Gift will be used to build educational hubs along Saint John's Harbour
    Passage

    SAINT JOHN, April 1 /CNW/ - Saint John Waterfront Development is another
step closer in its efforts to enhance Harbour Passage thanks to a $500,000
gift received today from TD Bank Financial Group.
    The project involves "greening" the Inner Harbour with the construction
of environmental awareness "hubs" along its existing community trail. These
sites will educate the community and visitors by highlighting destination
points that follow the Harbour from the southern peninsula to Saint John's
west side.
    "Imagine the powerful visual impact of this project on the greater Saint
John area," said Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair, TD Bank Financial Group. "As a
native of New Brunswick, I share the excitement of the local community and
visitors from abroad who will enjoy a revitalized shoreline and appreciate the
restoration of the natural habitat in this historic location."
    Each site along the trail will focus on an aspect of environmental
awareness including climate change, water supply, marine ecology, erosion
control and air and water cleansing.
    "This generous gift from TD will assist with our long-term efforts to
enhance the waterfront," said Charlie Swanton, Chair, Saint John Waterfront
Development. "We're excited to be working with TD, a true community partner
with an exemplary track record of supporting environmental projects in
communities across Canada."
    Saint John Waterfront Development is also collaborating with Atlantic
Coastal Action Program (ACAP) to build its expertise on "green" waterfront
rejuvenation. Construction along the Harbour Passage is slated to begin later
this year. "The insight that ACAP can offer will help us shape the educational
detail and implement our first site," said Bill MacMackin, Vice Chair, Saint
John Waterfront Development.
    "Revitalizing the Inner Harbour complements our ongoing work to protect
the environment through the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation," said
McKenna. "Over the past year, our environmental charity has supported more
than 30 projects in the Maritimes with $75,000 in funding. And for nearly 20
years, our unique employee and customer partnership has been boosting local
citizens and groups dedicated to a grassroots approach to preserving wildlife
and the environment."

    About Saint John Waterfront Development

    Leading the transformation of the Saint John Inner Harbour is Saint John
Waterfront Development, operating under the direction of the Saint John
Development Corporation. It is committed to rejuvenating and renewing the
historic uptown area of Saint John through development of the waterfront.
    The Saint John Development Corporation was initially incorporated in 1980
to develop, promote, encourage, co-ordinate, assist and advance the
commercial, residential, recreational, cultural, social, economic welfare of
the City of Saint John. In 2001, the Saint John Development Corporation
brought on additional partners to tackle waterfront development. The Saint
John Waterfront Development partners are comprised of:

    -   City of Saint John
    -   Uptown Saint John Inc
    -   Enterprise Saint John Inc
    -   Saint John Board of Trade
    -   Saint John Port Authority
    -   Province of New Brunswick

    TD Community Giving: Making a Difference Together

    Children's health, literacy and education, and the environment are the
three main areas of focus for TD's community giving. Flagship programs within
these areas include: TD Children's Hospital Fund; TD Friends of the
Environment Foundation; TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup; TD Canadian
Children's Book Week; TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Community Leadership;
and the TD Summer Reading Club. With support from customers and employees, TD
is involved with a host of national, regional and local causes benefiting
diversity, arts and culture and other community programs. In 2008, TD donated
$35 million to more than 2,100 organizations across Canada.

    /NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on
    the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca.
    Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive
    website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited
    members of the media/

For further information: Gregory Harrison, TD Bank Financial Group,
(416) 308-8597, gregory.harrison@td.com; Michael Baldwin, Saint John
Waterfront Development, (506) 674-4152, michael.baldwin@sjwaterfront.com