Metro partners with the Fondation québécoise en environnement to carry out
environmental projects in schools

The initiative is part of Metro's Green Apple School Program

MONTREAL, June 8 /CNW Telbec/ - Metro and its merchants are proud to announce that they are partnering with the Fondation québécoise en environnement (FQE) to implement four environmental projects in schools. Across the province, these projects will help raise students' awareness to environmental causes and sustainable development, and will teach them to find out more about "green" initiatives. Metro's Green Apple School Program will contribute $320,000 to the FQE to help fund these projects.

The FQE saluted Metro's initiative and the students' awareness of environmental issues. "Today's young people understand how fragile our planet is, and they are increasingly adopting responsible behaviours. We would like to thank Metro and its merchants for their generosity, their environmental awareness and, more specifically, their financial support for four of our major projects, namely the Richelieu Project, the Environmental and Citizenship Education Program, ÉCOCAMPUS and Un monde allant vert," declared FQE General Director, Claude Hill.

The Green Apple School Program is back for a second year

Since its inception in September 2009, the Green Apple School Program has reached thousands of young people across Quebec - from Gatineau to Carleton-sur-Mer, and from the Eastern Townships to the Mauricie - encouraging them to lead healthy lives that are respectful of the environment. Participating schools completed a wide variety of green initiatives, such as recycling and composting, tree planting and landscaping projects. A total of 680 schools across Quebec each received $1,000 to fund projects focused on creating a healthier environment and on community well-being.

"At Metro, we believe it is our responsibility to protect and promote the environment, which is what inspired us to launch the Green Apple School Program, in collaboration with all our merchants. The positive results encouraged us to repeat the experience for a second year. We were very impressed by the quality and originality of the projects," stated Christian Bourbonnière, Senior Vice-President, Quebec Division of Metro Inc.

The Green Apple School Program, a Metro initiative, will contribute up to $2 million to environmental projects in Quebec and Ontario's schools.

Description of the FQE projects supported by Metro Green Apple School Program

Richelieu Project

Encompassing almost 90 Quebec elementary and high schools, this environmental awareness project allows students to visit nature parks accompanied by a trained guide. On average, some 40 students and two or three teachers per school took part in these excursions, which were organized in collaboration with the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq) and Richelieu supermarkets. Metro's financial contribution to the Richelieu Project totalled $50,000.

Environmental and Citizenship Education Program (ECEP)

This program allows elementary, high school and college students to get involved in their communities by taking part in projects that focus on resolving community problems, with support from their teachers and an expert in the field of action research. In addition to teachers, the ECEP involved parents, merchants and businesses in the target communities. Metro's financial contribution to the ECEP totalled $150,000, or about $6,000 per school.

ÉCOCAMPUS

The objective of this program is to promote sustainable development practices (environment and healthy lifestyle) in collaboration with universities, colleges, school boards, schools, teachers and students. Metro's financial contribution to ÉCOCAMPUS totalled $100,000.

Un monde allant vert

The FQE developed this program over five years ago with the support of Fondation Jeunes-Projet. The initiative is extremely popular among elementary and high school students. Grants of $200-300 are given to each team of students to complete small projects related to sustainable development and the environment. The best projects are displayed at an annual exhibit attended by over 2,000 participants, and the winners receive prizes and honourable mentions. Metro's financial contribution to Un monde allant vert totalled $20,000.

For additional information on the Green Apple School Program, go to www.fonds-eco-ecole.ca/; projects can be submitted again starting in September.

About Metro Inc.

With nearly $11 billion in annual sales and more than 65,000 employees, Metro Inc. is a leader in the food and pharmaceutical sectors in Quebec and Ontario, where it operates a network of some 600 grocery stores under several banners, including Metro, Metro Plus, GP, Super C and Food Basics, as well as over 250 pharmacies, mainly under the Brunet, The Pharmacy and Drug Basics banners.

For further information: Marie-Claude Bacon, Director, Corporate Affairs, Metro Inc., [phone], [email protected]