HP’s social investment is an integral part of our comprehensive commitment to global citizenship and holding ourselves to a higher standard of integrity, contribution and accountability. HP has a long history of enriching the communities where we work and live.

HP’s social investment programs in Canada are focused in two areas:

• Innovations in Education
• HP in the Community

We believe innovation is vital to developing the next generation of high-tech leaders and entrepreneurs. Whenever possible, we feature HP technology in ways that support teaching, learning, and meeting the needs of communities around the world.

In just the past two years, HP has donated more than $2 million in HP equipment and cash to primary and secondary schools and colleges and universities in Canada. These investments in technology-enabled classroom learning are affecting more than 10,000 students across the region. One institution applying an HP technology grant to innovative approaches to instruction is Brookfield High School in Ottawa, Ontario.

Innovations in Education

The HP Innovations in Education program enables secondary education schools to integrate technology into the classroom in a way that transforms the learning experience. These grants help educators accelerate teacher development and improve student achievement, while encouraging student interest in careers in technology, engineering, math and sciences. Grant recipients receive HP products, professional development and funds. Grant applications are by invitation only in Canada. A list of grant recipients is available online.

Learning for a Sustainable Future

HP Canada has provided long-term, multifaceted support to Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) – a national non-profit organization that promotes through education the knowledge, skills and practices essential to a sustainable future. LSF is a Canadian non-profit working to advance, through education, the knowledge, skills, perspectives and practices essential to responsible citizenship.

In 2008, HP Canada helped LSF launch a new online database called Resources for Rethinking. It operates as a free online library specializing in education related to developing an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable society. HP’s contribution to the organization included a cash grant; equipment package and assistance in helping LSF develop a long-term plan for the database’s server technology and hosting environment

Merry Go Round

For the last four consecutive years, HP Canada has been proud to contribute state-of-the-art computer systems to Merry Go Round. The mission of this Toronto-based charity is to level the playing field for children who are observed by teachers to embody a passion for learning and the potential to excel academically if given more opportunity.

HP in the Community

Waste Reduction Week in Canada

HP Canada has been a champion sponsor of Waste Reduction Week (WRW) for 7 consecutive years. This longtime support helps schools, businesses and individuals across Canada organize local waste reduction events and raise awareness about waste reduction in their communities. In addition to sponsorship, HP offers many tools, free of charge, to help schools, businesses and individuals reduce their impact on the environment. Free tools such as Smart Web Printing, which helps save paper, ink & time, and the Power to Change widget, which tracks energy and carbon emission reductions resulting from turning off idle computers help make waste reduction easy for anyone. For more information on HP and Waste Reduction Week visit www.hp.ca/wrw.

World Wildlife Fund-Canada

HP Canada is helping Canadians reduce their footprint on the planet thanks to a new grant to World Wildlife Fund-Canada. The generous grant, which includes a funding and equipment package, supports WWF-Canada’s new online community The Good Life. The site is a community for Canadians who want to make simple but significant changes in their lifestyles that help fight climate change and reduce their environmental impacts. On the site people can commit to personal actions to reduce their impact on the planet, like taking transit to work, or switching to compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs.

Jr. Achievement

HP is a longtime supporter of Junior Achievement Worldwide , a global education and entrepreneurship training organization that fosters entrepreneurial energy and socially responsible business practices in students.

n 2008 more than 1,000 grade eight students gained insight into how the choices they make today could impact their lives in the future, when more than 100 HP Canada employees delivered Jr. Achievement’s “Economics of Staying in School” (ESIS) program to schools in Ontario and Quebec. In addition to the volunteer component of ESIS, HP Canada also contributed funding.

The United Way

The HP Canada tradition of commitment to the United Way is deeply entrenched. The 2008 campaign saw more than one quarter of all HP Canada employees choosing to donate through on-line giving, national auctions and a myriad of local events held across the country. HP increased the power of employee donations through company matching. These funds will be reinvested by the United Way in local communities to support programs and services directed at improving the social conditions of Canadians.

CNIB

In 2008 HP Canada donated a package of laptop computers to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). The equipment will be used by CNIB rehabilitation teachers and early intervention specialists to teach access technology to people with vision loss.

Each computer will be equipped with two software programs: a print program that magnifies what is typed, and a speech output program which echoes each key as it is pressed. From these beginnings, the CNIB will continue on to teach e-mail, basic file management, word processing and how to access the Internet.

Currently, the majority of adult computer training is done in classrooms within CNIB’s district offices. The HP donation will enhance services to housebound people and to those who live in remote communities. It will provide them with much-needed communication options, increase their computer skills and facilitate life-long learning.

HP actively encourages employee volunteerism in the community through company-sponsored volunteer programs and employee-initiated volunteer activities. The HP Canada Volunteer Program encourages personal involvement in organizations whose goals are aligned with HP’s philanthropic goals, but for which company resources are not provided. The guidelines allot a total of four hours a month with management approval.

HP Canada employees are also provided with many opportunities to develop their leadership and relationship management skills through volunteerism. At major locations across Canada, there are site councils and various social committees which plan, sponsor and deliver events and venues for employee networking, business and social participation.

HP grants and support

Other resources