Resolute strives to be a positive presence in our operating communities. Our employees are our ambassadors, admirably representing the company in countless ways and inspiring us daily. Read on for highlights of our community engagement in 2021!
COVID-19: Protecting our friends and neighbors
Recognizing the critical role of vaccination in curbing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, external resources and employees from several Quebec operations teamed up to run a community vaccination clinic, administering 9,270 doses. On three occasions at our Coosa Pines (Alabama) pulp mill, vaccines were made available to employees, their spouses as well as to local first responders. Thank you to all who chose to get their shot!
Strengthening our partnerships with Indigenous communities and businesses
Teams from our Quebec and Ontario operations collaborated with Indigenous communities on a host of projects. For example, our Ontario woodlands team worked with Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay) First Nation to develop a memorandum of understanding and procurement opportunities, while our Outaouais (Quebec) woodlands operations pursued avenues for youth employment with Kitigan Zibi First Nation. In August, a special ceremony marked the twentieth anniversary of our partnership with Fort William First Nation, on whose land our Thunder Bay (Ontario) sawmill is located.
Being a responsible partner for the environment
Beyond our sustainability commitments at the company level, Resolute operations take pride in being responsible corporate citizens in their communities. This year, employees from our Gatineau (Quebec) paper mill took part in efforts to improve the city’s waste disposal process; a team from the Thunder Bay pulp and paper mill participated in the launch of the City of Thunder Bay’s Net-Zero Strategy; and employees from our Clermont (Quebec) paper mill worked with a local organization on wildlife protection in the Malbaie river basin.
Embracing a giving spirit
Achieving safety milestones or a 75% COVID-19 vaccination rate allowed employees to donate a total of US$381,000 to worthy organizations through Resolute’s incentive programs, adding to the company’s support for various philanthropic projects more broadly.
Fundraising efforts took many forms this year, including a dragon boat race in which 30 employees from four of our Quebec facilities took part. A number of Resolute employees selflessly gave their time to various charitable initiatives, including Coosa Pines, Calhoun and Cross City (Florida) employees who distributed Christmas baskets and gifts through various organizations. Resolute facilities also donated much-needed materials, from lumber to face masks, bath tissue and paper towels, over the course of the year.
Sparking curiosity and supporting education
As a company, Resolute provided US$235,000 in scholarships, bursaries and research grants in 2021 – including through our various endowments – while our operations found numerous opportunities to support education at the community level. A few examples include: the Ignace (Ontario) sawmill, which welcomed 60 students from Lakehead University for a tour of the operation; employees from our Glenwood (Arkansas) sawmill, who presented career opportunities to high school seniors; and industrial electronics technology students from Cégep de Baie-Comeau, who toured our Outardes (Quebec) sawmill. The Thunder Bay sawmill renewed its long-term agreement with Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation, contributing $25,000 to the Lac des Mille Lacs Education Centre, an innovative, Indigenous-led school focused on experiential learning, Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) language instruction and hockey.
Lending a hand
Resolute employees applied their outdoor skills to assist their neighbors. Employees from our Lac-Saint-Jean (Quebec) woodlands carried out volunteer snowmobile evacuations; the Outaouais woodlands team organized an activity promoting safety on backcountry trails; and Glenwood employees helped coordinate relief efforts in the aftermath of severe winter weather.
Thank you to our employees for recognizing the value of community support and engagement!
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.
