Published on
Sidney Ribaux, executive director, Equiterre, writes, "On March 26, 1964, a father decided with his sons to found a company that would profoundly change a community.
They had been in the business of sorting waste to recover paper, glass and metal that could be sold, sometimes to as far away as the United States.
In 1964, they bought an old mill so that they could transform paper into pulp themselves. Making their own paper was the natural next step. Thus was founded Cascades.
Fifty years later, the three Lemaire brothers, Bernard, Laurent and Alain, are still involved in the company, although it is now run by "new kid" Mario Plourde (who has actually been with the company for 29 years).
Cascades has never stopped innovating, which is why it remains today in a class apart. It is the only pulp and paper company that does not rely primarily on virgin fibre, i.e., cutting trees. Instead, it depends on recycling. Cascades still recovers recyclable materials. It boasts a first-class performance for many environmental indicators (water consumption, energy, greenhouse gas emissions, etc.), and continues to set objectives for improvement. Employees are encouraged to put their ideas forward, to innovate.
Socially, Cascades has achieved a lot, but two accomplishments stand out: the decision to share profits with the employees, and the decision to keep the headquarters in Kingsey Falls, a village of 2000 people. Cascades operates on two continents and employs 12,000 people. They could have sold, they could have moved... And they probably would have made even more money. But they stayed.
The Lemaire brothers never forgot where they came from. Three words to describe them: entrepreneurs, environmentalists, engaged.
When I met Alain Lemaire for the first time, it was to ask for funds to help build the Centre for Sustainable Development. At the time, we had no money and no experience in the field of construction. But Alain said yes right away. He was one of the first to support the project. Maybe he sensed some of the Cascades spirit in us.
Over the years, Cascades has often collaborated with Equiterre, sometimes as a funder, sometimes as an advisor, sometimes as an ally.
Our family farmer network even has a dropoff point in Kingsey Falls, at the Cascades headquarters.
Cascades is probably the best example we have in Quebec of a company that marries economic development with environmental protection and social commitment. Cascades shows that it is possible. It is an inspiration to entrepreneurs and to environmentalists alike.
That is why, on April 29, we named Bernard, Laurent and Alain Lemaire honorary members of Equiterre.
Gentleman, I'm sure that your father would have been proud of you!"
