TORONTO, May 22 /CNW/ - Canadian Tire and Toronto Hydro-Electric System
("Toronto Hydro") are partnering to kick off energy conservation this spring
with Toronto Hydro's 'Count Me in Toronto' campaign. The campaign, aimed at
promoting energy conservation, will pit Toronto's 44 Wards against each other
in a challenge to see which neighborhood can register the most "acts of green"
in a five week period.
    On Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24, and Saturday, May 30, and Sunday
May 31, customers can visit participating Canadian Tire stores between 10:00
a.m. and 3:00 p.m. for a chance to pick up one of 40,000 free CFL light bulbs
or take advantage of great savings including $4 off specialty CFL bulbs or $10
off power bars with timers. Customers are then invited to visit
www.countmeintoronto.ca to register their 'act of green' and help their Ward
win an energy retrofit for a public building.
    "At Canadian Tire, we see ourselves and our customers as an important
part of the solution for responsible energy use and we are thrilled to be able
to participate in an initiative that challenges all of us to be more
energy-efficient," says Duncan Reith, senior vice president, Canadian Tire
Retail. "As we head into the summer season and warmer temperatures, typically
a time when energy use is significant in Canada, we will continue to offer our
customers valuable savings on energy-efficient products - everything from
Energy Star fans and air conditioners to solar-powered products and CFL
bulbs."
    For customers who want to do more to reduce energy in their homes,
Canadian Tire offers a wide variety of energy-efficient products that help cut
the costs associated with electricity including programmable thermostats,
timers, weather-stripping and caulking.
    The following ideas can help with energy conservation at home:-   Install dimmer switches in your home. Dimmers can reduce energy
        consumption by up to 20%. Similarly, motion sensor lights on the
        exterior of your home can provide energy savings by switching lights
        off automatically when not detecting movement.
    -   Timers are also an effective way to reduce energy consumption as they
        can be programmed to use electricity only when it's needed.
    -   Look for Energy Star rated lights. These lights are the most energy
        efficient models available and can also be found in many décor
        options to suit your own personal taste.
    -   Install ceiling fans. During hot weather a ceiling fan will create a
        cool breeze and keep the air circulating in your home.
    -   An evening barbeque is a great alternative to using the oven or
        stove, which both generate heat on an already hot day. You can also
        use your microwave or toaster oven in place of the stove or oven.
    -   Dry laundry on a clothesline in your backyard where permitted or in
        the basement to reduce energy consumption. Clothes dryers use about
        900 kilowatt hours of electricity a year on average. By hanging just
        25 per cent of those laundry loads out to dry, you could save about
        $30 a year on electricity bills.

    CANADIAN TIRE LOCATIONS

    Lawrence & Allen Expressway - 700 Lawrence Avenue West
    Warden & Eglinton - 1901 Eglinton Avenue East
    The Queensway - 1608 The Queensway
    Yonge & Church - 839 Yonge Street
    Scarborough - 3553 Lawrence Avenue East
    West Toronto - 2129 St. Clair Avenue West
    Sheppard Avenue - 1019 Sheppard Avenue East
    Kingston Road - 2850 Kingston Road
    Rexdale - 2025 Kipling Avenue
    Toronto Danforth - 2681 Danforth Avenue
    Eglinton/Laird - 825 Eglinton Avenue
    Agincourt - 4630 Sheppard Avenue East
    Leslie & Lakeshore - 1015 Lakeshore Boulevard EastAbout Canadian Tire

    Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX: CTC, CTC.a) operates more than
1,200 general merchandise and apparel retail stores, gas stations and car
washes in an inter-related network of businesses engaged in retail, financial
services and petroleum. More than 57,000 Canadians work across the Canadian
Tire organization from coast-to-coast. Canadian Tire Retail and its associate
dealers together form one of Canada's best-known and most successful retailers
with 476 stores in communities nationwide. Canadian Tire stores offer
automotive, sports and leisure, and home products.

    About Toronto Hydro

    Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited is the regulated "wires" affiliate
and is one of the largest municipal electric distribution utilities in Canada,
delivering electricity to a broadly diversified, economically robust,
residential, commercial and industrial customer base in the City of Toronto.
The utility serves more than 684,000 customers.