MasterCard Canada Wants to Keep Torontonians Skating – Offers City $160,000 to Open Rinks in December

TORONTO, October 12, 2007 – MasterCard Canada announced today that it is extending an offer to the City of Toronto to provide $160,000 to cover the cost of keeping the City’s 49 artificial outdoor rinks open during the month of December and the holiday season.

As part of the City of Toronto’s recently announced cost-containment measures, the opening of the 49 City-operated artificial outdoor rinks, including the Nathan Phillips Square rink, are to be delayed by one month.

“As a corporate citizen of Toronto, MasterCard felt it was important to do something to help facilitate the opening of the rinks on time so Torontonians could take full advantage of them this season,” said Kevin Stanton, President of MasterCard Canada. “Our Canadian operations and many of our financial institution customers are based here in Toronto. Our team members live here, and outdoor skating is such a great feature of Toronto’s vibrant neighbourhoods and public spaces, particularly during the holiday season.”

Toronto’s 49 artificial outdoor rinks provide the City with a unique community atmosphere and offer Torontonians a fun and active way to enjoy the winter months.

“We look forward to working with the City to facilitate the funding and open the rinks on their original schedule,” said Stanton.

About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 16 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard^®, Maestro^® and Cirrus^®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information, go to www.mastercard.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Julie Wilson
MasterCard Canada
416-365-5594