Canadian Tire, Fiskars, and the City of Toronto partner
             to transform a barren lot into a blossoming gardenTORONTO, May 27 /CNW/ - Where yesterday there was a vacant lot, dotted
with trees, today the Scarborough Village community boasts a lush garden.
Brightly flowering annuals and perennials abound, hundreds of delicious
vegetables found homes in new raised beds, and trees blow in the wind as they
surround this special place.
    The most amazing part: the entire transformation took just a single day -
thanks to the combined efforts of a determined team. Fiskars, Canadian Tire,
and the City of Toronto created this garden in the Scarborough Village
Priority Neighbourhood for Investment through the Fiskars Project Orange Thumb
initiative.
    A team of over 50 staff members and volunteers tilled and planted today
from early morning to late afternoon at the garden site. The makeover was made
possible by donated labor, design time, project coordination, tools and
necessary supplies. Fiskars and the City of Toronto selected the Scarborough
Village community for this project and coordinated, developed, designed and
managed the day-long makeover. Canadian Tire donated all planting materials
and supplies for the project, and assisted with the garden design and
installation. The Scarborough Village Community Garden Committee, a group of
local residents, will be responsible for maintaining the garden and for
distributing the vegetables grown.
    "The Scarborough Village Community Garden makeover has brought the
neighbourhood together to develop and celebrate community gardening," said
Mayor David Miller. "The partnership between Fiskars Project Orange Thumb,
Canadian Tire and the City of Toronto shows that by getting down to earth we
can celebrate urban renewal and neighbourhood beautification while making
Toronto a greener place to live."
    "We are excited to kick off the 2009 gardening season with the first ever
Project Orange Thumb garden makeover in Canada! The Scarborough Village
Community Garden is also our first garden makeover project of 2009. With three
successful garden projects completed in Chicago, San Francisco and Orlando, we
hope that this further celebrates the importance of gardening in providing
beauty, sustainable food resources and a place of community," said Paul
Tonnesen, President of Fiskars.
    "As the country's largest retailer of lawn and garden products and a
company focused on giving back to the community, we are truly delighted to be
involved in this meaningful community initiative," says Mike Arnett,
President, Canadian Tire Retail. "Canadian Tire is proud to work with the
members of the Scarborough Village community to transform this space into a
beautiful garden that will be enjoyed for the years to come."
    The Scarborough Village Community Garden Makeover initiative is an
extension of the successful Fiskars Project Orange Thumb garden program.
Started in 2003, Project Orange Thumb provides community garden groups with
the tools and materials needed to reach their goals for neighbourhood
beautification and horticulture education. Most recently, Project Orange Thumb
successfully completed a garden makeover in Orlando, Florida in the Willows
Neighborhood.
    To receive and view high-res photos or video from the Toronto garden
event, please visit:
    http://gmedia.fiskars.com/makeovers/toronto/media/.

    To receive and view high-res photos or video from the Orlando garden
event, please visit:
    http://gmedia.fiskars.com/orlando/media/.

    To receive high-res photos or video from the San Francisco garden event,
please visit: http://gmedia.fiskars.com/sanfrancisco/media.

    Interview availabilities LIVE or via telephone 5/26 - 5/28/09

    ABOUT FISKARS

    Fiskars, the World's No. 1 scissors brand is a leading global supplier of
consumer products for the home, garden and outdoors. The group has a strong
portfolio of trusted international brands including: Iittala, Gerber, Silva,
and Buster. Founded in 1649, Fiskars has over 360 years of product quality
excellence and is Finland's oldest company.

    ABOUT THE CITY OF TORONTO

    Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home
to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine
of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America.
Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in
delivering public services. 2009 marks the 175th anniversary of Toronto's
incorporation as a city. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity,
opportunity and liveability for all its residents.

    ABOUT CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION:

    Canadian Tire operates nearly 1,200 stores, gas bars and car washes in an
inter-related network of businesses engaged in retail, financial services and
petroleum. Canadian Tire Retail and its Associate Dealers together form one of
Canada's best-known and most successful retailers with 475 stores in
communities nationwide. Canadian Tire stores offer a unique mix of products
and services through the leadership of three specialty stores under one roof -
Automotive, Sports and Leisure, and Home Products.