--- title: "Social Engagement | BBA" date: 2021-09-20T17:27:00-04:00 author: jessica napert canonical_url: "https://www.bbaconsultants.com/about/social-engagement-2" section: About --- 1. Since the very beginning, our commitment has gone far beyond technical excellence. Whether it's through our consulting engineering mandates or our social involvement, our goal remains the same: to help improve the living environments where we operate. 2. Our 3 pillars of commitment BBA’s social impact plan reflects our culture and our commitment to serve as a catalyst for change—for our planet, for our people and for future generations. The following three pillars guide our philanthropic investments on a local and national scale and with Indigenous communities whose values and formative approaches we share, especially that of reconciliation: - 1) Environment: The basis of everything around us By investing in the resilience of our ecosystems, we help preserve our natural resources and improve our living environments to leave a better planet for future generations. - 2) Diversity: Our best asset for innovation By encouraging diversity within our teams and fostering an inclusive work environment, we stimulate creativity. This is a valuable asset when it comes to finding sustainable solutions that benefit everyone. - 3) Education: Our driving force for transformation By supporting education, we're helping shape responsible citizens who are aware of their environment and equipped with the skills they need to transform our society for the better. 3. > To ensure that all our teams can contribute to BBA's commitment, our social impact plan is applied across all areas of the business: corporate, regional and employees BBA's commitment 4. - ![Arbre Canada EN](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Engagement-social/_1080x1200_fit_center-center_100_none_ffffff/156282/Arbre_Canada_EN.webp) ## Environment **Toward Net Zero plan** BBA wants to serve as an exemplary corporate citizen and actively participate in the fight against climate change. The firm committed to implementing a series of initiatives by 2030 to reduce its emissions and help limit global warming to 1.5oC. To learn more, read [BBA’s Toward Net Zero plan](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/about/toward-net-zero-plan). **Long-term partner with Tree Canada** Our firm decided to go one step further in the fight against climate change by also committing to compensating for all its past greenhouse gas emissions since its founding in 1980. To meet this ambitious target, it entered into a long-term partnership with [Tree Canada](https://treecanada.ca/), a non-profit organization responsible for a national greening program aimed at restoring and reforesting our forests. **Annual giving campaign to support Tree Canada** To help our employees actively participate in our Toward Net Zero plan and make a significant impact, BBA’s annual giving campaign has been adapted to direct all our donations to a single beneficiary organization: Tree Canada. A new tree is planted in Canada for every $5 donated. Thanks to our people's generosity, over 33,000 trees have been planted in the last five years. **Sponsoring the ACEC-Canada Breton Award (previously Tree For Life) since 2018** By sponsoring the annual [Breton Award](https://www.acec.ca/awards/CCE_awards/2023_awards.html), presented to a consulting engineering firm that has excelled in environmental stewardship, BBA demonstrates its commitment to recognizing the contribution engineering makes in developing a sustainable society. This initiative supports our vision of innovation and going beyond engineering. **Partner of the first-known urban agrivoltaic system in Québec—an Université de Sherbrooke initiative** This major project is designed to develop the first urban agrivoltaic system by incorporating photovoltaic energy production and integrated plant crops on the same surface on residential, commercial or institutional rooftops in urban areas. The initiative is also intended to promote energy and food self-sufficiency through agrivoltaics, microgrids and green roofs. - ![Artemis Osmose EN](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Engagement-social/_1080x1200_fit_center-center_100_none_ffffff/156283/Artemis_Osmose_EN.webp) ## Diversity **Partnership agreement with Artemis Project** BBA signed a multi-year supply agreement with Artemis Project, an organization that aims to accelerate business outcomes for women entrepreneurs in the mining and metals industry. As the only Canadian consulting engineering firm to have signed an exclusive agreement with the organization, BBA and its clients benefit from cutting-edge ideas and expertise that Artemis members have to offer. The partnership has been in effect since January 2022 and demonstrates BBA's commitment to improving gender diversity in the supply chain as well as its recognition of the significant value women bring to the field. **Support for the Osmosis Network** Established in 2021, BBA's Osmosis Network is an internal group that aims to create synergy, advance women’s talent and stimulate conversations around gender diversity. In addition to its goal of enhancing diversity-related initiatives at BBA, the Osmosis Network wants to raise employee awareness of various topics and stimulate discussion through networking activities. The topics include mental workload and work performance; women and site work; work-life balance, etc. **Financing educational projects** During the 2022/2023 academic year, BBA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee provided financial support to the UBC Wastenauts, a design team at the University of British Columbia that aims to create a zero-waste future through a circular economy and sustainable development. BBA’s funding helped the team present at three educational outreach events in the Vancouver community and implement six engineering design projects in sustainable development. **Pursuing common goals with Indigenous communities** Well aware of how our work impacts local communities, we’ve signed various agreements and formed partnerships with them. To us, the true