Giving Philosophy
Chairman’s Message
“I believe that business has both the opportunity and responsibility to have a positive
effect in the community. Growth and prosperity do not need to come at the expense
of sustainability.” Galen Weston, Chairman and CEO.
At George Weston Limited, we believe our responsibility as a business extends beyond
our shareholders to the community at large. It is a commitment we take very seriously,
as one of Canada’s largest publicly traded companies and as a family-led firm with
roots going back four generations to 1882.
Our role as corporate leaders extends to the way we behave towards the environment.
As retailers, owners of real estate and bakers, we need to act responsibly to minimize
our environmental footprint and continually strive for sustainable growth.
Our company has played an important part in the commercial development of Canada,
providing jobs, investing in innovation, and creating opportunities for other businesses.
But just as important is the investment we’ve made in our communities, to help strengthen
them through social, cultural and environmental initiatives. We are proud of the
various charitable commitments we have made across the group of businesses, with
either in-kind donations and financial contributions or with employee volunteering.
In 2017, Loblaw committed $150 million over ten years to fight child hunger and poor
nutrition in Canada through local school programs and social service agencies. In
addition, the Company's annual employee fundraising campaign, Weston Seeding Stronger
Communities, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of charities
that help children and their families eat better and enjoy healthy activities. The
monies raised by our employees are matched, dollar-for-dollar, by the Company. And
through the SHOPPERS.LOVE.YOU campaign focusing on women’s health, more than $57
million has been donated back to charities in the past five years. The W. Garfield
Weston Foundation is also one of the country’s most active charitable funders.
For sixty years the Foundation has made substantial contributions in the
areas of education, medical research, and the environment.
Galen G. Weston
Chairman and CEO