Ontario Parks and Its Corporate Partners Say Thank You

Canadian Tire is pleased and honoured to sponsor the Ontario Parks Partner Bursary Program. With an emphasis on innovation, leadership and superior customer service, this program and its desired intent speak directly to the same values that Canadian Tire stands for.
John Jobin
Canadian Tire Corporation

FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, Ontario Parks and its corporate partners have said thank you to student park employees through the Ontario Parks Partner Bursary program.

Each year, select students have been honoured with a $500 educational bursary for their leadership, dedication, and innovative work in provincial parks. To qualify for a bursary, students must work in a provincial park, for a “Friends of” organization, as an Ontario Ranger stationed in a park, or for a park contractor. The student must be returning to school full time in either a secondary or post secondary program. The student may attend a school outside of Ontario, but he/she must be an Ontario resident to qualify. The student’s program of study is not a factor in determining whether or not he/she will receive a bursary.

The bursary award idea originated during a 1997 Ontario Parks’ corporate partners tour of provincial parks. Ontario Parks’ corporate partners were impressed with the professionalism, dedication and initiative shown by the students they met at the various parks they toured. They wondered if the efforts of these young people could be recognized in some way. The idea of a bursary was born.

“Any time we can provide support to the growth and development of this province’s fine young people, we should do so. Swish Maintenance is proud to be part of such a worthy program.”
Ken Hilder, Swish Maintenance Limited

Co-workers, the public or a supervisor may nominate candidates. A one-page nomination form must be completed and submitted to the respective park superintendent each year. The park superintendent selects one candidate from his/her park and submits it along with his or her own recommendations to the Bursary Committee. Nominees are judged based on their demonstrated level of customer service, initiative, leadership, volunteer work in other program areas, public recognition, and overall dedication to and promotion of the Ontario provincial parks system.

The bursary awards are distributed equally across the Province. Academic achievement is not a consideration. An employee can win the award more than once, but not in consecutive years.

In 2001, the 40 bursary recipients were recognized at a special a ceremony held at Woods Canada’s offices in Toronto. In 2002, the ceremony was held at Mountain Equipment Co-op’s downtown Toronto location where another 29 students received bursaries. Our generous corporate partners hosted both of these ceremonies.

Last year, Ontario Parks’ corporate partners included Mountain Equipment Co-op, Johnson Outdoors – Eureka, Woods Canada, Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd., The Pepsi Bottling Group, Swish Maintenance Ltd., Coleman Canada, Wayfarer Insurance Brokers Ltd., QVS, Rayovac, the Friends of Algonquin, and Edward Communications.

For more information about the Ontario Parks Partner Bursary program, or to nominate an exceptional student employee, visit your nearby provincial park or www.OntarioParks.com and click on the “News” icon. Look for Bursary Program information.

Contributed by: Deanna Miller, Marketing Specialist, Ontario Parks, Peterborough