making the industry more sustainable.
