Pêche en herbe program and Canadian Tire hook 18,000 more children on sport
fishing

Canadian Tire provides fishing rods and tackle to promote Quebec sport

MONTREAL, June 9 /CNW Telbec/ - Canadian Tire today announced its official sponsorship of Fondation de la faune du Québec's Pêche en herbe program that will introduce 18,000 new enthusiasts to sport fishing through Pêche en herbe learning activities. This summer in Montreal, Groupe uni des éducateurs-naturalistes et professionnels en environnement (GUEPE) - an NPO that receives program support - will play a major role in introducing kids age 9 to 12 to sport fishing basics, fish anatomy, fish families, fish life cycles, the role of fish in the ecosystem, how to handle a rod, and fishing techniques.

Canadian Tire representatives met with two elementary school classes at École Gilles-Vigneault au Bois-de-Liesse (peninsula sector) today to launch the Pêche en herbe training with an enthusiastic local guide and Patrick Campeau, professional fisherman and Canadian Tire spokesperson for Pêche en herbe. Patrick encouraged kids to learn to fish, "because it's so amazing to enjoy a sport in the great outdoors on a river or lake and do it with the right knowledge from the start to increase your odds of success." Commenting on the scarcity of young people in the fishing industry, Patrick Campeau added: "According to data from Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec currently numbers over 1 million anglers, and 1.6 million others say they eventually want to pursue this sport. If they make good on their intentions, it would mean a doubled growth rate for the industry."

Following their first fishing session, all children will receive a fishing rod and tackle box containing hooks and lures from Canadian Tire, along with a fishing license that will remain valid until they turn 18, in the hope that they will continue to fish with their families and friends.

One of Quebec's largest retailers of fishing equipment, Canadian Tire, has generously sponsored the Pêche en herbe program since 1999 to encourage the next generation of anglers. "Canadian Tire is proud to have contributed to introducing more than 145,000 kids to the joys of sport fishing. What we like most about Pêche en herbe is the importance the program places on teaching respect for nature and the rules of water safety - values we support at Canadian Tire," says Liz Hamilton, associate vice president, Communications, Canadian Tire.

About Canadian Tire

Canadian Tire Corporation Limited (TSX: CTC, CTC.a) is one of Canada's most popular retailers, with 480 stores across the country. Its core retail and automotive operations are strengthened by a number of commercial units, including PartSource stores, an automotive parts specialty chain; Canadian Tire Petroleum, one of the country's largest independent gasoline retailers; Mark's Work Wearhouse (known as L'Équipeur in Quebec and for its motto "Clothes That Work"), a leading retailer of men's, women's, and work apparel; and Canadian Tire Financial Services, which has issued over five million Canadian Tire MasterCard credit cards. Over 58,000 Canadians work across Canadian Tire's organization from coast to coast in the enterprise's retail, financial services, and petroleum businesses.

For further information: Daniel Despins, [phone], [email protected]; Alexandre Lainesse, [phone], poste 310, [email protected]; Liz Hamilton, [phone], [email protected]