Procurement and supply chain management
Our business relies on thousands of suppliers of varying sizes from across Canada and around the world. Stakeholders expect that leading corporate citizens address supply chain sustainability. In 2011,TELUS took a major step in doing so. We finalized our Supplier Code of Conduct which details environmental and social responsibility standards that our business partners need to adhere to in our vendor selection process. It is based upon generally accepted standards of ethical business conduct and draws upon internationally recognized standards. Additionally, we collaborated with a broad range of internal stakeholders and team members on issues of sustainability, privacy, health and safety, compliance and regulation in our development process. Our Supplier Code of Conduct is the strongest supply chain management tool that TELUS has implemented to date and strengthens our adherence to the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) which TELUS signed in 2010.
In 2011, we continued to implement supplier sustainability criteria in some of our Request for Proposals with potential external business partners.
Additionally we launched the supplier diversity program with the aim to deliver an improved customer experience and innovation by taking proactive steps to provide equal access to a supply base that reflects the diversity where we live, work and serve.
We are committed to expanding the scope of this program to include more diverse groups over time. For 2012, the scope of our supplier diversity program is as follows:
- Minority-owned or female-owned (51 per cent +) businesses in Canada
- Businesses must be certified as diverse by the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) or WEConnect Canada to qualify as diverse for the TELUS program
- Online supplier registration with TELUS is also strongly recommended.
In addition to launching this program at TELUS, we also commit to providing thought leadership in the policy development and growth of supplier diversity in Canada through Board representation with CAMSC and WEConnect.
Conflict minerals
TELUS continued to monitor the issue of conflict minerals. As of the end of 2011, the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) has a draft proposal which will require manufacturers of electronics to report on the origin of minerals in electronics with the goal of eliminating minerals from conflict areas from the supply chain. TELUS actively engaged in the public consultation process for the draft proposal and supported a letter sent to the SEC through the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association outlining our stance. TELUS anticipates additional clarity by the SEC will be forthcoming.
Protecting privacy
One of our goals is to ensure our products and services respect and protect our customers’ personal information. TELUS has a Privacy Code that defines the principles that govern the collection, use and disclosure of our customers’ and team members’ personal information. Our code complies with the requirements of Canada’s privacy legislation, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, and our own commitment to protecting customer and team member privacy.
Making the Internet safer for families, especially children, is an increasingly important global issue and remains a key priority for TELUS. We provide financial support to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P), which operates Cybertip.ca, Canada's national tip line for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children.
For more detail on privacy and Internet safety, visit our Customer section.
TELUS Animal Advertising Code of Conduct
TELUS believes the health and safety of animals is paramount in all TELUS advertising projects and that they deserve to be treated with respect and care. Using nature and animals in our advertising makes it more friendly, likeable and approachable - and has universal appeal across diverse audiences. Metaphors from nature and animals can make a complex story simple, and simple is more memorable. Animal welfare is deeply important to TELUS and its team members. To that end, we have a comprehensive code of conduct that is followed any time we film animals.
The code of conduct explains that TELUS only does business with reputable owners, handlers and facilities when filming or photographing animals for its advertisements. Additionally, TELUS requires the animal’s trainer or owner to be onsite and ensures expert animal caregivers and handlers are onsite at all times. Furthermore, TELUS requires a professional animal advocacy representative to attend and oversee the ethical treatment of the animals at all times.
The code of conduct contains policies for animal selection, pre-production and filming processes including consulting the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) status prior to considering any species.
TELUS actively supports charities working in the interest of animals and nature and since 2000, has donated more than $5.4 million to support the important work of the SPCA, World Wildlife Fund, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Humane Society and Tree Canada.