Community Investment
Enbridge makes voluntary contributions to charitable and non-profit organizations in our different geographic regions in Canada and the United States. Our key investment areas include: education, health, environment, social services, arts and culture, and community leadership and volunteerism.
A few community investments include:
Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge
In 2004, Enbridge partnered with the Dominion Institute to publish, “Our Story” – a short story collection featuring nine leading Aboriginal authors. Building on its success, Enbridge and the Dominion Institute partnered again to create the Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge giving Aboriginal youth an opportunity tell their stories and share their experiences of Canada.
In 2006, Alicia Elliott of Ohsweken, Ontario, and Sable Sweetgrass of Calgary, Alberta, were awarded first prize for their short stories in two different age categories. Each received a $500 prize, had their stories published online, and were featured on Access Television.
KLD Wellness Foundation
Enbridge provided funding support to the KLD Wellness Foundation in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan. This support will help build a health facility to provide acute care, Laboratory and X-Ray, EMS and Trauma Emergency Room services for the community. Enbridge Pipelines Inc. has been a operating in the Kerrobert area for close to 60 years and recognizes the importance that Kerrobert provides to our employees in the area and operations of our pipeline system.
Trout Unlimited
Enbridge is a proud supporter of various environmental initiatives – including Trout Unlimited. In 2006, Pat Daniel assumed the prestigious role of Chair for the 22nd Annual Calgary National Conservation Dinner for Trout Unlimited Canada. With a mission to “Conserve, protect and restore Canada’s freshwater ecosystems and coldwater resources for current and future generations,” Trout Unlimited established the Coldwater Conservation fund and is active in many other conservation initiatives.
The Calgary National Conservation Dinner raised over $1.2 million. As well, close to $300,000 was raised to go directly to the Coldwater Conservation Fund.
Framework Foundation – Timeraiser
In June 2006, the Toronto-based organization, Framework Foundation, hosted the first Calgary Timeraiser event. This innovative fundraiser, held at the Art Gallery of Calgary, was an art auction with a twist: instead of bidding money, young adults bid volunteer time to community agencies that need their skills and energy. The art winners have 12 months to complete their volunteer pledge. Enbridge was the proud Volunteer sponsor of Timeraiser.
Over 275 people attended the inaugural Calgary Timeraiser. More than 144 participants bid a minimum of 20 volunteer hours, and 5,600 total volunteer hours were pledged. Twenty-four agencies participated, and $20,000 was invested into the careers of emerging and mid-career Alberta artists.
Women’s Leadership Forum
In early 2007, 1,000 women from across Canada gathered for the second Women’s Leadership Forum. The Forum, themed “Courage…Beyond Inspiration” stretched women to reach their leadership potential by examining three life pillars: awakening, balance and career aspirations. Enbridge was a proud Silver Sponsor. Through Enbridge’s, “Women @ Enbridge” steering committee, 45 women from across all Enbridge business units attended the Forum.
Canada Winter Games
In early 2007, Enbridge was the Official Sponsor of the Inuit and Dene Games at the Canada Winter Games, held in Whitehorse, Yukon. The games in Whitehorse were the largest multi-sport event ever held north of the 60th parallel. Until now, the traditional games, showcasing and celebrating the history and culture of the Inuit and Dene people, have never been included in the Canada Winter Games.
As Official Sponsor, Enbridge presented 21 medals, and provided $2,500 scholarship bursaries to each of the winning athletes, for a total of $52,500. The bursaries will allow these athletes an opportunity to pursue educational, cultural or athletic pursuits. More than 2,700 athletes competed in 22 events. Over 4,500 volunteers gave their time to ensure the success of the games.
River City Shakespeare Festival
Enbridge sponsored the Edmonton River City Shakespeare Festival, Camp Shakespeare. This creative camp for eight to 16 year olds took place in Edmonton’s fabulous river valley in the summer of 2007.
Winter Warmth Fund
This fund was established in 2004 as a joint venture with the United Way and its network of community agencies. Designed for low-income families and individuals living at or below the poverty line who are experiencing difficulty paying their natural gas heating bills.
Since its inception, Enbridge Gas Distribution has been able to assist over 2,000 households with their heating bills.
