MTS now accepting applications for Future First community grants

Ten $10,000 awards to be presented in May 2014

Stock Symbol:  MBT

WINNIPEG, Feb. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - Starting today, youth-serving organizations in Manitoba are invited to apply for one of ten MTS Future First community grants. Valued at $10,000 each, the grants will be awarded to organizations focused on bettering the lives of Manitoba's young people.

"MTS's Future First community grants are an important new addition to our community investment program," said Pierre Blouin, Chief Executive Officer of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. "Our intent is to work with youth-serving organizations in our communities to remove barriers to success and help our young people achieve their full potential."

To qualify for a Future First community grant, applicants must clearly identify how the project or program will achieve at least one of the following results for Manitoba youth under the age of 24:

• Enhance knowledge, skills and/or leadership capabilities
• Develop/acquire skills to make healthy and positive life choices
• Increase capacity to cope with life's challenges

The barriers facing many of Manitoba's youth are varied and complex - ranging from poverty, lack of access to education and healthcare support, and accessibility challenges.  Numerous organizations in Manitoba are working to overcome these obstacles as well as provide growth and development opportunities through education, the arts, recreation and sport.

"Through MTS Future First grants, MTS intends to support the work of these organizations and provide the means for them to create new initiatives," added Mr. Blouin. "We hope this funding represents a new sense of hope and opportunity and we can't wait to get started."

After an initial screening process, Manitobans will be able to vote online to choose the top 20 organizations deserving of the $10,000 grants.  A group of prominent Manitobans, including youth, will select the final ten recipients from the shortlisted candidates.

MTS will present the ten $10,000 grants at a special event in May, in honour of Manitoba Day on May 12, 2014, the official anniversary of the founding of the province of Manitoba. For more details about the application process, please visit the MTS Future First website at www.mts.ca/futurefirst.

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]