Canadian Tire Offers Funds and Volunteers to Rebuild High Park Playground Following Weekend Fire

• Pledges $50,000 to help rebuild children's playground
• Will host a community weekend in High Park for all those who want to help and contribute to rebuilding of popular children's playground

TORONTO, March 18, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadian Tire will engage Toronto families and offer funds to help rebuild a popular children's playground in High Park after it was extensively damaged by fire over the weekend.

Canadian Tire is pledging up to $50,000 to fund the rebuilding of the Jamie Bell Adventure Park - a large wooden castle and play area that was originally built by volunteers in 1998.  Additionally, Canadian Tire will work with the City of Toronto and area volunteers to host a community event in High Park.  This will be an opportunity for Canadian Tire volunteers and local families interested in helping with the rebuild to contribute. Local Canadian Tire stores and Dealers are also supporting the reconstruction of the facility.

"For 90 years, Canadian Tire has been an anchor in Canadian communities.  Children having fun, playing and enjoying the outdoors is one of the core reasons why we exist as a company - and is why we want to make sure the Jamie Bell Adventure Park is quickly rebuilt for Toronto's families," said Duncan Fulton, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Canadian Tire.

Canadian Tire will work closely with City Councillor Sarah Doucette and the City of Toronto to ensure a quick rebuild of the High Park playground so families can again enjoy this important Toronto landmark.

ABOUT CANADIAN TIRE

Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX: CTC.a) (TSX: CTC) is one of Canada's most-shopped general retailers and the country's largest sporting goods retailer, with more than 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets from coast-to-coast. Our primary retail business categories - Automotive, Living, Fixing, Sports, Playing and Apparel - are supported and strengthened by our Financial Services division, which offers such products and services as Canadian Tire Home Services, credit cards, retail deposits, in-store financing, product warranties, and insurance. Nearly 68,000 people are employed across the Canadian Tire enterprise, which was founded in 1922 and remains one of Canada's most recognized and trusted brands.

Sarah Van Lange - (m) 647-287-9582

Amy Cole - (m) 416-997-9825