CLEAN CAT ROAD SHOW KICKS OFF ITS 2005 SCHOOL TOUR

The 2005 Clean Cat Environmental Education Program was launched with a special performance at St. Bernard Elementary School in Saskatoon.

Members of the musical troupe, Saskatchewan Express, deliver a 45-minute performance, where the Clean Cat mascot and friends use song, dance and dialogue to teach environmental responsibility to children. The catch phrase "Make it a Habit" reinforces the principles of environmental action – the actions of the 4Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover.

This year, the Clean Cat performance was revised to include messages, which promote both environmentally friendly and healthy choices. "Our Saskatchewan Express performers are looking forward to doing the road show again this year," Saskatchewan Express Artistic Director Carol Gay Bell said. "We are proud to be providing examples of good health habits as well as good environmental care habits in the Clean Cat production."

"My department is once again providing the Clean Cat Program to elementary schools in the province," Environment Minister David Forbes said. "We are very fortunate this year to have sponsorship from Waste Management of Canada Corporation and a renewed partnership with SARCAN that have allowed us to improve and enhance this popular program."

With funding from Waste Management, the Clean Cat Road Show will visit 20 schools this year. Since 1991, Clean Cat has visited 571 schools, delivering the important message of environmental protection, preservation and sustainability to almost 111,000 children.

"Waste Management is happy to support this very worthwhile project. The overall messages delivered by the troupe parallel Waste Management's 'Think Green' brand and our commitment to sound and responsible environmental practices," Waste Management Public Affairs Director Cam Hantiuk said. "We also have a strong commitment to the communities we serve and participate in numerous activities and initiatives across the country."

This year's program will also include a revised teacher's reference binder full of environmental information and activities, as well as free recycling centres for the schools supplied by SARCAN.

"The Unified Dairy Recycling System and SARCAN are proud to partner with Saskatchewan Environment in getting the recycling message out to our youth with the Clean Cat Program. Our youth can have a significant impact on household recycling patterns," Sarcan Operations Director Ken Homenick said. "At least two out of every three milk containers still end up in landfills in Saskatchewan. We can do so much more!"

"I am pleased that one of our schools was able to host the launch of the 2005 Clean Cat Road Show," Saskatoon Catholic Schools Education Director Dr. Helen Horsman said. "The Saskatoon Catholic Schools assists parents and the local church community in the formation of students in heart, mind, body and spirit."

The schedule of Clean Cat school visits for 2005 is attached.

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For More Information, Contact:

Zamira Vicenzino Heth Environment Regina Phone: (306) 787-7032 Cell: (306) 581-4349