Canadian Tire and Mark's Provide Donations to Residents in Atlantic Canada on behalf of the Hydro Workers Who Worked Through the Holidays to Restore Power to Winter Ice Storm Stricken Neighbourhoods 

A total of $1 million in Gift Cards and Cash Being Donated to the Canadian Red Cross in Support of Ice Storm Relief Efforts in Atlantic Canada, Ontario and Quebec and Future Emergencies

TORONTO, Jan. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Tire Family of Companies today donated $200,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to support the organization in responding to the recent ice storm in Atlantic Canada and future disasters.

This contribution was made possible through the generosity of numerous electric utility 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 electric utility companies including NB Power and Nova Scotia Power, Canadian Tire is providing the donation to the Red Cross, whose volunteers have been working around the clock to  help those impacted by the ice storm and future emergencies. 

"On behalf of our line crews and contractors, we are so grateful to Canadian Tire for making this donation to the Red Cross," said Gaëtan Thomas, President and CEO, NB Power. "While our crews and employees were focused entirely on restoring power to affected communities and customers, the Red Cross ensured their immediate need for warmth and shelter was taken care of. We're happy to see these funds redirected to assist those most impacted by this storm."

"On behalf of Nova Scotia Power, I would like to thank our crews, many of whom spent the holidays away from their loved ones, lending a helping hand to restore power in neighbouring jurisdictions," said Bob Hanf, Nova Scotia Power CEO and President. "Canadian Tire's donation to the Red Cross is a generous and timely gesture for many families and it honours our crews. Nova Scotia Power is proud to lend its support to this initiative."

"We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Canadian Tire, Mark's and especially Atlantic Canada's power crews," said Louise Castonguay, Director General, Atlantic Canada, Canadian Red Cross. "This donation will help offset some costs incurred during the ice storm across the region, and just as importantly, help ensure our ongoing capacity to respond to future disasters."

The Company is also working with the Red Cross in Ontario and Quebec 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, LIMITED