Community

Local Development

For more than a century, Kruger has contributed to local development by supporting initiatives that reflect our values, strengthen social ties and respond to the specific needs of each region. This commitment is an integral part of our approach to sustainable prosperity, recognizing that long-term success depends not only on operational performance, but also on the vitality of the communities we help sustain.

Driven by the involvement of our employees and supported by the organization, this commitment takes shape through a wide range of initiatives that create lasting, meaningful impact.

Donations and Sponsorships

Kruger supports the communities where it operates through a combination of donations, sponsorships and long-standing partnerships with local organizations. These contributions reflect a focus on initiatives that strengthen community well-being, including education, youth development, health, culture, and local projects.

Across the organization, support takes many forms, from financial contributions and product donations to the sponsorship of community events and fundraising initiatives led by employees.

Kruger Big Assist program supporting youth access to sport across Canada

Since its launch in 2020, this initiative has provided more than $1 million in funding to minor hockey associations, helping reduce financial barriers and make the sport more accessible and inclusive for youth in communities across the country.

More than $50,000 in donations to Moisson Montréal and MultiCaf

Each year, combined product and financial contributions help support food assistance and social services for individuals and families in need in the Montréal area where our Head Office is located, particularly during the holiday season.

Cashmere Collection – Fashion with Compassion supporting the fight against breast cancer

This annual initiative brings together Canadian designers to create garments made from Cashmere products, raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research and support programs. Since 2004, the campaign has generated more than $5 million in support of organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.

Community-based initiatives and sponsorships across regions

Ongoing support includes local projects, sports tournaments, cultural events and educational initiatives, reflecting Kruger’s long-standing presence and active role in the communities where it operates.

Scholarships and Educational Support

Kruger supports education and youth development as part of its commitment to helping future generations thrive. Through scholarships, partnerships, and targeted initiatives, the Company contributes to creating opportunities for students and young people at different stages of their development.

These efforts reflect a belief in the importance of education as a driver of growth and a way to create opportunities for young people, while maintaining strong ties with local communities and institutions.

Education partnerships and scholarships:
Kruger’s support for education extends across the regions and communities we serve, through partnerships with academic institutions and scholarship programs that recognize student achievement. The Company has supported students for several decades, including through initiatives such as annual scholarships awarded to MBA students at HEC Montréal, as well as other regional programs that help foster academic success and strengthen connections with local communities.

Youth-focused initiatives:
In addition to financial support, Kruger contributes to youth development by creating opportunities to gain practical experience and build skills. Internship programs, particularly in engineering and technical fields, provide students with hands-on experience across different operations, while also offering pathways to future employment within the organization. These initiatives help develop skilled talent while supporting the needs of the business and the industry.

Employee and Corporate Social Involvement

Kruger’s community engagement is driven not only by corporate initiatives, but also by the active involvement of its employees. Across the organization, teams participate in a wide range of social and community initiatives, contributing their time, energy, and resources to causes that matter to them. These efforts reflect a strong culture of engagement and solidarity, where employees play a central role in supporting local communities and creating meaningful impact beyond the workplace.

Highlights

Long-standing participation in Log‑A‑Load for Kids in Corner Brook
Employees at the Corner Brook Pulp and Paper mill take part in annual fundraising initiatives, including charity hockey tournaments, raising funds for the Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation and supporting children’s health care in Newfoundland and Labrador.

$57,000 raised for children’s causes through the 24h Tremblant challenge
A team of 35 employees participated in this annual fundraising event, demonstrating strong employee engagement in supporting youth and health-related initiatives.

Annual clothing drive in support of La rue des Femmes and Dress for Success Montréal
Organized around International Women’s Day, this employee-led initiative supports women facing vulnerable situations by providing professional clothing and essential resources, with volunteers also contributing their time to support these organizations.

Volunteer involvement in youth and community development initiatives
Employees regularly contribute their time to local programs, such as Jeunes au travail, supporting youth development through hands-on activities and community engagement.

Indigenous Community Relations

We believe that sustainable prosperity depends on strong relationships between people, communities and the land. Across Canada, Kruger operates and works in regions connected to many Indigenous Peoples and communities, and we recognize the importance of nurturing these relationships over time.

Guided by its Policy to Promote Harmonious Relations with First Nations, Kruger works alongside Indigenous communities to foster partnerships rooted in respect, collaboration and shared success. Through community initiatives, cultural engagement, education, and economic development projects, we seek to create positive, lasting impacts while learning from one another and supporting a more sustainable future together.

Highlights

Support for community-led cultural initiatives
A $500,000 contribution to the Kanatahkwèn:ke cultural centre in Kahnawà:ke supports the development of a community-driven space dedicated to arts, culture, and language, reinforcing the partnership with the community.

Partnership with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke through renewable energy projects
Collaboration on projects such as the Des Cultures Wind Farm, commissioned in 2022, and the Les Jardins Wind Farm project (under development) reflects a mutually beneficial partnership supporting economic development and shared value creation.

Supporting Indigenous youth education and STEM opportunities
In Kamloops, Kruger supports Indigenous youth programs and student initiatives through partnerships with Thompson Rivers University, helping provide access to STEM-related experiences and educational opportunities that encourage future generations to pursue careers in science, business and skilled trades.

Recognition for Indigenous relations (PAIR certification)
The Kruger Kamloops facility has received Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) certification from the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, reflecting a structured and ongoing commitment to building strong partnerships with Indigenous communities.

A Day on the Land with Qalipu First Nation
In 2025, employees from our Corner Brook Woodlands operations welcomed members of Qalipu First Nation for a “Day on the Land,” a knowledge-sharing initiative centred on sustainable resource management and respect for the land. The event brought together Indigenous cultural teachings, including smudging ceremonies, drumming and discussions with community elders, alongside presentations on forestry management practices. The exchange strengthened relationships, encouraged mutual learning and created opportunities for meaningful dialogue.

Indigenous-led clean energy partnership at the Kamloops Pulp Mill
Collaboration with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and partners to develop a green hydrogen project, supporting decarbonization, reducing emissions, and creating economic opportunities for the community.

Local Community Relations

Across the regions where we operate, Kruger maintains strong relationships with local communities built on open dialogue and active engagement. As a long-standing employer and economic contributor, the Company is closely connected to the communities it serves and strives to play a positive role in their development.

Through community events, outreach initiatives and day-to-day interactions, Kruger fosters relationships that strengthen community connections and contribute to a shared sense of belonging.

Highlights

Support for Vents d’espoir, a community organization in Montérégie
Through Kruger Energy, a $250,000 contribution and ongoing involvement support the development of a facility dedicated to individuals living with brain injuries or motor disabilities, helping improve quality of life for members of the community.

Community engagement through open house events
Community events such as facility open houses in Sherbrooke and Corner Brook provide opportunities to connect directly with the public and share insight into operations.

Participation in local and regional events
Kruger supports and participates in community life through sponsorship of sports tournaments, cultural events, and local initiatives that contribute to the vitality of the regions where it operates.

Responsive support to local needs
Initiatives such as the annual distribution of 10,000 moving kits in Trois-Rivières demonstrate the Company’s ability to respond to specific community needs in practical and meaningful ways.