RTIT Quebec Operations communities

As a major economic player in the regions of Sorel-Tracy and Havre-Saint-Pierre, we strive to improve the quality of life in these areas. For us, sustainable development means social commitment as well as environmental protection.

With a strong belief that our growth is directly linked to the development of neighbouring communities, we maintain close ties with local residents and representatives. Our community relations policy is founded on the principles of listening to and respecting the local population. We support initiatives that strengthen the vitality of our local communities, focus on regional development and improve residents' quality of life. We are also committed to long-term partnerships in health, education, culture, the environment and community activities.

In 2019, we set up an employee recognition programme in Sorel-Tracy that rewards exemplary behaviour in a number of areas including safety. Employees receive tokens which they then redistribute to selected local organisations. The organisations change every year for all local organisations to benefit from the programme.

Environment

Water is crucial to our operations and most of our water is pumped from the St. Lawrence River. We use water for processes such as cooling operations. Water is recycled or treated before being returned to the St Lawrence River.

Air quality depends on numerous factors, ranging from simple wood fires, which emit particulate matter, to transportation and agriculture. Although there are many sources of particulate matter other than our own operations, we measure annual changes in air quality.

We care about our community and look at ways to minimise our footprint and show our commitment. For example, to mitigate potential noise pollution that could affect residents in the neighbouring town of Saint-Joseph de-Sorel, we built a seven-metre-high, 150-metre-long acoustic wall to serve as a buffer between our operations and the town to reduce noise.

The wall, which has been landscaped so that it blends into the environment, has been successful – noise levels are significantly lower.