For the second year in a row, APRIL Marine is proud to be among the finalists for the prestigious Insurance Business Canada Awards, in the « Excellence in Phlianthropy & Community Service » category.
Each year, the magazine celebrates the industry’s most outstanding players in terms of achievement, innovation and leadership. Finalists are selected by an independent panel of judges made of industry experts. The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on November.
At APRIL Marine, our main aim is to work towards safer and more responsible boating, both on and off the water. With this in mind, APRIL Marine’s CSR approach is based on 4 pillars:
1. Well-being at work
To provide a healthy and fulfilled working environment, we have put in place a number of working policies:
- 4-day weeks offered to all employees, all year round
- A hybrid working arrangement, with 2 days in the office and 2 days teleworking
- Exceptional team-building events during the summer : watercraft rides, fishing tournaments, regattas or shows on the water
- 3 extra days off per year in addition to the usual holidays and bank holidays
- 1 day free for a volunteering activity of your choice
2. Local action and solidarity
For many years, we have supported initiatives that promote good boating practice in Canada, from organizations for young people to water therapies: women’s regattas, ride for autism, treatment of eating disorders through water-based activities among other causes:
- Ride for autism
- Coupe Femina
- Fish n Fils
- Croisière des Alizées
- Defi Kayak Desgagnés
3. Safety on the water
As a long-standing partner of the Canadian Coast Guard, we offer a number of boating safety training courses to our policyholders. In order to reach as many people as possible in the digital age, we have launched the Club APRIL Marine Academy: an online nautical training platform to perfect navigation skills from home and at your own pace. Valued at $500 per user, this innovative tool is offered free of charge to policyholders, giving them the keys to safe and responsible boating.
4. Awareness of eco-pleasure
Because waterways are a playground in perpetual danger, it is our duty to respect and preserve them. APRIL Marine has been the main sponsor since 2020 of Mission 1000 Tonnes, an organization that has set itself the goal of cleaning up 1,000 tonnes of waste from Canada’s shorelines. To support this mission, $1 is deducted from each insurance premium to be donated to Mission 1000 Tonnes, amounting to nearly $50,000 per year. With more than 4,000 clean-ups completed and 500 tonnes of waste collected, the organization relies on the valuable support of APRIL Marine to carry out its mission.
By promoting safe and responsible navigation through our websites and social feeds, we have helped the boaters’ community become more aware of their impact on the environment and on others. Our teams have been personally involved in a dozen clean-ups over the past 4 years in Ontario and Quebec, with more than 3 tonnes of waste collected alongside insured clients and partner brokers. We have also made an impact internationally, with APRIL Marine France and the Caribbean joining our cause.
Respect for the environment is a major pillar of our responsible commitment, which we pass on daily to our teams, customers and partners. Fare more meaningful than green washing and more impactful than a simple monetary contribution, it is important for APRIL Marine and each member of its teams to get personally involved and contribute to the collection of waste each year. During these events, which are offered on a voluntary basis, almost 100% of our staff take part: a great source of pride for us.
We are frequently congratulated and thanked by boaters and more and more of our members take part in these clean-ups every year!
