Toronto, Ontario (June 12, 2009) – For the past 125 years, St. John Ambulance has worked to enable the residents of Ontario to improve their health, safety and quality of life through training and community service. To celebrate this milestone, on June 24th, 2009, which is also St. John Day, St. John Ambulance will be opening trading on Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).

For volunteers, instructors and employees of St. John Ambulance, June 24th is a chance to reflect on the noble history of the organization. Its humble beginnings as the Order of The Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, a hospice for pilgrims, its dedicated wartime efforts and today’s programs that range from first aid training, car seat clinics to medical first response, youth and therapy dog programs.

“For the last 125 years St. John Ambulance has been working hard to ensure a better quality of life for people across Ontario“ said Rob White, Chair of St. John Ambulance Council for Ontario. “Opening trading on the TSX is a unique opportunity to celebrate this milestone and to kick off St. John Day.” A group of uniformed and non-uniformed representatives will participate in the market opening ceremony.

Also taking place on June 24th - St. John Day is the laying up of the St. John Ambulance Priory of Canada Banner in Memorial Hall, Kingston City Hall. The flag will rest alongside the colours of the Royal Military College (RMC). The Priory of Canada Banner was officially retired, at St. John’s Annual General Meeting held on June 6, 2009 at RCM where the inaugural St. John Ambulance, first aid course was held in Ontario 125 years ago.

For 125 years St. John Ambulance has been training annually over 140,000 people of Ontario in first aid and other health care related courses and remains dedicated to saving lives at work, home and play. With over 4,000 volunteers logging in over half a million hours a year, St. John Ambulance is an integral part of the community offering such programs as; medical first response services, car seat clinics, youth and therapy dog services.

As a charitable, non denominational, humanitarian organization, proceeds from St. John Ambulance’s first aid and product sales directly support these vital community services programs.

For more information on St. John Ambulance, to volunteer or to contact a local branch, visit www.sja.ca

Sharla Langley-Cormier

St. John Council for Ontario

15 Toronto Street, Suite 800

Toronto, ON M5C 2E3

Office: (416) 923-8411 ext 245

Cell phone: (705) 321-0079

Sharla.Langley-Cormier@on.sja.ca