August 28, 2020

The Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba relies on the ongoing support of its longtime partners now more than ever. When the CPMB’s thirty-first Stationary Bike Race originally scheduled for Saturday March 13,2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, something had to be done and Canada Life’s team rose to the challenge.

The Race is the pinnacle of the Association’s fundraising year: responsible for 85% of the Association’s revenue. It is our lifeblood. The Race was cancelled but the work of the Association continues. Cerebral Palsy impacts people for life; thousands of Manitobans and their families are impacted.

Despite these uncertain times, Canada Life’s team wanted to fulfil their pledge to participate in the event, in a safe way.

Longtime member of the team, Charles Henaire, Deputy CFO, Chief Accounting and Control Officer, Great-West Lifeco explained, “At Canada Life, we’re committed to keeping our promises to our customers, communities and employees. During these uncertain times, we continue to find innovative ways of keeping those commitments. The safety and well-being of all our customers and employees is a critical consideration in enabling options that allow our Canada Life team to complete this important event in a safe manner.

“Our company has been participating in this event since the beginning, which is more than 30 years ago. We wanted to keep our commitment, as much for us as for them. Our teams know the importance of making a difference to families in Manitoba who depend on the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba for support. This is what we can do to ensure it is possible.”

These things don’t just happen. It took team co-captains Chad Fowlie and Bjorn Kristjanson working with Saikel Cycle Indoor Studio’s Dustin Marks, to come up with the right fix.

“Saikel Cycle has a handle on all the right cleanliness protocols to make this a safe and successful ride,” confirms Kristjanson. “We are looking forward to cycling for a good cause.”

The Canada Life teams will ride at the new Saikel Indoor Cycle Studios in Osborne Village, Saturday September 12 at 2:30 and 3:15 p.m. Visitors are advised to contact Sarah Yates-Howorth for permission regarding videotaping and other camera-work.

For more, please contact:

Sarah Yates-Howorth
CPMB Stationary Bike Race Coordinator
Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba
204-899-4052
Sarah@cerebralpalsy.mb.ca

Liz Kulyk
Assistant Vice-President, Media & Public Affairs
The Canada Life Assurance Company
204-391-8515
Media.Relations@canadalife.com