Sustainability Allies

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Centre?

Our core personal values, which influenced the company’s outlook when establishing Truefaux Films, are reflected in the Ecology Action Centre. Finding ways to engage our community and the environment, through meaningful and attainable steps, on a local level is important to not only mitigate climate change but also to mediate the stress of overwhelming catastrophic information. Knowing about issues is the first step but taking action is important, and the Ecology Action Centre provides clear avenues for individuals to engage with concrete action on numerous issues that are an ongoing focus of Truefaux’ work including food security, built environment, and renewable energy. Having that local resource to guide people into action is a vital component of our community.

What kinds of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment or community?

To offset our home and office energy consumption we purchase renewable energy sources through Bullfrog Power, helping to bring renewable projects online across Canada, like solar on schools and community centres. Our plan with Bullfrog Power covers our office and home as well as our vehicle. Our web-hosting company, HostPapa, was one of the first web hosting companies to take the initiative of going green by purchasing 100% green renewable energy to power their data centres, web servers, office computers, laptops, and office space. And, working with our clients, we have initiated a carbon offset program for all of our out of town travel.

Truefaux Films has a deep community philosophy, bringing high end creative and technical resources to community groups, non-profits, and social enterprises - producing media content these organizations would otherwise be unable to afford. Through our annual Community Partnership Program, whereby we select a partner non-profit organization in the Dartmouth-Halifax community, we are formally committed to donating the equivalent of 10% or more of our time through pro-bono services.

Beyond that, by working with our clients we help them imagine how their content can serve social change movements - way beyond a social media post or residing on a web page. We help them create community engagement, using storytelling to highlight existing voices and bring new ones to the table.

Truefaux Films is a Certified Benefit Corporation, meeting the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. BCorps envision a global economy that uses business as a force for good.

Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

These twin topics were instilled in both of us while growing up. Hannah’s parents were founding members of Nature Action in Montreal and both our childhoods were spent in canoes and tents
throughout Central and Eastern Canada. When John’s mum passed away a number of years ago, each brother spent time remembering how their mother would pack up the small Datsun and traipse them around the province - camping and exploring. Hannah’s parents spent decades developing their ½ acre organic garden, and John’s mum dragged him into the woods to collect numerous plants for the yarn dye pot. And whether it was an immigrant or local, people were brought home in both houses to share stories, exchange ideas, and contribute to a shared sense of place often becoming life-long friends. All of these left a lasting impact that, as we grew, became second nature to how we live our lives. Nature and community are the fabric of what’s meaningful to us, a legacy from parents we loved, and holds the promise of hope for our daughter’s future.

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Centre?

I believe the EAC is doing the job our government should be doing, including taking measures to protect nature and our environment. EAC is extremely active and vocal within our community and I respect its leadership on environmental issues.  Some of my values apply to food, nature, and the environment which aligns well with the values of the EAC so forming a partnership was an easy decision.

What kinds of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment or community?

For the past 25 years, I’ve been working with clients to help consider their social, environmental and ethical concerns that applies to their money.  Part of that includes investing in local community projects such as renewable energy projects.  I’m a socially responsible investor and I support my clients in choosing high-quality investments that align with their values.

Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

On a personal level, I’ve always had an appreciation for the environment and nature. As a family with two children, we try to be as active as possible outdoors and I hope that my children will always strive to protect and conserve our environment.

On a larger level, respecting and protecting our environment is imperative to the economic development that will help attract quality people to our province.

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Centre?

I appreciate the work that the EAC does, the organization seems to be at the forefront of all environmental issues, and has good exposure speaking out about issues. I often see a representative on the evening news, or a rally of some sort in the media. I like the public awareness.

What kinds of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment or community?

I strongly believe that healthy environments require resilient communities. At Helping Nature Heal, we contribute both time and energy to local community projects focused on environmental sustainability and food security. This year, we’ve even hired a Community Engagement Manager to take the lead on this important work.

We also pride ourselves on sourcing local materials and using ecological practices. This is includes carpooling, recycling, seed-saving, organic materials and services from trusted suppliers within a 100 km radius, environmentally friendly office practices, and a strict no chemical policy.

Our whole company is about healing the earth and our connection to it, which in turn heals us. I am deeply committed to enacting this mission at all levels of our work at Helping Nature Heal.

Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

On a personal level I feel deeply committed and responsible for all my actions. I feel that each of us has an inherent ethical duty to do our best to respect, and protect the environment, after all if we don’t have clean air, water and food what is the point of our lives?

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Centre?

Because EAC has successfully demonstrated the connection between environmental issues, local communities and the local economy. Unlike the average politician, I am more concerned about leaving an environmental deficit than I am about any government budget deficit. As the saying goes, “If you think the economy is more important than the environment, then try holding your breath while you count your money”.  EAC has shone a bright light on the many environmental issues facing all of us and done so by bringing these concerns to the attention of the general public with excellent articles in local media outlets, as well as engaging political and business leaders in conversations about these serious issues.

What kinds of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment or community?

