February 9, 2010 (Vancouver, BC) – The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is pleased to announce that the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) has awarded Sustainability Stars to two of its programs: It’s the Real Deal, a schools awareness program supported by Petro-Canada, and the WorkSafeBC Paralympic Team. The Sustainability Star awards program was created by VANOC to recognize Games partners and sponsors for initiatives directly linked to the Vancouver 2010 Games that demonstrate a contribution to two or more sustainability features (social, economic and/or environmental).

Petro-Canada’s “It’s The Real Deal” Paralympic Schools Program is a free online teachers’ resource that provides Canadian students with a unique opportunity to learn more about the Paralympic Movement, Paralympic athletes and Paralympic Sports. ‘It’s the Real Deal” demonstrates a social benefit because it educates students about equality and inclusiveness. It also demonstrates an environmental benefit because all materials associated with the program are only available online, thereby reducing printing and the environmental impact.

“Since November 2008, we have had more than 20,000 visitors to our Paralympic Schools Program website,” said Steven Keith, Director of Olympic Acitvation, Petro-Canada. “We’re thrilled to have helped the Canadian Paralympic Committee share the Paralympic Spirit with so many students across Canada.”

The WorksafeBC Paralympic Team, a regional speakers program, was awarded the Sustainability Star for the social and economic benefit the program provides. Through this program, BC Paralympic athletes who are injured workers talk to students, community groups and workplaces. By sharing their stories the athletes create the social benefits of greater awareness of disability and change attitudes among B.C. employers and workers regarding workplace safety. As a result, the program provides an economic benefit because it supports a reduction in the number of workplace injuries and the human and financial costs associated with them.

“We are so pleased VANOC has recognized our program and honoured it with a Sustainability Star,” said Scott McCloy, WorkSafeBC’s director of Communications. “As momentum around Vancouver 2010 grows, our Paralympians are perfect representatives for our campaign to increase workplace safety and excellent role models for all workers to strive for workplace safety.”

The Sustainability Star has been created to draw attention to sustainability innovations related to Vancouver 2010. The program runs until March 31, 2010, and will highlight Canada’s social, economic and environmental efforts as we welcome the world to Whistler and Vancouver this winter.