Commitment
Integrity
Innovation
Acadian’s Guiding Principles
ACADIAN SEAPLANTS LIMITED
Table of Contents
Chairman’s Message
2
President’s Message
3
We Are Responsible
4
We Are Dedicated
5
We Are Respectful
6
We Are Honest
7
We Are Creative
8
We Are Leaders
9
1
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
W
e first introduced our Guiding Principles
in 2002 as part of a company-wide corporate
culture project. One of our primary objectives
was to communicate our company’s core
values. This was done to ensure that as Acadian
Seaplants grew, it would remain a good place to
work and that its good reputation would be
safeguarded. These goals are just as important
today.
Over the years, I have seen our employees move
beyond the spirit and intent of the Guiding
Principles and in doing so have helped make
Acadian Seaplants an ’Employer of Choice.’ Our
employees are fully engaged and have
developed the structures and systems that are
consistent with our core values. They know that
our company’s corporate culture has a direct
impact on its performance and prosperity.
I am very proud of our people — they are skilled,
creative and dedicated. They are committed to
achieving the company’s vision, its mission and
strategic goals. And while each plays their part,
all are in step, working together to move the
company forward and in the right direction.
In closing, I would like to remind everyone that
we must all strive to enrich our work environment
by being supportive and respectful of one
another.
We need everyone’s active
participation to ensure that working at Acadian
Seaplants is a positive experience. Thank you.
Louis E. Deveau
Chairman & Founder
Acadian Seaplants Limited
2
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
A
s many of you know, Acadian Seaplants
will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2011.
The company has grown significantly over the
years and as it continues to grow, it becomes
increasingly important that we emphasize our
core values. This is important because every
employee needs to know what they can expect
from our organization and also what the
organization expects from its employees. Our
Guiding Principles explain our fundamental
beliefs and we hope they will help guide you
professionally and personally.
While our existing employees are familiar with our
corporate culture and core values, it’s our hope
that our new employees will embrace and adopt
the Guiding Principles as well. With respect to our
new employees, I’m happy you have chosen to
join Acadian Seaplants. Many of you have come
from far away and have not only selected
Canada or Nova Scotia as your new home, but
Acadian Seaplants as your new family.
Welcome.
As an employee of Acadian Seaplants, each of
you is the best ambassador our company can
have. The genuine pride and enthusiasm that
you show for your work is recognized far and
wide. The fact that we all share the same future
and we all have a direct impact on what that
future looks like, bodes well for us and our
organization — thank you.
Jean-Paul Deveau
President
Acadian Seaplants Limited
3
COMMITMENT
We Are Responsible Because:
We strive to be at our competitive best for
Acadian Seaplants.

We safeguard Acadian Seaplants’ reputation in all business
activities.

We support fair competition and respect the rights of our
customers, suppliers and competitors.

We keep our skills current and competitive by taking initiative
for our own professional development.

We are accountable for our actions and take responsibility
for the results.

We create a workplace where Acadian Seaplants’
employees can express their opinions and raise questions
and concerns in a supportive environment.

We resolve differences fairly with co-workers, suggesting
solutions wherever possible.

We obtain supervisor/manager approval to use company
assets for personal purposes.

We protect and preserve company assets, including
intellectual property, for the benefit of the company and not
for personal gain.

We ensure that Acadian Seaplants’ local suppliers have fair
opportunities to compete for our business.
4
COMMITMENT
We Are Dedicated Because:
We are personally committed to making
Acadian Seaplants a winner.

We are committed to providing a healthy
and safe work environment for employees and contractors
and preventing occupational illness and injury, while
recognizing that safety is everyone’s personal responsibility.

We base our decisions and actions on our ethics and on
what is in the best interest of the company, our staff and key
stakeholders.

We commit to setting a good example for customers,
suppliers, communities and one another.

We take personal pride in the company’s success and in
what we do.

We seek to understand, appreciate and encourage our
diverse cultural differences and perspectives.

We listen to our customers and meet or exceed their
expectations.

We set high standards of personal and professional growth
and performance.

We stay committed to achieving company objectives.
5
INTEGRITY
We Are Respectful Because:
We treat others as we expect to be treated.

We recognize and avoid behaviors that
others may find offensive, including the
manner in which we speak and relate to one another and
the printed and electronic materials we bring into the
workplace.

We recognize that conduct socially and professionally
acceptable in one culture and country, may be viewed
differently in another.

We give all Acadian Seaplants employees the same
opportunity to have their questions, issues and situations fairly
considered while understanding that being treated fairly
does not always mean that we will all be treated the same.

We trust one another to use good judgment in our use of
Acadian Seaplants’ business and information systems.

We exercise fundamental virtues of respect, dignity, kindness,
and courtesy in all work relationships.

We respect the right and obligation of every Acadian
Seaplants employee to resolve concerns relating to ethics in
the course of our duties without retribution and retaliation.
6
INTEGRITY
We are Honest Because:
We represent ourselves and our intentions
truthfully.

We respect the rights and property of others,
including their intellectual property. We accept confidential
or trade secret information only after we clearly understand
our obligations as defined in a non-disclosure agreement.

We exercise sound judgment in the exchange of business
courtesies, meals and entertainment by avoiding activities
that could create even the appearance that our decisions
could be compromised.

We ensure that no payments or favours are offered to
influence others to do something unethical.

We offer full disclosure and excuse ourselves from discussions
and decisions when our business judgment appears to be in
conflict with a personal interest.

We compete fairly in our global markets and respect the
trading practices in each while maintaining our high
standards of business ethics.

We maintain records that are accurate and include all
payments and receipts.
7
INNOVATION
We Are Creative Because:
We understand that questioning the status
quo stimulates business and personal
growth.

We believe that no one has a monopoly on good ideas.

We value all Acadian Seaplants employees for their ideas
and contributions without regard to their position within the
company.

We work as a team and with trust to achieve innovative and
superior results.

We recruit, train, promote and reward people based on their
performance and contribution.

We maintain a professional work environment that is both
gratifying and rewarding.

We understand that working together successfully may
depend upon our willingness to trust someone else to take
the lead.

We give recognition and credit appropriately and frequently.

We expect open, honest, respectful internal and external
communication.
8
INNOVATION
We Are Leaders Because:
We create new business directions and
opportunities.

We promote a positive workplace environment to make
Acadian Seaplants the employer of choice for the most
creative and innovative people.

We encourage and explore new perspectives and ideas
through a diverse, talented and experienced workforce.

We strive to succeed and do so with the highest standard of
ethical business practices.

We take responsible risks, we manage those risks and we learn
from our experiences.

We recognize that success or failure depends on all of us and
that we succeed or fail together.

We exercise sound environmental stewardship in which all
people can work safely and live healthy, productive lives, now
and in the future.

We encourage all employees to participate in community
activities that promote the common good.
9
No document Acadian Seaplants Limited has published
is more important than our Guiding Principles.
Acadian Seaplants will, from time to time, revise its words to
properly reflect our constantly evolving company. You are
encouraged to contact your supervisor/manager or Human
Resources Department with your suggestions.
We all have a responsibility to report to our
supervisor/manager or Human Resources Department any
circumstances or actions that violate, or appear to violate, the
Guiding Principles. Such communication is confidential and
employees will not be subject to reprisal for raising a
concern or reporting, in good faith, actions they feel may
violate the Guiding Principles.
ACADIAN SEAPLANTS LIMITED
30 Brown Avenue
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Canada, B3B 1X8
February, 2002
Rev. February, 2007
Rev. October, 2010
Phone: (902) 468-2840
Fax:
(902) 468-3474
Email: [email protected]
www.acadianseaplants.com