TORONTO — Lactalis Canada has released its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, which highlights the company’s commitment to being a sustainable and responsible dairy processor for its key stakeholders across its supply chain, including its people, consumers, customers, suppliers, dairy farmers, government, industry and community partners.
“Our 2023 report highlights the tangible gains we’ve made in improving our performance towards our ESG goals,” says Mark Taylor, president & CEO, Lactalis Canada. “As we move forward, we’re keen to work collaboratively and proactively with our customers, suppliers, dairy farmers, government, industry and community partners on important shared ESG objectives. We know that by working more closely together, we can make faster and more meaningful progress.”
This report details the company’s ESG achievements and advancements, as well as its future goals. It’s aligned with the company’s global ESG framework established by Lactalis Group, focused on three key pillars — People & Communities, Authentic Products & Heritage and Land & Resources — and underlined by three key priorities, including circular economy and packaging, climate and animal welfare. Key highlights include:
People & Communities
- Launched new mentorship program designed to foster inclusivity and provide employees with access and exposure to senior leadership;
- Received 2023 Canadian Grocer Impact award in Supporting Employees category, in recognition of commitment to training, professional development, mental health and wellness, and improved Total Rewards program;
- Invested more than $2.7 million in charitable organizations across the country, including nearly one million litres/kilograms of nutritious high-quality milk and dairy products; and
- Improved safety performance with a notable 23-per-cent decrease over the past two years.
Authentic Products & Heritage
- Achieved 100-per-cent regulation compliance by ensuring all Canadian sites obtained SFCR licenses under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations;
- Reduced sugar content by 25 per cent in milkshakes and exceeded goal to triple organic dairy product volume, with sales five times higher than in 2020 and more than 40 organic retail products sold each year;
- Advanced responsible-sourcing practices, with the Blue Cow logo on approximately 800 products that contain 100-per-cent high-quality, nutritious Canadian milk and meet strict standards for safety, quality, biosecurity, animal welfare and stewardship; and
- Maintained leadership in animal welfare, upholding strict “Zero Tolerance”policy against animal mistreatment, advocating for the adoption of ambitious animal-welfare standards, and promoting the implementation of best practices.
Land & Resources
- Reduced reliance on road transport through Intermodal Transportation program to Western Canada, with 70 per cent of freight now moving by rail, reducing CO2 emissions by 14,000 metric tons since its launch, equivalent to removing 3,000 trucks from the road;
- Since 2019, lowered scope 1 & scope 2 emissions intensity by 11.2 per cent by upgrading industrial equipment, using high-efficiency refrigeration systems, and enhancing GHG management;
- Increased package recyclability to 84 per cent and launched 25 projects to improve packaging for more than 400 cheese and yogurt products; and
- Reduced cardboard use by 68,000 kg, plastic use by 162,000 kg and landfill waste by 42,000 kg through light weighting projects.
“Lactalis Canada’s focus is on the journey and not simply the destination. The momentum we have built since 2021 continues to guide us in embedding real and meaningful change across the company,” says Taylor. “We’ll maintain our high standards of profitable and responsible growth as we progress on our ESG journey, delivering value for all Lactalis Canada stakeholders.”
