Tim Horton Children's Foundation Celebrates the Grand Opening of Tim Horton Camp Whiteshell

First campers arrived this week!

PINAWA, Manitoba, June 26, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Tim Horton Children's Foundation opened the doors of its new camp, Tim Horton Camp Whiteshell, this week with the arrival of 177 campers from across North America. This is the 7^th camp for the Foundation that provides life-changing camping experiences for more than 18,000 kids and youth from low-income families each year.

Located on 17 hectares within Whiteshell Provincial Park in Manitoba, Tim Horton Camp Whiteshell will operate year-round and grow to serve over 3,800 economically disadvantaged youth annually.  Through the summer months, Tim Horton Camp Whiteshell is the home camp for 1,800 participants in the Foundation's Youth Leadership Program. Over five successive summers, these young people, aged 13-17, participate in camp sessions focused on personal leadership development and planning for future success through in-camp activities and wilderness expeditions. Throughout the fall, winter and spring, the camp will also welcome nearly 2,000 children and youth from Manitobaand North Western Ontario schools and community groups.

"The Tim Horton Children's Foundation is thrilled to welcome our first 177 campers to our 7^th camp, Tim Horton Camp Whiteshell," said Bill Moir, President, Tim Horton Children's Foundation. "Camp Whiteshell will allow us to double the number of participants in our Youth Leadership Program and provide enriching experiences that will have a lifelong impact on thousands of youth for generations to come. We are incredibly grateful to the countless Foundation supporters who helped make this dream a reality."

Construction of Tim Horton Camp Whiteshell began in late 2013 and would not have been possible without the support of Tim Hortons Restaurant Owners, corporate partners, individual donors, the provincial and municipal governments along with members of the Sagkeeng First Nation and Manitoba Metis Federation. More than 600 of these Foundation partners attended the ribbon cutting celebration and grand opening on Saturday, June 19, including Chief Derrick Henderson of the Sagkeeng First Nation, Minister of Environment and Mining Jean Desrosier, Manitoba Metis Federation, Ambassador, Gary Doer, and the Honourable Greg Selinger, Premier of Manitoba.

The local community is invited to join us for an Open House on Sunday, July 5th from 1:00-4:00pm to experience Tim Horton Camp Whiteshell first-hand. Camp tours and light refreshments will be available. Visit www.thcwopenhouse.com for details.

About the Tim Horton Children's Foundation 

The Tim Horton Children's Foundation (THCF) is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1974 that is committed to providing an enriched and memorable camp experience for children and youth living in economically disadvantaged homes. The Foundation's funding comes from Tim Hortons Camp Day, fundraising activities, special events, and year-round public donations collected through counter and drive-thru coin boxes, as well as other donations. By the end of 2015, more than 215,000 children will have attended a Foundation camp at no cost to them or their families. For more information about the Tim Horton Children's Foundation, please visit www.thcf.com.

SOURCE Tim Horton Children's Foundation

When School is Out, The Salvation Army Steps In

Vulnerable Youth to Attend Summer Camps Hosted by The Salvation Army

TORONTO, Ontario June 26, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - Summer is here and Salvation Army camps are gearing up to provide vulnerable children with the time of their life.

"Salvation Army camps provide financially accessible camping opportunities to families in need," says Captain Rick Zelinsky, Executive Director of The Salvation Army's Ontario Camping Ministries. "Campers often come from difficult situations and camp is an experience like no other that can change young peoples' lives and outlook forever."

The Salvation Army hosted its first summer camp in Winnipeg in 1900. Today, more than 4,000 children attend week-long and day camps across the country.

At camp kids enjoy nutritious meals, learn new skills such as rock climbing and canoeing and meet new friends. Camp is a place of refuge where kids can be kids and receive a much-needed break from some of the challenges they face at home.

"The Salvation Army is here to fill the gap during summer months. Parents can rest a little easier knowing their children are in an affordable, safe environment and kids affected by poverty have something to look forward to each year," says Major Les Marshall, Territorial Public Relations & Development Secretary for The Salvation Army inCanada.

