MTS Announces 20 Finalists for Future First community grants

Online voting open from April 7-19, 2014

Stock Symbol:  MBT

WINNIPEG, April 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Until April 19, Manitobans will help determine the 10 youth serving organizations that will share $100,000 in MTS Future First community grants. Twenty finalists have been selected and online voting is now open.

"We were overwhelmed by the response to our first community grant offering under MTS Future First," said Pierre Blouin, Chief Executive Officer.  "We received more than 100 outstanding applications, and now we want as many Manitobans as possible to be involved in the selection process. MTS Future First is all about supporting young Manitobans and creating the kind of community we want for generations to come. And we want Manitobans to have a voice in shaping our collective future."

Starting today, Manitobans are invited to vote online by visiting mts.ca/grants. A shortlist of 15 projects will move forward to a final selection committee of community leaders who will determine the final 10 community grants recipients for 2014.

"Manitoba is a place where creativity, innovation and generosity intersect," added Mr. Blouin. "The calibre of the submissions we received reflects the character of a place that fundamentally understands what it means to be a community. MTS is proud to have this extraordinary opportunity to support the work of dedicated, caring individuals across the province."

MTS will present the 10 grants of $10,000 each on Manitoba Day, May 12, 2014.

MTS would like to invite all Manitobans to take a moment to vote for their favorite project and to share the opportunity with friends, family and colleagues. Everyone who votes is also eligible to win one of seven pairs of tickets to see Lady Gaga perform at the MTS Centre from the MTS Suite on May 22, 2014.

A list of the Top 20 finalists can be found here.

About MTS Future First
MTS Future First: Connecting Today's Youth to Tomorrow is a multi-faceted community investment program that includes sponsorships, grants, donations, scholarships, employee volunteerism and fundraising programs to help in the advancement of Manitoba youth and reflects MTS's philosophy of investing and giving back to our community. The program articulates a clear vision for MTS's ongoing contribution to a thriving economy fueled by a vibrant, diverse workforce - one nurtured in healthy communities that provide opportunity and optimism for our young people. In 2013, MTS donated more than 1% of its pre-tax profits to charitable purposes in Manitoba.  For more information about Future First, please visit www.mts.ca/futurefirst, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About MTS
MTS is the leading full-service communications provider for residential and business customers in Manitoba. The company's suite of products and services include the latest in wireless technology, high-speed Internet, an award-winning IPTV service, voice services, home security, and an extensive range of business solutions.  A technology leader, MTS operates advanced wireless networks delivering the best coverage for Manitobans with its 4G, CDMA and Wi-Fi wireless networks and is investing to build out its extensive fibre-to-the-home network in over 20 Manitoba communities. MTS's momentum is fuelled by the knowledge, skills and spirit of its 3,000 Manitoba-based employees. With over 100 years of operations, MTS is rooted firmly in the community and is a proud sponsor of the MTS Centre, home to the NHL's Winnipeg Jets. MTS is wholly owned by Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. which is listed on the TSX (trading symbol: MBT). For information on MTS's products and services, please visit www.mts.ca.

Forward-looking Statements Disclaimer
This news release includes forward-looking statements and information (collectively, the "statements") about MTS's future financial results, performance and sales opportunities that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. As a consequence, actual results in the future may differ materially from any conclusion, forecast or projection in such forward-looking statements. Therefore, forward-looking statements should be considered carefully and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Examples of statements that constitute forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "believe", "expect", "project", "should", "anticipate", "could", "target", "forecast", "intend", "plan", "outlook", "see", "set", "pending", and other similar terms.

Factors that could cause anticipated opportunities and actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, matters identified in the "Material assumptions" section and the "Risks and uncertainties" section of the Company's 2013 Annual, and 2013 Annual Information Form, both of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Please note that forward-looking statements reflect Management's expectations as at the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: MTS Allstream

Media:  
Samantha Lapedus
Corporate Communications
204-958-3230
[email protected]