MONTREAL, May 5, 2017 /CNW/ - Along with Manon Gauthier, Montreal executive committee member responsible for culture, heritage, design, Space for Life and the status of women, and Paul Lewis, Dean of Univerisité de Montréal's Faculty of Environmental Design, Loblaw Companies Limited's President's Choice brand announced yesterday that it has made an investment of $1.25M as a "Great Montrealer" taking part in Montreal's 375th anniversary celebrations. During a press conference late this afternoon, Loblaw's flagship brand outlined the details of its legacy project for the citizens of Montreal's 19 boroughs.  Specifically, the company has made a donation of urban furniture: 24 large, modern and multi-generational picnic tables designed by students at the Université de Montréal's Faculty of Environmental Design. This project is part of La Grande Tournée, a signature event of the city's 375th anniversary celebrations.

"This legacy project aims to foster joie de vivre among Montrealers and help them take full advantage of their city and its open spaces," commented Johanne Héroux, Senior Director, Corporate Affairs and Communication at Loblaw Companies Limited. Called the 'President's Choice Sharing Tables,' these emblematic tables can seat up to 20 people. We believe that citizens will use them to get together and share happy moments with friends and family. This project is in line with our Eat Together campaign," Ms. Héroux concluded.

A unifying academic project

PC has donated a total of $30,000 in grants to Université de Montréal's Faculty of Environmental Design in order to reward students and fund the design of multi-level prototypes measuring over 20 feet long. Specially designed by two students, Isabelle Vo and Émilie Proulx, from the Université de Montréal's Faculty of Environmental Design, these tables are a celebration of Montreal's creative talent. In addition to being designed entirely in Montreal, the tables are made from Canadian Red Cedar, known for its durability and resistance to the elements. Wanting to give the table a unique look, the student designers focused on innovation and modernity in order to create an attractive, practical and durable final product.

"Firstly, I would like to thank President's Choice, which immediately embraced the values of sharing, togetherness and celebrating diversity behind the 375th anniversary celebrations," said Ms. Gauthier. "The design of the legacy project unveiled today absolutely reflects these values. What's more, this project shows that Montreal, a UNESCO City of Design, is serious about supporting the next generation."

"We are delighted that this 'Great Montrealer' has made such a significant contribution to Montreal's 375th anniversary celebrations through an engagement project that will have a lasting legacy," said Alain Gignac, General Manager of the Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary. "We are even more thrilled that President's Choice chose to work with the Maison de l'Innovation Sociale in order to allow young Montrealers to share their dreams and vision for the city through these 'sharing tables.'"

Multi-generational tables to help us "Eat Together"

The 24 tables will be provided to Montreal's 19 boroughs and to five nature parks as part of La Grande Tournée, an initiative hosted by the Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary(Open in a new tab). This initiative will travel all across the city this summer to foster pride and belonging among Montrealers. Each weekend from May 12 to September 17, 2017, La Grande Tournée will stop in a different park, hosting a wealth of activities and inviting residents to discover and enjoy everything their neighborhood has to offer.

About Loblaw Companies Limited Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unitholder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Loblaw provides its customers with grocery, pharmacy, health care and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, banking, and wireless mobile products and services. Thanks to the PC Plus^® loyalty program, millions of customers collect rewards in Loblaw grocery stores. With nearly 500 corporate, franchised and pharmacist-owner locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and its pharmacist-owners employ approximately 40,000 full- and part-time employees, making Loblaw one of Quebec's largest private-sector employers. 

SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited