OTTAWA, Oct. 12 /CNW/ - HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex joined in
celebrations today that acknowledged the accomplishments of Ottawa youth
participating in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. TD Waterhouse also announced a
new $300,000 donation that will help improve young Canadians' access to the
programme. This donation marks TD Waterhouse's renewed contribution to The
Duke of Edinburgh's Award following its 2005 donation of $400,000.
    HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex attended the special event to
recognize Ottawa youth and celebrate TD Waterhouse's "Investing in Youth"
initiative. The TD Waterhouse initiative is part of a three-year national
inner-city outreach initiative designed to increase participation in The Duke
of Edinburgh's Award Programme by ensuring the Award is made available,
without barriers, to youth in Canada.
    The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Programme also recently partnered with the
Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa to share facility space and introduce the
programme to children and youth attending the Club.
    "The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is delighted that TD Waterhouse has
pledged its support to young Canadians," said Jill Hermant, Executive
Director. "Their support of this Programme allows us to effectively reach a
broader youth audience in Ottawa and across Canada and provide them with the
support necessary to participate in the Award."
    "TD Waterhouse believes it's important to invest in Canada's youth and to
encourage and help develop the leaders of our future," said Bill Hatanaka,
Chief Executive Officer, TD Waterhouse. "Providing the opportunity to broaden
the skills and experiences of smart, dedicated and caring young people is
vital to the continued vibrancy of our community."

    The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Programme is open to Canadians between the
ages of 14 and 25 regardless of circumstance or ability. Participants achieve
the Award by attaining personally-established goals in community service,
skills development (covering almost any hobby, skill or interest), physical
recreation and an adventurous journey (including canoeing, dog sledding,
hiking and sea kayaking). There are three levels of the Award (Bronze, Silver
and Gold), each requiring increasing degrees of effort and commitment.
    The Award was founded in 1956 by HRH The Prince Philip to help young
people develop a sense of responsibility to themselves and their communities.
Today the Award operates in over 120 countries and has become one of the
world's most prestigious youth programmes. Brought to Canada in 1963, the
Award attracts 30,000 participants each year from every corner of the country.

    TD Community Giving: Making a Difference Together

    Children's health, literacy and education, and the environment are the
three primary areas of focus for TD's community giving. The major flagship
programs within these areas are: TD Children's Hospital Fund, TD Friends of
the Environment Foundation and the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, TD
Canadian Children's Book Week, TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Community
Leadership, and the TD Summer Reading Club. In addition, through the support
of our customers and employees, TD is involved with a host of national,
regional and local programs in support of diversity, arts and culture and
other causes. In 2006, TD donated $33 million to more than 1,600 charities and
not-for-profit organizations across Canada.

For further information: Melissa Wood, NATIONAL Public Relations, (613)
233-1699 X 229, mwood@national.ca