Anti-Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement

At Qvelo, we are committed to respecting human rights and to preventing forced labour, child labour, modern slavery, and human trafficking within our operations and supply chains. We conduct our business in accordance with applicable Canadian laws and ethical business practices and expect our suppliers, contractors, and business partners to uphold comparable standards.

This statement describes Qvelo’s approach to identifying, assessing, and addressing risks of forced labour, child labour, modern slavery, and human trafficking within our business and supply chain

1. Our Business

Qvelo Corporation is a Canadian technology and infrastructure firm specializing in high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), advanced data and storage systems, high-speed networking, and secure and sovereign digital infrastructure. We provide architecture, validation, deployment guidance, performance engineering, training, and related professional services to government, research, enterprise, and technology-sector clients.

Our operations are primarily knowledge- and services-based. Our supply chain may include technology vendors, hardware and software providers, distributors, subcontractors, and other professional service providers.

Although we consider the direct risk of modern slavery and human trafficking within our own operations to be low, we recognize that risks can exist within global technology and hardware supply chains. We are committed to conducting business ethically and to working with suppliers and partners that respect applicable labour and human rights standards.

2. Our Policy

We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking. We are committed to acting ethically, with transparency in all of our business dealings, and to implementing effective systems and controls to safeguard against any form of slavery or human trafficking taking place within our supply chains.

3. Risk Assessment and Due Diligence

We regularly assess the risk of modern slavery in our business and supply chains by:

• Evaluating Suppliers: We conduct due diligence on new suppliers and contractors, assessing their policies and practices regarding human rights, labor practices, and their own supply chains.
• Supplier Agreements: All our suppliers are required to comply with our Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy. We include specific clauses within contracts requiring suppliers to adhere to relevant anti-slavery laws and to adopt high ethical standards.
• Ongoing Monitoring: We continuously monitor our supply chain, conducting periodic audits and evaluations where necessary to ensure compliance with our standards.

4. Supply Chain Transparency

Our supply chain includes suppliers of software, hardware, networking equipment, and professional services. While we work with trusted suppliers, we recognize that risks may exist, particularly in sourcing materials or components from regions where modern slavery is more prevalent. As part of our commitment to combating slavery and trafficking, we will:

• Ensure that all our suppliers comply with local laws and international human rights standards.
• Encourage transparency within the supply chain, requiring our suppliers to report on the measures they take to prevent slavery and human trafficking.

5. Training and Awareness

To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking, we provide the following:

• Employee Training: We provide training to all employees, contractors, and managers to help them identify and address the risks of modern slavery in the workplace and supply chain.
• Supplier Communication: We communicate our anti-slavery policy to all our suppliers and partners to ensure they are aware of our commitment to ethical practices.

6. Reporting and Whistleblowing

We encourage all employees, contractors, suppliers, and partners to report any concerns regarding slavery, human trafficking, or unethical practices within our business or supply chain. We provide a whistleblowing hotline and email, where concerns can be raised confidentially and without fear of retaliation.

7. Accountability

Our leadership team is responsible for implementing this Anti-Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws. We expect all employees and partners to adhere to our standards and assist in ensuring that our business remains free from any form of slavery or human trafficking.

8. Continuous Improvement

We are committed to continuously improving our practices to combat slavery and human trafficking. This includes regularly reviewing our policies, risk assessments, and due diligence procedures to reflect best practices and any updates in applicable laws.

9. Review and Approval

This statement has been approved by the Board of Directors of Qvelo Corporation and will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant and effective.

Questions about this policy can be directed to Qvelo through our Contact page.