Ottawa 2017 and Roots gear-up Canadians for the country’s 150th birthday celebrations

_ (via Ottawa 2017) _ Ottawa 2017 and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, in collaboration with lead partner CIBC, are pleased to announce that Roots is the Official Apparel & Leather Goods Retailer of Ottawa 2017.

Innovative, quality and stylish Ottawa 2017 Roots merchandise will be developed and made available by Roots online and in their Canadian retail stores this fall. The products will also benefit from exposure to Roots’ worldwide retail network.

“We’re proud to have a highly respected, Canadian brand like Roots team up with us for Ottawa 2017 celebrations,” said Mayor Watson. “Ottawa 2017 Roots gear will help promote Canada’s 150th anniversary across the country and will offer Canadians an opportunity to connect with the celebrations in a fashionable way and to show their pride.”

Michael Budman and Don Green created Roots in 1973. They were inspired by their passion for Ontario’s Algonquin Park and everything it represented for them.

“As Canada has always been an inseparable part of Roots, it’s only natural that we’re involved in this great initiative,” said Michael Budman, Co-Founder of Roots. “We’re proud to celebrate this wonderful milestone for Canada in a partnership with Ottawa 2017 which is very much in keeping with our passion for this incredible country.”

Roots will also help to outfit the hundreds of volunteers who will be donating their time to enhance the Ottawa 2017 experience for residents and visitors, demonstrating one of the company’s core values of community involvement.

“CIBC is thrilled to have a great Canadian company like Roots join the dynamic and growing group of Ottawa 2017 partners,” said Monique Giroux, Vice-President, Sponsorship Marketing & Strategy, CIBC. “We welcome Roots to the family and look forward to creating memorable experiences for Canadians together.”

The lifestyle brand, known around the world for its quality leather goods, apparel, accessories and home furnishings, will develop a custom and unique product line for Ottawa 2017. Made mostly in Canada, it will include a collection of men’s, women’s and kid’s apparel, headwear, accessories, leather goods and blankets.

“The unique souvenir merchandise that will come as a result of the partnership between Ottawa 2017 and Roots will contribute to the identity and positive reputation of the nation’s capital in 2017 and create keepsake memorabilia for years to come,” said Guy Laflamme, Executive Director of the Ottawa 2017 Bureau.

A portion of proceeds from sales of Ottawa 2017 Roots products will be returned to Ottawa 2017 and be invested in enhanced programming for the celebration. Canadians and visitors from all over will have a chance to experience Ottawa like never before. ** About Roots ** Roots has more than 240 retail stores in Canada, the United States and Asia, in addition to a successful e-commerce business. Employing more than 1,500 people in Canada, Roots also has a state-of-the-art factory and distribution centre in Toronto, both located near the company’s headquarters where all Roots products are designed.

Canada’s 150th celebrations will offer Canadians and visitors from around the world an exceptional and memorable year of high-caliber experiences while bringing a record number of visitors to Ottawa in 2017 to celebrate this important milestone for our country.

Stay informed on plans for Canada’s 150

th

birthday celebrations in the capital. Visit ottawa2017.ca , follow us on Twitter @2017ottawa (#Ottawa2017) and on Facebook .