Community Life at Resolute: 2020 Highlights

Resolute is focused on building mutually beneficial relationships in the communities in which we live and work. We demonstrate this commitment through transparency, information-sharing and active involvement in community life. Here are some highlights from our 2020 sustainability reporting, prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards. 

Our integrated community outreach strategy in support of our operating communities takes many forms, including financial and material support. In 2020, our donations and sponsorships – at both the local and corporate levels – totaled over $1.1 million, and we contributed an additional $420,000 toward scholarships, bursaries and research grants.

We continue to work on enhancing our community outreach tracking initiative, promoting open discussions and collaboration with stakeholders. In 2020, 100% of our operations tracked and reported their community engagement activities.

Supporting organizations overwhelmed by COVID-19
Resolute operations mobilized quickly when the pandemic hit by dispatching their planned contributions for the year to provide immediate relief to organizations overwhelmed by increased demand, such as food banks, children’s and seniors’ aid groups, first responders and hospital foundations. Including our corporate donation of C$42,000 to United Way/Centraide Canada’s COVID-19 community response funds, Resolute contributed $270,000 towards COVID-19 response initiatives in 2020. In-kind donations were another important means of offering support, for example, personal protective equipment, lumber and hygiene products. 

Partnering with Indigenous communities 
Resolute recognizes the value of maintaining strong relations with Indigenous communities, based on respect, consultation and transparency. We have ongoing consultative relationships and business partnerships with close to 40 Indigenous communities and organizations. A highlight from 2020 is the memorandum of agreement signed by our Ontario woodlands team with Whitesand First Nation. Building on the partnership, the woodlands team donated lumber to repair structures on the band’s traditional lands. 

In 2020, our operations also continued to collaborate with Indigenous peoples, building impactful community partnerships. The team at our Ignace (Ontario) sawmill launched a youth training and employment program in partnership with Wabigoon First Nation, contributing C$25,000; the Clermont (Quebec) newsprint mill hosted the Huron-Wendat First Nation for the annual eel run; and the Saint-Félicien (Quebec) pulp mill donated funds to support a summer camp for Indigenous youth. 

Maintaining dialogue with local stakeholders 
We maintain close links with the leaders of the communities where we live and work, in order to maintain continuous engagement on issues of mutual importance. In 2020, as in previous years, we met (mostly virtually) with mayors, Members of Parliament, Members of Congress and other elected officials; as well as representatives from chambers of commerce, labor organizations, forestry associations and more.

Our facilities are always on the lookout for novel ways to be of service to their communities. To name a few examples in Quebec: the Alma mill helped install water level signage along local rivers for public safety; the Abitibi and Nord-du-Québec woodlands volunteered to maintain cross-country ski trails; and Girardville sawmill and Kénogami mill held drawing contests for employees’ children. 

Connecting with tomorrow’s workforce
Our operations are eager to connect with those considering a career in the forest products industry – whether through speaking to high school students, partnering with local institutions on recruitment programs, or supporting employment centers. Employees at our Sanford (Florida) tissue mill served as technical advisors in a student design competition (and also provided a financial contribution); a team from the Saint-Félicien pulp operation helped present the local college’s new automation and robotics diploma; and the Thunder Bay (Ontario) operations continued to contribute substantially to Confederation College’s Technology, Education and Collaboration Hub. 

Cheering on our athletes
In February, Resolute was a proud gold sponsor of the Special Olympics Canada 2020 Winter Games. Close to forty volunteers from our Thunder Bay operations (pulp and paper mill, sawmill and Ontario woodlands operations) cheered on athletes in three Resolute-sponsored initiatives.

Prior to the pandemic, our operations also had the opportunity to support sporting events in Baie-Comeau (Quebec) – where the paper mill sponsored the 2020 Vélo-Vallée cycling tour – while employees from five Quebec facilities (Alma, Baie-Comeau, Château-Richer, Forests Products Mauricie and Saint-Félicien) combined forces for the Double Défi des 2 Mario, a 32-km (20-mile) trek supporting young people living with cancer. 

Resolute strives to be a positive presence in our operating communities. Our employees are instrumental in that effort, admirably representing the company in countless ways and inspiring us daily. 

To learn about Resolute’s commitment to our operating communities, check out The Resolute Blog as well as the community involvement section of our corporate website.