Earlier this month the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) released its economic impact results for the 2014-15 fiscal year.
For every dollar the province invested in SRC over the past year, the council provided a more than 26-times return to the growth in the provincial economy. That translated into more than $519 million in direct economic benefits. SRC’s work also contributed to the creation or maintenance of more than 832 jobs in Saskatchewan, valued at more than $59 million.
“SRC’s mission is to deliver smart scientific solutions with unparalleled service to clients and colleagues that grow and strengthen our diversified economy,” said Jeremy Harrison, Minister responsible for innovation. “These reported economic environmental and social impacts grow SRC’s continued dedication to growing Saskatchewan’s economy.”
Since 2003, SRC has achieved more than $6.3 billion in combined economic and job impacts in Saskatchewan.
“Our 26-times return on investment is unparalleled in Canada among other research and technology organizations,” said SRC president and CEO Laurie Schramm. “Globally, SRC is increasingly being recognized as a one-stop-shop for smart science solutions.”
As part of its commitment to conducting its business in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, SRC will be submitting its Corporate Social Resposibility report to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for the fifth year in a row.
Some of the highlights from SRC’s activities in the past fiscal year included more than $27 million in projects aimed at creating positive environmental and/or social impacts; participation in projects tht resulted in greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions of more than 21,100 tonnes and energy savings equivalent to more than 40 million KWh per year.
Through the Employee Volunteer Program, 113 SRC employees volunteered 426.5 hours at food banks in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert and they donated 522 kilograms of food as part of three targeted food drives.
The SRC, it was noted, has been listed in Corporate Knights’ The Future 40 Responsible Corporate Leaders in Canada for the second consecutive year. The Future 40 recognizes Canadian companies that are top sustainability performers.
SRC remains as one of Canada’s leading providers of applied research, development and demonstration plus technology-commercialization and provides services and products to about 1,500 clients in 20 countries with its more than 350 employees and $73 million in annual revenue.
