News Releases

CALGARY, Aug. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Today WestJet and WE released a new video, WestJet & WE: Canada's next 150 years marking Canada's birthday. One of WestJet Cares for Kids' charitable partners, WE and WestJet are encouraging Canadians to create a more inclusive, caring and compassionate country by taking the WE pledge at WE.ca. To view the video, click here.

The video was filmed at celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on July 1, and July 2 during WE Day Canada, the first WE Day event of its kind where thousands of young people and their families descended on the nation's capital to show the country and the world that the future of Canada is in the hands of its young leaders. The video features 10 outstanding youth from across the country – five new Canadians and five WE youth ambassadors – considered change-makers through service to their communities.

"WestJet cares about the health and wellbeing of young people and is committed to giving youth access to opportunities where they can take action and change the world," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President, Marketing Communications.  "Through the WestJet Cares for Kids program, WestJet partners with WE to support its mission of bringing people together and giving them the tools to do just that. As we celebrate the past and look forward to Canada's next 150 years, WestJet joins with WE and these passionate, motivated young leaders to ask Canadians to take the WE pledge, to take action and to continue building a strong future for Canada."

Alongside celebrities, international activists and WE co-founders, Craig and Marc Kielburger, the youth participants were celebrated on stage in Ottawa for the meaningful contributions they are making in their communities. Read more about the special experiences and people (hint: Canada's Prime Minister) they met on Parliament Hill at the WestJet blog.

"It's amazing to have partnered with WestJet on the incredible moment where new Canadians and young change-makers from across the country came together to pave the way for a more caring and compassionate Canada," said Craig Kielburger, co-founder of WE. "What better way to celebrate these young leaders than to travel to our nation's capital during Canada Day weekend for a first-of-its-kind festival, WE Day Canada. We were truly honoured to have these youth grace the WE Day stage and be a part of this memorable event thanks to WestJet."

"Experiencing this monumental event, taking the WE pledge, meeting my peers and our country's leader, and seeing the passion from everyone at the celebrations on Parliament Hill has inspired me even more to do what I can to make my Canada an inclusive place," said WE Youth Ambassador Aqsa Hussain of Regina.

"Taking the WE pledge to contribute to our society is important because we are the ones that will shape Canada for the next 150 years," said WE Youth Ambassador Hunaifa Malik of Yellowknife.

WestJet and WE are sharing this special video to inspire Canadians to take the WE pledge at WE.ca. Through the WE Pledge, anyone can become part of the WE movement, where they are provided with tools, resources, support and opportunities that will empower them to create change in their communities and around the world through simple everyday actions. For every pledge made, $10 will be donated to support WE's local and global programs thanks to a generous long-time WE supporter.

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most trusted airline and one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook. Together with our regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas.  Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods  ̶  even on seat sales.

WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.  

Recent recognition includes:
2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture (Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)

Connect with WestJet on Facebook at facebook.com/westjet
Follow WestJet on Twitter at twitter.com/westjet
Subscribe to WestJet on YouTube at youtube.com/westjet
Read the WestJet blog at blog.westjet.com

SOURCE WestJet