SCOTIABANK AND LANGUAGES CANADA SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Ottawa, December 5, 2011 - Languages Canada and Scotiabank today announced a sponsorship agreement that will offer support to more than 130,000 international language education students studying in Canada each year with financial literacy webinars and advice on best practices for banking in Canada through the Scotiabank StartRight Program for Newcomers.

"We are delighted to collaborate with Scotiabank,” says Languages Canada President Calum MacKechnie. “In a world of increasing student mobility this kind of sponsorship agreement is essential for us to better serve our 170 member programs and the ever growing number of international education students coming to Canada to study English and French each year. Language education is the foundation of all other quality education. We’re pleased to offer international language education students the opportunity for financial literacy from a trusted institution like Scotiabank.”

Through this agreement, international students studying at any of the Languages Canada member schools will be offered a series of financial literacy webinars each year designed to build their understanding of financial services in Canada. The webinars will address a broad spectrum of banking and credit options available to international students to assist them in making informed decisions based on their needs. 

“We are excited to work with Languages Canada to assist international students with their banking needs while in Canada,” said Ahmad Dajani, Vice President of Scotiabank’s Multicultural Banking Services. “We recognize how overwhelming it can be to settle in a new country and know how important it is for these students to receive financial advice they can trust as well as banking services that meet their unique needs while studying away from home. Many of our Scotia® advisors were once newcomers to Canada themselves and are well equipped to help provide international students with an understanding of banking in Canada and with customized financial advice and services.” 

About Languages Canada

Languages Canada is Canada's premier language organization representing Canada's official languages, English and French. Membership is limited to upholding the programs, both public and private, which meet the rigorous standards of the association and who are committed to upholding them. The internationally recognized quality assurance program is comprehensive, rigorous and covers the areas of: curriculum, teacher qualifications, student services, student admissions, marketing, promotion, facilities and administration. www.languagescanada.ca 

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With more than 75,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates serve some 19 million customers in more than 55 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a broad range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With assets above $575 billion (as at October 31, 2011), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.

The Scotiabank StartRight Program was created for Canadian Landed Immigrants from 0-3 years in Canada, International Students and Foreign Workers.  The Scotiabank StartRight Program for Newcomers provides the right advice and financial solutions to help them plan their future in Canada.  For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com/startright.

For further information, contact

Mark Barber,      
Languages Canada, 613-623-0483,   
mbarber@languagescanada.ca

Deborah Clark,
Scotiabank, 416-933-0646,
deborah_clark@scotiacapital.com