- National survey reveals 85 per cent of newcomers equate environmental responsibility with being Canadian -

TORONTO, June 25, 2012 /CNW/ - In celebration of Canada Day, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) took part in a national survey that has revealed that 85 per cent of new Canadians believe being environmentally responsible is part of being Canadian.  Survey results also found that newcomers to Canada are environmentally conscious and place a strong value on the environment.

According to the TD New Canadians Poll 2012, the majority of new Canadians say their attitude toward the environment has changed since coming to Canada. Moreover, nearly nine in 10 (87%) new Canadians agree that they can make a personal impact when it comes to protecting the environment, and those with children are most likely to agree that they can make a personal impact when it comes to protecting the natural environment.

"The survey results tell us that new Canadians feel strongly about the natural environment," said Mary Desjardins, Executive Director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. "As we take time to celebrate Canada Day, TD FEF encourages all Canadians and their families to venture out and enjoy all that our natural environment has to offer."

According to the 2011 Census, Canada's 5.9 per cent growth rate was largely due to immigration. With this in mind, TD FEF had Environics Research Group conduct a national survey of 648 Canadian adults, who moved to Canada within the past five years, in an effort to uncover the perceptions and attitudes new immigrants have toward the environment.

Additional survey findings include:

• More than eight in 10 (85%) new Canadians say that protecting the natural environment is an important issue to them.
  • Those living in the Montreal area are the most likely of those living in urban markets to say that protecting the natural environment is an important issue (100%).
• Seven in 10 (73%) new Canadians say that their attitude toward the environment has changed since coming to Canada.
• Those with children are most likely to say protecting the natural environment is an important issue (89% vs. 82% of those without children).
• The top five resources new Canadians use to learn about environmental issues in Canada are television (53%), newspapers (46%), websites (46%), social media networks (35%) and talking with family or other people in their community (21%)
• The most common environmentally-focused activities that new Canadians and their families participate in are:
  • Nearly six in 10 (57%) visit parks and green spaces.
  • More than five in 10 (56%) cycle or walk in their neighbourhood.

This Canada Day, TD FEF invites all Canadians to celebrate by exploring all that Canada's natural environment has to offer - whether it's visiting a national or provincial park, relaxing by a lake, ocean or river, or enjoying a hiking trail in your community. For more information on environmentally friendly activities in communities across the country, visit www.facebook.com/TDFEF and share your new knowledge with friends, family and other people in your community.

About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation:
Since 1990, TD FEF has provided more than $57 million in funding to more than 20,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2011, TD FEF provided more than $3.6 million in support of 1,058 projects. Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF, which guarantees 100 per cent of every dollar donated goes directly to funding environment and wildlife projects in the community where the donation was made. For more information on how to donate and get involved in your community, visit www.tdfef.com.