Social Engagement

Toward Net Zero plan

BBA wants to serve as an exemplary corporate citizen and actively participate in the fight against climate change. The firm committed to implementing a series of initiatives by 2030 to reduce its emissions and help limit global warming to 1.5oC. To learn more, read BBA’s Toward Net Zero plan.

Long-term partner with Tree Canada

Our firm decided to go one step further in the fight against climate change by also committing to compensating for all its past greenhouse gas emissions since its founding in 1980. To meet this ambitious target, it entered into a long-term partnership with Tree Canada, a non-profit organization responsible for a national greening program aimed at restoring and reforesting our forests.

Annual giving campaign to support Tree Canada

To help our employees actively participate in our Toward Net Zero plan and make a significant impact, BBA’s annual giving campaign has been adapted to direct all our donations to a single beneficiary organization: Tree Canada. A new tree is planted in Canada for every $5 donated. Thanks to our people's generosity, over 33,000 trees have been planted in the last five years.

Sponsoring the ACEC-Canada Breton Award (previously Tree For Life) since 2018

By sponsoring the annual Breton Award, presented to a consulting engineering firm that has excelled in environmental stewardship, BBA demonstrates its commitment to recognizing the contribution engineering makes in developing a sustainable society. This initiative supports our vision of innovation and going beyond engineering. 

Partner of the first-known urban agrivoltaic system in Québec—an Université de Sherbrooke initiative
This major project is designed to develop the first urban agrivoltaic system by incorporating photovoltaic energy production and integrated plant crops on the same surface on residential, commercial or institutional rooftops in urban areas. The initiative is also intended to promote energy and food self-sufficiency through agrivoltaics, microgrids and green roofs.

Partnership agreement with Artemis Project

BBA signed a multi-year supply agreement with Artemis Project, an organization that aims to accelerate business outcomes for women entrepreneurs in the mining and metals industry. As the only Canadian consulting engineering firm to have signed an exclusive agreement with the organization, BBA and its clients benefit from cutting-edge ideas and expertise that Artemis members have to offer. The partnership has been in effect since January 2022 and demonstrates BBA's commitment to improving gender diversity in the supply chain as well as its recognition of the significant value women bring to the field.

Support for the Osmosis Network

Established in 2021, BBA's Osmosis Network is an internal group that aims to create synergy, advance women’s talent and stimulate conversations around gender diversity. In addition to its goal of enhancing diversity-related initiatives at BBA, the Osmosis Network wants to raise employee awareness of various topics and stimulate discussion through networking activities. The topics include mental workload and work performance; women and site work; work-life balance, etc.

Financing educational projects

During the 2022/2023 academic year, BBA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee provided financial support to the UBC Wastenauts, a design team at the University of British Columbia that aims to create a zero-waste future through a circular economy and sustainable development. BBA’s funding helped the team present at three educational outreach events in the Vancouver community and implement six engineering design projects in sustainable development.

Pursuing common goals with Indigenous communities
Well aware of how our work impacts local communities, we’ve signed various agreements and formed partnerships with them. To us, the true meaning of partnerships is listening to what communities have to say and aligning our values with theirs. By deepening our understanding and insight from knowledge keepers and elders, we can incorporate what we learn into our daily practices. As such, as part of the reconciliation process, we want to ensure that Indigenous communities are actively involved in everything we do.

Partnership with Indspire to invest in First Nations, Inuit and Métis education

BBA has pledged a total donation of $110,000 to the Indigenous charity Indspire as part of its Building Brighter Futures program. The money will help financially support a group of Indigenous students throughout their post-graduate studies. Like our partner, we believe that helping Indigenous students reach their full potential will benefit their communities and the rest of Canada.

Academic scholarships and educational activities initiated across Canada

Since its founding, BBA has launched, supported, joined and financed numerous educational initiatives. Fully invested in preparing the next generation, BBA continues to be involved in various educational institutions across the country. Here are a few examples:

• Financial support for the UBC Wastenauts, a team from the University of British Columbia dedicated to creating a waste-free sustainable future
• Bursaries awarded to students at IGEE, Université Laval and Polytechnique Montréal
• Donations to local schools to modernize their equipment, facilities and technological tools
• Participation as jury members at competitions organized in high schools aimed at passing on a passion for science, technology and innovation to young people.
• Support for various science and technology initiatives, such as:
  • the Science and Engineering program at Collège Saint-Maurice
  • the Mamu Tshishkutamashutau - Innu Education School Board technological tools improvement program
  • the École St-Rémi Musique aux enfantss project
  • the Réseau Technoscience Défi génie inventif event
  • and many others.
• Support for networking and post-graduation learning initiatives for young professionals in the job market, such as the AFG Youth Forum, which organizes visits to industrial projects and conferences to foster professional development.

The annual giving campaign is a tradition at BBA that we value highly because it embodies two distinct values of our culture: Eco-mindfulness and putting people first. By giving all our donations to Tree Canada, we’re helping create a greener world while also contributing to the well-being of our communities, which is closely tied to sustainable development.

Every year, our employees are impressively generous, and BBA celebrates this by doubling every dollar donated! Over the past five years, we've raised more than $165,000 in this spirit of solidarity for the planet and our future generations.

At the end of 2022, a year marked by unprecedented social and economic challenges, BBA made several donations to organizations that fight food insecurity, help the homeless and support social inclusion and solidarity. In all, BBA donated $50,000 to 14 active organizations across the country in communities where BBA operates.

In the carrousel below, you'll find a detailed list of the organizations in each region that have received one of our donations.

Photo: Presentation of BBA's cheque to Willie's Place, a respite centre with a high level of acceptability for men and women who are homeless, vulnerable and experiencing social, family and community breakdown in the Val-d'Or region (QC).