Sustainable development
| Holcim Canada: Community Advisory Panels at Holcim Canada |
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Project description Under the guidance of Holcim Group Support, and in alignment with the corporate CSR strategy, St. Lawrence Cement has developed Community Advisory Panels (CAP) in each of its five cement plants and the grinding facilities to further engage local stakeholders and promote open dialogue. |
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Objectives Creating Community Advisory Panels allowed our plants to establish partnerships with stakeholders, the local representatives from the communities where they operate. The philosophy underlying the creation of these panels is that maintaining an open dialogue with the communities is our license to operate. |
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Activities The CAPs vary in format but typically range from 10 to 20 members. The frequency of the meetings and the way they are established also differ. In some cases, such as in our US facilities, the CAPs are facilitated by a professional and independent consultant. This ensures an unbiased approach that considers the needs of all parties. In other cases, the panels include local businesses or industries. The topics covered during the meetings relate to various aspects of the business or community interests, from environmental and health & safety issues, to emergency response, day to day operations of the plants, future expansion plans, traffic issues or community engagement. |
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Results St. Lawrence Cement reaps great benefits from the creation of CAPs. On a daily basis, this two-way relationship contributes to a better understanding of the plants’ activities and their impacts (noise, emissions, etc.) on the nearby communities. Often, we even observe the development of an “our plant” philosophy, with panel members considering themselves as ambassadors of the plant. They prove to be committed to improvement and success and value the open communication with the plant management. The CAPs are a key element to better community relations. |
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