CIBC World Markets To Donate Goshen Coach CGII Transit Bus To NYC Fire Department During `Canada Loves New York Day'; CIBC Senior VP, Toronto Fire Services Chief Present Keys to NYC Fire Chief

Business Wire, Dec 1, 2001

News Desk and Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2001

As part of "Canada Loves New York" weekend, officials from CIBC World Markets and the Toronto Fire Services today will present a new Goshen Coach GCII transit bus to the New York City Fire Department.

Robert Waite, CIBC senior vice president, and Alan Speed, Toronto Fire Services chief, are scheduled to present the keys to the CGII to the New York Fire Department's citywide tour commander, Deputy Assistant Chief Michael Weinlein, during a ceremony this afternoon at the famed Roseland Ballroom on 52nd Street and 8th Avenue. Firefighters from Toronto, Montreal and other Canadian cities are lined to attend the event.

"The men and women who work for CIBC World Markets - in both Canada and the United States - are deeply appreciative of the heroic efforts of New York's firefighters," Waite said. "Regretfully, on September 11, many of these brave lives were lost, lives that can never be replaced. But we cherish their memory. And for those who continue their life-saving work, we - together with the Toronto Fire Department and all the other Canadian firefighters who joined us here from Montreal and other cities - are pleased to present this tremendous vehicle with our Canada Loves New York sign."

"The New York City Fire Department is grateful for this heartfelt tribute to our fallen firefighters. On behalf of the Fire Commissioner and the Department, I want to thank CIBC World Markets and all our Canadian friends for their generosity and continued support of our great city during this difficult and trying time," Weinlein said.

The presentation of the CGII is part of a massive "Canada Loves New York Rally" this afternoon at Roseland, featuring Canadian celebrities, community volunteers, business and political leaders.

Thousands of Canadians are visiting New York during "Canada Loves New York" weekend (November 30-December 2). Organized in response to New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's appeal to visit New York, the "Canada Loves New York" campaign included television commercials by Canadian politicians and celebrities, urging Canadians to visit New York this weekend. Hotels, airlines, buses and rail lines rallied behind the effort by offering special discounted rates.

The 24-passenger transit bus, which will be used by the New York City Fire Department for unit transport, was parked on the street outside the ballroom. Manufactured by Goshen Coach, of Elkhart, In., the CGII transit bus transports up to 24 passengers, and is equipped with a bus-style entrance door and large, panoramic windows for passenger visibility.

CIBC World Markets, the investment and merchant banking operation of CIBC, offers a full range of integrated credit and capital markets products, securities, and brokerage.