TORONTO, May 27 /CNW/ - When business and political leaders gather in
Halifax this week for the Caribbean Development Bank Annual Board of Governors
Meeting, Scotiabank will be there, to contribute to the economic growth of the
Caribbean and to support the offset of the session's carbon footprint.
    "Protecting the environment is a responsibility we all share," said
Kaz Flinn, Vice-President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Scotiabank. "We
are pleased to partner with Tree Canada to make this event carbon neutral.
Tree Canada is a leading Canadian environmental organization, supporting
awareness around environmental sustainability both here in Canada and across
some 25 countries in the Caribbean and Central America where Scotiabank
works."
    Scotiabank, which was founded in Halifax more than 175 years ago, has
been a part of the Caribbean for more than 120 years. Through this
sponsorship, Scotiabank will be planting more than 1200 trees in Atlantic
Canada.
    Tree Canada has verified that the Caribbean Development Bank Annual Board
of Governors Meeting being held in Halifax on May 28 - 29, 2008, is a Carbon
Neutral Event. By assessing the conference data it was determined that
approximately 200.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide would be released through travel,
accommodations and energy consumption associated with this event.

    About the Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Development Bank

    The Government of Canada will chair the Annual Meeting, which will be
held on May 28 and 29 at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax.
    The Board of Governors is the highest policy-making body of the Caribbean
Development Bank. At the Annual Meeting, the Bank and the Governors review
results, future challenges and goals to ensure that the institution continues
to be a constructive, effective and sustainable partner in the region. The
meeting is also an occasion for the international community to come together
and discuss the development issues pertinent to the Caribbean region.
    Canada was a founding member of the Bank, which began operations in 1970
to contribute to the harmonious economic development of its borrowing member
countries in the Caribbean.

    About Tree Canada

    Tree Canada is a non-for-profit charitable organization established to
encourage Canadians to plant and care for trees in urban and rural
environments. A winner of the Canadian Environmental Award (2007), Tree Canada
engages Canadian companies, government agencies and individuals to support the
planting of trees, the greening of schoolyards, and other efforts to sensitize
Canadians to the benefits of planting and maintaining trees. To date, more
than 75 million trees have been planted, more than 450 schoolyards have been
greened, and Tree Canada has organized 7 national urban forestry conferences.
More information about Tree Canada is available at www.treecanada.ca.

    About Scotiabank

    Scotiabank is a major international financial institution whose
day-to-day operations have a number of direct and indirect impacts on the
environment. Scotiabank has launched internal initiatives aimed at reducing
consumption, and routinely factors environmental considerations into the
Bank's strategic decision-making process, consulting regularly with
stakeholders on environmental issues. Scotiabank is committed to supporting
environmental causes and collaborating with stakeholders on key environmental
issues.
    Scotiabank has been part of the Caribbean and Central America since 1889.
It is now the leading bank in the region, with operations in 25 countries,
including affiliates. The bank has some 11,834 employees in the region,
serving more than two million customers, with about 380 branches and about 909
automated banking machines.
    Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and
Canada's most international bank. With more than 60,000 employees, Scotiabank
Group and its affiliates serve approximately 12.5 million customers in some 50
countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a diverse range of products and
services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking.
With $449 billion in assets (as at January 31, 2008), Scotiabank trades on the
Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information, please visit
www.scotiabank.com.