Introducing seven of Canada's most inspiring, community-minded young people, the HSBC Future Leaders!

Part of new national youth recognition program stemming from HSBC's $1m donation to Breakfast Club of Canada, made in honour of Canada's 150^th anniversary this year

TORONTO, Nov. 18, 2017 /CNW/ - Earlier today HSBC Bank Canada (HSBC) and the Breakfast Club of Canada recognized seven inspiring, community-minded young people from across Canada as HSBC Future Leaders at a special recognition event at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. Helping make it a day to remember were special guests Col. Chris Hadfield, first Canadian Commander of the International Space Station, and Ziya Tong, Host of Discovery Channel's Daily Planet.

"From championing eco-friendly programs, advocating for social justice and mental health initiatives, to supporting diversity and inclusion in their schools and communities, these seven amazing young people are making Canada a better place," said Larry Tomei, ?Executive Vice-President, and Head of Retail Banking & Wealth Management, HSBC Bank Canada. "As Canada's leading international bank, we share their passion for excellence and community and it's with great pleasure that we recognize them as HSBC Future Leaders in partnership with the Breakfast Club of Canada!"

Without further ado, the HSBC Future Leaders are:

1. Angelo ? age 10, grade 5 student in Montreal, QC
   Future ambition: Chef
   
   
2. Cedonna ? age 17, grade 12 student in Toronto, ON
   Future Ambition: Optometrist
   
   
3. Hayeden ? age 9, grade 4 student in Calgary, AB
   Future Ambition: Firefighter
   
   
4. Elizabeth ? age 11, grade 7 student in Vancouver, BC
   Future Ambition: Mechanic or Prime Minister of Canada
   
   
5. Ethan ? age 12, grade 7 student in Vancouver, BC
   Future Ambition: City Planner
   
   
6. Holly ? age 18, grade 12 student in Toronto, ON 
   Future Ambition: Forensic psychologist or behaviour analyst
   
   
7. Kayla ? age 17, grade 12 in Saskatoon, SK
   Future Ambition: Nurse

The final seven HSBC Future Leaders were selected from a total of 21 students in grades four to 12 ? nominated by school administrators from schools across Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Saskatoon ? with the final seven selected by a panel of judges who considered the nominations based on four areas: inspiration, impact, sustainability and collaboration. 

In addition to a trip to Toronto to attend today's recognition event and honourees' luncheon, each student will receive a $1,000 High Rate Savings Account (HRSA) from HSBC Bank Canada to help them plan and save for their future educational goals.¹

HSBC's partnership with Breakfast Club of Canada:
In honour of Canada's 150^th anniversary this year, HSBC Bank Canada is donating $1m to the Breakfast Club of Canada to provide 4,500 youth each year in Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Toronto and Montreal with access to healthy breakfasts, over the next three years (2017-19).

"Canada is one of the best countries in the world to live and work, so it can be hard to believe that one in five Canadian children currently live in poverty, therefore at risk of going to school hungry," said Daniel Germain, Founding President of Breakfast Club of Canada. "Our kids deserve better. With the help from partners like HSBC, we can help youth access healthy breakfasts so they can fuel their minds, bodies and dreams for the future."

HSBC's support will also see 50 school kitchens equipped to prepare healthy breakfasts, and HSBC employees across the country will continue to participate in Breakfast Club of Canada's 'Adopt a School' volunteer program.

About Breakfast Club of Canada
Breakfast Club of Canada is a non-profit organization that provides funding, equipment, training and support to school breakfast programs across the country. We are dedicated to making sure every child starts their day with a meal, helping them thrive at school, and in their community. Founded in Quebec in 1994, Breakfast Club of Canada began to fund and support school breakfast programs nationwide in 2005.

About HSBC Bank Canada
HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, is the leading international bank in the country. We help companies and individuals across Canada to do business and manage their finances internationally through three global business lines: Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Retail Banking and Wealth Management. HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 3,900 offices in 67 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. With assets of US$2,526bn at 30 September 2017.For more information visit www.hsbc.ca or follow us on Twitter @HSBC_CA or Facebook @HSBCCanada.

Note to Editors:

1. The HSBC CAD High Rate Savings Account must be open and in good standing at the time the credit is applied. If the "Student" does not already have an HSBC CAD High Rate Savings Account, in order to receive the credit he or she will need to open the account in accordance with standard account opening procedures of HSBC Bank Canada.  The use of the HSBC CAD High Rate Savings Account is subject to terms and conditions.  Visit www.hsbc.ca and click "Today's Rates" for current posted rates for the HSBC High Rate Savings Account (CAD). Account fees will be waived for one year from the day the account is opened, or if an existing customer, the day the student has been selected. For full details regarding fees which will apply to the High Rate Savings account after the one year period, please refer to the Personal Service Charges / Statement of Disclosure available at any HSBC Bank Canada branch or online at www.hsbc.ca/servicecharge.

SOURCE HSBC Bank Canada