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Cascades extends electrification program to Ontario employees

April 11, 2019 – Cascades is installing 30 new 240-volt charging stations at its Ontario facilities to extend its transportation electrification program to all its employees in the province.

In addition to its 4,400 Quebec-based employees, the company will now offer its 2,200 employees in Ontario access to the program that encourages individuals to transition from gas to electric or hybrid vehicles.

The announcement was made at the company’s Ottawa sorting centre, ahead of Earth Day on April 22, 2019, and in the presence of the environmental leader Dr. David Suzuki and students representing Ontario EcoSchools.

The Ontario charging stations build on the network of 80 that have already been installed in Quebec. Cascades will also provide a financial contribution of up to $2,000 for each employee who purchases an electric vehicle. This is in addition to any government grants that may be in effect.

“From our beginnings 55 years ago, Cascades has always been committed to reducing its footprint by using recycled materials in its manufacturing and through environmentally friendly processes,” says Mario Plourde, president and CEO of Cascades. “After reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by close to 50 per cent since 1990, Cascades is now giving our employees a hand to take action.” 

Since its launch in Quebec in November 2017, more than one Cascades employee per week has joined the program. Today, 80 employees have made the choice to ride electric, up from only five before the program was launched. With today’s announcement, more than 6,600 out of Cascades’ 10,000 employees across North America now have access to the program.

“All too often, we worry about the cost of environmental measures, when we should instead be worrying about the cost of doing nothing,” says Plourde. “Cascades wants to once again challenge other organizations to follow in our footsteps by implementing incentives to promote transportation electrification. We would be delighted to share our experience with them. Our project is a modest contribution to the global effort in the fight against climate change. However, if others do likewise, we can make a real difference.”

Founded in 1964, Cascades offers solutions for packaging, hygiene and recovery needs. The company employs 11,000 people in over 90 production units in North America and Europe.