Social Responsibility
As a mutual that is solidly anchored in values of mutual aid, sharing and solidarity, La Capitale has strengthened its commitment towards sustainable development. La Capitale’s processes and the working environment of its employees reflect this commitment toward doing what is necessary to ensure a sustainable future for the generations to come. Read on to learn about La Capitale’s participation in this worldwide movement aimed at protecting the environment for the benefit of people and the community as a whole.
What is a mutual?
Mutualism: a modern and sustainable business model…
A mutual is a collective enterprise in which the members (known as mutualists) join together to obtain insurance and coverage for certain unfortunate life events such as accident or illness.
- Clients as the top priority: not shareholders
- Well capitalized
- Prudent planning and action: no hasty decisions
- Worldwide presence
- A powerful driver of economic and social development.
Our areas of activity
LA CAPITALE EMPLOYEES
GIVING BACK
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Measures that promote employee wellness and motivation in the workplace
La Capitale has put in place programs and measures aimed at establishing a fair and healthy workplace environment, where everyone can feel fulfilled and get the recognition they deserve.
“Avantage-toi” program
Our company promotes prevention services and actions that facilitate the health and safety of La Capitale staff. The over 30 topics touched on to date have to do with health in general, physical health, psychological health and other topics relating to wellness in the workplace.
Recognition program
La Capitale uses three peer recognition programs to highlight the notable achievements of employees in each of its business areas.
Nominated: 217
Finalists: 66
Winners: 37
In 2018, nearly 400 people received a gift as a token of their 5 to 40 years of service.
VIVA workplace wellness program
VIVA is a workplace health and wellness program that uses concrete tools to encourage and promote the physical and psychological balance of La Capitale’s employees and those of the program’s corporate clients.
Number of activities: 149
Participating companies: 18
Recipient employees: 7,427
VIVA satisfaction level: 93 %
- 78% of recipients have modified their lifestyle
- VIVA has boosted satisfaction at work to 73% among recipients, employee morale by 65% and working atmosphere for 66% of recipients
To encourage the practice of physical activity, La Capitale has signed an agreement with the fitness centre located in its head office building to allow its staff members free shower and locker access.
La Capitale and VIVA are proud to present the Défi Entreprises
The Défi Entreprises Workplace Challenge is a three-month participatory health and wellness program. It’s simple and effective in promoting healthy lifestyle habits in the workplace, and concludes with a group event.
In 2019, 273 La Capitale employees took part in this major event in various cities across Quebec.
Four companies that participate in our VIVA health and wellness program followed suit, resulting in 447 employees getting active.
Gender parity in management roles
In 2019, La Capitale maintained gender parity among its managers.
Managers: 238
Women: 115
Men: 123
Innovation
Considering innovative ideas proposed by staff.
Ideas for improvement
To enhance the quality of our existing products, processes and technologies
246 ideas submitted
Dragons’ den challenge
This challenge consists of proposing a technology innovation idea for our insurance and financial services business.
5 ideas submitted
Social involvement of employees
La Capitale strongly encourages its employees to volunteer and take part in philanthropic activities.
“Pay it forward” challenge
51% of staff volunteered to assist members of their community
$214,638 was collected during the “Sharing really counts!” campaign, which was held to raise funds for United Way, Healthpartners- Quebec and the Red Cross.
Giving back - over 200 organizations supported
La Capitale has positioned itself as a responsible socio-economic player by actively improving the well-being of individuals and the community as a whole, through the initiatives of the La Capitale Foundation.
Over 200 organizations supported, mainly in the La Capitale Foundation’s three niche areas: autism, intellectual disability and vulnerable seniors..
Philanthropic activities
The La Capitale Foundation supported or participated in nearly 100 charitable events.
Shinebeyond prizes – $100,000
Total sum donated to four organizations to allow each of them to carry out a project related to one of the La Capitale Foundation’s niche areas and for an intergenerational project.
A sweet treat for a good cause
Production of 30.2 kg of honey from hives installed on the green roof of La Capitale’s head office building in Quebec City. The funds collected through the sale of jars of honey will allow us to purchase two more beehives, in support of bee protection.