For more information about Salvation Army summer camps, visit www.SalvationArmy.ca.

Video: https://youtu.be/q4OXSLeWuSs

About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and every day in 400 communities across Canada and more than 125 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community. News releases, articles and updated information can be found at www.SalvationArmy.ca.

SOURCE The Salvation Army

Free Lockage for Canada Day on Ontario's Historic Canals

Continuing the Trend of Investment in the Trent-Severn Waterway and Rideau Canal

PETERBOROUGH, Ontario, June 26, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced that in celebration of Canada Day lockage on Ontario'shistoric canals will be free all day on July 1 for the first time. This will help attract boaters and visitors to the many opportunities available on these waterways and in the many communities along them. Free lockage will include all stations on the Trent-Severn Waterway and the Rideau Canal.

The 2015 navigation season for Ontario's historic canals has already been exceptional with historic investments by the Government of Canada and an increase in boating numbers.

This month, the Government of Canada announced infrastructure investments totalling more than $39 million for the Rideau Canal and more than $285 million for the Trent-Severn Waterway.  This record investment will ensure the care and preservation of these treasured national historic sites and UNESCO World Heritage Site for use and enjoyment of future generations.

For the month of May, the number of vessels travelling through the Trent-Severn Waterway system increased 34 percent and the number of vessels mooring increased 51 percent over last year. On the Rideau Canal, the number of vessels travelling through the system increased 32 percent and the number of vessels mooring increased 20 percent compared to 2014. The increased use of canals means economic benefits for local communities and businesses and is due in part to recent investment in increased service levels and active promotions.

Visitors travelling by land can also take advantage of new attractions and services offered on both the Trent-Severn Waterway and Rideau Canal including: oTENTiks, Red Chairs, and Voyageur Canoe tours at Ottawa Locks and at the Peterborough Lift Lock. Other services at select lockstations include new showers, canoe docks, firewood and ice sales.

For more information, visit www.pc.gc.ca/canals and click on "Visitor Information" under the canal of interest.

Quick Facts

• Boaters who purchase a single-lock-and-return pass or a one-day pass until June 30, will be able to redeem 2 for 1 coupons available at all lockstations, and from numerous cottage associations and marinas.
• New oTENTik accommodations are now available at Beveridges lockstation on the Rideau Canal and at Lock 24 Douro on the Trent-Severn Waterway. A cross between a rustic cabin and a tent, the Parks Canada oTENTik is a relaxing, easier way to experience camping and provide an ideal base camp for exploring historic canals in Ontario. To reserve one of Parks Canada oTENTik tents, campers can go through Parks Canada online reservation service at www.reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca (or by phone at 1­877­737­3783).
• Visitors are invited to paddle a Voyageur Canoe. Available at Ottawa Locks, by Parks Canada, and at the Peterborough Lift Lock, in partnership with the Canadian Canoe Museum, visitors can enjoy the canal from a beautiful multi-passenger Voyageur canoe.
• Hidden in scenic places throughout the Rideau Canal and Trent-Severn Waterway, parks Canada's Red Chairs let visitors connect with nature and experience the most unique and treasured places within Canada. Join the many sharing their experiences through social media at #sharethechair.

Quotes

"Our Government's investments will directly contribute to the local economy and ensure Canada's historic canals continue to play a vital economic role in the region. We invite Canadians and international visitors alike to join us onCanada Day, and all summer long, for a historic, world-class experience along the Trent-Severn Waterway and Rideau Canal."

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

"Free lockage on Canada Day - now that is a birthday gift from Parks Canada that will help you join us in Westportfor our Canada Day Celebrations. Parade at 3:00 p.m. and one of the best fireworks events in Eastern Ontario at dusk."

