RBC renews its support of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship's Cultural Access Program
TORONTO, March 6, 2013 /CNW/ - RBC today announced a $300,000 commitment to the Institute for Canadian Citizenship's (ICC) Cultural Access Pass program, helping new Canadian citizens explore our country's cultural attractions for free. RBC has committed more than $575,000 to the program during the past four years.
The Cultural Access Pass (CAP) is a gift to Canada's newest citizens and their children, offering a year of free access to almost 1,200 museums, historic sites, national and provincial parks across the country. It introduces new citizens to a variety of Canadian experiences, including access to online volunteer and employment resources. And, CAP helps Canada's cultural attractions connect with a new audience to build future ambassadors, volunteers and potential donors.
"We believe in the power of communities and the individuals who live in them," Shari Austin, vice-president, Corporate Citizenship, RBC. "The Cultural Access Pass creates a great opportunity to connect new citizens to a wealth of Canadian cultural places, spaces and experiences. We're proud to partner with the Institute for Canadian Citizenship to welcome new citizens and celebrate Canadian citizenship."
With RBC's support, the Cultural Access Pass has experienced a tremendous expansion:
- Its roster of attractions has increased from 127 to almost 1,200;
- More than 60,000 new citizens have participated in the program - 168 new citizens once registered in a single day;
- With additional support from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (ICC's other key partner), every new citizen - 170,000 each year - is now introduced to CAP at their citizenship ceremony
"Since 2008, the RBC Foundation has been a champion of our Cultural Access Pass program," said Leith Bishop, Acting Executive Director, Institute for Canadian Citizenship. "Its support has empowered us to build a truly national program that touches each and every new Canadian citizen, as well as our attractions who are eager to foster long term relationships with members. RBC shares our passion for inclusion, and we look forward to having them in our corner for the next three years and beyond."
Who is eligible for a Cultural Access Pass?
A new citizen becomes eligible for a Cultural Access Pass the day he/she receives his/her Canadian citizenship. New citizens must be 18 years of age or older to participate, but each member can use his/her pass with up to four minor dependent children (under 18 years of age). The pass is valid for one year, expiring on the first anniversary of a member's date of citizenship (not the date of registration). Members can visit any participating attraction as many times as he/she wishes during their year of eligibility.
Visit culturalaccesspass.ca for full details.
ABOUT THE ICC
The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is a national, non-profit charity that promotes active citizenship. Through innovative programs and partnerships, the ICC works to ensure new citizens are welcomed and included as equals, create meaningful connections among all Canadians, foster a culture of engaged citizens and celebrate what it means to be Canadian. Our Building Citizenship program welcomes and connects new citizens by hosting community-led citizenship ceremonies across Canada. Our Cultural Access Pass (CAP) program introduces new citizens to Canadian experiences by offering a year of free access to almost 1,200 attractions from coast-to-coast-to-coast. The LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium, our intellectual platform, is a national, interactive lecture on citizenship. And ICC Insights, our partner-focused initiative, brings new citizen voices to national conversations through collaborative projects. The ICC was founded and is co-chaired by the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul, and is supported by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). For more information, visit icc-icc.ca. You can also follow us on Twitter @ICCICC).
ABOUT RBC COMMUNITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We employ approximately 80,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 49 other countries. RBC is recognized among the world's financial, social and environmental leaders and is listed on the 2012 - 2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, the DJSI North American Index, the Jantzi Social Index and the FTSE4Good Index. RBC is one of Canada's Greenest Employers, one of Canada's 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations and among the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World.
RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2012, we contributed more than $95 million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $64 million and $31 million in sponsorships.
SOURCE: Institute for Canadian Citizenship
Jess Duerden, Institute for Canadian Citizenship
(416) 593-6998 ext.225 | [email protected]
André Roberts, Corporate Communications, RBC
(416) 974-3678 | [email protected]
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