WHAT:          

Children and adults must now wear helmets at many arenas across the province. Community partners, including the Department of Health & Wellness, the Capital District Health Authority Division of Neurosurgery, and Canadian Tire are promoting the policies to help prevent head injuries.

Last year, Canadian Tire encouraged injury prevention by giving $5,000 in gift certificates to the first 10 arenas in Nova Scotia that adopted all-age helmet policies. The money helped with equipment donations to children and arena upgrades.

To continue the momentum and in-line with the company's 'We All Play for Canada' platform, Canadian Tire will donate $3000 in gift certificates to six additional arenas that have adopted all-age helmet policies. 'We All Play for Canada' is about inspiring Canadians through the power of sport and active play, aiming to create healthier families and healthier communities.

The arenas receiving recognition this year for having voluntarily adopted helmet policies for all on-ice activities in the local community include: Cole Harbour Place, Al MacInnis Sports Centre, Shearwater Arena at the Canadian Forces Base, Acadia Arena, Brooklyn Arena and Oxford Arena.

WHEN:         

Thursday, March 13, 2014

1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE:      

Cole Harbour Place, 51 Forest Hill Parkway, Dartmouth, NS 

WHO:

- Joyce Treen (MLA for Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage) on behalf of Honourable Leo A. Glavine, Minister of Health & Wellness

- Dr. David Clarke, Capital Health, Interim Head of Neurosurgery

- Frank McLeod, Local Canadian Tire General Manager

- Representative from six arenas

WHY:          

Nova Scotia already is a leader in the country for requiring helmets for cycling and other activities on wheels, as well as for downhill skiing and snowboarding. As a business in the local community and a heritage retailer of sporting goods, Canadian Tire wants to support such a great initiative for the local community.  Safety is an important element of all sports. Canadian Tire is committed to safe play and carries equipment needed for players of any age.