In This Issue:

President's Message

New Members

CBSR in the News

CBSR Members News

CBSR News

CSR Events

CBSR is a non-profit CSR consultancy and peer-to-peer learning organization with over 12 years of CSR experience. Our membership represents over $350 billion in gross annual revenues.

GoodCompany 
A Quarterly CSR Newsletter                                                          April 2007

  President's Message

CBSR has been working hard to solidify international CSR links, from our relationship with Forum Empresa in South America, to our staff attendance at overseas CSR conferences and workshops. Most recently, we extended our network to St. James's Palace in London, UK. As a result of our UK-shared Seeing is Believing Program, which focuses on corporate and community engagement, CBSR was invited to the 'Annual Report-back' hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales. The Annual Report-back allows Seeing is Believing alumni to gather annually and discuss the Program's achievements and future directions.

As some of you may be aware, 'The Prince's Seeing is Believing Programme' is run by Business in the Community, a Prince's Charity. This program has run successfully for 15 years with CBSR adopting and adapting the program to a Canadian setting in early 2006.

Prince Charles, who in mid-2006 became Patron of CBSR, hosted the Annual Seeing is Believing Report-back on 21 March, at St. James's Palace. This gathering included 120 UK alumni of the program, largely comprised of CEOs of the UK's top corporations across industry sectors. Our delegation had an opportunity to meet these leaders in addition to meeting the Prince himself and discuss Seeing is Believing Canada - in particular the recent Business Objects sponsored technology sector tour in Vancouver - the first of many we hope! The Prince referred to our Canadian delegation in his speech, congratulating CBSR for adopting the program with a view to contributing to the social landscape in Canada.

In addition to the events around Seeing is Believing, we also participated in a series of meetings on climate change. We met with The CarbonNeutral Company, The Carbon Trust, Cambridge University, and The Climate Group, to name a few. On behalf of our Canadian members, we explored what UK businesses, government, and the wider community are adopting to understand and communicate climate change. Our friends at Business in the Community and the International Business Leaders Forum generously donated their time and resources to make these meetings happen.

These meetings could not be timelier as CBSR is undertaking a series of work on climate change. We are fortunate to have Karen Hamberg join us on secondment from Westport Innovations. Westport's generousity in providing Karen part-time enables us to undertake climate change research relevant to our Canadian members. As a result of this extensive research, a practical resource will be made available to CBSR members at our 5^th Annual CSR Summit on November 7, 2007 in Toronto. On other climate news, BC Hydro is sponsoring an event titled Can You Handle the Truth about Climate Change? Time for Corporate Action on April 12, 2007 in Vancouver. This event will feature Dave Mowat, CEO of Vancity and Bob Elton, CEO of BC Hydro. The pair will present a condensed version of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth and challenge business leaders to use their influence and take action. We hope you can join us at these stimulating events.  

 
Adine Mees
President and CEO

New 2007 CBSR Members

Breakwater Resources
Cognos Inc.
The Cooperators
Enbridge Inc.
Holt Renfrew & Co. Ltd.
Honda Canada Inc.
Hunter Dickinson Inc.
Innovest Strategic Value Advisors
Le Chateau Inc.
Servus Credit Union

CBSR in the News

CBSR and Business Objects, Seeing is Believing
On March 6 2007, technology sector executives hit the streets of Vancouver's inner city as part of CBSR's Seeing is Believing program. Proudly sponsored by Business Objects and lead by Greg Wolfe, Executive VP, Operations, the group visited four local community organizations, each with a social enterprise component that focuses on issues such as poverty, homelessness, addictions and youth at-risk. At each stop, participants had an opportunity to learn about the challenges and successes of operating a social enterprise and discuss how they can strategically invest in their community for mutual results.

Executives from Apparent Networks, Blast Radius, Business Objects, Electronic Arts, Fasken Martineau, INETCO, Orbital Technologies, and Ray & Berdtson met face to face with community organizations - Potluck Café, United We Can, Directions Youth Services Centre and Tradeworks Training Society - to hear personal stories about how, through accessing the services of these community groups, lives have been transformed. The group also saw how their day-to-day business activities can affect social change by utilizing business strengths in partnership with community organizations.

Transcript of Channel M media coverage is available here. CBC Early Edition coverage can be heard here or you may view the transcript. For more information on Seeing is Believing or to sponsor a tour, please contact Annastasia Palubiski.

CBSR and Catalyst in Corporate Knights
CBSR member, Catalyst Paper, has generously donated their advertisement space in Corporate Knights Magazine to CBSR. We have co-created a series of ads to appear throughout the year to create greater awareness and action in corporate social responsibility (CSR). The first two advertisements of the year-long campaign can be viewed here.

Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Conference
CBSR President, Adine Mees, and CSR Advisor, Ka-Hay Law, both spoke at the 2007 Engineers Without Borders (EWB) conference in Calgary. Calgary Sun reporter Bill Kaufmann spoke with Ka-Hay on her thoughts around CSR and development. Ka-Hay is currently on sabbatical with Engineers without Borders in Zambia. View full article here.

CBSR Members News

2007 Global 100 Most Sustainable Companies in the World
Four CBSR members get the nod
The results of the third annual Global 100 Most Sustainable Companies in the World were released in January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. CBSR members Alcan Inc., Enbridge Inc., Royal Bank of Canada and TransCanada Corporation were all awarded a spot on the 2007 list. This is the third time that Alcan Inc., Enbridge Inc., and Royal Bank of Canada were included in this prestigious ranking. TransCanada Corporation made its first appearance on the list this year, having demonstrated strong community relations, and was given high points in stakeholder engagement. Full details, including complete list of winners and research methodologies, can be found here.  

Westport Innovations: At home, abroad, and at CBSR
With the attention of the public and the media focused on climate change, Westport Innovations has been receiving attention both at home and abroad. Westport's high-pressure direct injection (HPDI) system was featured in a CNNMoney.com article. The article quotes that Westport has first-mover advantage in the clean engine technology market. Closer to home, Westport CEO, Dave Demers, appeared in the Vancouver Sun following the release of Premier Gordon Campbell's ambitious environmental targets. Demers said that Westport's technology "provides an immediate bridge to the future, in preparation for the hydrogen highway and other zero-emission initiatives." View full CNNMoney.com and Vancouver Sun articles.

Westport has generously offered one of their key employees on secondment to CBSR. Karen Hamberg, Manager, Safety, Environment and Social Responsibility at Westport, has been spending two days a week at CBSR since February 2007 in order to complete extensive research on climate change. Specifically, she is looking to develop a practical, innovative and Canadian-focused manual for CBSR members to assist and guide the development of corporate climate change strategy, implementation, impact mitigation tactics and communication efforts. To learn more, please contact Mel Phadtare, Senior Programs Manager.

Business Objects: Women & Arts
Business Objects has become synonomous with community investment in Vancouver. On February 22, Business Objects opened the doors of its Mainland office in Vancouver to host an exhibition of artwork created by women from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside neighborhood. Members of the public and Business Objects employees were invited to attend and See Beyond the stereotypes of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, a community that struggles with social problems including poverty, addiction, and violence. Please click here for more details.

Shell Canada now offers Fair Trade Coffee
In response to consumers' demand and as part of their sustainable initiatives program, Shell Canada is now brewing a selection of Fair Trade Certified coffees, available in all its convenience stores across Canada. This decision has been very well received by Shell Canada's customers.

Citizens Bank Term Deposits supports Microcredit
Citizens Bank has released the Shared World Term Deposit that helps support microcredit financing. "The Shared World Term Deposit is not charity, it's a competitive investment vehicle with a social objective," said Jason Farris, president and CEO of Citizens Bank of Canada. "We see this as an opportunity to provide investors with a sound financial return and a solid social return, ultimately making a difference in the lives of many people." Visit their website to learn more.

Vancity and Citizens Bank of Canada release new Climate mortgage
Use your mortgage to fight climate change
Vancity and Citizens Bank of Canada have launched a Climate Change Mortgage. Call them directly and they will take the money they would have spent on gaining your business (advertising, broker fees, etc.) into a fund to fight climate change. Visit www.climatechangemortgage.com or call 1.866.566.6651 to find out more.

GlobeScan's 2007 CSR Monitor Survey Now Available
GlobeScan's 2007 Canadian Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Monitor research report is now available on a subscription basis. This research program has been tracking Canadian public opinion on issues related to the role of companies in society since 1999. Among this year's highlights are that Canadians feel increasingly empowered as consumers to influence companies' CSR behaviour and are among the most ethically active consumers across 24 countries surveyed. To subscribe to this study or inquire about GlobeScan's other research services, please contact Aysa September or visit www.GlobeScan.com.

CBSR is Bullfrogpowered!
CBSR has partnered with Bullfrog Power to provide clean, green electricity for its Toronto office. Bullfrog's growing list of customers comprises a wide range of businesses and organizations, including Wal-Mart Canada, Cadbury Adams and RBC, who want to put their electricity dollars toward the production and development of clean, renewable electricity, thereby displacing polluting and CO₂-emitting electricity on the grid.
Bullfrog Power sources power exclusively from wind and low-impact hydro generators who meet or exceed the federal government's Environmental Choice Program EcoLogo standard for renewable electricity. 

