2023 Look-back: Black Diamond Group’s Commitment to the Communities Where We Live & Work

Last year marked a pivotal milestone in Black Diamond Group’s history, as we celebrated achievements of the past during our 20th year in business, and executed our annual plan with precision, focus and dedication. 

We’re proud of everything our high-performing team accomplished together – and the impact we had in the communities where we live and work. Join us as we look back at some of our proudest moments of our community investment initiatives in 2023. 
 

Our Commitment & Responsibility to the Community  

Community Relations

At Black Diamond Group, we believe in doing good in the communities where we live and work, and we know that our success as a Company goes hand in hand with our commitment to social responsibility and take pride in showcasing our, and our team members’ efforts to have a positive impact.
 

Community Event Units Program 

In February 2023, we added to our already robust community investment commitments with the launch of our Community Events Unit Program. This initiative helps us contribute to the success of our local communities across Canada in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario through the loan of a Black Diamond Group, BOXX Modular or Britco-branded wheeled unit for community events.

“Throughout our nearly 20 years in business, we have held the same belief – to do good in the communities we live and work,” says Trevor Haynes, Chairman & CEO of Black Diamond. “We also know modular space is unique in that it's customizable to nearly any application. That’s what excites me most about this program – our ability to add value and give back by doing what we do best – providing space solutions when and where they’re needed.”

Read more about the Community Event Units Program here. 
 

Gordie Howe CARES Pro-Am Hockey Tournament

In late May, a number of our team members participated in the Gordie Howe CARES Pro-Am Hockey Tournament again to raise funds for Alzheimer's research and education initiatives, all while paying tribute to legendary hockey player Gordie Howe and his lasting impact on the sport we all know and love. Our team, the Black Diamond Cutters, played in the two-day tournament and raised an impressive ~$72,500. 

Read more about our involvement in the tournament here. 
 

Shaw Charity Classic

At Black Diamond Group, we have long believed that sport is a force for good, and our commitments to community building is rooted in youth, family and sport. Partnerships such as our decade-long one with the Shaw Charity Classic enables us to make a positive impact through the sport, raising money for children’s and youth charities across Alberta.

This year, the Shaw Charity Classic raised over $18.7 million, and we were honoured to play a small part amongst so many other committed businesses and organizations in driving this year’s successful outcomes. 
 

United Way Campaign 

In November, our Canada team came together once again in support of the United Way to raise ~$56,000, executing our marquee campaign in Calgary, coupled with local campaigns in our operating locations of Langley, Ottawa, and Regina! Due to our campaign’s success, we were nominated for the United Way of Calgary Community Impact Awards, in the Quantum Leap Category. This award recognizes organizations and their employees who have achieved significant growth in the current year over the previous year, including an increase in funds raised and increase of donors. We are also nominated for United Way of the Alberta Capital Region’s Awards of Distinction in the Education and Engagement category, for increasing awareness of community needs and the impact of United Way donations, coordinating and motivating coworkers, and achieving exceptional results.
 

Employee Giving: Charitable Donation Program 

Another key driver of Black Diamond’s community investment commitment is our employee-driven Charitable Donation Program, which provides our team members with an opportunity to contribute to their local community by supporting various programs, events and organizations with funds that might not otherwise be available to smaller community groups through larger charitable organizations. 

Annually, we encourage each salaried employee to direct their dollars to where they have a personal connection and are involved with. In 2023, this unique program was again highly utilized with our team members supporting over 25 local organizations!
 

Indigenous Relations

Our Company is committed to fostering meaningful Indigenous relationships and partnership, built on mutual respect and trust. We know this approach drives shared value for the business and our partners, aligns with our core values and is very important to our team members. 
 

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame’s Indigenous Sport Heroes Education Experience 

Last year, we proudly entered our third year as the presenting sponsor of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame’s Indigenous Sport Heroes Education Experience.  This seven-year initiative is aimed at educating and inspiring Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth and prompting conversation about equity and inclusion through the lens of sport.

The educational changemaker resource, designed as a digital experience and presented like chapters in a book, shares truths, teachings and exceptional stories of Indigenous Hall of Famers and honours the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action. This exhibition is the first of its kind and truly encourages a more informed, united, inclusive and stronger Canada. In 2023, the website hit a milestone of 975,000 website visits, reaching youth in every province and territory across Canada. 

Learn more about the program here. 
 

Days of Recognition 

In 2023, we meaningfully engaged with local communities, through our Indigenous Partnerships, and recognized and amplified initiatives such as the Indigenous Sports Heroes Education Experience (as the proud presenting sponsor), Moose Hide Campaign Day, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Orange Shirt Day and more.  

On June 21, Trevor Haynes, Chairman & CEO, participated in a panel discussion surrounding Truth and Reconciliation in Sport, which hosted incredible guests: Order of Sport Recipient and Hall of Famer, Alwyn Morris; 2023 Calgary Stampede First Nation Princess, Alayiah Wolf Child; 2018 Tom Longboat Award Winner, Michael Linklater; SECURE Energy’s Vice President, ESG, Rhonda Rudnitski; and Enbridge’s EVP and CLO, Bob Rooney. 

We were proud to be an official sponsor of this second-annual event hosted by Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, which aims to recognize the rich contributions of Indigenous Sports Heroes and educate the public about the transformative power of sport. 
 

In the Community: West Moberly First Nations

Another highlight of the year was the Youth Golf Clinic we hosted in July with Black Diamond Cygnus, our equity-based partnership with West Moberly First Nations. Eight of our employees teamed up to share tips with West Moberly youth on golf skills like grip, stance, alignment, and swing technique. 
 

Environment, Social & Governance

In August, we proudly published our second Corporate Responsibility Report, which details our commitment to environmental, social and governance issues, and illustrates how we continue to Create a Better Way and deliver value for our shareholders, stakeholders and team members alike.

Read more about our commitments in the full report here.
 

Appreciation & Thanks

Annually, we intentionally and actively engage our employees in our community-giving efforts through charitable activities, fundraising, and volunteer initiatives like the ones highlighted above. We know we are successful, in large part, because of their commitment and dedication to Creating A Better Way!

As we look ahead to 2024, we remain committed to supporting, elevating, and promoting their efforts with youth, family, sport and leadership at the heart of our commitments.