WATERLOO, ON, May 24, 2023
/CNW/ - Today, Definity Financial Corporation (TSX: DFY) is proud
to announce its partnership with Green Communities Canada,
including a $500,000 contribution in
support of the Living Cities Canada Fund.
The Living Cities Canada Fund is an initiative of Green
Communities Canada that provides local partner organizations across
the country with training, funding, and logistical support to
engage their community, build public support, advance local policy,
and implement equity-embedded green (natural) infrastructure
projects where they are needed most. Green infrastructure solutions
provide a variety of benefits to communities, including absorbing
excess rainfall, cooling our communities, and serve as a buffer to
protect Canadians from more frequent and severe extreme weather
events.
Yesterday, Definity employees volunteered their time with one of
Green Communities Canada's member organizations, Reep Green
Solutions, to create a Pollinator Garden at the company's Head
Office in Waterloo. Pollinator
gardens support biodiversity by providing vital habitats for birds,
bees, and other local pollinators.
In 2023, thanks to generous support from four funders including
the Definity Insurance Foundation, Green Communities Canada is
funding and supporting 25 community-led green infrastructure
projects in cities across the country. These projects will engage
hundreds of community members in building at least 5000m² of new
urban green infrastructure in 21 different cities across
Canada.
The Definity Insurance Foundation has provided funding for 14 of
those projects, largely through the Fund's "Demonstrate Stream",
which supports local partner organizations to implement
smaller-scale, community-led green infrastructure projects, and
prioritizes projects that serve and/or involve underserved and
equity-deserving groups. Funded projects include de-paving, rain
gardens, pollinator gardens, and re-naturalization projects
happening in five provinces.
Rowan Saunders, President and
CEO of Definity says:
"This partnership with Green Communities Canada is an excellent
demonstration of Definity living its purpose of helping our clients
and communities adapt and thrive. Definity is building on a legacy
that reflects a century and a half of serving Canadians through
community giving. I'm so proud to see this legacy being further
established through our partnership with Green Communities Canada
and I look forward to seeing future initiatives come to life."
Brendan Seale, AVP and Head,
Environment, Social and Governance at Definity says:
"Through our support for the Living Cities Canada Fund, Definity
is investing in the well-being of our communities and fostering a
culture of collaboration for sustainability. We are excited to
bring this commitment to life by Definity providing employees with
opportunities to contribute to their communities in meaningful
ways. Our partnership with Green Communities Canada and Reep Green
Solutions to create a pollinator garden at our head office is one
example of community members supporting green infrastructure."
Brianna Salmon, GCC,
Executive Director says:
Our new Living Cities Canada Fund supports and connects local
leaders across the country who are making their communities
greener, healthier, and more equitable. Not only will this program
make cities more resilient to climate change, it will also ensure
neighbourhoods that are most in need of green infrastructure are
prioritized and that local residents are at the heart of climate
justice solutions.
Patrick Gilbride, Associate
Director, Reep Green Solutions says:
"We're excited to be one of the communities that will be able to
take advantage of the Living Cities Canada Fund. The funding will
provide the opportunity for us to engage people purposefully in a
process to develop and enhance green infrastructure in our cities.
The projects funded will have a genuine positive impact on people's
lives and provide tangible examples of 'green solutions' to address
climate change."
ABOUT DEFINITY FINANCIAL
CORPORATION
Definity Financial Corporation ("Definity", which includes its
subsidiaries where the context so requires) is one of the leading
property and casualty insurers in Canada, with over $3.7
billion in gross written premiums for the 12 months ended
March 31, 2023 and over $2.6 billion in equity attributable to common
shareholders as at March 31,
2023.
SOURCE Definity Financial Corporation