PWA's Friends For Life Bike Rally Cycles Across Ontario and Quebec, Today

MONTREAL, QC - Over 250 riders and crew will end their six-day, 600 km journey to Montréal in PWA's Friends For Life Bike Rally, in support of the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA).

Assisted by a volunteer crew, riders left Toronto on the morning of Sunday, July 24 and will cycle from Lancaster, Ontario, cross the border into Quebec and end their final day of cycling in Montréal.

This year, the Bike Rally is expected to raise over $1 million for PWA. The largest AIDS fundraiser of its kind in Canada, the annual event has raised over $14 million over its 18-year history and has become the sustaining fundraiser for the Toronto agency. PWA is the largest direct support service provider for people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada, providing such services as meal and food programs, treatment and therapy programs, and financial assistance.

Scotiabank returns as presenting sponsor of the Bike Rally for the 9th year.

"Congratulations to everyone involved in this year's Friends for Life Bike Rally, from the enthusiastic and seemingly tireless riders to the supportive crew that made the ride possible," said Tom Apostolis, District Vice President, Montreal and East District at Scotiabank. "Scotiabank is proud to sponsor this event, which raises awareness and funds for such an important cause. Our employees have enjoyed cheering the riders on along the way from Toronto to Montreal."

Photo opportunities

Photo opportunities will be available throughout the day as riders and crew continue on their six-day cycling journey to Montréal.

When: Friday, July 29
Where: From Lancaster to Montreal
Time: From 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Participants will be travelling east from Lancaster, Ontario to Montréal, Quebec with the following scheduled stops:

8:30 a.m. Depart - Glengarry Park Campground, 20800 South Service Road, Lancaster
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Break 1 - Parc Wilson, Coteau-du-Lac, QC
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch - Parc Bellevue, (Rue Bellevue and Avenue Mgr Langlois) L'Île Perrot, QC
12:30 pm to 2:00 p.m. Break 3 - Lachine Canal, 500 Des Iroquois Road, Montréal
3:30 p.m. Arrival - Place Émilie-Gamelin (rue Berri and rue Sainte-Catherine E, Montréal, QC)

About PWA's Friends For Life Bike Rally

PWA's Friends For Life Bike Rally originated as a 6-day, 600 km bike ride from Toronto to Montréal. New for this year, the Bike Rally has added a 1-day, 108 km bike ride from Toronto to Port Hope. Now in its 18th year, the Bike Rally is the sustaining fundraiser for the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA) supporting its ability to provide critical services and support to individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto. To learn more, visit www.bikerally.org.

About the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA)

PWA is the largest direct support service agency of its kind for people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada. PWA engages people living with HIV/AIDS in enhancing their health and well-being through practical and therapeutic support services and broader social change, and inspires them to live into their dreams and discoveries. PWA aims to enhance awareness, resilience, strength and knowledge among the members of its immediate community and in the broader social world. To learn more, visit www.pwatoronto.org.

About Scotiabank

Through our global community investment strategy, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2015, Scotiabank contributed $67 million to help our communities around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 23 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 89,000 employees and assets of $895 billion (as at April 30, 2016), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). Scotiabank distributes the Bank's media releases using Marketwired. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.