ABRAM-VILLAGE – Feb. 1, 2024 – Buyers Canada Inc, Urbainville Farms and La Société acadienne et francophone de l’ÎPÉ (SAF’Île) have just been named finalists of the first edition of RDÉE PEI’s annual IMPACT Sustainable Development Recognition Award for 2023. The winner will be announced at the 2024 Entrepreneurs’ Gala on Saturday, March 16, at the Village musical acadien in Abram-Village.

« This new award aims to celebrate the outstanding sustainable development projects of Island francophone businesses and organizations in our communities, » explains Israël Poulin, coordinator of the PEI edition of the project called IMPACT: Towards a Responsible and Sustainable Economy in Atlantic Canada. « The award aims to highlight the significant efforts made by the province’s francophone businesses and organizations, in making a positive contribution to the environment, the province’s social fabric and local governance. »

Poulin reveals that the RDÉE had received five submissions for the award after issuing an open call last November. Submitters described their great projects, touching on various dimensions of sustainable development. A selection committee reviewed the applications and chose three projects as finalists, then interviewed the project leaders. In keeping with the principles of sustainable development, RDÉE PEI will present the winning company or organization a trophy made from driftwood, carved in the shape of a globe and mounted on a pedestal. The other two finalists will each receive a framed certificate.

The public is invited to attend the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI’s 2024 Entrepreneurs’ Gala during which several other business awards will be presented and eight businesspeople will be inducted into the PEI Acadian and Francophone Business Hall of Fame. Tickets are available from the Wellington Rural Action Centre, josee@rdeeipe.org or 902-854-3439.

THE FINALISTS

Here are the sustainable development projects of the three finalists, in alphabetical order.

Buyers Canada Inc. was incorporated by Jean-Guy Leblanc on Oct. 15, 2023. The company, located on Water Street in Summerside, buys or recovers broken or abandoned industrial equipment and tools of all kinds, repairs or renovates/transforms them and resells them. It’s a great way to recycle and reuse equipment that would otherwise have been thrown away. The company also runs an employment program for disabled people, contributing to the development of employment in local society.

Urbainville Farms Ltd., the historic family farm owned by Robert Arsenault of Urbainville, bought an old potato chip plant on Hackmatack Road and converted it into a potato washing station several years ago. Arsenault has now installed a state-of-the-art potato washing line, designed to revolutionize his potato processing facility. This ultra-modern system uses innovative technologies to significantly save water, while improving operational efficiency.

The Société acadienne et francophone de l’ÎPÉ (SAF’Île) is increasingly specializing in resource sharing. In particular, it offers professional support to various community organizations through its shared services, ServiceFinances and ServiceRH. Thanks to this innovative approach, SAF’Île gives its member organizations access to specialized skills in human resources management and accounting, without having to individually bear the full costs of such services. This arrangement enables organizations to concentrate fully on their respective mission.

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PHOTOS: The three finalists for the first annual IMPACT Sustainable Development Recognition Award for 2023 are Buyers Canada Inc. (represented by owner Jean-Guy Leblanc), Urbainville Farms Ltd. (represented by owner Robert Arsenault) and La Société acadienne et francophone de l’ÎPÉ (represented by executive director Isabelle Dasylva-Gill).

 

 

For further information, please contact:

ISRAËL POULIN
Provincial coordinator of the IMPACT Sustainable Development Project
consultant.agora@gmail.com

MARYNE FLOCH-LE GOFF
Sustainable Development Officer
RDÉE Prince Edward Island
maryne@rdeeipe.org