Pomerleau employees build success through culture

After completing two internships and working for a year and a half with Pomerleau Inc., Raphaëlle Bourassa-Descoteaux left to work for another company. After just over a year, she returned to the Montréal-based construction company.

“I did enjoy my other experience, but Pomerleau’s values and culture brought me back,” says Bourassa-Descoteaux, assistant project manager, who returned almost two years ago. “I know it’s cliché, but we really are like one big family. We want to work together and help each other. I really enjoy being part of that and missed it when I left.”

Sophie Morin, executive vice-president and chief legal officer, says this culture starts from the top. On her first day with the company six and a half years ago, she met the then CEO. “He said his most important role was to ensure the well-being and happiness of the employees. This legacy is still felt today.”

She says the team culture is nurtured through events such as team building retreats, where employees get to know each other and do strategic planning for the company, but also through various activities targeting the needs and realities of the employees. Bourassa-Descoteaux appreciates equity, diversity and inclusion events like a recent panel on women in construction. “Women shared experiences and advice regarding being a woman in a male-dominated field. It was helpful for the younger women in the field, like me,” she says.

A project that Morin says has really brought the team together is construction of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), the largest public transit project in Québec since the inauguration of the Montréal Métro in 1966. NouvLR, the consortium including Pomerleau, AtkinsRéalis, Dragados Canada Inc., Aecon Group Québec Ltd. and EBC Inc., is responsible for the infrastructure engineering, procurement and construction of the project.

“We knew from the start that this project would permanently change the city of Montréal. There will be a before and after REM,” she says. “For Pomerleau, it was the first time we bid on such a major project, with so many collaborators from many different countries and backgrounds. We really brought out the best in each partner to successfully complete this contract.

“I was moved to see my colleagues’ work when the first construction began and to ride the REM with my husband and daughter. When you work hard and have the chance to see that your work has contributed to something that will change people’s lives, it’s truly gratifying.”

Even when not working on historic projects, employees come together to help each other and do what’s best for the company, says Bourassa-Descoteaux. “It’s not only people on your team who you can ask for help, no matter what business unit, there is always someone you can go to. And leadership is warm and approachable,” she says. “You don't have to be good at everything when you have the right resources around you. And Pomerleau is a good example of that.”

Morin agrees that Pomerleau’s success is rooted in its people. “Our collective dedication and shared vision drive the company forward,” she says. “It's an honour to work with such a talented and motivated team, and I’m excited to see what the future holds as we continue to innovate and excel together.”

This article appeared in the magazine announcing this year's Montreal’s Top Employers winners, published March 18, 2025 in the Montreal Gazette. This article was prepared with the financial support of the employer, which reviewed but did not write its contents.

Pomerleau is an industry leader in sustainable change

Harshil Kaushal was born in New Delhi, India, one of the most polluted cities in the world. This is why he is grateful to work for Pomerleau Inc., a Montréal-headquartered construction company committed to pollution prevention and respect for ecosystems, resources and communities.

“I've grown up seeing the worst sides of the environment when you don't take care of it,” says Kaushal, site superintendent. “That's why I want to have some part of my working life driven towards making a difference in improving the environment. I always try to get on projects that contribute to betterment of the environment.”

One of the Pomerleau initiatives Kaushal is most proud of is changing its fleet of vehicles to be at least 75 per cent hybrid or electric by 2027. The company also offers financial incentives to employees who purchase their own electric vehicles. “I think that's a big commitment and an extra step to push employees towards a greener future,” he says.

Kaushal’s personal goal is to improve waste management, as he says this is an area of need in the construction industry. “As a general contractor, we have full control over this, consciously making sure waste management is done properly, that we're segregating the right way, so everything is not going into the land.”

Sean Giblin, project manager, agrees that it is exciting to work for a company that shows leadership in sustainability in the construction industry. “Every project is an opportunity to implement greener practices and make a lasting impact,” he says. “Working for a company that prioritizes the environment motivates me to continuously improve and innovate.”

Giblin says the company runs regular environmental training for site teams and had principal contractors trained for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. This certification demonstrates a person's knowledge and skills in sustainable building design, construction and operations.

Pomerleau’s sustainability actions are guided by the company’s ESG (environmental, social and governance) strategy. Launched in 2022, it includes seven strategic priorities — climate change; circular economy; community relations; Indigenous relations; diversity, equity and inclusion; health and safety; and innovation. The company integrates its ESG principles into all of its practices, as well as relationships with clients and partners.

As one of the first construction companies to become a member of the Canada Green Building Council, Pomerleau has more than 190 certified projects. Its expertise in sustainable construction extends beyond LEED projects to zero-carbon buildings, mass timber and Green Globes and Envision certifications. The company built Harmony Commons, a student residence at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, which is the largest building in Canada to be awarded Passive House Certification. A passive house is a building standard known for its exceptional energy efficiency, especially when it comes to heating and cooling compared to conventional buildings.

On a day-to-day basis, Pomerleau’s approach includes steps like designing and constructing sustainable projects, ensuring waste materials are sorted and recycled properly, using eco-friendly and locally sourced materials when possible, and implementing best practices to protect surrounding ecosystems from erosion.

“Sustainability is critical in construction because our industry has a major impact on the environment,” Giblin says. “I want to be part of the solution — reducing waste, lowering emissions and building more efficient structures.

“The way we work aligns with my personal values and professional goals. Pomerleau shows leadership in an industry that needs sustainable change. It makes me proud to contribute to projects that leave a positive legacy.”

This article appeared in the magazine announcing this year's Canada's Greenest Employers winners, published April 22, 2025 in The Globe and Mail. This article was prepared with the financial support of the employer, which reviewed but did not write its contents.