At the moment, the main contribution we are making is our financial support of Ecology Action Centre. When we contemplated support for EAC, we realized that just using recycled paper and adding the line, “please recycle” to our marketing mail-outs was an inadequate response to the environmental crisis we are facing. For that reason, we have totally eliminated the use of mass flyer distribution. We have also retired our water cooler. Small steps, I know, but it’s a start. We are also doing our best to help create awareness of environmental issues – particularly in regards to the idea of shopping local and how that can have an impact on the local economy and hence help to reduce our carbon footprint. We are also doing our best to create environmental awareness through our web site and various social media.

Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

As someone who spends their free time exploring and enjoying Nova Scotia’s diminishing wild places, I believe it is important to have a group of knowledgeable, energetic environmentalists who are committed to protecting our natural world. Having spent most of my life in the province, I have come to the realization that the infinite growth model of economic development is not sustainable – not just in Nova Scotia, but on the entire planet. As someone who came of age during the sixties and seventies, I carry a certain amount of guilt for the horrific mess my generation is leaving for my kids and other young people.  My hope is that, in some small way, I can contribute towards the mitigation of the damage we as a generation have caused and I see my support of EAC as an opportunity to do just that.

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Centre?

Environmental and social justice are key components in Just Us!’ business philosophy and we feel that the work that EAC does is critical to ensuring environmental and social justice for our local communities now and into the future. Without organizations like the EAC, government and industry tend to neglect the critical and intertwined roles our environment and communities play in ensuring a sustainable future for the land and the dizzying number of organisms inhabiting it.
 
What kinds of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment or community?

Just Us! has been working for 20 years to demonstrate that business can be profitable without the exploitation of our planet and the people that live on it. Although we are far from perfect we aim to highlight the great value that small-scale, democratically-organized, and organic producers offer through direct fair trade relationships with coffee producers around the world.
 
As a worker co-op we feel it’s important to put the responsibility of our business in the hands of the people who work within it. To truly take responsibility for the results of your work and your actions in your workplace, community or (more generally) on this Earth is of paramount importance. Every one of us shapes the world that we live in with every decision we make.
 
Our dedication to organic production methods, direct and meaningful relationships with producer organizations, investment in producer communities and our own, indigenous rights, democratic organizations, and our newly established Just Us! Centre for Small Farms are a number of examples of ways we make a positive impact in our environment and community as well as those in the Global South.
 
Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

We make the world we live in—as individuals, families, organizations/businesses, communities, and on a national and global scale. If we don’t care for and nurture the environment and communities in which we live how can we as members of our community and environment expect to grow in a healthy and sustainable way? Many of the struggles we deal with such as poverty, discrimination, and environmental degradation stem from a general lack of respect we exhibit for everything around us. Contributing positively to environmental and community development builds a strong sense of respect for one another and the environment that makes it possible for us to exist in the first place.

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Centre?

Craft Beer is about traditional products resulting from sustainable practices and natural ingredients. Maintaining a healthy environment is not only a real-time benefit to our business, it's essential and the right thing to do.  By partnering with the Ecology Action Centre, Garrison hopes to assist in raising awareness around environmental challenges and championing real-world solutions. We believe our combined efforts will foster a culture of environmental stewardship that resonates with suppliers, staff & customers alike.

What kinds of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment or community?

As a business, we benefit greatly from people supporting local. In return, we factor the community & environment around us into everything we do. We believe positive change comes from doing many small things right and for Garrison, the list is extensive. We buy nearly 80% of our malted barley from New Brunswick in bulk form and shipped by rail. We work with a number of small, local hop farmers and run our own test plot with Ross Farm Museum. Other local raw materials are often profiled in our specialty brews including spruce tips, raw honey, maple syrup, lavender and even bog myrtle. After brewing, all spent grain becomes cattle and pig feed given to farmers at no cost. Our brewing tanks are all fabricated by a PEI manufacturer and fired by natural gas and steam. Both Seaport breweries were located in derelict properties which we refurbished. Biodegradable cleaners, stainless kegs and refillable bottles and growlers help further lessen our production footprint. Even the cups we use at festivals and events are biodegradable, made from corn starch!
   
Our community ties go deep as well. We've done several charity brews over the years and supported many causes. We've poured local beer at the Halifax Jazzfest since 1999, and been supporting partners of many others including the Atlantic Film Festival, Multicultural Festival, OutEast Film fest, Obey Convention and Hal-Con. Add in running, biking and swimming clubs, amateur sports, small business, health, education and the environment and it's clear we're part of a VERY large community.

Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

I try and approach business (& life) from an optimistic angle. I can make beer, period. I can also make beer using local materials and supplies, sort out my waste streams, improve efficiencies, build relationships with local restaurants/groups and create a unique and welcoming destination that creates pride among locals and draws visitors from far and wide. These things are as important to me as the great craft beer that made them all possible.

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Center?

EAC’s work on environmental protection and sustainability aligns directly with our own values.  Working with this dedicated group inspires us and strengthens our commitment to find new ways to make a positive difference within our company and community.

