Our Actions in Six Areas
Social Commitment
- Our commitment to the future
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- Invest in communities
- Promote consensus for our projects
- Develop a safety and security culture
To ensure that its projects are socially acceptable, Hydro-Québec maintains an ongoing dialogue with Aboriginal and other communities in areas with high hydropower potential.
The company also funds university research, and conducts educational and awareness activities for youth. In addition, it supports many social, cultural, environmental and other organizations.
Our main achievements in 2008
Aboriginal and other communities
- In conjunction with the Romaine project, we signed partnering agreements that created funds to support economic, environmental, social and cultural projects:
- RCM of Minganie
- Innu community of Nutashkuan (Nanemessu-Nutashkuan agreement)
- Innu communities of Unamen Shipu and Pakua Shipi (Unamen-Pakua agreement)
- Innu community of Ekuanitshit (Nishipiminan agreement)
- Under the Integrated Enhancement Program, areas where Hydro-Québec transmission facilities are located are offered financial assistance for initiatives to enhance the biophysical and human environments. Since 1985, Hydro-Québec has invested $100 million in 1,002 community initiatives; grants in 2008 totaled $178,000.
- In collaboration with the Fédération Québécoise des Municipalités and Québec Union of Municipalities, Hydro-Québec published a guide to facilitate municipal tax assessment of the company's properties in accordance with section 68 of the Act respecting municipal taxation.
- For more information on municipal liaison committees (in French only)
University research
- In 2008, Hydro-Québec provided $8.9 million in funding to various schools, research groups and university chairs (contributions, commitments, R&D contracts, etc.).
Youth awareness
- Hydro-Québec distributed 74,136 classroom guides on electricity and safety to preschool and elementary-school teachers.
- We launched a new educational kit, Les Zénergétics – À la découverte de l'énergie et de l'environnement: 9,000 chilldren age 10 to 12 were introduced to the various power generation options.
- Our 00Watt Classroom Toolkit allowed 18,404 pupils age 10 to 12 (elementary school, grades 5 and 6) to explore the process of generating hydroelectricity and encouraged them to save energy.
Support for environmental, social, cultural and other organizations
- The Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l'environnement granted $1.3 million to support 20 projects that will protect, restore and enhance the natural heritage. Since its creation in 2001, the Foundation has committed nearly $8 million to 126 projects.
- Under the program for employees involved in the community, we donated $190,850 to organizations where Hydro-Québec employees volunteer.
- We provided $25.9 million in donations and sponsorships for social, cultural, environmental and economic projects.
| Donations and sponsorships ($M) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | |
| Total contribution to United Way/Centraide by employees and Hydro-Québec | 5.2 | 5.6 | 6.1 | 6.7 |
| Total donations and sponsorships by Hydro-Québec | 18.5 | 22.6 | 24.7 | 25.9 |
| Note: in 2008, Hydro-Québec donated $3.5 million to United Way/Centraide, while its employees, directors and pensioners donated $3.2 million. | ||||
Public perception
- Since 2005, Hydro-Québec has surveyed Quebecers to determine their perception of its sustainability performance.
