Bee-Clean recognized by CCAB

Bee-Clean Building Maintenance recognized for commitment to Aboriginal business

Canada’s largest building maintenance service provider achieves Silver Progressive Aboriginal Relations certification

VANCOUVER – The commitment of Bee-Clean Building Maintenance to working with Aboriginal communities will be recognized this week at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) Annual Gala, September 24th, at the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver.

The event celebrates and recognizes the Council’s Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) certified companies. PAR is a program that confirms corporate performance in Aboriginal relations, and signals to communities that a company is a good business partner, a great place to work, and is committed to prosperity in Aboriginal communities.

Bee-Clean, a family-owned national company founded nearly 50 years ago in Edmonton, Alberta with locations across the country, has achieved PAR Silver-level certification, which means it has proven Aboriginal relations; business partnerships in place; Aboriginal people are adding value in workplace; and the company is supporting sustainability through investment in communities and people.

Bee-Clean achieved Silver certification as a result of unique partnerships with a growing number of First Nations groups in Canada. The partnerships create new business entities in the custodial industry that leave significant ownership in the hands of the community, but allow the new business to take advantage of Bee- Clean’s expertise, management, and economies of scale. The collaborations have been successful in empowering Aboriginal communities through economic and employment opportunities, and enabling Bee- Clean to develop its reputation in new markets in Canada’s emerging resource industry sectors.

To date, Bee-Clean has developed partnerships with three Aboriginal communities from Alberta to Ontario, and is currently exploring opportunities in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Acden Bee-Clean, based in Fort McMurray, Alberta, was established in 2012 as a partnership between Bee- Clean and Acden, representing the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. Acden Bee-Clean is the largest industrial janitorial service provider in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, providing cleaning services to Canada’s oil sands operations and support companies.

Iron Horse Janitorial, based in Cold Lake, Alberta, was established in 2013 as a partnership between Bee- Clean and the Primco Dene Group of Companies, representing the Cold Lake First Nation. Iron Horse Janitorial provides cleaning services to public and private sectors in the oil and gas industry in Northeast Alberta.

The third collaboration, recently created in Thunder Bay, Ontario, is a partnership between Bee-Clean and Papasay Management Corporation, representing the Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (BNA) First Nation. Papasay Bee-Clean will provide janitorial services to meet the needs of the emerging resource industries sector in Northern Ontario.

“Bee-Clean partnerships with Aboriginal communities are a true showcase of the entrepreneurial and community-centered spirit of our organization,” says Randy Moore, vice president, Bee-Clean Building Maintenance. “We are committed to sustaining and growing our relationships, which provide empowerment, new economic opportunities, job growth, and shared prosperity with Aboriginal communities across Canada.”

“Bee-Clean’s First Nations partnerships are providing significant opportunities for Aboriginal communities to develop sustainable economic capacity and provide jobs. They are fantastic representations of what PAR certification means,” says J.P. Gladu, president and CEO, CCAB.

Bee-Clean Building Maintenance:

Bee-Clean Building Maintenance is an award-winning, family-owned, janitorial service provider with a deep history of creating customized solutions that drive efficiencies and enhance the quality of life for public and private sector organizations across Canada. As the largest Canadian-owned janitorial company in Canada, Bee-Clean employs over 12,500 people across the country, many of whom are newly arrived in Canada. Proud of the communities they work in, Bee-Clean seeks to collaborate and give back through partnerships, employee programs, local activities and charitable giving. Bee-Clean is forward-thinking and actively seeks partnerships and solutions that will grow their business and provide a competitive edge for their customers in their markets.

Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB):

The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) was founded in 1984 by a small group of visionary business and community leaders led by Murray Koffler, founder of Shoppers Drug Mart and co-founder of the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. CCAB is committed to the full participation of Aboriginal people in Canada’s economy. A national non-profit non-partisan association, CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to both mainstream and Aboriginal owned companies that foster economic opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses across Canada.

About Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business’ Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Certification:

CCAB PAR certification is a program that confirms corporate performance in Aboriginal relations. Certification signals to communities that a company is a good business partner, a great place to work and is committed to prosperity in Aboriginal communities. The designation is supported by an independent, third party verification of company reports, and is determined by a jury comprised of Aboriginal business people. Since the program’s introduction in 2001, PAR remains the premier corporate social responsibility program with an emphasis on Aboriginal relations.

For interview opportunities or additional information, please contact: Danielle Bronson

Edelman Vancouver

O: 604-648-3438, C: 604-616-4425

Email:  danielle.bronson@edelman.com