ABC Life Literacy Canada

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TORONTO, ON (JUNE 11, 2009) – In a ceremony held last night as part of its Annual General Meeting, ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation is pleased to announce Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life as the 2009 recipient of the Honourable Joyce Fairbairn, P.C. Literacy Public Awareness Award. The award recognizes corporations that demonstrate exceptional support of adult literacy.

Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life have been a major supporter of the Peter Gzowski Invitational (PGI) Golf Tournaments for Literacy since 1999. Their support for the tournaments and ABC CANADA, and their support for other adult literacy programs across Canada, has helped promote a greater understanding of the importance of literacy while contributing to a greater collective ability to respond to people’s learning needs.

“We are so pleased to present Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life with this award,” says Margaret Eaton, President, ABC CANADA. “Their contribution to literacy has made a tremendous impact on people’s lives; thousands of adult learners have benefitted from their support and our gratitude goes out to Great-West Life for their continued support of the PGIs and adult literacy programs and initiatives.”

The commitment of organizations such as Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life has helped contribute to almost 200,000 adult learners contacting or enrolling in programs at their local literacy organizations. Additionally, over 20,000 volunteers across Canada have participated in adult literacy tutoring programs.

“We are honoured to receive the Joycee Award on behalf of our entire staff who champion the adult literacy cause,” says Jan Belanger, Assistant Vice-President of Community Affairs of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. “As a committed supporter of the PGIs since 1999, we believe in the results achieved and have seen the difference that adult literacy programs can make across Canada. We look forward to continuing to build stronger communities together.”

ABC CANADA first launched the ‘Joycee’ award in 1996 to celebrate organizations that demonstrate extraordinary support and effort to increase public awareness regarding adult literacy in Canada. The award was named in honour of Senator Joyce Fairbairn, a tremendous literacy advocate.

Great West Life becomes the 14th recipient of the ‘Joycee’ award in Canada and joins other notable award recipients such as ACLC Inc, Air Canada, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Baton Broadcasting System (CTV), CBC-Radio Canada, Canadian Cable Television Association, , Canadian Yellow Pages™ Publishers, CanWest Global Communications Corporation, Coca-Cola Ltd, Royal Bank Financial Group and Southam Inc.

About Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life

In Canada, Great-West Life and its subsidiaries, London Life and Canada Life, offer a broad portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions and serve the financial security needs of more than 12 million people.

As an Imagine Caring Company supporting the principles of corporate citizenship and benchmarks for community investment established by Imagine Canada, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life donate a minimum of one per cent of average pre-tax profits to non-profit, charitable and community organizations each year. Through The Key to Giving™ – their national corporate citizenship program – the companies contribute to non-profit, charitable and community organizations across the country to address health and wellness, education, social services, arts and culture and civic initiatives. The Key to Giving program also supports the volunteer involvement of staff and financial security advisors in their efforts to help meet the needs of the communities in which they live and work.

About Senator Joyce Fairbairn, P.C.

Joyce Fairbairn started her career in journalism representing major media organizations such as the Lethbridge Herald; the Ottawa Journal; Vancouver Sun and United Press International. Fairburn was legislative assistant to Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau and served as his Senior Legislative Advisor for fourteen years. She was appointed to the Privy Council in 1993 and was the first woman to be named leader of the government in the senate and minister with special responsibility for literacy. She continues to be an active advocate for the cause of literacy in Canada, initiating national debate in the senate on literacy in Canada. In 1997, she was appointed special advisor on literacy to the minister of human resources development in Canada. As a Senator she has been a tireless advocate for her two special causes: adult literacy and the Paralympics.

About ABC CANADA

ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation is Canada’s private-sector voice championing adult literacy. The national charity’s initiatives and campaigns are focused on bringing about meaningful change to raise Canadian adult literacy skills. It envisions a Canada where individuals, regardless of their circumstances, are provided the opportunities to increase those skills that prepare people for realizing their full potential at work, at home and in the community. For additional information please visit www.abc-canada.org

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For more information please contact:

Ashley Tilley
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation
atilley@abc-canada.org
416-218-0010 ext 127

Miranda Keyes
NATIONAL Public Relations
On behalf of ABC CANADA
mkeyes@national.ca
416-586-1914