What we achieve is important. How we achieve these results is just as critical to sustain and build on our Company culture and our values, and how our people define our success. West Fraser’s goals are to maintain: excellence in performance and people, leadership in our field, challenge and satisfaction, responsibility in the communities in which we work, profitability and growth.
Our Board, particularly the Environmental, Health & Safety Committee, together with our Executive and our Senior Leadership Team, set the policy and manage the practice of our environmental, social and governance activity within our business.
MATERIAL ISSUES
Forests
| Sustainable Forestry & Responsible Fibre Sourcing | Sustainably and responsibly manage forests entrusted to our forest management planning, including responsibly sourcing our fibre supply |
| Forest Renewal & Climate Change | How we contribute to renewing healthy, resilient forests through regeneration, reforestation and carbon sequestration |
| Wildlife, Habitat Management & Biodiversity | How we can accommodate plants, soils, and animals thriving in forest ecosystems |
| Working forest management | Working collaboratively with stakeholders to sustain important social values in the forest (cultural, recreational, economic, ecologicall) |
Employees
| Worker Safety | Providing a safe workplace for employees, contractors and people at our operating sites |
| Employee Engagement | Employees engaged and passionate about our business and how they can contribute to performance improvement |
| Employee Development & Equal Opportunity | Be a workplace that provides equal opportunities for advancement and develops employees to their potential |
Business
| Economic Performance | Prudent balance sheet and attention to cost management throughout our business cycle |
| Business Ethics | Ensure we engage in effective corporate practices, stewardship, ethical conduct, good governance and fair dealing |
Environmental
| Water Use & Effluents | Manage water resources responsibly |
| Air Emissions | Manage air emissions and reduce pollutants emitted from our operations |
| Environmental Performance | Reduce and, where possible, eliminate waste or harmful effects our operations may have on the environment |
Manufacturing
| Quality Management | Emphasis on continual process improvements to improve the quality and efficiency of our products and our process |
| Reinvestment in the Business | Maintain our facilities and performance through capital reinvestment and in employee training |
| Fibre Utilization & Recovery | Explore opportunities to fully utilize manufacturing residuals and recover energy from our operations |
| Waste Management | Reduce waste in our operations |
| Product Quality | Maintain high standards for product safety and quality |
Economic and business data has been provided according to West Fraser’s accounting standards and policies, as detailed in the Annual Report.
Policies & Commitments
West Fraser’s Code of Conduct sets the expected standard of conduct and approach to business practices required of our employees and officers to responsibly execute their work for the company. Other policies important to our operating approach include:
- Environmental Policy
- Safety Policy
- Corporate Governance Policies
- Sustainable Forest Management and Fibre Sourcing
Monitoring and evaluation
Our Board, assisted by its Committees, is responsible for the company’s internal control and risk management systems. Our internal audit activities, management systems and compliance requirements for financial, fibre procurement, environmental, manufacturing and safety policy and procedure ensure appropriate control measures have been planned and are in place. Best practice information is also shared between operating sites. These practices and audited activities assist the Board of Directors and Senior Management to conduct the appropriate monitoring of company activity. Many aspects of our operating responsibilities are further monitored, inspected and audited by third-party organizations and government bodies.