PCL Construction Joins Ontario's Green Leaf Challenge

PCL Employees Take Part in Initiative to Plant Three Million Trees in Celebration of Canada's 150^th Birthday

TORONTO, May 2, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, Forests Ontario welcomes PCL Constructors Canada Inc. (Toronto) as a major supporter of Ontario's Green Leaf Challenge. Launched in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, the Green Leaf Challenge celebrates Ontario150 by inviting Ontarians to plant and count three million trees in 2017.

"PCL recognizes that our clients and communities want to partner with a business that is committed to increasing efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and improving quality of life," says Mike Wieninger, Senior Vice President and District Manager at PCL Toronto. "Reducing our carbon footprint and supporting the transition to a carbon neutral economy are priorities for our organization."

PCL's partnership will support planting projects across the province, engaging community members in making our public spaces greener. In addition to supporting planting events and projects across Ontario, PCL hosted a launch event to announce the company's support of the Green Leaf Challenge, giving away native tree seedlings to 550 employees to plant with their families and then count toward the Challenge.

"With a history that goes back almost to the birth of Confederation, PCL is excited to take part in the Green Leaf Challenge as part of our Canada 150 celebrations," adds Wieninger. "The program provides our employees with a meaningful way to make a personal and measurable difference to the country's natural environment, beyond the sustainable projects we build every day."

Rob Keen, CEO of Forests Ontario adds, "This year, we're celebrating our nation's 150^th birthday. There's no better way to celebrate, we think, than by planting together today to ensure that the next generation enjoys the benefits that come with healthy forest cover."

Keen adds, "Leaders around the world have acknowledged that planting healthy forests is essential to addressing the challenges of climate change. PCL is a strong example of leaders in the business community who are 'walking the walk' on sustainability and enabling action on the part of their employees and all Ontarians."

The Green Leaf Challenge will have a significant impact on Ontario's air quality by adding new forest cover that will remove approximately 6.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from our atmosphere by 2050. All Ontarians can participate by visiting greenleafchallenge.ca and adding their trees to the online counter.

About Forests Ontario
Forests Ontario is the voice for our forests. Working to promote a future of healthy forests sustaining healthy people, Forests Ontario is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through tree planting efforts on rural lands and in urban areas, as well as the renewal and stewardship of Ontario's forests through restoration, education and awareness. Visit www.forestsontario.ca or follow us @Forests_Ontario.

ABOUT PCL CONSTRUCTORS CANADA INC. (TORONTO)
PCL is a group of independent construction companies that carries out work across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, and in Australia. These diverse operations in infrastructure, heavy industrial, and buildings markets are supported by a strategic presence in 31 major centres. Backed by PCL's 111-year legacy, and with more than four decades of experience in Southwestern Ontario's dynamic construction market, the Toronto office is PCL's largest district with more than 550 of the construction industry's most-talented professionals and an annual construction volume of more than $1.0B. For more information, visit: www.pcl.com/toronto.

For more information about PCL's role in celebrating Canada 150, click here.

SOURCE Forests Ontario

For further information: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Jeannette Holder, Communications Manager, Forests Ontario, Tel: 416 646-1193, ext. 257, E-mail: jholder@forestsontario.ca; Liisa Morley, Communications Specialist, PCL Constructors Canada Inc. (Toronto), Tel: 647-406-4851, E-mail: lmorley@pcl.com

RELATED LINKS
www.forestsontario.ca