CEL has always believed that it is important to actively participate in the communities we serve. Supporting local charities, community groups and non-profit organizations that benefit the community is part of our company mandate. In 2021, CEL participated in raising money for our Christmas Donation Project. We found it remarkably rewarding to give back to the community, especially when many have been struggling throughout the pandemic. Our Winnipeg branch was tasked with distributing $10,000 of donations to the Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre (FGWRC). CEL Winnipeg purchased items to support the needs of the centre and the women and children they encourage. Located in Winnipeg, the FGWRC is committed to creating a community where women & children are safe, healthy, valued and empowered. A close friend shared that she benefited from the FGWRC’s help when she became a single mom and that she still volunteers with them to help others. With her help and FGWRC’s wish list, CEL went shopping for the items needed to put together emergency hygiene and food kits. We also purchased items to donate such as children’s toques, jewellery, and kid’s books to be placed on their giveaway table so that women and children can take what they need when they come into the Centre. CEL is so proud to promote a culture that encourages team members to contribute time and resources to support the communities around us.

Congratulations to the CEL Saskatoon Team for winning the Presidential Safety Award for 2021!! CEL established this annual award to recognize the branch that has gone above and beyond in creating the safest possible workplaces – with a goal of zero injuries or incidents. Saskatoon showed great momentum and a strong commitment to safety even during the challenges that were faced in 2021. The continued growth of the Saskatoon market has not deterred the team from meeting CEL’s objective of being “best in class” for safety. All our branches do such a fantastic job prioritizing site safety that it is always hard for us to choose one above the rest. However, this year, Saskatoon’s effort in making safety their priority was outstanding. Congratulations to the whole team in Saskatoon! Keep up the great work!

Safety is a priority and a challenge for any trade working in industrial and commercial settings. Companies like CEL put great effort into protecting our employees, clients, visitors, sub-contractors, the public – even property and the environment – when working onsite. While a perfect record is the goal, it is incredibly hard to achieve. Yet, this is exactly what the team at our Camrose branch accomplished in 2019. Due to their uncompromising commitment to ensuring all personnel return safely home at the end of each shift, the Camrose branch went through the entire 2019 calendar year with ZERO safety and environmental incidents. For this remarkable feat, they were presented our 2019 President’s Safety Award.

“Camrose had an extremely busy year. CEL asks our employees to execute all work in a manner that adheres to our strong safety standard and safety culture. The Camrose team were enthusiastic participants in our new safety programs and their numbers prove it!” beamed Dallas Smith, COO. “It was a concerted effort, and all members of our Camrose team should be very proud of their accomplishment.” Smith added that the Camrose branch also set the standard when it came to hazard recognition and mitigation through their detailed and well-executed project plans, hazard assessments, and hazard ID program. “At CEL, we work collaboratively across our entire company to continually improve our safety practices, policies and procedures. The lessons learned here will be shared across our entire organization. Congratulations to the entire Camrose team. You earned this!”

The team at CEL Electrical Contractors is used to lighting up buildings. But they all agree that nothing compares to the feeling of lighting up the faces of young families ahead of the holiday season. In what has become an annual tradition, staff from CEL’s Calgary office played the role of Santa’s little helpers, serving up food and smiles at the Louise Dean Centre’s Christmas dinner. The children were thrilled as Santa Claus made a special appearance, and brought a sack of gifts. Once he’d seen all of the children, Santa even made time for the big kids from CEL. The Louise Dean Centre is a school dedicated to the unique needs of pregnant teens and young mothers. It provides valuable services and a supportive environment that allows these students to continue with their education – within a safe, nurturing environment for newborns and young children. The program is operated through a partnership between Catholic Family Services (CFS) and the Calgary Board of Education. Patricia Jones, CEO of Catholic Family Services appreciates the ongoing work CEL does on behalf of CFS.

“The CEL crew is fantastic. They are very understated. They show up to do their job without fanfare. We are so lucky to have them,” Jones beamed.

In addition to volunteering their time to the Louise Dean Centre, CEL is proud to lend its financial support to this incredible organization. Across the country, CEL and its employees take great pride in supporting the communities where they work and call home. On behalf of the entire team, from Alberta to Ontario, CEL wishes you and yours a warm and magical Merry Christmas.