MONTREAL, Jan. 6, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Tire Family of Companies today donated $300,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to support the organization in responding to the recent ice storm in Quebec and future disasters. A total of $1 million in gift cards and cash is being donated by Canadian Tire and L'Équipeur to the organization in support of relief efforts in Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic Canada.

Canadian Tire made the donation in recognition of the work of employees from several electrical utility companies, as a thank you for their tireless work. "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."

"We are extremely grateful to Canadian Tire and L'Équipeur for their generosity," said Michel Léveillé, Director General, Canadian Red Cross, Quebec Division. "This donation will help support the current response to the ice storm across Quebec as well as ensure our ongoing capacity to respond to future disasters."

Canadian Tire Corporation is also working with the Canadian Red Cross branches in Ontario and Atlantic Canada to deliver additional financial support to those affected by the ice storm in those provinces. In addition to helping those in need today, the funds will be used to support future emergency and disaster relief efforts.

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