Press Release

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS FIRST BUILDING TO ACHIEVE FITWEL CERTIFICATION IN QUEBEC

The Center for Active Design awarded a Fitwel 2 Star Rating to the company’s work space for supporting the health of over 1,500 employees.

Montreal (Quebec), March 21, 2019 – The Center for Active Design (CfAD) has announced that the Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group (CDSEG) international headquarters, located in Montreal, Quebec, received a Fitwel® 2 Star Rating (out of 3 Star rating system), recognizing the building’s ability to support the physical, mental, and social health of its 1,500 employees. CDSEG’s Montreal headquarters is the first Quebec based building to receive such honours and the 12^th in Canada. Fitwel is the leading global health certification, evaluating evidence-based strategies in buildings that support human health.

“We’re proud to figure among Canadian leaders in this field but most importantly, to lead the way in Quebec. The health and well-being of our employees is a top priority and this certification reminds us how a well-designed work environment can impact both health and productivity,” said Lyne Lamothe, CDSEG’s Chief Talent Officer. “Fitwel certification confirms that we have a real impact on our employee’s wellness on a daily basis, whether its through our meditation room, the use of our gardens to supply our cafeteria or even the building’s luminosity.”

Joanna Frank, President & CEO of the Center for Active Design said: “We commend CDSEG for their Fitwel certification, which further advances Canada’s leadership in the healthy building movement as Fitwel’s second largest market. We are also proud to announce that CDSEG is the first entertainment company globally to prioritize employee health and wellbeing through Fitwel.”

 Fitwel is a cost-effective, high-impact certification system promoting positive impacts on building occupant health and productivity through improvements to design and operational policies. Fitwel provides 3^rd party certification against a baseline of evidence-based criteria that define a health promoting environment. In office environments, the expected improvements in employee wellness may result in lower health care costs, lower rates of absenteeism, and increased revenue from enhanced worker performance. Fitwel responds to the growing demand for recognition of healthier buildings and workplaces, serving as a market differentiator to retain and attract future employees.

The Fitwel certification is the second major certification recognizing CDSEG’s International Headquarters efficient design. The building was officially certified BOMA BESt® Level 3 in 2014. In 2017, BOMA Canada and CfAD partnered to align the two certification systems, representing a comprehensive, high-impact approach to meeting both health and sustainability goals within buildings across North America. CDSEG’s certification recognizes our superior environmental and energy management practices, contributing to a healthy workplace and a marked reduction of our ecological footprint.

Fitwel and the Center for Active Design

Named one of Fast Company's 2017 Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Social Good, Fitwel is the world's leading certification system that optimizes buildings to support health. Generated by expert analysis of over 3,000 academic research studies, Fitwel is implementing a vision for a healthier future where all buildings and communities are enhanced to strengthen health and wellbeing. Fitwel was created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with the Center for Active Design, a global not-for-profit organization selected as the licensed operator of Fitwel in 2016, with the mandate to expand Fitwel globally to the private sector.

About Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is a world leader in live entertainment. On top of producing world-renowned circus arts shows, the Canadian organization brings its creative approach to a large variety of entertainment forms such as multimedia productions, immersive experiences, theme parks and special events. It currently has 4,500 employees from nearly 70 countries. Going beyond its various creations, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group aims to make a positive impact on people, communities and the planet with its most important tools: creativity and art. For more information about Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, please visit: www.cirquedusoleilentertainmentgroup.com.

For more information:

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group
Elise Tellier
Publicist
elise.tellier@cirquedusoleil.com

Center for Active Design
Symphony Chau
Senior Analyst, Communications
symphony.chau@centerforactivedesign.org