In the Community
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts
We are continuing to grow our business while turning our focus to the impact our operations have
and the sustainability of our actions across Canada. We are accountable to our associates, guests
and owners for the effect of our activities relating to the environment, our economic performance
and our social systems.
We are working towards being "green" hotel operators who create and sustain positive partnerships with the communities we are in. We are making responsible changes.
Recent CSR Updates
October 2008: Provided every associate with a reuseable lunch/grocery bag made from recycled products.
July 2008: Hotels switched to using fair trade Rainforest Alliance organic coffee.
April 2008: Planted trees accross Canada as part of our company rebranding.
April 2008: A Human Resource Services Green Team was created to focus on green awareness in our hotels and provide tools for our associates to 'go green'.
March 2008: Hotels moved to use of recycled content supplies for takeaway containers.
January 2008: A corporate 'green' team was formed to further our company's green initiatives.
January 2008: Introduced company-wide zero waste food items.
Our current Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives include:
Code of Conduct
All associates are bound by a code of conduct, which along with our culture and values, drives all
stakeholders to operate in a financially, environmentally and socially responsible way.
Responsible Governance
Our organization believes in being accountable for what we say we are going to do. As a result,
we measure our ability to fulfill the framework we map out for our hotels, our overall operations
and our individual associates. These goals are measured through the use of divisional scorecards,
employee opinion surveys (3 times/year), internal audit processes, personal and team goals and
company-wide governance reviews. We don't just roll out a policy and forget about it, we are committed
to ensuring everyone is aware of their role in the organization and as a corporate citizen, and
that we are enabling them to be successful at both.
Commitment to the Environment 
SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to the environment, embraced
at each of our hotels. In 2002, we became the first hotel management company in Canada to have all
its properties certified under the Green Leaf Eco-rating program, administered on behalf of the
Hotel Association of Canada. In 2004, all of our properties were again certified in the Association's
launch of a new program called the Green Key ECOmmodation Rating Program.
Environmental decisions are part of the corporate culture and are fundamental to the daily operation of each hotel, from the frontline to the boardroom. In 2008, we furthered our commitment by forming a number of Green Teams, which focus on everything from creating responsible vendor partnerships to how each of our hotels can increase our commitment within their local environment. The Hôtel des Seigneurs was a shining example of this local environmental commitment when they planted 1,800 trees to offset the Greenhouse Gas Emissions produced by meeting and events at its property in 2007.
Providing a Diverse, Fair and Safe Environment for our Associates
We are committed the use of tools in our recruitment process and as well within our work teams that
help to identify and promote our differences. We educate our leadership teams and associates on
how to work together with different backgrounds and celebrate the learning available from those
differences - whether it is generational, cultural, religious or otherwise.
In 2007, we initiated and deployed a Foreign Worker program that allows us to focus hiring initiatives for hard to fill positions in countries outside of Canada. As part of that program we created a cultural orientation program, which includes not only on the job training, and at work orientation but introduction to community members, local services, support groups, accommodation and cultural norms. Our program allowed the newest members of the SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts family to integrate quickly into their new community surroundings and helped to provide quick identification with SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts and a sense of individual pride.
Being Responsible Community Partners "Hotels with Heart"
The Friends in Need program is part of SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts "Hotels with Heart" initiative
for giving back to its communities. Annually, the Friends in Need program is launched offering travellers
discounted rates, with proceeds benefiting charities right across the country. The program was launched
nationally in 2000 and runs at all hotels managed by SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts. Dozens of charitable
and community organizations have benefited from over $676,000 raised over the past seven years!
Kindness Week 
While SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts associates are committed to going the extra mile each day, each
year SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts sponsors "Kindness Week" in all of our hotels, across Canada.
During this week associates focus on giving back to their community and each other. Kindness Week
activities have included hosting fundraisers for disadvantaged youth, blood donor drives, building
with Habitat for Humanity, working at local food banks, providing free coffee and muffins for the
community, planting tress, massage days for associates and a number of additional lively activities!
Awards
Pinnacle Award
In 2006, our company was awarded a Pinnacle Award for Company of the Year. The Pinnacle Awards are
the foodservice and hospitality industry's only national recognition program. SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts
was recognized for its impact on the industry, significant innovations and accomplishments and
community spirit.
Safety Award 
Seven years running we have been presented the prestigious North American Occupational Safety and
Health Award, in the Hospitality category. SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts considers the safety of
every associate a vital part of our strategy for success, promoting heath and safety is a mind-set
that the entire team embraces, not only during Occupational Safety and Health Week, but all year
round.