CHARLOTTETOWN, April 24 /CNW/ - Scotiabank announced today its commitment
as presenting sponsor in Prince Edward Island's new Women's Cyclist Elite
Tour, the Tour de PEI. This international cycling event is a five-stage elite
women's tour held from June 10-14, 2007, and will include a time trial event
on the Confederation Bridge, which links the provinces of Prince Edward Island
and New Brunswick.
    "Scotiabank is proud to join forces with the World Cup Cycling
Organization and Confederation Bridge, to bring another world class event to
this great country," said John Oliver, Senior Vice-President Atlantic Region,
Scotiabank. "The Tour de PEI will help put a greater emphasis on athletics in
the lives of women and will bring athletes from coast to coast and around the
world right here, to Prince Edward Island."
    The Tour begins in Summerside, PEI, on Sunday, June 10; it continues into
a time trial event across the Confederation Bridge then wheels from Cavendish
to Wellington and back again on June 12. The Tour then goes on from Montague
to Stratford on June 13 and concludes the next day in Charlottetown. For more
information, please visit www.tourdepei.com.
    "As this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Confederation Bridge,
hosting an international tour is an exciting way to celebrate this milestone,"
said Michel Le Chasseur, General Manager, Strait Crossing Bridge Limited.
"Through the partnerships with Scotiabank and the association with World Cup
Cycling Organization, we are further linking two great provinces with the rest
of the world."
    The Tour de PEI, presented by Scotiabank, is the Island's first
International Women's Cycling Event, and is organized in conjunction with
Confederation Bridge by the World Cup Cycling Organization who has been
presenting a similar event in Montreal for the past nine years.
    "The athletes you will see in PEI are athletes you will see at the
Olympics and at the World Championship of Cycling," said Daniel Manibal,
President, World Cup Cycling Organization. "Cycling is an international
activity with major events all over the world. Bringing the tour de PEI to the
Island is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the beauty and spirit of the
province."

    Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live
and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally
and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic
activities, in 2006 the Bank provided more than $42 million in sponsorships
and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas
of healthcare, education and social services. Scotiabank is on the World Wide
Web at www.scotiabank.com.