Since its inception in 2006, Canada Company has taken a leadership role in developing and supporting initiatives that help our men and women who serve and the work that they do at home and abroad.

Initiatives have included large, far-reaching projects such as the establishment of a Scholarship Fund for children whose parent was killed while on active duty with the Canadian Forces. Other initiatives include fundraising for hospitals in Kabul and Kandahar as well as a week-long sleep-away camp for children of deployed Canadian Forces members.

Following are additional details on the initiatives Canada Company has either spearheaded or been involved with.

2009 CANADA COMPANY SCHOLARSHIPS (PDF)

TRUE PATRIOT LOVE TRIBUTE DINNER 2009 (External Link)

PROJECT HERO (External Link)

SUMMER COTTAGE RENTALS FOR SERVING CANADIAN FORCES MEMBERS

In the summer of 2009, David Beatty, and his wife Debbie, generously donated several weeks’ worth of cottage rentals for Canadian Forces soldiers and their families from Ontario. The two cottages, on the shores of Lake Simcoe, provide a perfect setting for a family get-away. David Beatty is a Professor of Strategic Management at the Rotman School of Management and a Conway Director at the Clarkson Centre for Business Ethics and Board Effectiveness. David has been a great supporter of Canada’s military and was an early member of Canada Company. His father, Col. Timothy Beatty, served in World War II with The Royal Regiment of Canada. In addition, David has also given generously of his time as a regular lecturer at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto.

ONTARIO CHILDREN'S CAMP

In March 2009, Land Forces Central Area (the Army in Ontario) organized a Spring Break Camp for children of deployed parents. Sixty-nine children and teenagers from across Ontario took part in High Ropes, Scavenger Hunts and other fun and challenging activities at the Bark Lake Leadership Centre in Irondale, Ontario. Everyone took home unforgettable memories. An event like this would not have been possible without the support of Canada Company and its members. This event will be held again in Ontario and a pilot camp will be held in Quebec in 2010.

CANADA COMPANY FEATURED IN TVO’S GET INVOLVED CAMPAIGN

This fall, Canada Company was chosen as the first non-profit organization to be featured in TVO’s exciting new initiative, Get Involved, a campaign developed to motivate people to effect positive change in the world around them. Beginning on Sunday, October 26th, TVO will premiere a series of 25 Get Involved documentary shorts, including one on Canada Company featuring its Founder Blake Goldring. These inspirational documentary shorts will celebrate people from seven to 70 who are making a difference in their schools, in their community and through their work. At the end of each profile, viewers will be directed to the Get Involved website, to transform that inspiration into action. At www.getinvolved.ca, viewers can connect with like-minded individuals and not-for-profits, charities and other community organizations whose goals they share and help make a difference. Look out for the Canada Company story on TVO to learn more about how Canada Company supports our men and women who serve in the Canadian Forces and Reserves: AIRTIMES ON TVO: Date Time Duration 10/26/08 20:47:40:00 0:04 10/29/08 21:51:33:00 0:04 10/30/08 19:50:45:00 0:04 10/31/08 21:48:30:00 0:04 11/3/08 19:51:11:00 0:04 11/4/08 19:25:22:00 0:04 11/5/08 19:53:45:00 0:04 11/7/08 19:51:21:00 0:04 11/9/08 20:47:41:00 0:04 11/10/08 19:55:00:00 0:04 11/12/08 19:25:00:00 0:04 11/14/08 19:55:00:00 0:04 11/18/08 21:55:00:00 0:04 11/18/08 19:25:00:00 0:04 11/17/08 19:55:00:00 0:04 11/20/08 21:55:00:00 0:04 You can also pay tribute and show your support for the Canadian Forces by taking TVO’s and Canada Company’s Remembrance Day challenge.

CANADA COMPANY LAUNCHES 2008 SCHOLARSHIP FUND FIRST THREE RECIPIENTS NAMED

Canada Company launched a scholarship fund in October 2007 in recognition of the selfless sacrifice that Canada’s brave military personnel make in the service of our country. In February 2008, three children of Canadian bereaved military families became the first beneficiaries of the fund. “By significantly boosting the support already available to these children, we hope that each and every child will receive the benefits of a post-secondary education and will not be hindered by financial constraints,” explains Canada Company founder Blake Goldring. “This is an example of how Canada Company supports military families.” The scholarship fund provides up to $4,000 per year for up to four years to support the post-secondary education of students who qualify. CIBC provided the initial leadership funding of $1 million to get this fund off the ground. “Since the initial launch, a number of business contributors have helped to grow the fund to $2.0 million,” added Blake Goldring. “Canada Company is pleased to play this facilitating role to help bridge a gap needed to support the men and women who serve and their families.” Please visit our Scholarship page to learn more about the Canada Company Scholarship Fund.

