Corporate social responsibility

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) has an obligation to conduct its business in a socially responsible manner and takes pride in contributing to its community. The CFI’s corporate culture encourages the support of a host of charities, both as an organization, and as individuals. In addition we’re taking steps to reduce our environmental footprint.

Charitable work

• The United Way
  • The CFI is a proud supporter of the United Way and each year, almost every CFI employee makes a contribution.

• Other charities
  • Individual CFI employees support a number of charities through donations and campaign activities, including school fundraisers.

Environmental initiatives

With the help of our office landlord, the CFI has undertaken a number of initiatives to better manage our environmental footprint.

This year, light sensors were installed in all washrooms to reduce unnecessary power consumption. A battery recycling program was recently implemented so that employees could conveniently return used batteries for recycling and in early 2010; paper towel composting was added to the waste removal program at our building. In addition, all paper towel dispensers in washrooms were replaced with automatic ones to dispense a pre-determined amount of paper towel.

In celebration of Earth Week (April 18-22, 2011), our landlord conducted an e-waste collection. CFI staff was advised of this initiative and donated their old computers, peripherals, cell phones, etc. In addition, all CFI office supplies are environmentally friendly and/or made out of recycled material.

Small differences, big impacts in our work environment

• Occupancy sensors added in all washrooms
• Switched 35 watt bulbs to 25 watt fluorescent bulbs
• ABB variable speed drives for all fans
• Switched to compact fluorescent lights in elevators
• Variable speed drive on cooling tower
• Low flow plumbing in all
• washrooms
• Recycling program upgraded to include batteries and annual e-waste pick-up