RBC Blue Water Project to donate $200,000 to Lake Ontario
Waterkeeper
TORONTO, September 6, 2008 — RBC will later
today make a donation of $200,000 to the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper
(LOW) to fund its ongoing work for community-based water quality
projects. RBC President and CEO Gordon Nixon will present
the donation on behalf of the RBC Blue Water Project to Gord
Downie, LOW Trustee and lead singer for The Tragically Hip,
at "blue," a star-studded gala that recognizes
the contributions of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the areas of
water stewardship and conservation.
"RBC is proud to support the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's
activities, which contribute to a culture of water stewardship
and ensure our watersheds will continue to be safe as a source
of drinking water, as a home for wildlife, and as a place
for us all to enjoy," Nixon said.
Founded in 2001, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper is part of the
Waterkeeper Alliance and fulfills its mission by educating
the public about Lake Ontario and the Great Lakes Basin and
by conducting research and public education activities on
behalf of the watershed. Its goal is to restore and protect
Lake Ontario's natural resources, as well as contribute to
its aesthetic, social recreational and economic values. Lake
Ontario Waterkeeper regards the ability to safely swim, drink
and fish in local waterways as hallmarks of clean water.
"This is an important day for Lake Ontario Waterkeeper,
said Mark Mattson, President & Waterkeeper, Lake Ontario
Waterkeeper. "RBC's support brings our communities one
step closer to a restored Lake Ontario, so we can all safely
swim, drink and fish its blue waters."
"RBC is doing important work, dedicating funds to grassroots
watershed protection," said Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Chairman
of Waterkeeper Alliance. "This is the kind of leadership
we need to protect our environment and to sustainable economic
growth for generations."
The Waterkeeper Alliance is an international grassroots alliance
dedicated to winning back waterways in communities around
the globe. Waterkeeper Alliance connects and supports local
Waterkeeper programs to provide a voice for waterways and
their communities worldwide.
The RBC Blue Water Project is a wide-ranging, multi-year
program to help foster a culture of water stewardship in Canada
and abroad, so that people have clean fresh water today and
tomorrow. The RBC Blue Water Project, announced in late 2007,
is a 10-year, $50 million grant program, focused on watershed
protection and clean drinking water, and was inaugurated by
a $10 million commitment to the ONE DROP Foundation, established
by Cirque du Soleil founder, Guy Laliberté. The company
will announce additional grants under the RBC Blue Water Project
later in September.
About RBC in the Community
RBC is recognized among the world's financial, social and
environmental leaders. In 2007, the company released the RBC
Environmental Blueprint, outlining its environmental priorities
and objectives. RBC is one of Canada's "Best 50 Corporate
Citizens 2008" and is included on the Dow Jones World
and North American Sustainability Indices, the Climate Disclosure
Leadership Index, the Jantzi Social Index, the FTSE4Good Index,
and the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations ranking.
RBC contributed more than $82.8 million to community causes
worldwide in 2007, through donations of more than $47.7 million,
and an additional $35.1 million in sponsorship of community
events and national organizations. The company produces an
annual Corporate Responsibility Report outlining its sustainability
performance at rbc.com/responsibility/reports.
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Media contact:
Beja Rodeck, Director, RBC, Media Relations, 416-616-5918,
beja.rodeck@rbc.com
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