About us

Circular Economy Leadership Canada (CELC) was launched in 2018 at the G7 Oceans Summit in Halifax as a network of corporate leaders, non profit think tanks, and academic researchers. An initiative of The Natural Step Canada, CELC is working to connect Canada’s circular economy community and serves as a bridge to similar networks around the world. We provide thought leadership, technical expertise, and collaborative platforms for accelerating systems change and the transition to a low carbon, circular economy in Canada.

OUR VALUE PROPOSITION

CELC is uniquely positioned as a multi-sectoral, national organization dedicated to advancing the circular economy in Canada. We bring strong relationships with governments across Canada, the private sector, academic and policy research networks, and leading global circular economy players.

CELC is dedicated to bringing value to our Strategic Partners by filling existing gaps in the market place and supporting efforts to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in Canada. We do this by:

Serving as a national hub that connects people to the knowledge, networks, and opportunities to help achieve circular innovation.
Fostering constructive dialogue between government and industry on critical issues where collaboration is key to the system transition required to achieving circularity.
Making the business case for new approaches by shining a light on corporate leadership and circular innovation.
Championing a national circular economy strategy and a coordinated innovation ecosystem.
Accelerating circular economy transitions in key sectors through our Circular Economy Solutions Series, focused on exploiting the opportunities and tackling the barriers.
Launching and supporting new initiatives, such as the Canada Plastics Pact and the Circular Economy Innovation Network.

OUR PLEDGE

Building a low-carbon, circular economy in Canada will require an enormous structural and cultural shift to address our currently unsustainable “linear” model. While daunting, the challenge will also bring many new opportunities and advantages.

Collaboration across governments, business sectors, academic and applied researchers, and non-governmental organizations is essential for advancing a thriving innovation ecosystem that attracts investment and creates jobs, while strengthening communities and protecting the environment.

CELC is committed to taking action to lead Canada toward a more circular model. We’re collectively committing to support the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 on responsible consumption and production, and to substantially reduce waste, in all of its forms, by 2030.

We pledge to move the concept of circular economy into action by:

Committing to lead by example, and put the principles of circular economy to work in our own actions and those of our organizations;
Urging all companies to commit to being an agent of transformative change beyond their own direct operations – using their full range of influence to accelerate economy-wide action;
Convening leaders from business and civil society to collaborate in seeking innovative circular economy solutions and strengthening the ecosystem; and
Advocating for the circular economy with leaders in government, business, and civil society, and engaging all stakeholders from across Canada to move toward more circular models.

We can’t do it alone – but through CELC, we will have a greater impact and can accelerate the transition in Canada.

HEATHER SCHOEMAKER

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ZERO WASTE COUNCIL SECRETARIAT, AND GENERAL MANAGER, EXTERNAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, METRO VANCOUVER

"The National Zero Waste Council is leading Canada’s transition to a circular economy by bringing together governments, businesses and NGOs to advance a waste prevention agenda that maximizes economic opportunities for progressive innovators – ensuring all materials and products continue to circulate at their highest and best use.

Through cross-sectoral collaboration, we actively seek out and showcase the best and the brightest ideas to inspire mainstream adoption of circular business models. This focuses on material reuse as well as smarter product and packaging designs that protect the environment while minimizing costs and creating widespread economic opportunities."

KEVIN GROH

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATION, LOBLAW COMPANIES LIMITED

"The solutions to the waste and carbon emissions require thoughtful, stable, harmonized public policy, which enables the private sector and citizens to mobilize. Loblaw Companies Ltd is therefore pleased to join the CELC and are committed to pursing the principles and practices of the Circular Economy throughout our all aspects of our business. Over the coming years we look forward to working with a wide range of players, from our employees, to customers and leaders across different sectors to contribute to the transition to Circular Economy in Canada."

SUSAN MUIGAI

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, PEOPLE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS, WALMART CANADA

"As the world’s largest retailer, Walmart aims to use our strengths and collaborate with others to make transformational change. We believe this approach is not only beneficial for our bottom line, but also creates shared value for our customers and society as a whole. In Canada, we’ve committed to achieving zero waste across our operations by 2025, resulting in less cost for our business and less carbon gas for the environment. Through collaborative initiatives like the Circular Economy Leadership Canada, we aspire to reshape the way we work to achieve significant and lasting improvement in environmental and social outcomes in a way that also improves our business."

ROBYN COLLVER

SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, RISK & REGULATORY AFFAIRS AND CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER, CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED

"Canadian Tire Corporation prides itself on being a trusted Canadian brand and an integral part of Canadian communities, with a strong commitment to improving environmental and social outcomes for Canadians, our communities and our planet. We believe that collaboration amongst businesses, governments, NGOs, universities and other organizations, working to develop science-based solutions and sharing the levers necessary to effect those solutions, will help to sustain the quality of life we enjoy in Canada and lead to a better future."

JAMIE BONHAM

MANAGER, CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT, NEI INVESTMENTS

"NEI Investments is Canada’s leader in Responsible Investing (RI) with a commitment to helping our clients grow wealth while advancing the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance of publicly-traded companies wherever we invest.

The curicular economy concept aligns perfectly with our beliefs about what it means to act responsibly, and our ability to work directly with companies to advance the sustainability goals of the circular economy movement."

MICHAEL WARD

COUNTRY RETAIL MANAGER & CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER, IKEA CANADA

"The transition to a circular economy holds plentiful opportunity – to truly maximize the value of products and materials, eliminate the concept of waste, and establish productive new relationships. Those who embrace this approach will see improved business performance along with better outcomes for communities and the natural world. IKEA Canada is committed to this economic transformation and recognizes the crucial role that the CELC will play in bringing together business, government, and citizens to accelerate the shift and capture the benefits."