Creating a
More Comfortable
Tomorrow
The world is facing an increasing range of challenges from climate change, poverty and hunger, and calls for greater equity.
We are committed to operating safely in an environmentally and socially responsible manner and to partnering with our Team Members, customers and community partners to Create a More Comfortable Tomorrow.
We recognize that we have a responsibility as an industry leading home service company to continue moving the needle on sustainability, workplace safety, diversity, inclusivity and prudent governance.
I am excited and proud to share with you Reliance’s first ESG report. As one of the first home services companies in Canada and the US to have an ESG program, this report is proof positive of the many steps we are taking to embed ESG and sustainability into our business. We recognize that we have a responsibility as an industry leading home services company to continue moving the needle on sustainability, workplace safety, diversity, inclusivity and prudent governance. From day one of our 60 year history, we have felt a deep responsibility to look after the communities we serve and call home. Our shared success depends on our ability to build trust and find new ways to cast a wide social net for people in need. Beyond operational and financial performance, we also understand that how we run our business, and that the investment decisions we make, can have either positive or negative social and environmental impacts. Looking at ourselves through a sustainability lens sharpens our ability to better serve society which in turn acts as a force that strengthens our business. We continue to take our responsibilities seriously and we are committed to evolving and strengthening our impact for future generations. Documenting our progress through this ESG Report creates a channel to share our perspectives and a way that we can measure our progress as we help Create a More Comfortable Tomorrow.
President & CEO
Reliance Home Comfort
Our ESG Blueprint is centered around the three pillars of Environmental, Social and Governance and has been designed to guide our decisions and actions with our ESG commitments.
Our ESG Blueprint
Our ESG Blueprint is centered around the three pillars of Environmental, Social and Governance and has been designed to guide our decisions and actions with our ESG commitments.
Our 3 Areas of Focus
- Research and develop a clean energy service vehicle strategy
- Establish waste reduction and recycling targets for our branches
- Align with our environmental policy
- Offer green & energy efficient products
- Ensure a safe workplace for our Team Members
- Empower our Team Member to develop and grow
- Celebrate diversity, inclusion and the power of individuality
- Conduct business in an open, honest, equitable and ethical manner
- Establish transparency in communications, corporate policies and accounting disclosure practices
- Ensure our suppliers align with our ESG Policy and standards
Our ESG Team
- Propose objectives and targets in relation to sustainability and climate change issues
- Develop, drive and monitor the progress of all our ESG activities, targets and metrics
- Manage and address our key risks and opportunities in terms of sustainability and climate change
- Own the analysis and metrics across our business to measure and report on our ESG actions
- Lead the stakeholder engagement process
- Transparently communicate Reliance’s ESG performance and progress to our Executive, Operating, Commercial and Sustainability Committee, Board, team members and stakeholders
Our ESG Team
- Propose objectives and targets in relation to sustainability and climate change issues
- Develop, drive and monitor the progress of all our ESG activities, targets and metrics
- Manage and address our key risks and opportunities in terms of sustainability and climate change
- Own the analysis and metrics across our business to measure and report on our ESG actions
- Lead the stakeholder engagement process
- Transparently communicate Reliance’s ESG performance and progress to our Executive, Operating, Commercial and Sustainability Committee, Board, team members and stakeholders
Reliance’s Alignment with UN Sustainability Goals
Our goal is to do everything we can in the areas where we are best equipped to truly effect change. Learn about how our goals align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.Reliance’s Alignment with UN Sustainability Goals
Our goal is to do everything we can in the areas where we are best equipped to truly effect change. Learn about how our goals align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.2021 Highlights
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10,000
10,000
10%
10%
6,951 MT
6,951 MT
5,470
5,470
52%
52%
$865,000
$865,000
$209,000
$209,000
Launched
Launched LIFT
Partnered with
Partnered with
$785,169
$785,169
Recognized
Recognized
Acknowledged
Acknowledged
ESG Policy
ESG Policy
4 of 9
4 of 9
30%
30%
10,000
10,000
10%
10%
6,951 MT
6,951 MT
5,470
5,470
52%
52%
$865,000
$865,000
$209,000
$209,000
Launched
Launched LIFT
Partnered with
Partnered with
$785,169
$785,169
Recognized
Recognized
Acknowledged
Acknowledged
ESG Policy
ESG Policy
4 of 9
4 of 9
30%
30%
Recognized
Recognized
Acknowledged
Acknowledged
ESG Policy
ESG Policy
3 of 9
3 of 9
30%
30%
Environmental
We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment and promoting sustainable practices that are mindful of climate change, including carbon emissions and waste reductions, as well as the procurement and sale of energy-efficient products and services.- We partnered with One Tree Planted and planted 10,000 trees to offset 100% of our internal paper consumption and paper usage for customer billing.