Mayor Robin Jones, Westport

"Quinte West looks forward to welcoming visitors to the historic waterway. We are pleased to see the increased investment by Parks Canada into the system, which complements our own efforts in promoting tourism on the water. At the Gateway to the Trent-Severn, the brand new Trent Port Marina will be an ambassador for not only the City of Quinte West, but for the Trent-Severn Waterway and Parks Canada during Canada Day and throughout the boating season."

Mayor Jim Harrison, City of Quinte West

SOURCE Parks Canada (Georgian Bay and Ontario East Field Unit)

Food Business Seminar to Explore Global Challenges

GUELPH, Ontario June 18, 2015 - News Release - Helping Canada’s food industry better compete in a global marketplace is the goal of the first University of Guelph Food and Agriculture Business Seminar.

Food and agricultural business leaders, financial professionals, senior government policy-makers and leaders of non-governmental organizations will gather in Guelph June 21-23. The seminar is offered by the Food Institute of the University of Guelph.

Created in 2012 to connect food-related research and activities among the University’s seven colleges, the institute aims to strengthen Canada’s food sector and enhance U of G’s leading reputation in shaping food policy and business.

“The food and agriculture business seminar is designed to bring together the leaders in food, so that they can learn from each other’s expertise in a collegial, non-competitive environment,” said Paul Uys, director of the institute.

“We want participants to leave with a new perspective, strategic networks and the critical skills necessary to better succeed in their own businesses and the food industry as a whole.”

The seminar will offer case studies designed to encourage discussion of current challenges and topics.

Topics will include PepsiCo Canada’s internal branding strategy, corporate philanthropy by Campbell’s Canada, the seasonal agricultural worker program, and Monsanto’s challenge of engaging consumers in discussing genetically modified organisms.

Representatives from those organizations will provide their perspective on these issues.

“Food and agricultural companies are facing a number of challenges never before experienced, and they are reshaping the industry,” said Uys, who previously worked at Loblaw’s as vice-president of innovation.

“These studies examine some of the key issues facing many of our industry partners and policy makers; this is an opportunity for a frank and open discussion of the challenges faced and the lessons learned from these issues. Those attending will explore the shifts in government policy, food security, consumer perspective and developing markets.”

Participants will discuss human resources, consumer perspectives, business diversity, emerging markets and the influences of corporate culture.

The event begins Sunday evening and will be hosted on the university campus.

CIBC contributes $3 million to support Canada's Indigenous communities

Helping Indigenous youth succeed through scholarships, access to mentors

TORONTO, Ontario June 19, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - Providing funding for education removes the biggest barriers to graduation for Indigenous youth. But, it takes a village to position students for success. A recent study by Indspire, a charitable organization that invests in the education of Indigenous people, notes the importance of engagement between students and parents, educators, communities, government, and the private sector.

CIBC, a long-time supporter of Indigenous initiatives, not only funds scholarships and bursaries but also mentorship programs, such as Indspire's Rivers to Success that helps students transition into the workforce. In the last three years alone, CIBC has contributed more than $3 million to help Indigenous communities, including a commitment of over $1-million to various Indspire programs.

"I have the utmost respect for Indspire and the mentoring program," says Josh Thomas, a member of Snuneymuxw First Nation from Nanaimo, B.C., who connected through Rivers to Success with a mentor from CIBC, Pradeep Mathur, that led to a summer internship at the bank's Toronto head office.

"Being paired with Pradeep helped me learn how to handle myself professionally, hone my interviewing skills, learn more about the banking industry, and most importantly, gave me the confidence to think big and accept the challenge of moving to a big city to pursue a career," he says.

In addition to nearly a quarter century of support for Indspire, CIBC has several internal programs that support people from the Indigenous community, such as its Pathfinders program which matches new hires with current Indigenous employees in their first three months of employment.

"At CIBC, we strongly believe that education and mentorship go hand-in-hand to building a stronger, more prosperous and compassionate country," says Laura Dottori-Attanasio, CIBC's Chief Risk Officer and Diversity and Inclusion Executive Champion. "We are proud to invest in vital programs like Rivers to Success that will inspire and assist Indigenous young people to reach their full potential."

