Community Contribution
We also are committed to supporting our local communities through financial support, in-kind contributions and other partnerships. In our last fiscal year, we donated more than 1% of our pre-tax profits through cash and in-kind contributions to a range of community initiatives.
Employee Volunteers
Our employees also support our communities through our annual Community Involvement Day, a company-wide initiative involving all of our business units in the U.S. and Canada. Last year, more than 200 Breezeline employees, family members and community partners volunteered their time on a Saturday morning to plant more than 100 trees at 15 locations in eight states where Breezeline provides internet, TV and Home Phone services.
Extending Broadband in Rural America
We also are working to extend broadband networks into areas that are currently unserved or underserved, particularly in rural areas. We have formed mutually beneficial private-public partnerships that already have expanded the availability of broadband internet in multiple regions where we provide service, with further expansion to come.
Promoting Understanding
We’re also working to promote understanding in the communities we serve through our “Voices for Understanding” campaign. Launched in 2020, the campaign, through 30 second PSAs, promotes diversity, equality and justice in our communities.
Responsible Use of Technology
We are committed to supporting digital literacy programs that promote technology adoption among seniors and other underserved populations. We want users of every age to achieve a healthy tech-life balance when using online technology. We also are committed to eradicating cyberbullying and supporting programs that educate our communities about online privacy and online security.
Care for the Environment
We and our parent company, Cogeco, have set science-based emissions reduction targets to limit the impacts of climate change. This commitment includes achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. We’re working to reduce emissions from our direct operations through fleet electrification and a commitment to reduce emissions from employee commuting by 30% by 2030. It also includes investments in renewable energy, and energy efficiency projects across our network, as well as targets involving our suppliers and customers to reduce our environmental footprint.
Recognition
We are proud of the recognition we’ve received, including Cogeco’s being named one of the World’s 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Cogeco was also one of 44 companies worldwide in 2021 that received the first Prince of Wales Terra Carta Seal, which recognizes companies that are demonstrating their commitment to the creation of sustainable markets.
Diversity & Inclusion
Respect is a long-standing core value that we embrace by fostering a respectful workplace marked by integrity, trust and inclusion. We believe that an inclusive workplace is one where everyone feels a sense of belonging, has a safe environment in which to work and develop, and shares equal opportunities for career advancement regardless of gender, skin color, ethnicity, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation.
Affordability Programs
Breezeline is a proud supporter of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Under the program, Breezeline provides eligible households a discount of up to $30 per month towards broadband service (and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands) so that they can stay connected to daily essentials such as telehealth, distance learning, and work from home.
Supporting Technology Careers
We are committed to promoting technology careers via student mentoring programs, internships, vocational programs and the support of STEM initiatives.