Category: First

Fostering the Next Generation of Leaders

Walking into an assembly at Father Patrick Mercredi High School in Fort McMurray, you get the sense that our future is in great hands.

In 2017, CP invested $10,000 towards the purchase of t-shirts for every Father Merc student.

How do t-shirts help?

“After the 2016 wildfire,” explains a Merc student, “the staff wanted to find a way to bring students together to make them stronger than ever. To do this, they created a house system. The students are divided into 3 houses – each a different colour – and the houses compete for points awarded for school spirit, academics, and charity challenges. On house assembly days, we wear the special shirts provided by CP. The shirts not only identify us – they unify us!”

Since the house system was implemented, the students have raised over $20,000 for charitable causes, including Spread the Net (a campaign to provide nets to countries under the threat of malaria), We Rise Above, Red Cross, Santas Annonymous, and the Canadian Cancer Society. The school raised so much money for the Spread the Net campaign that they garnered a slot on the Rick Mercer Report.

CP is honoured to align with groups that embody our own values of leadership, volunteerism, creating a strong family-oriented community, and philanthropy. That’s why we’re champions of Father Patrick Mercredi High School: by supporting their endeavours to make a difference in the world, we are fostering the next generation of leaders. Our investment gave Merc students the ability to make a tremendous contribution back into the community.

The students of Father Patrick Mercredi High School are as generous and compassionate as their namesake, Father Pat himself. Turns out, the kids are all right.

Our Mobile Fire Extinguisher Program

We are excited to announce our collaboration with ConocoPhillips on a new fire extinguisher program. This expansion of our services will have a valuable and long-lasting impact on the CP family.

“Since the engagement with ConocoPhillips began, we’ve sent a total of four technicians to Vermillion to complete the necessary courses,” says Fleet and Logistic Coordinator Janelle Ritchie. “This is such an exciting development for us.”

Adds Operations Manager Ryan Gemmell: “This will be the premier service in the region for mobile fire extinguisher maintenance (portable units up to 500 psi). We’re also the only Aboriginal company to offer the service, which we are so proud of.”

Another exciting advancement is the proprietary software that will enable technicians to demonstrate extinguisher compliance from any computer.

“This is just the beginning,” Ryan explains. “We’ve already expanded to include fire hydrant inspections, maintenance and certification programs. We’ll be offering these services in-house before the end of the summer.”

The Mobile Fire Extinguisher Program is a huge win in terms of service offerings and growth, but it will translate into so much more, including job opportunities within the community. Each new staff member represents an investment back into our local families and businesses —a priority at CP.

To learn more about our mobile fire extinguisher services, click here.

CP sponsorship helps keep beloved race on track

The Janvier Sled Drags is one of the largest winter community events in Janvier and a significant winter celebration in the Wood Buffalo Region. However, with recent economic conditions this year’s races were in danger of being cancelled — and when CP’s CEO Dave Czibere got wind of that, his position was naturally quick and forceful: “That absolutely will not happen.”

CP has always been a big sponsor of the event, and this year was no exception.

The races were held February 17th and the Straightline Snowmobile Racing Association (SSRA) was in Janvier with 200 of its hungriest members all wanting a piece of the $25,000 pie and a share of the stage.

There were plenty of hands involved once the planning started. Ms. Best from Father Perrin School organized her students and provided burgers, snacks and hot drinks in the school’s first fundraiser for a trip to Jasper.

The kids from Sekweha were there, too, helping keep the site clean, fundraising and of course sledding. And, as always, the Janvier crew of handymen, operators, security guards, hunters, and firefighters dedicated themselves to making the best track on circuit. These men volunteered their time to set up tents and heaters, clear brush, and ensure the entire event ran smoothly. In addition to race and prize sponsorship, CP was proud to help with planning, logistics and a dinner of chili with bannock for the racers.

Thank you to all our employees who assisted in making this year’s event a great one !