CANADIAN PACIFIC HOLIDAY TRAIN TO BE
CELEBRATED AS 2021 RECIPIENT OF GARY SLAIGHT MUSIC HUMANITARIAN AWARD
AWARD TO BE PRESENTED AT COUNTRY MUSIC WEEK 2021 IN LONDON, ON
TORONTO, ON (September 15, 2021) — The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) Board of Directors proudly announced today that the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, an important community initiative established by Canadian Pacific, has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award. Now in its 23rd year, the CP Holiday Train is North America’s largest rolling food bank fundraiser and will be celebrated for its incredible success during Country Music Week 2021 in London, ON.
“I’d like to thank the CCMA for naming the Humanitarian Award in my honour and want to congratulate the CP Holiday Train as its first recipient,” said Gary Slaight, President and CEO, Slaight Communication Inc.. “The CP Holiday Train champions two causes which I am very passionate about; helping those in our communities in times of need as well as supporting and promoting Canadian Artists and their music. I look forward to seeing their campaign come to life this year.”
Established in 1999, the CP Holiday Train is an important community initiative for the company and a program that its over 12,000-strong CP family showcases with pride. Initially conceived as a way for CP to give back to the communities where it operated across its network in North America, the CP Holiday Train program has now raised more than C$19.4 million and 4.9 million pounds of food.
“Our entire CP family is deeply honoured to receive the Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award. Since 1999, the CP Holiday Train program has helped raise funds and donations for food banks throughout North America,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “Every year, this beautifully illuminated train travels across Canada and the U.S., stopping in communities along our network and bringing people together in the spirit of celebration and giving. We love being a part of these communities, and we are proud to support local food banks along the way.”
With food insecurity on the rise in many North American communities, the CP Holiday Train program focuses greatly on raising the profile of local food banks and their ongoing need for support throughout the season. Making stops in more than 170 communities each year, the CP Holiday Train encourages local communities to graciously donate (food or money) in exchange for attendance to a free concert. Featuring some of the biggest names in music, the CP Holiday Train has seen performances by Terri Clark, Jim Cuddy, Dallas Smith, The Moffatts, Great Big Sea, Patricia Conroy, Sheryl Crow, Johnny Reid and Sarah McLachlan among many others. Bringing artists and fans together in one of the most unique concert settings, each CP Holiday Train stop allows communities to rally in the battle against hunger, all while celebrating the best talent in North America.
“We feel so privileged to be able to highlight the incredible work that Canadian Pacific does year-round to make this massive annual fundraiser possible,” explained Amy Jeninga, President, CCMA. “Understanding the increased need for food banks across North America, we couldn’t think of a more deserving initiative — one that helps communities feed themselves through generosity and brings people together over a shared love of music. Congratulations to everyone at CP for this very deserved accolade.”
With planning for the 2021 CP Holiday Train Program already underway, Canadians are encouraged to visit cpr.ca/holiday-train to keep up with 2021 stop announcements.
ABOUT CANADIAN PACIFIC
Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP.
ABOUT SLAIGHT MUSIC
Slaight Music was started in 2011 with a mandate to support the Canadian music community through a variety of initiatives and to develop Canadian talent via strategic partnerships with industry peers. We work with artists from across the country and across the musical spectrum, helping to further careers and get great music heard. We’re also invested in the technology sphere, helping Canadian music entrepreneurs develop the next generation of digital platforms and services. And we support a variety of music-related events, causes and charities.
ABOUT CCMA
Established in 1976, the CCMA is a membership-based, not-for-profit organization committed to the promotion and recognition of Canadian country music. Built upon the foundation to educate, elevate and celebrate Canadian talent, the CCMA progressively heralds the spirit, community and creativity that country music fosters through year-round initiatives, culminating every fall with Country Music Week and the Canadian Country Music Association Awards. Sponsors of Country Music Week and the 2021 CCMA Awards Show include FACTOR, Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s “Canada Music Fund”, Radio Starmaker and the Government of Ontario.
