Laurier named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers

June 18, 2020
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – Wilfrid Laurier University has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the second year in a row, a recognition of the university’s unique, sustainability-focused programs and initiatives, progress in reducing its carbon footprint and the degree to which sustainability has become a part of Laurier’s workplace culture, spanning operations, academics and community partnerships.

The annual Canada’s Greenest Employers competition is part of the Canada's Top 100 Employers initiative, led by Mediacorp Canada Inc. Laurier was also recently named one of Waterloo Area’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People by the same organization.

“Laurier leads in environmental research, invests in leading-edge green technology and is committed to engaging the entire community in sustainability initiatives,” said Ulrike Gross, assistant vice-president of Facilities and Asset Management at Laurier. “We set and meet aggressive sustainability goals year after year. Being named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers confirms that we are delivering on a commitment to reduce our environmental impact.”

“We have embedded a culture of sustainability into life at Laurier,” said Pamela Cant, Laurier’s chief human resources and equity officer. “We are proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers, confirming our commitment to leading in the sustainability revolution and providing our faculty, staff and students with opportunities to make an impact in our local and global communities.”

Highlights of Laurier’s sustainability initiatives include:

• The Laurier Energy Efficiency Program (LEEP) is a comprehensive, multi-phase initiative to increase the energy efficiency of Laurier’s buildings. The $50-million project includes the installation of rooftop solar panels, battery storage and a fully functioning microgrid.
• Laurier manages in-house waste reduction and recycling programs that extend beyond provincial minimums, including the Move Out Program, Free Store, water refill stations, Molok bins, battery and electronic waste drop-off and the donation of used office furniture.
• The Laurier community decreases transportation-related emissions through initiatives including Wroute and Travelwise partnerships, as well as on-campus car share vehicles, multiple electric vehicle charging stations and secure bike storage.
• The newest building at Laurier’s Waterloo campus, Lazaridis Hall, is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certified and incorporates environmental features, including solar panels, an accessible green roof and an electric vehicle charging station.
• The Sustainable Hawk Fund leverages Laurier’s entrepreneurial and community spirit to integrate sustainability practices into all aspects of student life. Every year, $30,000 in funding is committed to students, staff and faculty to implement sustainability projects at the university.
• Laurier offers a Certificate in Sustainability for faculty and staff. The goal of the program is to increase employee literacy about global-to-local sustainability topics, as well as encourage behaviour and culture change through increased use of sustainable campus programs and services.
• The Waterloo campus’s Northdale Community Garden supports sustainable partnerships with community non-profits and increased access to local foods on campus. Laurier also initiates many projects to increase pollinator-supporting habitats on campus.
• Laurier hosts Zero Waste Week, which includes workshops, zero-waste cooking classes and a fair; the Green Office Program to encourage staff and faculty to take part in campus sustainability initiatives; and Bike to Work month, which includes a bike repair workshop.

In 2019, Laurier was awarded a Gold rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS), which measures the sustainability performance of colleges and universities worldwide. In 2017, Laurier was named the most sustainable campus in Ontario and the third most sustainable campus in Canada by Corporate Knights magazine.

Read more about Laurier’s sustainability goals in the university’s Sustainability Action Plan.