Toronto, January 23, 2007 - The Hbc Foundation today announced a $2.9 million donation in support of Canadian athletes, national training centres and the country's top sport organizations - all geared towards helping Canadian athletes in their quest to succeed on the world stage. The $2.9 million donation is the first installment of Hbc's seven-year commitment to raise $20 million in support of amateur sport in Canada.

The money raised goes directly to 200 competing athletes. Remaining proceeds will be invested in sport organizations such as Commonwealth Games Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, Canadian Sport Centres in, Calgary, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Montreal, and the Atlantic provinces, and the Pacific Sport Institute in Victoria.

The funds were raised by the Hbc Foundation with the help of Hbc customers and associates through initiatives, such as the sale of a limited edition t-shirt, a Donate your Hbc Rewards Points program, an annual Hbc golf tournament, and a Cut-Out program, where customers could pay $1 to send an inspirational postcard to Canadian athletes competing in the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. The Hbc Foundation is a leading supporter of Canadian athletes.  

"We are proud to be one of Canada's largest supporters of Canadian athletes," said Michael Rousseau, President of Hbc. "These athletes dedicate their lives to competing for Canada and we're thrilled to help them achieve their dreams."

"Hbc is to be commended for its leadership in providing direct funding to athletes and organizations that help athletes across the country," said Roger Skillings, CEO of PacificSport. "Athletes require a lot of support and resources, from equipment, to coaching and access to sport science and training services and facilities. It's the support of long-term funding partners like Hbc that enables our athletes to concentrate on training and improving their performance to ensure they're prepared to compete on the world stage."

"Without the much needed funds required to compete on an international level, many talented athletes end up leaving sport altogether," said Simon Whitfield, an Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medalist in triathlon. "Hbc's continued support of Canadian athletes and the various training facilities will ensure our athletes are geared up and ready for all the competitions leading up to Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and beyond."

Hbc is Canada's largest diversified general merchandise retailer, operating in department store (',the Bay), mass merchandise (',Zellers), specialty (',Home Outfitters and Designer Depot) and discount (',Fields) formats. With over 550 stores and nearly 70,000 associates located in every province in Canada, Hbc provides Canadians with stylish, quality merchandise at great value, through retail banners focused on exceptional customer service. Hbc is a Canadian retail leader in corporate social responsibility, and the fourth annual Hbc CSR report can be found at www.hbc.com.

For more information:
Katherine Raso
Hbc Public Relations
416-861-6691
katherine.raso@hbc.com