EDMONTON, May 4, 2016 /CNW/ - Labatt Breweries of Canada is mobilizing its Canadian Disaster Relief effort to immediately donate more than 69,000 cans of emergency drinking water in aid of Canadians forced from their homes and firefighters on the ground in the wake of a wildfire sweeping through Fort McMurray, Alberta. An additional 131,000-plus cans are at the ready and will be shipped if emergency conditions warrant later this week.

Today, a truck carrying more than 2,880 cases of water canned to disaster specifications departed from the brewer's Alberta distribution centres. The shipment is destined for same-day delivery at the Edmonton emergency centre for donation to firefighters and displaced residents with the greatest need.

Charlie Angelakos, Labatt's vice president, legal and corporate affairs, said, "At our Edmonton brewery and across the country, the people of Labatt are alarmed and deeply concerned by the devastation of the wildfire that has overtaken Fort McMurray. Our priority is to shift into high gear with our Disaster Relief Program and do everything we can to help."

Today's donation is Labatt's fourth under its Canadian Disaster Relief Program in as many years. The company made its first water donation in 2013, when severe flooding caused Alberta to declare Canada's first-ever provincial state of emergency, also flying out a team of Labatt employees to help with the flood clean-up effort on the ground. In 2014, the company came to the aid of flood victims in Manitoba and Saskatchewan and, in 2015 it coupled financial donations with donations of safe drinking water for fire fighters and residents when forest fires broke out in BC and Saskatchewan.

Labatt's Canadian Disaster Relief Program was first established in 2012 to provide safe drinking water to Canadian communities that have experienced a natural disaster. The company's Hometown Brewery in London, Ontario packages its own water and maintains a constant inventory of fresh and safe canned water exclusively for this purpose. Since 2012, Labatt has donated more than 220,000 cans of safe drinking water to Canadian communities under emergency conditions.

"Labatt is one of Canada's founding businesses and oldest brewers and we're grateful to be able to give back to this country by leveraging our strengths and resources to get safe drinking water to Canadians in need," said Angelakos.

About Labatt Breweries of Canada

Established by John Kinder Labatt in London, Ontario in 1847, Labatt Breweries is one of Canada's founding businesses and its leading brewer. The company today has more than 3,000 employees, six breweries, three stand-alone craft brewers, and a portfolio of 60 quality beers, including Budweiser, Alexander Keith's, Labatt Blue, Kokanee, Stella Artois and Corona. Brands also include ready-to-drink beverages such as Palm Bay and Mike's Hard Lemonade. As part of the Anheuser-Busch InBev family, Labatt is committed to being The Best Beer Company Bringing People Together for a Better World, making a positive contribution through multiple programs that support its communities, promote responsible drinking and protect the environment.

SOURCE Labatt Breweries of Canada

For further information: Ilan Cooley (Alberta), [email protected], 780-497-1445; Caitie Wallman (National), [email protected], 416-320-4178