- We recycled 6,951 metric tonnes of materials across all our branches in 2021 and harvested 5,470 working parts off obsolete equipment prior to their disposal.
- We introduced a new award that recognizes, celebrates and encourages environmental excellence to create a better world for our team members, customers, and future generations.
Community Involvement in Action
Reliance firmly believes in the power of relationships, teams and communities. That is why, across the country, our team members stay active in the communities where they live and work to make a difference in people’s lives.Through Reliance’s annual United Way fundraising campaign, Denim Days program, other community activities between our team members and Reliance’s company matching program, we donated $865,000 to United Way in 2021.
We have long been a proud partner with Habitat for Humanity. Reliance is in the business of helping customers make their home comfortable all year round, so we understand first-hand how important Habitat for Humanity’s work is.
Our community support extends across a number of other organizations, including the Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Red Cross, CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish, Toy Mountain, Special Olympics, and more.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Reliance is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive (DE&I) organization that mirrors the communities in which we operate.A major initiative in our journey to build an even more diverse and inclusive workforce, was the launch of Lean In For Tomorrow (LIFT), an internal group to support, empower and inspire women to achieve their full potential.
We also partner with and invested in a number of organizations including:
- Pride at Work Canada to recognize the skills of the LGBTQ2+ workforce
- Black Business and Professional Association to explore opportunities to work with young professionals from communities that face systemic disadvantages
We continued to support the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Phone it Forward initiative. This program helps CNIB participants experience the independence and accessibility that a modern, refurbished smartphone has to offer. Reliance proudly donated 83 used mobile devices to people with sight impairment.
Workplace Health & Safety
Workplace health and safety is an issue Reliance takes extremely seriously — for our team members and contractors as well as for our customers. Our guiding principle of Work Safe, Be Healthy, affirms our ongoing commitment and we continue to evaluate, invest in and improve our safety protocols through a variety of new tools, training and initiatives that touch on every Reliance activity, product and service.We are proud to be recognized by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) for our dedication to workplace health and safety — and we are particularly focused on reducing our team members’ injury frequency and motor vehicle accidents.
Our commitment to workplace Health and Safety continued to pay dividends in 2021:
Our hazard assessment tool contributed to a 73% decrease in injuries related to lack of hazard awareness
Over 5,200 manager field audits were completed to ensure safe workspaces across all our branches.
We saw a 72% reduction in strain and sprain-related incidents – in part, thanks to introducing in-person and virtual training sessions for team members.
Our Health and Safety Team trained more than 60 team members in emergency first aid.
Annual Health & Safety Day
Prioritizing Team Member Well-being
Our Response to COVID-19
- Updated our “Right Call” customer service protocols to include customers “Call Ahead” COVID-19 pre-screening and social distancing measures.
- Acquired significant Personal Protective Equipment.
- Provided frequent communication and webinars.
Setting Goals That Move Us Boldly Forward
Our overarching ambition is to do everything we can in the areas where we are best equipped to truly effect positive change – in the short term, as well as for generations to come.Setting Goals That Move Us Boldly Forward
Our overarching ambition is to do everything we can in the areas where we are best equipped to truly effect positive change – in the short term, as well as for generations to come.Reliance is integrating a Level 2 EV Charging Station product line for residential homes and communities.
Inclusive and sustained economic growth through our outreach committees and programs at Reliance.
Team Members have access to hours of online training modules, seminars, and videos through our internal Dayforce software 24/7.
70%
Increase our recycling ratio to 70%30%
Increase our revenue from green and energy-efficient products to 30%35%
Increase our ethnic representation in our workforce to 35%10%
Increase our community involvement and/or social giving donations by 10% annually
10%
Reduce our injuries and preventable motor vehicle accidents by 10% annually70%
Increase our recycling ratio to 70%
30%
Increase our revenue from green and energy-efficient products to 30%
35%
Increase our ethnic representation in our workforce to 35%
10%
Increase our community involvement and/or social giving donations by 10% annually
10%
Reduce our injuries and preventable motor vehicle accidents by 10% annually
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