Our employees are the driving force behind our success, and as shareholders, they share directly in the company’s achievements.
Governance & Integrity
EMPLOYEE
OWNERSHIP
For more than twenty years, EllisDon has embraced an employee ownership model to empower and invest in its people. Our employees are the driving force behind our success, and as shareholders, they share directly in the company’s achievements. This is our EllisDon—where long-term commitment is rewarded with ownership, and every dedicated member is encouraged to become a partner in our shared future.
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
EllisDon is guided by an independent, world-class Board of Directors to whom the CEO and executive leadership team report. Our Board is made up of ten accomplished leaders from across Canada, bringing deep expertise from diverse sectors. By providing governance, feedback, and insight, the Board supports EllisDon’s CEO and its executive leadership team, as they drive the company’s strategic vision to achieve exceptional results.
EllisDon is a purpose-driven company, committed to creating lasting, positive impact for our people, our communities, and our planet. We believe that when our employees’ ambitions align with the needs of society, we can build a stronger, more sustainable future for everyone.
As leaders in our industry, EllisDon recognizes the responsibility that comes with our role, and we’re taking bold, measurable action to meet it. Our Board of Directors is accountable to ensure that we achieve our targets, and we hold ourselves to the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and integrity. Collaboration is at the heart of our progress: by working openly with our employees, clients, and partners, we are shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, and safety-driven industry.
We are deeply proud of our team’s dedication and drive. Together, we are advancing toward a Net Zero carbon future while keeping innovation, health, safety, and well-being at the forefront of everything we do. There is always more to achieve, and EllisDon is steadfast in our commitment to keep moving forward.
Geoff Smith
Executive Chair
EllisDon Board of Directors
BUSINESS ETHICS
Guided by our core values, EllisDon has fostered a culture dedicated to upholding the highest professional and ethical standards across all levels of the organization. Our policies, mandatory compliance training, and enforcement procedures help ensure all personnel act ethically and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Code of Conduct: EllisDon has a robust Code of Conduct that is formally included in our employee handbook and includes ethical and operational requirements and standards to be followed by all EllisDon employees. The Code of Conduct includes 19 specific areas that are subject to EllisDon mandated standards such as: conflict of interest, outside business interests, confidential information, respect in the workplace, privacy and information protection, acceptance of gifts, and indigenous inclusion principles.
Anti-Corruption and Compliance Program: We are committed to conducting business in compliance with all applicable anti-corruption laws and regulations in Canada and in all other countries in which we perform work or transact business. In addition to our formal code of ethics, our compliance program includes clear policies, controls, and training to prevent, detect, and respond to issues such as bribery in the procurement process, payoffs and gifts, accounting issues, environmental issues, quality control, accuracy in record keeping and documentation. Our policy sets forth guidelines, practices, and minimum standards with which all employees must comply, and our designated compliance officer is responsible for investigating any potential violations.
We also provide an EllisDon Compliance Line, where employees can anonymously report any potential violations of the policy or any applicable laws. This process is fully confidential and anonymous should the employee wish, and all matters submitted to the Compliance Line are vetted and/or investigated by the EllisDon Compliance Officer. Should any employee be unsatisfied with any response from the Compliance Officer, the employee may report any perceived violations to the Chair of the EllisDon Audit Committee.
By promoting integrity and accountability across all operations, our compliance program safeguards the company’s reputation, builds stakeholder trust, and reinforces a culture of ethical business practices.
Tackling Forced Labour and Child Labour: We take our commitment to creating a more ethical and accountable industry seriously. We recognize forced labour and child labour are global challenges, impacting millions of people and children worldwide, and that the effects are devastating on those impacted. Due to the complexity involved in operating in the construction and infrastructure sector, we have taken a proactive approach in strengthening our ability to identify potential areas of risk in our supply chains and reduce such risks as they arrive.
We have adopted a framework to minimize the occurrence of exploitation throughout our supply chains, to promote open communication, and to abide by our regulatory obligations. We have participated in and reported through the Canadian government’s initiative and process with respect to forced and child labour and are in compliance with our annual obligations under that program.
DATA AND CYBER
SECURITY
Protecting information is a critical component to EllisDon’s commitment to responsible governance. As our clients increasingly rely on digital systems, safeguarding data is essential—not only to protect project integrity and business continuity, but also to uphold the trust placed in us across every partnership. Strong cyber security practices are a core element of how we manage risk, create value, and deliver reliable outcomes.
Our Approach to Data and Cyber Security
EllisDon is committed to safeguarding client data through a robust Information Security program founded on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”) Cybersecurity Framework. With our employees at its core, our approach is continually strengthened through proactive risk management, employee engagement, and rigorous testing.
Key cyber security initiatives include:
Employee-Centric Security: We provide our employees with monthly cyber security awareness training that provides tips, resources, and learning opportunities. They are also encouraged to share the learnings and experience with their friends and family.
We also perform monthly phishing simulation tests to reinforce the importance of what they learn. Secure password management tools are provided to all employees for both corporate and personal use.
Proactive Risk Management: Our Governance, Risk and Compliance team classifies data according to risk and ensures employees only have the access they need, protecting the confidentiality and integrity of our systems.
Internal Security Operations Centre (“SOC”): Our in-house SOC team uses advanced cyber-defence tools and telemetry to detect, analyze, and respond to potential threats.
Incident Preparedness: EllisDon maintains an Incident Response Plan supported by external experts, breach counsel, and cyber insurance. We conduct regular security testing and quarterly disaster recovery and response exercises to ensure rapid restoration of systems if an incident occurs.
Technology Assurance: EllisDon’s proprietary software (including Gate Three ERP, Ethos, and Appalto) undergo annual audits and maintain SOC2 compliance. All new software vendors are evaluated for strong information security practices before onboarding.
Sustainability in IT: We maximize hardware lifespan and ensure responsible recycling or donation. Employees are encouraged to bring electronic waste to our offices for proper recycling.
Responsible Innovation: Artificial intelligence is integrated thoughtfully and ethically to improve operational efficiency while proactively maintaining high standards of data protection.
By aligning with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, strengthening employee awareness, and maintaining leading-edge detection and response capabilities, EllisDon ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information across all operations. These measures reflect our unwavering commitment to mitigating risk, protecting information assets, and building enduring trust with our clients and partners.
SOCIAL PURPOSE
IN PRACTICE
EllisDon’s values guide every aspect of how we operate, from the decisions we make to the partnerships we build. We also have practical practices and programs to ensure that these values come to life across our business, shaping ethical, sustainable, and people-centered operations that drive lasting impact. Our operational impact reaches beyond the infrastructure we construct and operate, and as such, EllisDon is dedicated to creating lasting, positive change across the construction industry.
EllisDon is dedicated to upholding the highest professional and ethical standards across all levels of the organization. To this end, we incorporate environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) themes and practices into our business operations, driven by our commitments to health and safety; sustainability; inclusive diversity; indigenous relations; and community.
Our operational teams on site are assisted by focused leadership from corporate teams such as Sustainable Building Solutions, Inclusive Diversity, Socio-Economic Development and Indigenous Relations, People and Culture, Quality, and Health, Safety, and Environment.
The teams’ executive leaders meet monthly and report to the Board of Directors quarterly and relevant ESG topics are consistently included in these meetings. The President and CEO and Board of Directors have ultimate oversight over the strategies developed, with the President and CEO having direct input into the ESG strategies and policies.