Last month, CIBC contributed $175,000 to the University of Regina to establish the CIBC Aboriginal Bursary for students pursuing degrees in Business Administration, Economics and Computer Science. The bank has also supported other Indigenous organizations and programs, including Frontiers Foundation, Boundless Adventures, Canadian Feed the Children, Let's Talk Science and Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health.

Led by its Aboriginal Employee Circle, CIBC will mark National Aboriginal Day and Aboriginal History Month this June with special events at CIBC locations in Toronto.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with 11 million personal banking and business clients. With a strategic focus on Kids, Cures and Community, and employee commitment to causes, including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, the CIBC Children's Foundation and United Way, we are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the country. In 2014, CIBC contributed more than$42 million to 1,780 charitable and non-profit initiatives in over 420 communities. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Media Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

SOURCE Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Smart Compost Bin Puts a Dollar Value on Food Waste

From left: Justin Gruber, Nic Durish and Aftab Ahmad.

Developed by U of G students, Sustain-a-Bin encourages food waste reduction

GUELPH, Ontario - June 19, 2015 - atGuelph - Throwing out food not only wastes the food itself, but also the resources used to produce it and the money you spent on it. A new type of compost bin developed by a group of U of G students weighs your food waste and calculates its dollar value.

“We’re using this as an experience to develop a prototype of something that can help society and that can be sustainable and help motivate positive behavioral changes,” says Nic Durish, a computer science student who helped develop the Sustain-A-Bin, along with food science student Lauren Jans, computer science student Aftab Ahmad and software engineering student Justin Gruber. “We’d really like to have a product that people believe in and actually has a measurable effect on sustainability,” adds Durish.

The compost bin, which will be used in cafeterias, is equipped with a sensor that tells users the value of the food they wasted based on the average cost of food sold at the food outlet where the bin is located, as well as the weight of their waste.

The sensor is also designed to let cleaning staff know when the bin needs to be emptied, based on the bin’s weight and the last time it was emptied. This information is uploaded into a database.

The students competed against each other on different teams in a food waste hackathon last fall, placing first and second for their compost bin ideas. They formed their own team in December 2014 and enrolled in the new Ideas Congress (ICON) thesis course in winter 2015, taught by Profs. Dan Gillis, School of Computer Science, and Shoshanah Jacobs, Department of Integrative Biology. The course brings together students from different disciplines to address social problems.

The students have since won $2,000 at this year’s Pitch for Progress competition, part of the Universities Fighting World Hunger summit. In May, the project also received a $1,500 mentorship through the Elevator Project, which provides resources for initiatives that improve the quality of life in Guelph.

“More than anything, it’s the motivation that it’s given us,” says Durish of the team’s success.

The project also made them more aware of their own food waste.

“I didn’t really think too much about food waste,” says Ahmad. “It seemed like a hidden issue but it’s definitely opened my eyes to my own habits.”

First-of-its-kind study shows cleaning products pollute indoor air, put Canadians at risk of dangerous health impacts

Environmental Defence is urging mandatory disclosure of toxic product ingredients, publication of long promised federal regulations

TORONTO, Ontario June 17, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - A new report has found that popular cleaning products can cause indoor air pollution that is linked to respiratory illnesses such as asthma and that pose a threat to the development of unborn babies. Released today, The Dirty Truth: How toxic cleaning products are putting Canadians at risk is the first study conducted in Canadians' homes that shows the impact of cleaning products on volatile organic compound (VOC) levels in indoor air.

"When Canadians are cleaning their homes, they should only be concerned about fighting grime, not fighting for their health," said Maggie MacDonald, toxics program manager with Environmental Defence. "Canadians spend 90 per cent of their time indoors, so indoor air quality is extremely important. It's time for government and industry to take strong action and protect human health by cleaning up these products."

For the Environmental Defence study, 14 volunteers from Toronto, Montreal and Cobalt, ON cleaned their kitchens for 30 minutes, using either popular conventional cleaning products, certified green products or products with unverifiable green claims. The air in the homes was tested the day before the experiment, and again during the cleaning, to compare samples.

