• Twenty additional $100 RONA ECO prize packs to be won

TORONTO, Nov. 14, 2011 /CNW/ - With a grand prize valued at $40,000, Scotiabank EcoLiving today announced the launch of the national EcoHome Renovation Contest in partnership with RONA. One Canadian homeowner will win an eco kitchen renovation, featuring RONA ECO products with expertise and design provided by Scotiabank partner, Green Living.

"We are really pleased to partner with RONA to show Canadians how environmentally friendly renovation choices can save energy, water and money," said Kaz Flinn, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Scotiabank. "Both our organizations share a commitment to eco-friendly initiatives and the EcoHome Renovation Contest is intended to foster consumer interest in the benefits of residential energy efficiency."

Canadians can follow the renovation progress on the EcoLiving website at ecoliving.scotiabank.com/results. The Grand Prize winner's new eco-kitchen will be featured in the Spring 2012 edition of EcoLiving Magazine. In addition to the Grand Prize, 20 secondary prize packages featuring RONA ECO products will be awarded.

"Most people understand that an energy efficient home is great for the environment and utility bills, but we want to prove that you don't have to sacrifice esthetics to enjoy these benefits," added Ms. Flinn. "RONA offers a wide variety of eco-responsible products that make the benefits of energy efficiency accessible to Canadians."

The EcoHome Renovation Contest is now open and submissions are being accepted. The entry form and rules are available on the Scotiabank EcoLiving website, www.scotiabank.com/ecoliving. The Contest closes January 11, 2012 and winners will be announced in February, 2012.

"Improving the energy efficiency of one's home can begin with a small change like making the switch to energy efficient lighting, or a major change such as a complete room renovation," said Claude Bernier Executive Vice President Marketing and Customers Innovations at RONA. "We hope that the EcoHome Renovation Contest will inspire homeowners to incorporate eco-friendly changes, big or small, to improve their home's energy efficiency, save money and beautify their living spaces."

Scotiabank's EcoLiving Program aims to enable and encourage Canadians to save energy and money at home. The RONA ECO line offers consumers over 400 products that have a less negative impact on the environment than equivalent standard items.

About the Scotiabank EcoLiving Program

The Scotiabank EcoLiving Program launched in June, 2010. The website, www.scotiabank.com/ecoliving, is a unique online consumer resource that provides home greening options together with government rebate and financial savings information all in one place - providing an easy-to-use resource for Canadians to learn about, plan and compare green home improvement options. The website includes project planning tools and a financial calculator to allow visitors to compare products and rebates, plan and finance their projects and see the savings that can result from each energy efficient renovation. The EcoLiving magazine is available twice yearly in Scotiabank branches and the Scotiabank EcoLiving Awards recognize innovation in residential energy efficiency.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With more than 70,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates serve some 18.6 million customers in more than 50 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a broad range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With assets above $567 billion (as at July 31, 2011), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.

About Rona

RONA is the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, home renovation and gardening products. RONA operates a network of more than 950 corporate, franchise and affiliate stores of various sizes and formats.  With close to 30,000 employees working under its family of banners in every region of Canada and more than 17 million square feet of retail space, the RONA store network generates over $6 billion in annual retail sales. For more information on how RONA can help making eco-friendly changes to your home, please visit ronaeco.ca.

About GreenLiving

Green Living Enterprises is a pioneer and leader in developing social and environmental marketing programs that keep consumers and clients at the forefront of the green agenda. Green Living Enterprises is a full-service, one-stop solution for green marketing, product and program development, custom publishing, and event management.  Green Living Enterprises, an authentically green company, also includes Greenlivingonline.com and The Green Living Show, North America's largest green consumer show, dedicated to easy and workable solutions for leading a sustainable lifestyle.