TORONTO, ON - September 11, 2015 /CNW/ - The Annual Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life is taking place in communities across the country between September 12 and 20.

Participants of the annual event show solidarity for over 71,000 Canadians living with HIV/AIDS. All proceeds help support services for those living with, affected by, or at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS in communities nationwide.

"Over the coming weeks, our collective steps will raise much needed funds and awareness for essential HIV/AIDS programs and services across the country," said Marianne Hasold-Schilter, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, International Banking at Scotiabank. "HIV/AIDS affects people of all ages, genders and ethnicities and Scotiabank is proud to bring this event to cities across Canada and to help to build stronger communities where we live and work."

"We are proud to partner with Scotiabank again this year for this important national event that directly benefits local communities across the country," said Monique Doolittle-Romas, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian AIDS Society. "We hope to see more and more Canadians take advantage of our state-of-the art registration portal to register or donate and show their support for the thousands of People Living with HIV/AIDS."

What: The Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life is a national awareness and fundraising event that takes place every year in communities across Canada. All Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life proceeds remain in the community and provide necessary funds for support services and programs for people living with HIV/AIDS.

When/where: Local events are hosted by AIDS Service Organizations in your community. See the complete list of locations below and click the link for more information.

Visit www.aidswalktoronto.ca for more information on how you can register now or support a walker.

2015 Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life Walk Site Information

Walk Site City - Province - Walk Date - Walk Location

Calgary - AB - 20-Sep-15 - Eau Claire Plaza (Third Street/Riverfront Avenue)

Fort McMurray - AB - 13-Sep-15 - Holy Trinity Track & Field

Grande Prairie- AB - 20-Sep-15 - Muskoseepi Park, 100 Avenue

Red Deer - AB - 20-Sep-15 - Bower Ponds Stage

Edmonton - AB - 19-Sep-15 - McIntyre Park, Old Strathcona

Peace River - AB - 13-Sep-15 - Riverfront Park, 100 Avenue

Cranbrook - BC - 12-Sep-15 - Rotary Park

Nanaimo - BC - 19-Sep-15 - Diana Krall Plaza

Nelson - BC - 12-Sep-15 - Lakeside Park at the Nelson Rotary Shelter

Vancouver - BC - 20-Sep-15 - Sunset Beach

Hazelton - BC - 15-Sep-15 - Hagwilget Bridge Lookout

Dawson Creek - BC - 18-Sep-15 - Nawican Friendship Centre, 1320 102 Avenue

Smithers - BC - 17-Sep-15 - DZE L K’ant Friendship Centre, 1188 Main Street

Moricetown - BC - 16-Sep-15 - Moricetown Multiplex, 205 Beaver Rd.

Victoria - BC - 19-Sep-15 - Centennial Square

Prince George - BC - 16-Sep-15 - Prince George Civic Centre -- Canada Games Plaza

Winnipeg - MB - 13-Sep-15 - Central Park, 400 Cumberland Avenue

Saint John - NB - 20-Sep-15 - First Arch Picnic Site, Rockwood Park

Fredericton - NB - 12-Sep-15 - Phoenix Square, 397 Queen Street

Miramichi - NB - 12-Sep-15 - Town Square, Queen Elizabeth Park, Newcastle

Corner Brook - NL - 13-Sep-15 - Remembrance Square, City Hall

St. John’s - NL - 13-Sep-15 - Marquee Building, Quidi Vidi Lake

Truro - NS - 27-Sep-15 - Victoria Square - Commercial Street

Halifax - NS - 27-Sep-15 - Halifax Commons, Pavilion Site

Wolfville - NS - 20-Sep-15 - Acadia University

Peel Region - ON - 13-Sep-15 - Garden Square, Main and Queen Streets, Brampton

Kingston - ON - 19-Sep-15 - City Park, Bagot and West Streets

Oshawa - ON - 19-Sep-15 - Memorial Park, Metcalfe Street, Oshawa

Toronto - ON - 13-Sep-15 - Yonge-Dundas Square

Charlottetown - PE - 12-Sep-15 - Joe Ghiz Park, Kent Street

Yorkton - SK - 19-Sep-15 - City Centre Park, Broadway Street

Regina - SK - 19-Sep-15 - Queen Elizabeth II Lawn West, Legislative Building Grounds

Saskatoon - SK - 13-Sep-15 - The Roxy Theatre, 320-20th Street West

Whitehorse - YT - 16-Sep-15 - LePage Park, 3^rd Avenue

Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life
The Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life is a project of the Canadian AIDS Society in partnership with the Positive Living Society of British Columbia, the AIDS Committee of Toronto, and community-based AIDS organizations across Canada. During the national week-long event, cities and communities from across the country host Walks to raise funds for local services and programming and to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. As Canada's most important HIV/AIDS awareness and fundraising event, the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life has now raised over $40 million for community-based HIV/AIDS service organizations since 1996 and has attracted well over half a million participants. Scotiabank continues its multi-year commitment as title sponsor for the AIDS Walk, playing a key role in expanding its promotional and fundraising capacity.

About Scotiabank
Through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and parts of Asia. We are dedicated to helping our 21 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 87,000 employees and assets of $863 billion (as at July 31, 2015), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). Scotiabank distributes the Bank's media releases using CNW. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankNews.