Community and Environment

A community is much more than shared geography. It is the power of people brought together by shared goals and expectations, working toward a common future to improve their quality of life, particularly for those who are most in need. Our community initiatives include:

Charitable Giving

• Our Employee Charity Trust is a gift matching program in Manitoba through which employee/corporate donations go to United Way, Canadian Cancer Society, Salvation Army and Heart and Stroke Foundation and other deserving organizations.
• The company has long been a consistent contributor to United Way campaigns financially across the country, through special events and volunteer activities.
• We support Ability Online, a national Internet-based care giving community, based in Ontario, designed to enhance the lives of children and youth with disabilities or illness. More than 150 hospitals, rehabilitation centres and schools have partnered with Ability Online to expand its reach and influence.

Environment

• Through its volunteers and in-kind contributions, we have been a long-time supporter of the Computers for Schools Program. Equipment removed from service at MTS Allstream is first repaired and then recycled for donation. In 2006, some 2,700 computers and 450 printers were donated to schools across Manitoba.
• At MTS, we participate in a program that offers employees a 30 per cent price reduction on the cost of monthly bus passes. This "EcoPass Employer Sponsored Bus Pass Program" is designed to increase transit ridership and help protect our environment. Some 15 per cent of MTS employees participate in this program. We are developing plans to roll out similar programs in other communities where we have operations.

Education

• Our MTS scholarship award program, "Pursue your Calling," encourages students in Manitoba to study in areas of high demand in the telecommunications industry. The program is part of our long-standing commitment to education in the province. More.
• In Allstream, emphasis is placed on supporting programs that employ technology to connect students, teachers, classrooms, institutions and communities. We also focus on projects that help students develop their leadership abilities - such as Junior Achievement of Halton's "Our Business World" programs.

The Arts and Culture

• We sponsor cultural and arts events/organizations across the country. Sponsorships include the Festival du Voyageur, Western Canada's largest French Canadian festival.
• Royal Winnipeg Ballet - we are an ongoing supporter of Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
• Dauphin's Countryfest - Canada's longest-running country music festival, held in Dauphin, Manitoba in July.
• Folklorama - a two-week festival in Winnipeg each summer.
• We have sponsored the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra for more than five years now. Our support includes assisting students from the University of Ottawa with their musical careers.

Community Events

• We are one of the largest sponsors of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon.
• Nickel Days in Thompson, Manitoba in August.

Children/Youth

• Children's Hospital Foundation - we have provided donations to purchase medical equipment for Winnipeg's Children's Hospital.
• Cybertip.ca - we are a patron sponsor for a national tip line for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children.

Sports

• We are a corporate sponsor of Cindy Klassen, one of Canada's most celebrated speedskating champions. More about Cindy.
• Manitoba Classic golf tournament at Pine Ridge Golf Course - we have been a supporter of the event for a decade.
• Manitoba High School Athletics Association - we are an on-going sponsor of this organization that supports 50 high school sporting championships every year.
• Manitoba Special Olympics - a supporter of the Special Olympics Summer Games held in Brandon, Manitoba in 2006.
• University of Winnipeg, Wesmen Classic - we are a leading sponsor of this university basketball classic, now in its 40th year.