Canada Company Awards Scholarships to Seven children of Canadian Forces
Members who have perished

Honoured Recipients Open the Markets at the Toronto Stock Exchange

TORONTO , Sept. 18 /CNW/ - A charitable business group called Canada Company paid tribute today to fallen Canadian Forces personnel by presenting seven surviving offspring with scholarships of up to $16,000 each - up to $4,000 per year for the next four years to each - to help defray the costs of their post secondary education.

Blake Goldring, Chairman of Canada Company and Chairman and CEO, AGF Management Limited, along with Gerry McCaughey, President and CEO, CIBC, presented the scholarship awards.

"I am both honoured and proud to be sharing the stage today with these fine young men and women," said Blake Goldring. "This initiative is about Canadians showing support to our military and their families and helping to ensure that their loved ones are taken care of. Canada Company provides the means for business and individuals alike to show that we care and to support the men and women who put their lives on the line. The scholarships we are presenting today are just one example of our ongoing commitment."

"We are deeply saddened that so many children have lost a parent on active duty since January 2002," said Lieutenant-General Andrew Leslie , Chief of the Land Staff of the Canadian Forces. "In this tragedy there can be hope. Today these children should know that they are part of a bigger family of caring Canadian individuals and corporations that are looking out for our incredible soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen and their families. I thank Canada Company for its continued support and all who have donated to this meaningful scholarship fund."

    
    The 2009 / 10 recipients of Canada Company's educational scholarship fund
awards are:

    Scott Senecal, 24 - from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan is attending Lethbridge
    College where he is enrolled in the business management program. He is
    also a recent graduate of the Criminal Justice Diploma program at
    Lethbridge College.

    Adam Naismith, 18 - from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan is planning to join the
    Canadian Forces as a fighter pilot and is attending the University of
    Saskatchewan for education and psychology.

    Kirsten Hess-vonKruedener, 21 - from Kingston, Ontario is attending
    McMaster University in communications studies and French.

    Natasha Roberge, 18 - from Hamner, Ontario is attending Laurentian
    University in Sudbury studying English and Music in the hopes of becoming
    a secondary school teacher.

    Michel Girouard, 22 - from Pembroke, Ontario is a recent graduate of the
    Royal Military College in Kingston and is now a serving officer in the
    Canadian Forces.  He is posted to 1 Wing Headquarters in Kingston
    Ontario, where he is employed in the operations cell.

    Jocelyn Ranger, 24 - from Pembroke, Ontario is attending Algonquin
    College where she is enrolled in the business program.

    Myriam Mercier, 19 - from Quebec City, Quebec is enrolled at the Cégep de
    Sainte-Foy. She is planning to continue her education and is interested
    in attending a nursing program.
    

About The Canada Company Scholarship Fund

The Canada Company Scholarship Fund provides $4,000 per year, for up to four years, to support the post-secondary education for children who qualify. Children of Canadian Forces members who have died on duty while serving in an active role in a military mission of the Canadian Forces or reserves since January 2002 are eligible to apply. The Canada Company Scholarship Fund will provide scholarship grants to children dating back to January 1, 2002 .

Canada Company scholarships have received leadership funding in the amount of $1 million from the CIBC. Additional financial support was secured from Power Corporation; Peter Munk , Founder and Chairman of Barrick Gold Corporation; Jim Balsillie, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Research In Motion (RIM); RBH Inc.; The W. Garfield Weston Foundation; The TD Bank Financial Group, BMO Financial Group; Scotiabank; Standard Life; and AGF Management Limited. Canada Company is calling on other members of the corporate community to contribute to this important initiative.

Canada Company oversees the fund through an independent committee, along with members of the Canadian Forces, to ensure that bereaved children have the opportunity to receive this scholarship.

About Canada Company

Canada Company is a federally registered charity created in 2006 which brings community leaders from across Canada together to support Canadian soldiers in the work that they do at home and abroad. The organization is apolitical and is an advocate for Canadians who serve, or wish to serve, in the Canadian Forces - regular and reserve - and their families, ensuring that they receive the widest possible support, recognition and care. Canada Company's motto is Many Ways To Serve. Visit www.canadacompany.ca

For further information: or to arrange interviews, please contact: Zane Piekenbrock, Managing Director, Canada Company, Office: [phone], Mobile: [phone], [email protected]