For the purposes of this report, we consider material issues those that could affect long-term strategy, impact the environment or society, and influence the perception and behaviours of stakeholders. Additionally, we consider GRI guidance indicating that material topics for a reporting organization should include those topics that have a direct or indirect impact on an organization’s ability to create, preserve or erode economic, environmental and social value for itself, its stakeholders and society at large.
In early 2012, we held a CSR materiality workshop facilitated by the Sustainability and Climate Change practice of Deloitte and Touche LLP. The purpose of the materiality session was to gain consensus amongst participants on TELUS’ key stakeholders and material issues by applying a structured, evidential process for assessing materiality in order to guide future years’ report content and strategy. The output of this workshop was a materiality matrix classifying issues in terms of importance to both TELUS’ key stakeholders and to TELUS .
We believe that it is increasingly important to review the scope of our CSR report so that it is strategically aligned and useful to stakeholders. Additionally, this insight enables us to identify emerging issues and factor them into strategy development as opportunities before they become business risks.
In 2012, we will review and revise the data based on further analysis and communicate the outcomes in our 2012 CSR report.