meaning of partnerships is listening to what communities have to say and aligning our values with theirs. By deepening our understanding and insight from knowledge keepers and elders, we can incorporate what we learn into our daily practices. As such, as part of the reconciliation process, we want to ensure that Indigenous communities are actively involved in everything we do. - ![Indspire](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Engagement-social/_1080x1200_fit_center-center_100_none_ffffff/156297/Indspire.webp) ## Education **Partnership with Indspire to invest in First Nations, Inuit and Métis education** BBA has pledged a total donation of $110,000 to the Indigenous charity Indspire as part of its Building Brighter Futures program. The money will help financially support a group of Indigenous students throughout their post-graduate studies. Like our partner, we believe that helping Indigenous students reach their full potential will benefit their communities and the rest of Canada. **Academic scholarships and educational activities initiated across Canada** Since its founding, BBA has launched, supported, joined and financed numerous educational initiatives. Fully invested in preparing the next generation, BBA continues to be involved in various educational institutions across the country. Here are a few examples: - Financial support for the UBC Wastenauts, a team from the University of British Columbia dedicated to creating a waste-free sustainable future - Bursaries awarded to students at IGEE, Université Laval and Polytechnique Montréal - Donations to local schools to modernize their equipment, facilities and technological tools - Participation as jury members at competitions organized in high schools aimed at passing on a passion for science, technology and innovation to young people. - Support for various science and technology initiatives, such as: - the Science and Engineering program at Collège Saint-Maurice - the Mamu Tshishkutamashutau - Innu Education School Board technological tools improvement program - the École St-Rémi Musique aux enfantss project - the Réseau Technoscience Défi génie inventif event - and many others. - Support for networking and post-graduation learning initiatives for young professionals in the job market, such as the AFG Youth Forum, which organizes visits to industrial projects and conferences to foster professional development. 5. Office initiatives ## We provide our offices with the resources they need to get involved with the local organizations that matter to them. Each of our 18 offices across Canada has an additional budget earmarked to support local organizations whose mission is aligned with our social impact pillars: the environment, diversity and education. This initiative is designed to give our employees the opportunity to experience our corporate values first hand and to see the positive impact their efforts have on their communities. Allocating financial resources directly to our regional offices nurtures our teams' sense of belonging and responsibility and establishes our presence at the heart of the communities we serve. 6. - ![Gram](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Engagement-social/_size_squared/156294/Gram.webp) ## Grame, an environmental organization Pillar of commitment: Environment [Grame’s](https://grame.org) mission is to build resilient communities in a healthy and sustainable environment by working with communities, organizations and governments. - ![Native Canadien Centre of Toronto](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Engagement-social/_size_squared/156295/Native-Canadien-Centre-of-Toronto.webp) ## The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT) and The Toronto Wildlife Centre Pillars of commitment: Diversity and Environment The [NCCT’s](https://ncct.on.ca) mission is to offer the Indigenous community in Toronto a variety of programs and services that support their spiritual, emotional, physical and mental well-being. The [Toronto Wildlife Centre’s](https://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/about-us/)mission is to provide medical care and rehabilitation to wild animals that citizens bring in. - ![Terrace Salmonid Enhancement Society](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Engagement-social/_size_squared/156296/Terrace-Salmonid-Enhancement-Society.webp) ## The Terrace Salmonid Enhancement Society (TSES) Pillar of commitment: Environment The [TSES’s](https://terracesalmonid.com) mission is to enhance salmonid species within our regional watershed, act as a contractor to other similar agencies and enlarge the local employment base through these projects. - ![Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Engagement-social/_size_squared/156288/Columbia-Basin-Alliance-for-Literacy.webp) ## The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) Pillar of commitment: Education The [CBAL’s](https://cbal.org) mission is to offer free literacy programs and services to people of all ages to help them develop the essential skills needed to create strong, resilient and prosperous communities. - ![L IRC de la Monteregie](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Engagement-social/_size_squared/156291/lIRC-de-la-Monteregie.webp) ## The initiatives of the Instance régionale de concertation (IRC) in Québec’s Montérégie. Pillar of commitment: Education The [IRC ](https://www.irc-monteregie.ca)[Montérégie’s](https://www.irc-monteregie.ca) mission is to encourage young people and adults to stay in school and succeed in education by working with local players to promote best practices. - ![WISE Women in Science and Engineering Sudbury](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Engagement-social/_size_squared/156293/WISE-Women-in-Science-and-Engineering-Sudbury.webp) ## Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Sudbury Pillar of commitment: Diversity The mission of [WISE Sudbury](https://wisesudbury.com)is to encourage young women to envision a career in science, engineering, trades and technology and to provide a support network for those who are working in these fields. - ![Comptoir alimentaire Nishk](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Engagement-social/_size_squared/156289/Comptoir-alimentaire-Nishk.webp) ## The Comptoir alimentaire Nishk food counter in the Uashat mak Mani-utenam community Pillar of commitment: Diversity The [Comptoir](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=133517162057384)[ ](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=133517162057384)[alimentaire](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=133517162057384)[ ](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=133517162057384)[Nishk’s](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=133517162057384) mission is to fight impoverishment and food insecurity in the Uashat mak Mani-utenam community by building on the values of sharing and solidarity. 