Enbridge Awaire Fund
Enbridge Gas Distribution provides funding for environmental projects that help support clean air initiatives. Programs that contribute to improved air quality, smog reduction initiatives and public education and awareness campaigns are considered for funding. Programs such as, The Smog Summit held in Toronto, Pollution Probe's, Clean Air Commute and Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's, School anti-idling and outdoor air quality awareness program are funded by the Enbridge Awaire Fund.
Keystone Center Training Institute
Each summer, Enbridge sponsors teachers from various communities where we operate at the Keystone Center’s Key Issues Institute in Colorado. This program provides hands-on interdisciplinary education following a non-biased scientific framework to middle-level teachers who can, in turn, take environmental issues into the classroom and investigate these complex issues with their students.
Johnson Bayour Community
Enbridge contributed funds toward the local school in Johnson Bayou, Louisiana – a town of 300 that hosts the Enbridge Offshore Stingray Pipeline. Enbridge’s support helped rebuild the school gym and recreation center after Hurricane Rita destroyed it in September 2005. Enbridge converted an office trailer into a makeshift recreation center, and donated labour toward various building projects.
The men’s and ladies’ basketball teams were able to purchase new equipment, and begin their season. The school gymnasium re-opened in January 2007.
United Way
Each year, Enbridge employees actively participate in United Way campaigns across Canada and the United States. In 2006, employees exceeded expectations and including company matches, raised more than $2.2 million Cdn across Canada and the United States.
- In Calgary, Enbridge Inc.’s campaign theme was “Energy to Share.” Calgary held a silent and live auction featuring hundreds of donated items and was attended by 500 employees, clients and customers of Enbridge. These, and a number of other events helped the Calgary office exceed their goal and raise approximately $422,500.
- Enbridge Gas Distribution employees helped reach another record-breaking United Way campaign. In all, Enbridge Gas Distribution employees raised over $869,607 for the United Way and exceeded their campaign goal by 22 per cent.
- In Edmonton, a combination of special events and company matches helped raise $371,673.
- Employees at Enbridge Gas New Brunswick celebrated the beginning of the Unite Way campaign with various activities in the Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton offices.
- United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast: Houston office employees exceeded their campaign goal and raised $334,518. The campaign kicked off with employees participating in the United Way Days of Caring project, where they cleaned up a warehouse, conducted inventory and built a garden to brighten the entrance of a local charity.
- Superior Region employees exceed their original fundraising goal by hosting a barbeque, baby photo contest and an auction. Their two-week campaign raised $46,891.
- Employees in the Cushing Region participated in various events and also exceed their goal, raising $28,900.
- In the Chicago Region, employees from the Bay City, Marshall, Fort Atkinson, Vesper and Griffith areas had numerous personal pledges and raffles. They raised $25,204 for the United Way.
Employee Involvement
Employee involvement is part of the culture at Enbridge, in all parts of the company. In 2006, our employees were actively involved in numerous community activities with company support and encouragement.
In Calgary, employee-run volunteer initiatives raised money for the Families in Transition Program, which helps provide more stable living conditions to families who are homeless or at extreme risk of becoming homeless.
In Calgary, employees participated in the Bow River clean-up. This employee-led, corporately supported initiative brought over 50 employees together for an afternoon clean-up along the river pathway.
In Calgary, an energized employee committee organized Enbridge’s first-ever entry in the Calgary Stampede Parade. Enbridge’s float won second prize in the corporate category.
In Edmonton, Enbridge’s Volunteers in Partnership Program saw employees contribute to various non-profits organizations including the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Radio-a-Thon, which raised 1.6 million.
In Toronto, Enbridge Gas Distribution employees gave back to their communities through company sponsored programs or on their own. More than 100 employees passionately support Junior Achievement. Each year, EGD employees contribute positively to the development of young people by teaching them life skills that will help them with their future. Whether it's through mentors and consultants in the classroom to participating on the Boards of Directors, Enbridge employees take pride in contributing to the future of our children through Junior Achievement.
For 83 years, Houston’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals placed more animals into loving, permanent, responsible homes than all other area shelters combined. Enbridge sponsors one hour of the SPCA’s annual telethon, and Houston employees participate in both on- and off-camera duties associated with the event.
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