CBSR News

Report Assessment Tool ñ focused and relevant CSR reporting
Last newsletter we informed you of the development of CBSR's new Report Assessment Tool, developed to address two key areas:

• CBSR Reporting Principles  - the WHAT of a report; includes principles such as Materiality, Completeness, Credibility and Transparency, Context and Scope and Comparability
• CBSR Communication Principles - the HOW of report communication; includes CBSR 10 principles to CSR Communications.

Since launching this initiative in 2006, CBSR has had a flurry of member queries regarding application of the Report Assessment Tool. CBSR is now pleased to provide you with more information on this tool here. Please contact Myrna Khan to find out how this tool can add to your company's CSR reporting initiative.

Updated CBSR Member Benefits Package

CBSR continuously strives to enhance its offering to members. We have revised our Members Benefits Package for 2007 based on the feedback we've received from you. Over the years, members continue to consider CBSR part of their CSR team, depending on us for relevant and timely CSR information. CBSR also continues to facilitate peer-to-peer collaboration and to profile our members' CSR success stories. The updated Member Benefits Package can be viewed here.

The CBSR team is growing!

CBSR is pleased to announce four new members joining our dynamic team. Melissa Whellams and Annastasia Palubiski have joined our Vancouver office as CSR Advisor and Seeing is Believing Coordinator. Barb Steele and Wesley Gee join our Toronto office as CSR Advisor and Member Development Coordinator. To learn more about our team, please view our biographies here.

2007 Annual General Meeting

CBSR's 2007 AGM took place on March 26 in Vancouver. Thank you to those members who participated. CBSR Board members were re-elected to new terms at the Board meeting. Learn more about CBSR Board members and view their biographies here.

Upcoming CBSR Events
(Including CBSR participation at other events)

Can you Handle the Truth about Climate Change?
April 12, Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown
Join us as Vancity CEO Dave Mowat presents a condensed version of Al Gore's slide show from the Oscar-winning documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth' and provides ideas on how business can take action against climate change. Bob Elton, President and Chief Executive Officer of BC Hydro, will join Dave in leading a business challenge that will illustrate to business leaders how they can use their influence to take action on climate change. For more information and to register, please click here to register through the Vancouver Board of Trade. CBSR members can register at the discounted rate of $45 + GST.

Ceres-ACCA North American Sustainability Reporting Awards 2006
April 12, Toronto
The 6th annual Ceres-ACCA North American Sustainability Reporting Awards will take place on April 12, 2007. CBSR members Alcan, Mountain Equipment Cooperative, Nexen, PotashCorp, Shell Canada, Telus, Vancity Group and Weyerhaeuser are all featured on the 2006 short-list. Kathrin Bohr, CBSR VP of Member Development and in-house CSR reporting expert, sits on the award judges panel once again and Senior CSR Advisor, Lorraine Smith, will present the award. For more information about the event, please contact Nigel Hall at 416.966.2225.

CBSR 5th Annual Summit on CSR
November 7, Toronto
The CBSR team is busy preparing for our 5th Annual Summit on CSR in Toronto. Please mark your calendar! The Right Honourable Joe Clark will once again act as our Honourary Chair. We are currently in conversation with CBSR members to ensure that the topics of this summit are even more relevant and provocative than the last. Please click here for information on our 2006 Annual Summit on CSR, CSR: Preparing for the Next Phase.

Our event in 2006 attracted over 130 business leaders and CSR experts from across Canada and around the globe. It also garnered local and national media coverage. Interested in profiling your company at this year's Summit? Please contact us about sponsorship opportunities.

Past CBSR Events
(Including CBSR participation at other events)

Developing a UN Global Compact Network in Canada
Road mapping session
January 25, Vancouver
CBSR convened a road mapping session with both UN Global Compact (UNGC) signatories and non-signatories to explore the feasibility for a Canadian UNGC network. Nexen Inc. sponsored the event with Randy Gossen of Nexen Inc. and Special Advisor to the UN, moderating the event. CBSR and participants looked at existing networks around the globe and what a Canadian network could look like. We've determined that the potential network should provide an opportunity for signatories to engage non-signatories, provide a platform to influence national and international CSR agendas and to collectively deliver on-the-ground benefits through partnered project work. Currently, there are 35 UNGC signatories in Canada and the numbers are growing. Please stay tuned for an update or contact us for details.

Conversation With CSR Expert: What's new for 2007?
January 26, Calgary; January 30, Toronto; February 7, Vancouver
CBSR's President and CEO, Adine Mees, led this highly interactive session and shared her insights on what's in store for CSR at CBSR's first Conversation with a CSR Expert series of 2007. Participants learned about the issues and trends that will impact their business and networked with peers and colleagues. Watch for our upcoming Conversation with CSR Expert series!

