INSTITUTE FOR CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP EXPANDS CULTURAL ACCESS PASS PROGRAM TO INCLUDE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES FOR NEW CITIZENS

INSTITUTE FOR CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP EXPANDS CULTURAL ACCESS PASS PROGRAM TO INCLUDE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES FOR NEW CITIZENS

Toronto, April 19, 2010 – The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), in partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation and the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation, is expanding its highly successful Cultural Access Pass program to include outdoor experiences and wildlife education for new citizens for one year from the day they receive their citizenship. On April 25, the three partners will offer a special retreat for new citizens and their families at Tim Horton Onondaga Farms in St. George, Ontario (264 Glen Morris Road E, RR2).
 
“We are absolutely delighted to be offering new citizens outdoor experiences and wildlife education,” said the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, ICC’s founder and co-chair. “We’re very pleased to be working with the Canadian Wildlife Federation and the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation on this endeavour. Nature and outdoor experiences are among the most unique treasures Canada has to offer. This retreat will give new citizens a chance to experience first-hand the unique wildlife and landscape of their new home.”

Clarkson added, “This day-at-camp is a pilot project and with its anticipated success, we plan to replicate it at various Tim Horton Children’s Foundation camps across Canada.”

More than 200 new citizens from the Greater Toronto Area and the Kitchener-Waterloo region are expected to attend the retreat. Participants will learn about native wildlife and landscapes through tours of the 400 acre property at Onondaga Farms, plant American Chestnut trees, and engage in learning sessions on conservation citizenship.

Activities will begin at 10 a.m.  In recognition of Earth Day (April 22), Clarkson will also participate in an official tree planting ceremony with new citizens from noon to 2 p.m.

“Many newcomers have chosen Canada as the place to leave a legacy for their families, and we want them to also leave a positive lasting impact on the natural habitats of their new home lands,” said Wade Luzny, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. “This event complements many of the existing education and outreach programs CWF has developed in an effort to engage all Canadians to taking action in conservation.”
“We are very focused on maintaining the natural environment of this area and educating our campers on conservation issues,” said John Malcolmson, General Manager, Tim Horton Onondaga Farms. “We host Earth Day events every year so we felt this partnership with the ICC and CWF was a great chance to show off our unique property while exposing these families to the experience of camp.” 

The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is a national, non-profit organization founded and co-chaired by the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul dedicated to engaging Canadians about citizenship. Launched in 2008, the ICC’s Cultural Access Pass (CAP) engages new citizens in cultural experiences through complimentary access to partner spaces and institutions for one year from the day they receive their citizenship. 

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national non-profit charitable organization dedicated to ensuring an appreciation of our natural world and a lasting legacy of healthy wildlife and habitat.

The Tim Horton Children’s Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization committed to providing an enriched and memorable camp experience to economically disadvantaged children.   

For further information please contact:
Naoko Kumagai, Director of Communications
Institute for Canadian Citizenship
nkumagai@icc-icc.ca
416-593-6998 x225
Cell: 416-459-6466

Heather Robison, Media and Community Relations
Canadian Wildlife Federation
heatherr@cwf-fcf.org
306-550-4155

John Malcolmson, General Manager, Tim Horton Onondaga Farms
Tim Horton Children’s Foundation
malcolmson_john@timhortons.com
519-448-1264