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Corporate Responsibility
At Brink’s Canada Limited, corporate responsibility is the determination to change the world we live in. It is the passion of giving back to the community that believes in us. It is a generous undertaking to build and sustain human equity by helping less fortunate people.
Responsible and caring corporate citizenship is the hallmark of true business leadership. Brink's Canada’s employees have made a tremendous contribution to thousands of Canadian families through their fundraising activities for the Red Cross, World Vision, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, MS Society of Canada and many other local community organizations.
Locally, Brink’s Canada provides donations and gifts in kind to a number of charitable organizations, as well many of our employees are very giving of their time and volunteer for a number of charitable organizations both nationally and at local levels (such as MS Society, Juvenile Diabetes, World Vision, CIBC Run for the Cure, The Red Cross and the United Way to name a few).
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (MS)
Brink’s Canada has designated the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (MS) as its corporate charity. Brink's Canada proudly supports organizations like the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada through corporate partnerships such as Team MS.
Brink’s Canada is an important part of this time of great optimism for finding a cure and enhancing the quality of life for 50,000 Canadians living with Multiple Sclerosis. As we significantly support MS, they continue to see positive advancements on the research front. Brink’s has been supporting The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada for over six years, during which time our people have donated over $60,000.
Brink's Canada believes in being a part of the local community and we feel very strongly about being an active partner in the communities we serve. Our vision is long term for our company and our employees. Our employees live and work locally and are part of the community.
At Brink’s Canada, people are genuinely involved in charities because it’s part of their lives. They give up their personal time to help charities organize events or implement programs throughout Canada and around the world. For them it’s a personal choice that makes them feel that they are truly making a difference.
The following highlights of our employees’ donations make us all proud:
- Hazel’s Hope - The money donated by our employees equal the annual school fees for over 15 children in Tanzania, opening the door to education, including HIV and AIDS awareness. (Hazel's Hope is an initiative by Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga, in association with World Vision, to invite and encourage citizens to join together to help the hundreds of thousands of children affected by HIV/AIDS in Tanzania)
- Tsunami Disaster in Asia – Our employees’ donations provided over 200 people with hygiene items to last one month (this program was done in association with The Canadian Red Cross)
- MS Society – Over the course of six years, our employees have donated over $60,000 to go against the research for finding a cure and enhancing the quality of life for 50,000 Canadians living with Multiple Sclerosis.
Hazel’s Hope – Interview with Mr. Larry Rodo, President and CEO of Brink’s Canada Limited
In April 2005, Larry Rodo embarked on a journey to help the children of Tanzania in conjunction with World Vision and Mississauga Mayor, Hazel McCallion, (Hazel's Hope - Toonies for Tanzania). Tanzania is located in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique. With one of the highest HIV/AIDS infection rates in the world Tanzania currently has 980,000 children orphaned by AIDS. Of the 38 million people living with AIDS worldwide, over 25 million are African. Tanzania is the 4th poorest country in the world. Its economy teeters on the brink of ruin.
Q1: Larry, with all the charitable organizations out there, why Tanzania? Why Hazel's Hope?
A: I have known the Mayor for quite some time and when she described the grave condition she witnessed while she was in Africa with the World Health Organization (WHO) one could not help but get involved. Hazel is action oriented, I like that, and I knew if she were involved in this great cause we would make an impact. Truly this is a global problem, crisis really, and not simply a Tanzanian problem.
Q2: What did you set out to accomplish during your mission?
A: My role was to engage the business community to allow drop boxes and collection points for people to donate.
Q3: How has Brink’s Canada helped?
A: Last summer we ran a campaign in which Brink's Canada employees volunteered and provided the security, coin rolling and deposit of the funds collected throughout the Mississauga area.
Q4: Tell me about what you saw?
A: A country in contrast, Tanzania is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever seen. From the Indian Ocean, Mount Kilimanjaro, the blue waters of Lake Victoria and the Great Serengeti, a nation of 120 tribes living in harmony in a country policed without guns - profound for an African nation. In contrast to this I saw the extreme toll that HIV/AIDS has taken on this nation, millions of people ravaged by this disease. A country where grandparents raise children and children raise children. The middle age generation is virtually being wiped out. This is one of the worst hit countries in the world, an epicenter for HIV/AIDS. Mayor McCallion visited a home where both parents died from HIV/AIDS and a 17-year-old was raising his two younger siblings, working a job to raise money to get the necessities after attending school. I personally saw children robbed of the love of their family and their own childhood, living in fear for their survival, simply existing, not living. We brought medicine and gifts to the many homes we visited. I visited a home where a mother with HIV/AIDS was raising seven children. At the time of my visit this mother was not expected to live past two months.
