Labatt delivers more than 1M cans of water for disaster relief across Canada

With a recent donation in Quebec, Labatt Breweries of Canada has donated more than a million cans of water to support communities with 24 distributions in seven provinces over 11 years. Established in 2012, Labatt’s Canadian Disaster Relief Program was created to provide safe drinking water to Canadian communities experiencing disasters such as flooding, forest and wildfires, environmental spills, drought and ice storms that compromised a community’s water supply.

“Labatt is honoured to quickly deliver clean drinking water to people in communities across Canada facing hardship,” said Marcelo Michaelis, president, Labatt Breweries of Canada. “Continuing our long tradition in Canada, the people of Labatt’s are committed to making positive contributions that create a better future for everyone.”

Labatt also keeps a reserve of cans ready – so when there is a reprieve from disasters, the reserve is stocked and stored in the brewery. Labatt has recently put some of its reserves to great use, donating more than 24,000 cans to the Food Banks of Quebec. Water is a life source; one Labatt believes every Canadian is entitled to.

“By periodically halting beer production here in Labatt’s flagship facility in London to produce canned drinking water, we’re able to maintain sufficient supply using the same high-quality procedures and standards as our brewed beverages,” explains Alex Martel, general manager, Labatt’s London Brewery.

Labatt relies on the proven public system of coordination with provincial and local governments, emergency and non-profit agencies, and other authorities to supply water when needed after the declaration of an emergency. Government emergency management organizations identify those communities most in need of various essentials and support, including drinking water.

“Working with local authorities and our steadfast logistics team, we mobilize our distribution network to deliver water to Canadians and emergency responders in need,” adds Jeff Ryan, vice president, legal and corporate affairs, Labatt Breweries of Canada. “Labatt’s dedication and support for Canadian communities puts our purpose – We Dream Big to Create a Future with More Cheers – into practice.”

Boosting the Labatt Canadian Disaster Relief Program in 2021 by partnering with Team Rubicon Canada, Labatt has leaned on the tactical expertise of Team Rubicon whenever those in need are in particularly hard-to-access areas. Team Rubicon Canada serves communities by mobilizing military veterans, first responders and passionate civilians – called Greyshirts – to get needed supplies to communities and on-the-ground responders, quickly and safely.