The Caledon Pit, operated by Lafarge Canada Inc. in the town of Caledon, Ontario, Canada, earned the 2016 Community Relations Award from the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (OSSGA).
Lafarge Canada’s Caledon Pit takes community relations to heart both on- and off-site. On the site, noise, dust and safety mitigation equipment and practices help minimize the effects of its operations on neighbors. Off-site, staff are familiar faces at community events.
Highlights include the Caledon Council Community Golf Tournament, which Lafarge sponsored at a platinum level, and the Peel Children’s Aid Foundations’ Holiday Wishes Program. As part of the Children’s Aid program, Caledon Pit staff sponsored a family for the holidays and delivered Christmas gifts.
One of Caledon Pit’s more popular events is its annual Pit Run. Held since 2012 and co-hosted with Aecon Construction, last year’s run took place in September, with over 100 runners participating in a 5-km run through the property. Neighbors, employees, family members and friends joined Caledon Pit employees for a 1-km Kids’ Fun Run, sponsor expo, equipment displays and tours, all of which helped raise $30,000 in support of the Caledon Central Public School and their Food Exchange program.
Presented at OSSGA’s 2017 Annual Conference and AGM in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, the Community Relations Award recognizes positive local activities, community involvement, media relations, education and awareness.
“We truly appreciate being recognized by OSSGA for our community efforts,” said Xavier Guesnu, vice president aggregates Eastern Canada and ACM Southern Ontario. “It is part of our operating philosophy to give back to the communities in which we operate. We enjoy being part of the communities and continue to look for opportunities where we can help make a difference.”
The OSSGA Industry Recognition Awards Program recognizes a wide range of activities that contribute to a progressive image of member aggregate producers and the aggregate industry as a whole. A key goal is to raise the bar in the industry by highlighting operations that go above and beyond what is required by legislation.
“We encourage our members to be sound stewards of the lands on which they operate, and to be engaged and valued members of their community,” said Norm Cheesman, executive director of OSSGA. “All of the award winners this year have met and exceeded those expectations.”