2007 Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Conference
January 26, Calgary
CBSR's Ka-Hay Law spoke at the 2007 EWB Conference in Calgary. Ka-Hay sat on the CSR 101 panel with CBSR members Nexen and Shell Canada. Ka-hay introduced CSR by discussing the current approaches and philosophies that are being adopted by Canadian companies. Adine Mees was also present at the EWB Conference. Adine moderated the Corporate Social Responsibility and Humanizing Engineering panel with CBSR members Nexen, UN Global Compact and The Halifax Initiative. Media coverage can be viewed here.

2007 Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) Forum
March 1, Calgary
Myrna Khan, VP Member Engagement with CBSR, spoke at the 2007 Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) Forum. Myrna spoke to the 200-strong audience about CSR issues in the travel industry, specifically approaches to address climate change and opting to go carbon-neutral. The ACTE have expressed an interest in growing CSR knowledge to better serve their members. Find out more about ACTE here.

Retail CSR Leadership: Employee Engagement
March 21, Toronto
CBSR Senior CSR Advisor, Lorraine Smith, led a learning session exclusive to CBSR retail sector members. Participants received a background paper on employee engagement in the retail environment. For more information on the Retail CSR Leadership Program, or to learn about CSR leadership programs for your industry, please contact Lorraine Smith.

Al Gore and his 'Inconvenient Truth' Story
March 25, Cambridge, UK
UK NGO, Climate Project, presented Al Gore and his 'An Inconvenient Truth' story. CBSR's Senior Programs Manager, Mel Phadtare attended the 1,000-strong invitation only event along with representatives from health, education, media, sports, student, faith and business sectors.  

The two-hour presentation, sponsored by Generation Investment Management, Cambridge University UK and Terra Firma, showcased the potential causes and impacts of climate change resulting from increased carbon emissions. The presentation also outlined the response by nature and, more recently, by industry and politicians around the globe.The UK is stepping up its dialogue on climate change through Cambridge University, and will be hosting a four-day 'Climate Leadership Program' in October this year. Please visit their website for more information.

Other CSR Events

Leadership Forum 2007
Health & Safety Canada 2007 IAPA Conference and Trade Show
Health & Safety: The Advantage For Business Sustainability
April 17, Metro Toronto Convention Centre
IAPA (Industrial Accident Prevention Association) presents the Leadership Forum 2007 at Health & Safety Canada 2007: IAPA Conference & Trade Show. Learn how a robust health and safety system contributes to an organization's corporate social responsibility strategy and how that can translate into a sustainable business advantage. CBSR members receive a special discount to this event. Registration fee for CBSR members is $467.50. Simply go to the registration website and click on "Leadership Forum registration for Canadian Business for Social Responsibility members" to receive the discount.

The Ethical Sourcing Forum North America
Beyond Tomorrow: CSR & The Supply Chain
April 19 - 20, Philadelphia
The Ethical Sourcing Forum North America 2007 delivers a dynamic exchange of ideas, new strategies and best practices to address the latest social and environmental challenges facing global supply chain professionals and other stakeholders. CBSR members will receive a discount off the registration fee. Please visit the conference registration website and enter discount code 'discount20'. 

Sustainable Enterprise Academy
May 14 - 17, Toronto
The Sustainable Enterprise Academy (SEA) at the Schulich School of Business, York University provides Executive Seminars on Corporate Sustainable Development featuring leading-edge thinkers and practitioners. The Seminars are designed for senior executives and leaders in business, government and civil society and delivered by internationally acclaimed speakers and an international faculty. The Academy is North America's premier executive education program on sustainable development. CBSR members are eligible to receive a $1,000 discount on their registration fee at the Spring Seminar May 14 - 17, 2007 in Toronto, ON. Please contact SEA for more details.

The Canadian Responsible Investment Conference
May 27 - 29, Montreal
The Canadian Responsible Investment Conference is a biennial summit exploring the growing demand for socially responsible investment in Canada. The conference features a distinguished roster of Canadian and international speakers, including Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and former Chair of the World Commission on Environment and Development. With rapidly rising awareness of the investment impacts of climate change and other social and environmental issues, this conference is ideally timed to provide essential information and networking opportunities. The conference is hosted by the Social Investment Organization. Please visit the event website for full details.

Climate Change Strategies & Environmental Communication
Manage the risks, develop new products and get your message across to customers
June 6 - 7, Boston, MA
As the consumer and investor awareness of climate change is growing, it's time to talk solutions. Ethical Corporation's new conference tackles this issue head-on. Taking place June 6 & 7 in Boston, Climate Change Strategies & Environmental Communication is the first conference to focus exclusively on managing climate change and communicating your environmental message to customers, investors and other stakeholders. Save over $270 if you register by April 16! You may download the conference brochure here or register online.