Donation supports endowment for First Nations conservation management

    VANCOUVER, Nov. 29 /CNW/ - Scotiabank today announced a $100,000 donation
to the Great Bear Rainforest Campaign. The donation to Tides Canada Foundation
supports an innovative, globally-significant sustainability model and will
contribute to a permanent conservation endowment fund to support science and
stewardship jobs in First Nations communities.
    British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest is a global environmental
treasure. It supports tremendous biodiversity and is home to the rare white
Spirit Bear and ancient First Nations cultures. The coastal forest stretches
north from Bute Inlet on B.C.'s south coast to the Alaskan border. Covering
6.4 million hectares, the Great Bear Rainforest represents 25 per cent of the
earth's remaining ancient coastal temperate rainforests.
    "This is a great opportunity for Scotiabank to demonstrate our commitment
to the environment," said David Poole, Senior Vice-President, B.C. & Yukon
Region, Scotiabank. "We're pleased to support this innovative initiative that
protects not only important biodiversity areas but the livelihoods and
communities where many of our employees and customers live and work."
    "We are thrilled that Scotiabank is supporting this made-in-B.C.
conservation solution that successfully integrates environmental protection
and sustainable economic development," said Ross McMillan, President of Tides
Canada and one of the principal architects of the conservation financing
program that helped protect the Great Bear Rainforest.
    The model brings together multiple stakeholders: environmental
organizations, First Nations, logging companies, governments, and other
businesses operating in the region.
    "Protecting the environment is a responsibility we all share," said Kaz
Flinn, Vice-President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Scotiabank. "Our
donation to Tides Canada allows us to partner with a leading Canadian
philanthropic organization and to support important sustainable forestry and
habitat conservation practices."
    As Canada's first and only national public foundation focused on the
environment and social justice, Tides Canada works with forward-looking donors
to amplify the impact of their giving. For more information about The Great
Bear Rainforest Campaign please visit www.tidescanada.org.

    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.