Canadian Tire and Mark's Provide Donations to  the Canadian Red Cross on behalf of the Ontario Hydro Workers Who Worked Through the Holidays to Restore Power to Winter Ice Storm Stricken Neighbourhoods 

Up to $1 million in Gift Cards and Cash Will be Donated to the Canadian Red Cross in Support of Ice Storm Relief Efforts and Future Emergencies

TORONTO, Dec. 31, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Tire Family of Companies today donated $500,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to support the organization in responding to disasters in Canada including the ice storm currently impacting Southern Ontario.

This contribution was made possible through the generosity of numerous hydro companies and their workers who asked that the support, originally intended for employees as a thank you for their tireless work, be redirected to those most impacted by this storm and future emergencies.

"We wanted to show our appreciation for the men and women who sacrificed their own Christmas and worked in very challenging conditions to get the lights back on," said Michael Medline, President, Canadian Tire Corporation. "We were impressed with them before and we're even more impressed now to see them redirect this donation to the people they have been helping, day in and day out since the storm passed through."

On behalf of the employees of hydro companies including Toronto Hydro and Hydro One, Canadian Tire is providing the donation to the Red Cross, whose volunteers have been working around the clock to provide help to those impacted.

"Our priority since the storm has hit has been to get the power back on for customers affected as quickly as possible," said Carmine Marcello, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hydro One. "It is great to see Canadian Tire's commitment and generosity during this difficult time for the many families impacted by the storm. We felt it was important that the donation was passed on to the families in need after the storm and we appreciate the Red Cross getting involved to help make that happen."

"We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Canadian Tire, Mark's and especially Ontario's hydro workers," said John Byrne, Director General of Disaster Management, Canadian Red Cross. "This donation will help support the current response to the ice storm across Ontario as well as ensure our ongoing capacity to respond to future disasters."

The Company is also working with the Red Cross branches in Quebec and Atlantic Canada to deliver additional financial support to Canadians affected by the ice storm in those provinces.

About Canadian Tire Corporation
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX:CTC.a) (TSX:CTC) is a Family of Companies that includes Canadian Tire Retail, PartSource, Gas+, FGL Sports (Sport Chek, Hockey Experts, Sports Experts, Pro Hockey Life, National Sports, S3 and Atmosphere), Mark's, Canadian Tire Financial Services, and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. With nearly 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets from coast-to-coast, our primary retail business categories - Automotive, Living, Fixing, Playing and Apparel - are supported and strengthened by our Financial Services division. More than 85,000 people are employed across the Canadian Tire enterprise, which was founded in 1922 and remains one of Canada's most recognized and trusted brands. Canadian Tire Retail, Sport Chek and Sports Experts are proud to be Premier National Partners of the Canadian Olympic Team.

For more information, visit Corp.CanadianTire.ca

SOURCE Canadian Tire Corporation