The number of issues that EAC tackles and their track record make them truly remarkable. We first approached EAC with the idea collaboration in 2007. Since that time, we have donated twenty-five cents from every retail bag of coffee sold in Nova Scotia to support their work and it has been one of the more gratifying aspects of our business.

What kind of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment and community?

As members of Cooperative Coffees (a co-op of roasters in Canada and the US) we contribute to their Coffee, Climate Initiative which funds coffee farmers to make sustainable improvements to their farming practices to help alleviate the effects climate change.  All our coffees are organic and Fairtrade certified, which translates into healthier conditions for farmers and the soils they cultivate.  Fairtrade premiums (for community development above and beyond the market price of the coffee) improve living conditions and a guaranteed minimum price protects against downturns in commodity markets.

We also:

• Purchased the first heat recycling roaster in Canada in 2009 to reduce fossil fuel usage.
• Are members of five Farmers’ Markets and have served as Directors for two of them.
• Give our coffee grounds and chaff to farmers for compost and chicken bedding.
• Use around 2000 recycled grocery store boxes annually to pack orders.
• Give a discount to customers that bring their own travel mugs or reuse their cups.
• Are actively engaged in pushing packaging manufacturers for cup and bag products that will actually compost in our municipal waste systems.

We also regularly donate to a number of other community organizations: Council of Canadians, Second Story Women’s Center,  Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy, Fisherman’s Hospital, Engineers without Borders, Dalhousie Sustainability, Surfing Association of NS,  ACORN, Farmers’ Markets of NS to name a few.

Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

Before launching Laughing Whale Coffee Roasters, our careers involved working for social justice, indigenous rights, international development and women’s rights, environmental protection and renewable energy.  We want our coffee to be a vehicle for change by giving back both at home and in coffee producing countries because it gives us a way of making a real difference and deepens our connection to the world.

What sets VCIB apart from other banks? 

Being a values-based bank allows us to use the tools of finance to be a catalyst for immediate and lasting social and environmental change. Values-based banks offer the same products and services as traditional banks, the main difference lies in how we operate, what we finance, and who our clients are. At VCIB, we work with purpose-driven businesses and organizations that are committed to make a positive change in their communities. We make a point of getting to know our clients, understand their challenges and provide them with the support they need. We often hear our clients say that they feel they’ve gained a partner in VCIB, not just a lender. 

How is VCIB’s purpose-driven model making an impact in our environment and community? 

You can see the difference we make by looking at our lending portfolio. Our real estate lending team supports projects that preserve and create affordable housing, and our clean energy finance team has supported the development and installation of thousands of clean energy projects across the country. To help accelerate the growth of Canada’s solar industry, we have launched a new Commercial Solar Financing product and a Solar Installer Partner Program. As more organizations look at launching larger scale commercial & community solar projects, we wanted to help by providing tailored financing to ensure organizations get the right funding designed for their unique solar project. 

The amendments to the Electricity Act have reduced barriers to solar adoption. How could VCIB’s solar loans expand Nova Scotia’s renewable energy future? 

The new amendments to the Nova Scotia Electricity Act now make larger-scale solar projects possible. With the recent news of a higher cap put in place for net metering, energy systems in Nova Scotia can start to produce enough electricity to power their business through the entire year (depending on their size and energy needs). VCIB’s solar equipment loans are flexible and scalable – providing building owners tailored financing that is built for the uniqueness of each business and solar projects. If installing solar on your building or land and looking for financing, get in touch to see if VCIB can help!

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Centre?

Ecology Action Centre is a respected voice on the environment and social justice issues in Nova Scotia, demonstrating for many years its effectiveness in raising public awareness on issues that we at Authentic Seacoast hold dear. Mobilizing the public and our leaders to make the changes necessary in our behaviours is critical if we are to create a more sustainable future.

What kinds of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment or community?

• dramatically reducing our water consumption through process improvements at our distillery
• installing a catalytic oxidizer for our coffee roaster (the only one of its kind in the Province) to improve air emissions
• establishing a commercial apiary to restore bee populations in Guysborough
• purchasing a neighbouring waterfront property to protect it from commercial development
• renovating our buildings to reduce energy consumption • retaining our fair-trade and organic coffee certifications
• acquiring Acadian Maple to ensure that maple syrup harvesters can confidently grow their sustainable businesses, and
• conducting a preliminary GHG assessment that determined that our private forests absorb more than 7x our emissions in Nova Scotia

Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

This year we celebrate our fifteenth year of continuous operations of the Authentic Seacoast Company and more than 30 years in the Province. We were attracted to the natural beauty of Nova Scotia from the start, whether it be through cycling the Marine Drive, fly fishing, beach combing, hiking, kayaking, clam digging, photographing or blueberry picking, and have always thought it to be important to raise your children close to nature. We discovered the rich heritage of our communities. We have worked hard ever since to protect the environment, to raise awareness and to inspire others to do the same. Jobs are important to communities and their future. How economic development occurs must take into account environmental and social justice issues to ensure sustainability and a bright future for Nova Scotia.