The first-of-its-kind research found that VOC levels went up in all the households due to the use of cleaning products, with a stark difference between the conventional and green products:

• After the cleaning, the air quality in 12 of the 14 tested households exceeded the German standard for indoor VOC levels (no Canadian standard exists).
• For eight households, air quality went from decent to poor during the cleaning. VOC increases for conventional products were three times higher compared to the green products.
  • For the nine homes where conventional cleaners were used, total VOCs increased by an average of 120 per cent.
  • For the three homes cleaned with certified green products, the increase averaged 35 per cent.
  • For the two homes cleaned with products with unverifiable green claims (ingredients not disclosed on labels), the increase in total VOCs averaged 100 per cent.

VOCs are a large group of carbon-based chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. Elevated VOC levels have been linked to long-term health effects, especially in children.

"During and after the cleaning there was a strong odour in the room and it bothered me," said Shaun, a Torontoresident and one of the volunteers who participated in the experiment using the conventional products. "I'm surprised to see such a big increase in VOCs. I won't be using those products again."

"Consumers have the right to know what chemicals are in the products they buy," said MacDonald. "It's time for the government to end the guessing game by making full ingredient disclosure mandatory on product labels. We are also calling on the federal government to stop its foot-dragging and publish promised regulations for consumer product VOC concentration limits."

Environmental Defence, the organization that successfully advocated for the ban of bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles and phthalates in toys, is urging provincial and federal regulators to introduce full mandatory on-label ingredient disclosure, including fragrance ingredients. When carcinogens or reproductive toxicants are present, consumer products should carry additional warning labels.

Last year, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne promised to "provide Ontarians with better information about chemicals linked with cancer." Environmental Defence is calling on Ontario's government to make good on their promise through stronger labelling rules.

Promised regulations for VOC concentration limits in certain consumer products, including cleaning products, have been delayed by the federal government for undisclosed reasons. Environmental Defence is calling on the federal government to publish these regulations without further delay.

The Environmental Defence report The Dirty Truth: How toxic cleaning products are putting Canadians at risk can be downloaded at environmentaldefence.ca/dirtytruth.

About ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca):

 Environmental Defence is Canada's most effective environmental action organization. We challenge, and inspire change in government, business and people to ensure a greener, healthier and prosperous life for all.

SOURCE Environmental Defence

True North Recipes You Can Eat With Your Hands!

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, June 16, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - Canada's birthday is just around the corner and that means fireworks, family, fun and delicious food!  No plates or utensils are needed for the two recipes from Egg Farmers of Ontario(EFO) that feature some feel good Canadian ingredients including bacon, maple syrup, local berries and of course fresh Ontario eggs!

Start your holiday off with our soon-to-be famous Foodtruck Breakfast Waffle and then gear up for the fireworks display a little later on with our Eggs-ceptional Berry Cream Puffs. Both these recipes offer an explosion of flavours you can eat with your hands.  No plates or utensils required!

Foodtruck Breakfast Waffle – This will become an instant favourite with your family as Canadian's love foodtruck-style meals that are easy to prepare and fun to eat! You simply bake the eggs right into the waffles to create this surprisingly delicious sandwich. Topped with our tasty maple-mustard mayo, the family will most definitely be asking for seconds.

Eggs-ceptional Berry Cream Puffs – A special treat perfect for sharing, these scrumptious cream puffs topped with fresh local berries make for a light and irresistible dessert.

Eggs are nature's multivitamin and when you choose to include fresh Ontario eggs in your Canada Day meals you are supporting local egg farm families.  Gather your own loved ones together for a special mid-week holiday celebrating this beautiful country!

Please visit eggfarmersofontario.ca for these and countless other egg recipes that are sure to make your Canada Day festivities a huge hit!

