Sustainability Stars Given to Paralympic Programmes

The announcement was made this week by the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Canada and shows that both programmes have demonstrated a contribution to two or more sustainability features in areas of social, economic and/or environmental interest. The Sustainability Star awards programme was created by VANOC to recognize Games partners and sponsors for initiatives directly linked to the Vancouver 2010 Games.

"Real Deal" is a Paralympic Schools Programme that provides teachers with an online resource to give Canadian students the opportunity to learn more about the Paralympic Movement, athletes and sports. Supported by Petro-Canada, "It’s the Real Deal" educates students on equality and inclusiveness while demonstrating an environmental benefit with online-only materials, which reduces printing.

The WorksafeBC Paralympic Team is a regional speakers programme where BC Paralympic athletes who are injured workers talk to students, community groups and workplace environments. In sharing their stories, the athletes create a greater awareness of disability and the importance of workplace safety. As a result, the programme provides a reduction in the number of workplace injuries and the human and financial costs associated with them.

The Sustainability Star programme runs until 31 March 2010, and will highlight Canada’s social, economic and environmental efforts during the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in both Whistler and Vancouver.

Petro-Canada is an ongoing supporter of Canada's Paralympic athletes and a National Partner for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. In addition to the Petro-Canada Paralympic Schools Programme, Petro-Canada also supports the Paralympic Equipment Fund and the Canadian Paralympic Team through programmes like the Canadian Athlete Family Programme.

WorkSafeBC is an independent provincial statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors that serves about two million workers and more than 200,000 employers. WorkSafeBC was born from the historic compromise between B.C.’s workers and employers in 1917 where workers gave up the right to sue their employers and fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a no-fault insurance programme fully paid for by employers. WorkSafeBC is committed to safe and healthy workplaces and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits.

For more information about the National Paralympic Committee of Canada, please visit www.paralympic.ca.