CANADA COMPANY HELPS TROOPS OUTREACH RAISING $250,000 AT THE TORONTO GARRISON OFFICERS’ BALL

Canada Company and The Royal Regiment of Canada helped raise $250,000 for hospital construction projects in Afghanistan at the annual Toronto Garrison Officers’ Ball held February 16, 2008 in Toronto. Working in cooperation with UNICEF, North York General Hospital Foundation and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), this funding goes a long way to supporting the efforts of our troops and their community work overseas. “Canada Company was thrilled to be able to bring members of the business community into this time-honoured tradition and use this special event to make a difference,” said Canada Company founder Blake Goldring. “The response from the business community was tremendous with a number of major sponsors coming on board, together with numerous individuals and companies who purchased tickets.” In addition to 30 corporate tables, major sponsors included the RBC Foundation, Griffiths McBurney, Classical 96.3 FM, Globe and Mail, and Time Canada. The funding from the Ball targets one of Afghanistan’s most serious medical problems, maternal mortality. Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world with 18,000 to 25,000 women dying from complications due to childbirth every year. That’s one woman dying every 27 minutes. The Khairkhana District of Kabul province, with a population of a million people, is served by only one hospital, Khairkhana. To date, this hospital has received no direct international assistance. The quality of care and availability of medical equipment in the hospital is very low and newborn infants with complications cannot be admitted because of lack of facilities and qualified health practitioners. Funds raised at the Garrison Ball will directly benefit the hospital to ensure a high level of care. Doctors, nurses, maternity and paediatric ward staff are being trained in emergency obstetric and newborn care. The maternity and paediatric wards will receive new equipment and supplies including complete obstetric surgical kits, midwifery kits, medications, emergency kits and baby furniture. As well, funds were also directed to a major medical clinic in Kandahar. $250,000 raised for hospitals in Afghanistan Advertisement, The Globe and Mail

CANADA COMPANY BOOSTS SOVEREIGNTY ADOPTING CADET CORPS

In May 2008, Canada Company announced its support for The Royal Regiment of Canada’s (RRC) adoption of the 3045 Arctic Bay Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps. Canada Company has created an important link between a regiment in Toronto, Canada’s largest urban centre, and a Cadet Corps in Arctic Bay, one of the country’s most remote communities to help create awareness and provide support to youth who are truly Canada’s eyes and ears in a distant part of our country. “Many of Canada’s natural resources – oil, diamonds, and water – are situated in the northern parts of our country and we need to ensure that they are protected,” said Canada Company founder Blake Goldring. “As Canadians, it is important that we assert our sovereignty by protecting our borders and our resources and ensuring that those on the front lines have our support.” This funding will provide additional resources for activities such as citizenship trips outside the area, unit scholarships and extra field training exercises. The official adoption also permits the Cadet Corps to take on some of the traditions of the Regiment. Cadets are now entitled to wear RRC regalia as part of their uniform. At the official adoption ceremony, the cadets were presented with cap badges and a flag displaying the crest of the Arctic Bay Corps and the RRC. Battalion General Chris Whitecross and Lieutenant Commander Linda Mushanski officiated at the ceremony. The Arctic Bay Corps is also affiliated with two other corps associated with the RRC. Arctic Bay is a village of approximately 750 people located on the Borden Peninsula of northern Baffin Island. Positioned on the northern shore of Adams Sound, off the Admiralty Inlet, Arctic Bay is approximately 1,000 km northwest of Iqaluit. “It is important to show our friends in this Northwest Passage that they are not alone, that their efforts in protecting our country are being recognized,” added Hon. Col. Goldring. “This initiative is just one example of how Canada Company is helping to build a bridge between business and those who serve.”

CANADA COMPANY HELPS RESOLVE WIDOW’S DEATH BENEFITS

One of the first initiatives Canada Company was involved with was successfully helping to amend the War Exclusion Clause on mortgage insurance documents as a result of coming to the aid of a widow whose death benefit claim was initially denied. Upon learning of the incident, Canada Company members acted quickly behind the scenes with financial sector Chief Executive Officers to put in place a mechanism to resolve similar situations expeditiously in the future.

SOCCER BALLS TO AFGHANISTAN

In a show of friendship and goodwill, Canada Company joined the Mosaic Institute to send Canadian troops in Afghanistan 5,000 soccer balls to give to Afghani children.