Survey from Delta Hotels and Resorts finds Quebecers make good neighbours and
like to party

Survey kicks off $1 million fundraising challenge for community charities

MONTREAL, April 20 /CNW/ - A national survey conducted by Delta Hotels and Resorts shows Quebecers (46%), along with Nova Scotians (49%), are the most likely in Canada to consider themselves very good neighbours, and are the most likely to know their neighbours very well.

Quebecers (38%) are significantly more likely than those living in any other province (average 26%) to live in a neighbourhood that celebrates with block parties and community events throughout the year.*

Delta Hotels and Resorts conducted the survey in March 2010 to support the launch of its Good Neighbours Challenge 2010, a charitable initiative with the ambitious goal of raising $1 million dollars and donating 10,000 volunteer hours to charities and organizations in local communities across the country.

"The survey proves Quebecers are proud to call themselves good neighbours," said Raymond Larivée, Regional Vice President, Quebec Region, Delta Hotels and Resorts. "The Good Neighbours Challenge is an ambitious campaign, but it is also a demonstration of the strength of our commitment to making a difference in our local communities."

*for full survey results, see below.

In 2010, Delta properties in Montreal, Sherbrooke, Quebec City and Trois-Rivières will support the campaign by hosting charitable events, donating employee volunteer hours and raising money for local causes. Coming up next this year is the Delta Centre-Ville's participation in the Canadian Cancer Society's relay for life on June 11th in Montreal, for which they are beginning to take donations on April 23rd.

The Good Neighbours Challenge will focus on four main areas: improving access to affordable housing, protecting the environment, supporting neighbourhood causes and volunteering.

The Good Neighbours Challenge is a part of Delta's corporate social responsibility program, Delta Helps and demonstrates Delta's commitment to strengthening Canadian communities. Whether it is building a home for a family in need with Habitat for Humanity, hosting a food drive or planning a community car wash, Delta is committed to making a difference one hour and one dollar at a time.

Quebecers are invited to join the conversation about what makes a good neighbour via Twitter. Follow @DeltaHotelsLtd for chances to win free stays at Delta hotels and resorts across Canada.

For more information please visit www.deltahotels.com/goodneighbours

About Delta Hotels and Resorts

A leading Canadian hotel management company, Delta Hotels and Resorts operates and franchises a diversified portfolio with 45 full-service, city centre and airport hotels and resorts under the Delta brand. Widely regarded as Canada's "brand of choice" by guests and owners, Delta also distinguishes itself as an exemplary employer. It is the only hotel company to have been recognized for its sustained focus on business excellence by the prestigious National Quality Institute with three Canada Awards for Excellence, including the award program's highest honour, the Order of Excellence (2007). The company also consistently ranks as one of the country's best employers in The Globe and Mail's Report on Business annual "50 Best Employers" list (2001-2003, 2005-2010). As well, its Corporate Social Responsibility platform, Delta Helps, includes a chain-wide commitment to the communities it serves through a national partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada, participation in the Hotel Association of Canada's Green Key Eco-Rating program, and work with various other charitable groups.

For more information, visit www.deltahotels.com.

    
    * Delta Good Neighbours Challenge Survey Summary
    --------------------------------------------------
    

To help kick off the challenge, in March 2010 Delta Hotels and Resorts commissioned a survey by Angus Reid of 2,526 adult Canadians asking them what makes a good neighbour.

    
    Regional Findings for Quebec:

    Canada's Best and Worst Neighbours
    -   Nova Scotians (49%) and Quebecers (46%) are most likely to consider
        themselves to be a very good neighbour
    -   British Columbians (41%) are the least likely to consider themselves
        to be a very good neighbour

    Canada's closest neighbours
    -   Nova Scotians (20%) and Quebecers (18%) are more likely than
        residents of any other provinces to feel that they know their
        neighbours very well.
    -   British Columbians (40%) and Albertans (40%) are more likely than
        residents of any other provinces to feel that they know their
        neighbours not very well or not at all well

    Quebecers prize their privacy
    -   Most every area in Canada consider having a neighbour 'Keep an eye
        out when I'm on vacation and bring in my mail/papers' was the top
        thing a neighbour could do for you except in Quebec where 76%
        responded 'Let me have my privacy' was the top thing a neighbour
        could do for them

    Quebecers aren't supportive, but they love to party!
    -   Quebecers (31%) are significantly less likely than the national
        average (42%) to feel that their neighbourhood does come together to
        support one another in difficult times
    -   Quebecers (38%) are significantly more likely than those living in
        any other province (average 26%) to live in a neighbourhood that
        celebrates with block parties and community events throughout the
        year

    Quebecers would like to have Celine next door:
    -   27% of Quebecers think Celine Dion would make the best celebrity
        neighbour

    National Results:

    We think we make great neighbours!
    -   An overwhelming majority of Canadians (94%) consider themselves to be
        a good neighbour. 44% consider themselves to be a very good neighbour
        and 50% consider themselves to be a moderately good neighbour.

    We trust our neighbours (for the most part)
    -   18% of Canadians trust their neighbours completely (rating of 10)
    -   3% do not trust their neighbours at all (rating of 0)
    -   72% of Canadians trust their neighbours at least somewhat
        (rating 6-10)
    -   13% of Canadians do not trust their neighbours (rating 0-4)

    We look out for each other
    -   Four in ten (42%) of Canadians feel that their neighbourhood does
        come together to support one another in difficult times

    Our dream neighbour is handy
    -   Canadians see Mike Holmes (21%) as their ideal Canadian celebrity
        neighbour, followed by David Suzuki (12%) and Wayne Gretzky and
        Celine Dion (both at 7%)
    -   Quebecers (27%) are more likely to choose Celine Dion
    -   Albertans (13%) are more likely to choose Wayne Gretzky
    -   British Columbians (10%) are more likely to choose Sarah McLachlan

    The Top Three things we do that make us a good neighbour:

    1.  Kindness and consideration (71%)
    2.  Looking out for our neighbours (65%)
    3.  Keeping our property tidy (62%)

    The Top Three things our neighbour can do for us:
    1.  Keep an eye out for us when we're on vacation and bring in our
        mail/papers (61%)
    2.  Let us have our privacy (55%)
    3.  Keeping their property tidy (39%)
    

For further information: Megan Ainscow, Media Profile Montreal, Office: [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]; Sandy Indig, Delta Hotels and Resorts, Office: [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]