We can trace our commitment to Environmental Stewardship, Social Responsibility and Strong Governance to our founding in 1989. After more than three decades, we are still focused on building strong, sustainable communities across Canada.
Concert Properties has a long legacy of making a positive impact in ESG – from significant support for trades training; to innovative partnerships to create purpose-built rental homes; to our work advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. We are excited to build on these strengths, as we shape our business strategy and understand how ESG can help Concert Properties focus for even greater impact.Christine Bergeron, President & Chief Executive Officer
Our business operations are grounded in and tied to our three founding principles:
- Deliver attractive, long-term returns for the Canadian union and management pension funds and institutional investors who own us.
- Create jobs and use skilled construction union labour.
- Give back to the communities where we work.
These principles guide our vision of building resilient, inclusive and sustainable neighbourhoods across Canada to improve the lives of the people who live and work in our communities. Concert Properties is strongly focused on building a people-first future for Canadians, by Canadians through collaboration, consultation and communication.
We view ESG as an evolving process and continually review and revise our initiatives and priorities. To that end, we refreshed our approach to sustainability in 2019, creating a framework to build upon as priorities and issues change. This framework was updated in 2022 so that our ESG Guidelines better align with our current objectives and employees and other interested parties can better understand our approach to sustainable development and ESG issues.
We recognize the importance of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, a milestone set by Canada and the international community to combat the worst effects of climate change. We recognize that the pathway to get there is not clear, but we are committed to take action as we aspire to this global target.
We are proud to see that our ESG-related efforts are being recognized. We have received several awards this year, including the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (P3) 2022 Gold Award for Project Development for the work by Concert Infrastructure on the first-ever P3 high school bundle in Alberta. We are also honoured to have received the BC Top Employer Award for the second year in a row. This award specifically validates our efforts to foster a positive and inclusive workplace where employees feel heard.
Our commitment to social responsibility and those who work and live in our communities includes our activities with local notfor-profits such as Journey Home Community and the launch of their Meanwhile Spaces pilot program, where we provided safe and stable short-term housing for refugee claimants in BC.
This commitment also includes developing and constructing critically important neighbourhood amenities such as the new Bettie Allard YMCA, Coquitlam’s first YMCA and the centrepiece of our new transit-oriented, master-planned community, Heart of Burquitlam. This community also includes our rental tower, 55One, providing the largest infusion of affordable non-market housing in Coquitlam to help address the diverse needs of this rapidly growing area.
I’m heartened by these accomplishments that reaffirm our vision of building resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities across Canada. This report reflects our achievements over the past year and introduces some initiatives we will continue pursuing in the future.
Sincerely,
David Podmore, OBC, Co-Founder, Chair Emeritus
Our ESG Pillars
Strong Governance
Our success relies on long-term planning to develop and implement environmental, social and investment strategies. Strong governance earns trust and confidence from our owners, investors, employees, partners and the community, allowing us to improve environmental and social initiatives.
Environmental Stewardship
We recognize our responsibility for protecting the natural environment and ensuring that we use resources wisely. Therefore, we are taking meaningful action to combat climate change and safeguard the natural systems that sustain our communities.
Social Responsibility
Our founding principles, combined with our guiding values, help ensure we continue to improve the lives of the people in our communities, our employees and our partners.
Sustainability Awards
BC Business Business of Good Award
Recognizing BC-based companies with pioneering environmental sustainability initiatives
HUB Bike Friendly Business Award
In celebration of businesses that encouraging employees and customers to bike to work
Toronto BILD's Stephen Dupuis Award
Given to Concert Properties in recognition of our corporate social responsibility initiatives
Concert Properties Gives Back
We are deeply invested in improving the lives of the people who live and work in our communities. This philosophy extends to our corporate giving program, and we invest in trades training programs and causes focused on housing and the health and welfare of Canadians. We also donate employee time, money and resources to worthy projects and organizations all over Canada.
Download 2023 ESG Report
