Petro-Canada's Paralympic Schools Program and the WorksafeBC Paralympic Team
receive Vancouver 2010 Sustainability Stars

The Canadian Paralympic Committee, Petro-Canada, and WorksafeBC are recognized for their positive and measurable social, economic, and environmental impacts

VANCOUVER , Feb. 9 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is pleased to announce that the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) has awarded Sustainability Stars to two of its programs: It's the Real Deal, a schools awareness program supported by Petro-Canada, and the WorkSafeBC Paralympic Team. The Sustainability Star awards program was created by VANOC to recognize Games partners and sponsors for initiatives directly linked to the Vancouver 2010 Games that demonstrate a contribution to two or more sustainability features (social, economic and/or environmental).

Petro-Canada's "It's The Real Deal" Paralympic Schools Program is a free online teachers' resource that provides Canadian students with a unique opportunity to learn more about the Paralympic Movement, Paralympic athletes and Paralympic Sports. "It's the Real Deal" demonstrates a social benefit because it educates students about equality and inclusiveness. It also demonstrates an environmental benefit because all materials associated with the program are only available online, thereby reducing printing and the environmental impact.

"Since November 2008 , we have had more than 20,000 visitors to our Paralympic Schools Program website," said Steven Keith , Director of Olympic Acitvation, Petro-Canada. "We're thrilled to have helped the Canadian Paralympic Committee share the Paralympic Spirit with so many students across Canada ."

The WorksafeBC Paralympic Team, a regional speakers program, was awarded the Sustainability Star for the social and economic benefit the program provides. Through this program, BC Paralympic athletes who are injured workers talk to students, community groups and workplaces. By sharing their stories the athletes create the social benefits of greater awareness of disability and change attitudes among B.C. employers and workers regarding workplace safety. As a result, the program provides an economic benefit because it supports a reduction in the number of workplace injuries and the human and financial costs associated with them.

"We are so pleased VANOC has recognized our program and honoured it with a Sustainability Star," said Scott McCloy, WorkSafeBC's director of Communications. "As momentum around Vancouver 2010 grows, our Paralympians are perfect representatives for our campaign to increase workplace safety and excellent role models for all workers to strive for workplace safety."

The Sustainability Star has been created to draw attention to sustainability innovations related to Vancouver 2010. The program runs until March 31, 2010 , and will highlight Canada's social, economic and environmental efforts as we welcome the world to Whistler and Vancouver this winter.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is a non-profit, private organization with 43 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement by empowering Canadians with a disability through sport. The CPC is responsible for managing the team of athletes who represent Canada at Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the CPC inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its members. For more information visit, www.paralympic.ca and follow the CPC on Facebook and Twitter.

About Petro-Canada

Petro-Canada is an ongoing supporter of Canada's Paralympic athletes and a National Partner for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. In addition to the Petro-Canada Paralympic Schools Program, we also support the Paralympic Equipment Fund and the Canadian Paralympic Team through programs like the Canadian Athlete Family Program.

About WorksafeBC

WorkSafeBC is an independent provincial statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors that serves about two million workers and more than 200,000 employers. WorkSafeBC was born from the historic compromise between B.C.'s workers and employers in 1917 where workers gave up the right to sue their employers and fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. WorkSafeBC is committed to safe and healthy workplaces and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits.

For further information: Andrée Dion, Communications Coordinator, Canadian Paralympic, Committee, [phone]; Melissa Graham, Edelman Public Relations for Petro-Canada, [phone] ext. 350; Scott McCloy, Director, Communications and Stakeholder Relations, WorkSafeBC, [phone]