The following is being distributed at the request of the Canadian Securities Association:

Canadian Youth Can Win Money through Financial Literacy
in "Financial Fitness Challenge" Contest

Young Canadians are invited to increase their financial literacy through an interactive scholarship contest sponsored by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA).

The Financial Fitness Challenge, which runs February 15 to April 15, uses interactive tools and online simulations to raise awareness of important financial concepts such as budgeting, saving and investing. This year, visitors to the annual Challenge website - FinancialFitnessChallenge.ca - will find the site has a fresh look and many new interactive tools.

"It's important youth learn about money matters, especially between the ages of 15 and 21, when they are about to start earning money and making some of their own financial decisions," said Jean St-Gelais, Chair of the CSA and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Autorité des marchés financiers (Québec). "The Financial Fitness Challenge is a great way to engage youth in financial education."

The challenge website features exciting online activities where participants can compete with their friends or with other youth at a local and national level. The site also features its own Facebook page where youth can exchange ideas and tips about managing money.

While anyone can visit the site, the bilingual contest itself is open to Canadians ages 15 to 21 with a quiz featuring financial literacy questions and facts. Thirteen entries – one from each province and territory – will be randomly selected from eligible participants to win a Notebook computer, and a national grand prize winner will be granted a $2,000 cash prize.

Teachers are also encouraged to use the challenge as a fun and informative learning tool to support the development of good financial behaviour among their students.

"We encourage youth, teachers and parents to visit our entertaining and instructional site," said St-Gelais. "Saving, budgeting and investing may seem like uninteresting subjects, but the Financial Fitness Challenge allows participants to learn, compete and have a good time".

Teachers can go to FinancialFitnessChallenge.ca/Teachers to check out the Teacher Resource Centre and download classroom materials, including complete lesson plans.

The CSA, the council of securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, coordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.

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2010 02 15                                                    3:00 p.m.