COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
As property developers, Canderel does not take for granted or underestimate the potential impact our business has on the community at large – environmentally, aesthetically, socially and morally. We acknowledge and are grateful for the important role we play. Our goal is to enhance the community with each project we take on, and we do so through exemplary business practices.
Respectful of the environment, we take special care to ensure we utilize space, energy and resources efficiently and responsibly.
We further recognize our duty to actively support and sponsor worthy charities, and each of our offices participates in the organization and production of a variety of fund-raising events. Our leadership team has set an inspirational example, and for decades has demonstrated that a successful business must have an active generosity of spirit. 2009 proudly marked the 20th anniversary of the Défi Corporatif Canderel, which has raised over 6 million dollars in support of cancer research.
Perhaps most inspirational, and certainly a ‘corporate philanthropist’ ahead of his time, is Canderel Chairman and CEO Jonathan Wener. In addition to establishing the ‘Défi’, Mr. Wener is the also the founding President of the Urban Development Institute of Quebec and a past President of the Urban Development Institute of Canada. He is a member of a significant number of community, business and charitable boards, including Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors of Concordia University, and Chairman of the Real Estate Planning Committee. In addition, he sits on the board of the Foundation for the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and on the board of the Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur. He is a director of the board of the Foundation of Greater Montreal, is a past President of the Jewish General Hospital and continues as a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Mr. Wener is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Laurentian Bank of Canada and an active member of the board of a number of early stage high-tech, communication and manufacturing companies. In October 2003, Mr. Wener was appointed by the Governor General as a member of the Order of Canada.
Canderel is honoured to be able to ‘give back’ to those communities with which we have had the privilege of working so closely.