Making an Impact and Changing Lives with the Dollars we Spend
We’re always looking at ways we can use our business to make a positive impact on the world. By 2025, at least 5 percent of our purchasing will be spent with social impact organizations. Alongside SAP, we’re also committed to be a founding partner of the Buy Social Canada Pledge.
What is social procurement or impact sourcing?
Social procurement is the practice of procuring products and services from organizations that make a direct and positive social and environmental contribution to the local economy. Why? Because every business can, and should, make the world a better place.
We believe that empowering a more diverse workforce and supporting people from under-represented populations is not just good social responsibility, it’s good for business. And the impact is mutual! We receive new perspectives and ambitious employees while individuals, families and communities benefit.
How is Chandos continuing to purposefully spend?
Over the next 5 years, we’ll shift at least 5 percent of our addressable spend to social impact organizations including certified social enterprises, fellow B Corp Certified companies, Certified Aboriginal businesses and other diverse-owned businesses.
We’ve already been working with Embers in Vancouver and Women Building Futures in Edmonton, two social enterprises that help people facing barriers find meaningful employment. Through our partnership with these organizations, we’ve helped dozens of people on their journey to full-time employment and have hired some of these temporary workers into full-time roles.
We also purchase catering, water and office suppliers from social enterprises and B Corp Certified companies like Have Catering and Earth Group.
As part of our partnership with SAP and Buy Social Canada, we’ll continue to advance social procurement policy, practices and advocacy in Canada and specifically within the construction industry.
We’ve had success partnering with social enterprises that train and prepare people who face barriers to employment to work in construction. Why wouldn’t we hire through those social enterprises and change a life at the same time?
- Tim Coldwell, President of Chandos Construction
For more information and to get involved, visit SAP’s 5 & 5 by ’25 and the Buy Social Canada Pledge.