Collection of food items during Christmas
Employees collected a large number of food items during Christmas, in support of the Fondation du Centre Psycho-Pédagogique de Québec, to help underprivileged families of students from St-François school. Over 65 boxes of donations were collected which allowed us to give generous baskets to 25 families from the school.
Park beautification program
Under the guidance of a local artist, approximately 30 employees volunteered to create a mural to fight against vandalism and brighten up the Dunton Athletic Fields park located just a few minutes away from our Mississauga office.
Valuing the role of quebec public service employees
Founded nearly 80 years ago by public service employees, La Capitale maintains close ties with its original client base. La Capitale’s valuing and recognition of the work done by Quebec public service employees led to the creation of the La Capitale Public Service Personality Recognition Award.
In 2019, at the fourth annual awards presentation, six prizes were awarded, including two jury’s Our Choice prizes, to Quebec public service employees
to highlight their exceptional work.
2019 recipients:
Linda Blouin
Public education sector
Eliane Rioux
Public education system
Marie-Michèle Charest-Déry
Ministry, public or parapublic agency,
or crown corporation
Christine Laliberté
Public health and social
services sector
Pierre Huet
(posthumously)
Public health and social
services sector
Élyse Simard
Municipal sector
4 LEED® certified buildings and 2 BOMA BEST certified buildings
In Quebec
Our head office
625 Jacques-Parizeau St, Quebec City
LEED®-NC Gold certification | Platinum level BOMA BEST certification
Abundant natural light | Recycling and composting | Very high energy performance | Active transportation incentive | Parking for electric vehicles | 60% green and 40% white roof
In Ontario
7150 Derrycrest Drive Building
7150 Derrycrest Drive, Mississauga
LEED®-CS Gold certification
Recycling | Efficient management of water | Superior energy and air quality performance | Active transportation incentive
Delta 3 Building1
2875 Laurier Blvd, Quebec City
LEED®-CS Gold certification
First LEED®-CS Gold certified commercial and office building in Quebec City | Superior energy performance | Natural light
425 de Maisonneuve Building2
425 de Maisonneuve Blvd W, Montreal
LEED®-BE Silver certification | Gold level BOMA BEST certification
Recycling and composting | Efficient management of water | Very high energy performance
1. Owned by La Capitale until December 16, 2019 | 2. Owned by La Capitale until December 2, 2019
Building characteristics
Head office
- Close to 50% in reduced energy consumption compared to similar buildings
- Close to 70% in reduced potable water use compared to similar buildings
425 de Maisonneuve Building
- Close to 40% in reduced energy consumption compared to similar buildings
- Close to 25% in reduced potable water use compared to similar buildings
Air quality
All of La Capitale’s buildings are subject to strict air quality control standards, and building management staff members receive training on maintaining air quality.
Environmental policy
Strict application of an environmental policy in all La Capitale buildings to ensure awareness among building operations staff and tenants and equip them to integrate sustainable development concepts.
Premium reduction on home insurance for owners, co-owners and tenants of LEED®-certified buildings
52 clients have benefited from this program
Sustainable transportation
La Capitale promotes the use of public transit and active transportation. In this regard, it offers incentives to encourage its employees to use such forms of transportation and insurance premium reductions to its clients who use green vehicles.
For staff
Abonne BUS Travailleur
Offered on the north and south shores of the St. Lawrence River in the Quebec City region
19.83% of staff participate in the program
Carpooling
43 parking spaces are reserved for ride-sharing drivers. They are all in use.
Electric vehicles
5 parking spaces with charging stations (head office)
Active transportation
114 indoor and outdoor bike racks (head office)
For clients
Communauto
$40 reduction offered to our property and casualty insurance clients on a new Communauto subscription.
Electric vehicles
Premium reduction on auto insurance for an electric or hybrid vehicle
11,805 clients benefited from the program in 2019
Active transportation
38 outdoor bike racks (head office)
Responsible investments (PRI)
La Capitale promotes responsible investment for its assets. It is a signatory of the Institutional Investors Release Declaration on Financial Risks Related to Climate Change (2017), which recommends that publicly traded companies in Canada disclose more information on their exposure to climate change risks.
- 79% of investment assets managed externally are managed by signatories of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).
- $131.9M consists of private investments which finance renewable energies and social infrastructures.
Media contact
Jean-Pascal Lavoie
Press Relations and Public Affairs Advisor
418 747-8053