*Interview published in the Brink’s Notes, Fall 2005, Volume 6
International Women’s Day – March 8, 2007
In celebration of the International Women's Day, Human Resources Management, accompanied by Larry Rodo, President and CEO, visited a World Vision shelter in Toronto and put on a "Beauty and Wellness" evening for the women.
It was a chance to do something nice for a group of ladies who rarely, if ever, take time for themselves. It was a very rewarding night for them, but more so for those who gave their time to be part of this evening event. Many of these women have very courageous stories about how they came to Canada and the ambitions that they now have in pursuit of building a life here.
Kids Helping Kids
Brink’s Toronto gets “Snug as a Bug”.
For the 2nd year in a row, Brink’s Toronto has been fortunate enough to participate in the “Snug as a Bug” Charity Drive.
“Snug as a Bug” is a Non-Profit Charity founded in 2004 by Sophie G., a 12-year-old girl, whose father is a Brink’s employee. Her vision was to solicit donations from various local companies and prepare comfort packages for children of all ages who have found themselves in Women’s Shelters throughout the Peel Region. Sophie was able to get the involvement of the Brink’s Toronto Branch, the Brink’s Canadian Head Office, as well as the support of companies such as National Money Mart (West District), IKEA, Penguin Books, OWL Magazine, Crayola, Mississauga Fire Department and others.
For the first annual drive “Snug as a Bug” was able to distribute over 575 packages containing reading books, magazines, colouring books and crayons, a teddy bear and other age appropriate goodies. The second drive distributed over 1,100 packages to Mississauga’s INTERIM PLACE (North and South locations) and Brampton’s Family Resources.
On behalf of Sophie, her family and the “Snug as a Bug” volunteers, thank you to all who participated and helped make this initiative such a success.
World’s Longest Hockey Game – February 11th to February 21st, 2005
40 players, 10 days and one goal. Employees from the Edmonton Branch donated their time for pick-ups for Pediatric Cancer Research at the World’s Longest Hockey Game held in Sherwood Park, Alberta. The game lasted 240 hours and raised over $200,000. The final score of the game was 2254 to 2203. The Guinness Book of World Records were also present at the event.
Thank you to all the employees who donated their time for this wonderful cause.
Environmental Approach
All companies within the transportation sector realize that exhaust emissions from vehicles have an environmental impact. Brink’s Canada has a regular fleet maintenance program to ensure our vehicles operate at optimal levels to keep environmental impact to a minimum. Brink's Canada is pursuing an aggressive vehicle replacement program, the by-product of this program is that inefficient engines are being taken out of service, being replaced by cleaner burning, newer technology engines.
Brink’s Canada Limited is committed to ensuring that all of its operations are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner.
Brink’s Canada’s management is also cognizant of the fact that we potentially may be involved in fuel spills and, as such, Brink’s Canada has developed and maintains policies and procedures that address environmental issues.
Brink’s Canada’s environmental management objectives are stated in the following policy:
- Recognize good environmental management among the highest company priorities.
- Establish environmentally sound programs and practices for conducting operations, taking into particular consideration the efficient use of energy and the safe disposal of residual wastes.
- Educate, train and motivate employees to conduct their activities in an environmentally responsible manner. Comply with and, whenever practicable, exceed existing statutory and regulatory environmental requirements.
- Disaster Recovery Plans in the event of an environmental hazard.
Brink’s Canada is committed to preserving the environment and participates in recycling programs at all branches and offices.
Brink’s Canada is dedicated to compliance with environmental laws and sound environmental practices. Brink’s has accordingly articulated broad environmental principles to govern its diverse operations.
The management of each of Brink’s Canada’s operating groups is required to adopt and adhere to policies consistent with these broad principles and to effectively address environmental concerns, including those of particular application to each group’s business activities.
Brink’s Canada is an integral member in the communities we serve. In the past we have received a few complaints from community based groups with regard to the emissions from our vehicles, which Brink’s Canada strives, through regular maintenance to keep to a minimum. For security reasons and the safety of both our employees and the general public, it is necessary for our vehicles to idle while onsite for pick-ups.