Egg Farmers of Ontario represents the approximately 440 egg farmers and pullet growers in Ontario. It is an independent, self-governing organization funded entirely by egg and pullet farmers.

SOURCE Egg Farmers of Ontario

Nation-Wide Campaign Launched Today to House 20,000 Homeless Canadians

20,000 Homes Campaign unites communities to permanently house 20,000 of Canada's most vulnerable homeless people within the next three years

TORONTO, Ontario June 16, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - Today, 21 communities from across the country joined the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) to launch the 20,000 Homes Campaign, a powerful nationwide campaign that aims to permanently house 20,000 of Canada's most vulnerable homeless people by July 1, 2018.

The initiative is inspired by the successful 100,000 Homes Campaign from the United States that concluded in 2014, having housed a total of 105,580 people.

"The 20,000 Homes Campaign is a grassroots movement of communities working together to permanently house some of our most vulnerable homeless neighbours," says Tim Richter, President and CEO, CAEH. "Homelessness is a solvable problem and we believe if we work together, apply proven strategies like Housing First, we'll achieve meaningful, nationwide reductions in homelessness within three years."

The 20,000 Homes Campaign is focused on the 'most vulnerable', referring specifically to homeless individuals who are assessed as having high acuity (those with complex needs and at risk of death from homelessness) and/or those who are chronic or episodically homeless. The Housing First approach is a recovery-oriented approach to ending homelessness that centers on quickly moving people experiencing homelessness into independent and permanent housing providing supports and services as needed.

The 21 communities that signed on today are: Kamloops, B.C.,  Salt Spring Island, B.C., Sechelt / Sunshine Coast, B.C., Calgary, Alta., Edmonton, Alta., Medicine Hat, Alta., Lethbridge, Alta., Red Deer, Alta., Grande Prairie, Alta.,Saskatoon, SK.,  Regina, SK.,  Hamilton, Ont., Kingston, Ont., Ottawa, Ont., Thunder Bay, Ont., Waterloo, Ont., Simcoe County, Ont., Fredericton, N.B., Moncton, N.B., Saint John, N.B., and Halifax, N.S. Many more cities are expected to join in the coming months.

On any given night in Canada, approximately 35,000 people will sleep in a shelter or on the street and over 235,000 people will experience homelessness over the course of a year. Research suggests of those 235,000 as many as 33,000 people are chronic or episodically homeless, meaning they have been homeless for a long time or experience episodes of homelessness over the course of their lives. Chronic and episodically homeless people often struggle with deep poverty, trauma, mental illness, addiction along with complex and often multiple medical problems. Research shows conclusively that people experiencing homelessness have higher mortality rates and a lower life expectancy then other Canadians.

The campaign will engage thousands of volunteers in communities across Canada to get to know homeless people by name and assess their housing and health care needs through a simple survey. Completed surveys and recorded data will be shared with local staff who will prioritize entry into housing based on urgent need. Communities will then work together to house their most vulnerable homeless people, reporting progress regularly on the campaign website www.20khomes.ca.

"We're going to extract every ounce of value we can from existing resources to get people housed," Richter says, "but to end homelessness in Canada we will need meaningful federal investment in affordable and supportive housing."

Over the next three years the campaign hopes to build public support for ending homelessness and renewed federal investment in housing and support services.

In October 2014 the CAEH and the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness released the State of Homelessness inCanada report. That report outlined how an additional federal housing investment of $46 per Canadian, per year, for 10 years could effectively end homelessness, reducing length of stay in Canadian emergency shelters to less than two weeks.

To join the campaign, get more information, donate, or to volunteer, please visit www.20khomes.ca

To view the 20,000 Homes Campaign video please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwxDmNJhCdM

About 20,000 Homes

The 20,000 Homes Campaign is a national movement of communities working together to permanently house 20,000 of Canada's most vulnerable homeless people by July 1, 2018.  For more information please visit www.20khomes.ca

About Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH)

The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) has been formed to create a national movement to end homelessness in Canada from the community up. For more information please visit www.caeh.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness