CALGARY - Imperial Oil is donating $3 million to education programs across Canada to continue to address the country's growing requirement for educated youth and science and technology skills.

Imperial's Building Futures program focuses funding on programs that will assist Canada in competing in today's technological world by reaching out to students of all ages to develop an interest in further education.

As part of this program, Imperial has invested $3 million at McGill University, York University, Junior Achievement Canada, YMCA Calgary, Let's Talk Science and the Canadian Petroleum Interpretive Centre of Alberta. As well, the company works to build capacity in the Aboriginal community with a scholarship program designed to encourage and assist students to pursue
undergraduate post-secondary studies in disciplines relevant to the petroleum industry.

A recent study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) suggests Canada should take steps to increase the proportion of students who choose to study science and technology. In Canada, science and engineering degrees make up about 20 per cent of all new degrees.

"The skills of our workforce are Canada's most strategic asset," said Tim Hearn, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Imperial Oil Limited. "Investing in a high quality education system for our young people is one of the most important investments we can make for the future of our country."

"Imperial Oil has a long history of supporting education and community initiatives," said Monica Samper, president, Imperial Oil Foundation. "But now more than ever, we feel very strongly about doing our part to build the minds of tomorrow, not just for our industry, but for the country as a whole."

Over the past five years, Imperial Oil has invested more than $15 million in education-related initiatives across Canada. The company has been a proud part of Canada for 126 years, contributing to communities from coast to coast since the company's inception in 1880. One of the largest producers of crude oil and natural gas liquids and a major producer of natural gas, Imperial Oil is also Canada's largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products, sold primarily under the Esso and Mobil brands, and a major producer of petrochemicals.

Backgrounder
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Imperial Oil is donating $3 million to seven education programs across
Canada: McGill University, York University, Junior Achievement Canada, YMCA
Calgary, Let's Talk Science, the Canadian Petroleum Interpretive Centre of
Alberta and Aboriginal Scholarship Awards.

McGill University
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McGill University in Montreal, Quebec will receive $800,000 to create the
Institute of Winners in Wonderment program. The program develops
three-dimensional teaching products for grade-school students that integrate
components of science, math and technology.

York University
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York University in Toronto, Ontario will receive $500,000 to support its
Science Outreach Program. The program is responsible for launching science
camps at the university, managing the Science Speaker's Bureau in elementary
and high school science classes, and coordinating the university's Science
Olympics.

Junior Achievement
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Junior Achievement (JA) will receive $1 million to fund program delivery
and development across Canada. Through JA programs, students learn about the
world of business and how they can make a positive contribution in the global
marketplace.

YMCA Calgary
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YMCA Calgary (Alberta) will receive $250,000 for the Explorer component
of its YMCA Achievement Program. This funding supports grade 10 students
facing language, cultural, academic and/or social barriers. The program
provides academic support to students and will help them gain work experience
through community service opportunities.

Let's Talk Science
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Let's Talk Science, a national organization, will receive $200,000 for
continued program enhancement and expansion. The organization is dedicated to
improving Canada's science literacy through innovative educational programs,
research and advocacy.

The Canadian Petroleum Interpretive Centre
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The Canadian Petroleum Interpretive Centre, located in Devon, Alberta
will receive $100,000 to support its education programs. The centre's goal is
to preserve and display oilfield and related artifacts of the past and to
educate individuals about environment and industry-related issues.

Imperial Oil Aboriginal Scholarships Program
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Imperial Oil's Aboriginal Scholarships Program provides four individual
education awards each year to any person of Aboriginal ancestry entering
post-secondary studies. The awards cover tuition, fees, text books and
supplies and also contribute to living expenses during the course of the
academic year. Over 90 students have benefited from this program to date.

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