HALIFAX, June 5 /CNW/ - Robbie Shaw, Pier 21 Chair of the Board and Sabi
Marwah, Vice-Chairman, Scotiabank, unveiled the newly named Scotiabank
Research Centre at a ceremony at Pier 21 earlier today.
    The ceremony marked a donation of $500,000 made by Scotiabank to Pier 21,
to commemorate the Bank's 175th year in business and to celebrate the Bank's
diversity.
    "Scotiabank has a proud tradition here in Halifax," said Mr. Marwah. "It
is here that we opened for business 175 years ago and it seems only fitting
that to mark this milestone and to pay tribute to our roots in this city, as
well as Canada's rich history, we give back to the community that has helped
to make us the success we are today."
    The Scotiabank Research Centre is in the heart of Pier 21 and celebrates
Canada's rich cultural diversity. With thousands of stories, photographs,
documents and oral histories in its collections, it is a place to share and
preserve memories for future generations to enjoy. The Scotiabank Research
Centre is open year-round, is wheelchair accessible and free to the public.
    "Pier 21 and the Scotiabank Research Centre honours all the people who
came to Canada via Halifax in search of a better life, one that embraces the
values of freedom, respect and justice that are synonymous with this
culturally diverse country," added Mr. Marwah. "Diversity is one of
Scotiabank's key strengths. Our diverse workforce reflects the diversity of
the communities we serve, in some 50 countries around the world."
    A newly restored award-winning National Historic Site, Pier 21 tells the
stories of 1.5 million immigrants, war brides, displaced people, evacuee
children and Canadian military service personnel who passed through its doors
between 1928 and 1971. Now Canada's last surviving ocean immigration shed,
Pier 21 promises a dramatic exploration of a critical part of our heritage
through interactive exhibits, multimedia presentations and activities for all
ages.

    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.

    /NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on
    the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca.
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