1. Montréal 2. Toronto 3. Terrace 4. Trail 5. Mont-Saint-Hilaire 6. Sudbury 7. Sept-Îles 7. - ![Campagne don EN](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Engagement-social/_1080x1200_fit_center-center_100_none_ffffff/156286/Campagne-don-EN.webp) ## Annual giving campaign: BBA doubles down on employee generosity! The annual giving campaign is a tradition at BBA that we value highly because it embodies two distinct values of our culture: Eco-mindfulness and putting people first. By giving all our donations to Tree Canada, we’re helping create a greener world while also contributing to the well-being of our communities, which is closely tied to sustainable development. Every year, our employees are impressively generous, and BBA celebrates this by doubling every dollar donated! Over the past five years, we've raised more than $165,000 in this spirit of solidarity for the planet and our future generations. 8. - ![Et encore plus](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Engagement-social/_1080x1200_fit_center-center_100_none_ffffff/156290/Et-encore-plus.webp) ## In the face of an unprecedented social context, BBA intensifies its philanthropy At the end of 2022, a year marked by unprecedented social and economic challenges, BBA made several donations to organizations that fight food insecurity, help the homeless and support social inclusion and solidarity. In all, BBA donated $50,000 to 14 active organizations across the country in communities where BBA operates. In the carrousel below, you'll find a detailed list of the organizations in each region that have received one of our donations. Photo: Presentation of BBA's cheque to Willie's Place, a respite centre with a high level of acceptability for men and women who are homeless, vulnerable and experiencing social, family and community breakdown in the Val-d'Or region (QC). 9. Additional donations to local organizations - ​​Eastern Canada • [Moisson Montréal](https://www.moissonmontreal.org/) • [Accueil Bonneau](https://www.accueilbonneau.com/) • [Le Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal](https://www.refugedesjeunes.org/) • [St-Michael’s Mission](https://stmichaelsmission.ca/) • [Le Grain](https://www.graindesel.ca/) [d'Sel](https://www.graindesel.ca/) • [Comptoir](https://comptoiralimentaireseptiles.com/) [alimentaire](https://comptoiralimentaireseptiles.com/) [de Sept-Îles (CASI)](https://comptoiralimentaireseptiles.com/) • [The Salvation Army in Newfoundland & Labrador](https://salvationarmy.ca/newfoundland/) - ​Western Canada • [Edmonton's Food Bank](https://www.edmontonsfoodbank.com/) • [The Mustard Seed](https://theseed.ca/) • [Calgary Food Bank](https://www.calgaryfoodbank.com/) • [Covenant House Vancouver](https://www.covenanthousebc.org/) • [Greater Vancouver Food Bank](https://foodbank.bc.ca/) [](https://salvationarmy.ca/newfoundland/) - Central Canada **•[Eva's](https://www.evas.ca/home-2023/): provides shelter, transitional housing, and health and well-being programming to help youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Toronto.** 10. ## These smiles attest to the positive impact our people's efforts are having. And it's not over yet, because there's still so much to do! [ ![V2 Mosaique](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/V2Mosaique.png) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/V2Mosaique.png) 11. Photos: 1. Volunteering on an organic farm, Laurentians (QC), 2021 2. Volunteering at the ÉTS Génie inventif, Montréal (QC), 2017 3. BBA scholarships presented at the Génie inventif (QC), 2018 4. Shoreline cleanup in Vancouver (BC), 2019 5. Spring cleaning in Sudbury (ON), 2019 6. Volunteering at the ÉTS Génie inventif, Montréal (QC), 2017 7. Sponsorship of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program at St-Maurice College, Saint-Hyacinthe (QC), 2017 8. Sponsorship of a concert by the Montréal Symphony Orchestra (QC), 2019 9. Mask donation to McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hamilton (ON), 2020 10. BBA food drive, Mont-Saint-Hilaire (QC), 2019 11. Fundraiser for Operation Santa Claus, Mont-Saint-Hilaire (QC), 2019 12. Participation in National Indigenous Peoples Day, Calgary (AB), 2020 13. Installation of beehives on the Montréal office rooftop, Montréal (QC), 2018 14. Participation of team BBA at the Leucan race, Montréal (QC), 2019 15. Creation of the Maurice Brisson Scholarship Fund at Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal (QC), 2015 16. BBA scholarship awarded to a graduate of the Institut en génie de l'énergie électrique (IGEE), Montréal (QC), 2019 17. Sponsorship of the Western Engineering competition, 2018 18. Donation to the Mamu Tshishkutamashutau – Innu Education School Board, in Newfoundland (NL), 2020 19. Installation of urban gardens on the Montréal office rooftop 20. BBA receives the Generositas Award, 2020 21. Sponsorship of the Tree for Life Environmental Award (now the Breton Award), presented by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies during the Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards 22. Volunteering at the Accueil Bonneau, Montréal (QC), 2019 23. Organization of a blood drive, Mont-Saint-Hilaire (QC), 2019 A sustainable tomorrow that starts today [ Discover our 2022 ESG Report ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/about/social-engagement-2)