The winning design will be printed on the front of this year’s CPC Christmas cards, which are sent to Paralympic athletes, national sports organizations, sponsors and others.

Along with $250 in sporting equipment, the contest winner will earn a sports-related field trip for his or her entire class and his or her school will be treated to a hands-on Paralympic sport demonstration and a presentation by one of Canada’s Paralympians.

“The Canadian Paralympic Committee understands the importance of sport in everyone’s life, including people with a physical disability,” said CPC President Carla Qualtrough. “This contest gives Canadian children the unique opportunity to creatively depict some aspect of the Paralympic Movement in a Christmas setting. We look forward to receiving entries from across Canada, giving away some sporting equipment and showing a lucky school first-hand what it’s like to participate in Paralympic sports.”

Applicants must be enrolled in a recognized Canadian school, and all submissions must be drawn on 8 ½ by 11-inch paper.

Entries must be received in the mail by the CPC (It’s The Real Deal, Canadian Paralympic Committee, 85 Albert Street, suite 1401, Ottawa, ON, K1P 6A4) no later than November 2 at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard time. For complete contest details and entry forms, go to www.paralympic.ca/english/education.

Submissions will be judged by a jury made up of members of the CPC and Petro-Canada.

“It’s exciting to see students creatively engage with the Paralympic Movement through Petro-Canada’s “It’s the Real Deal” Paralympic Schools Program,” said Petro-Canada’s Director of Olympic and Community Partnerships, Steven Keith.

The Petro-Canada “It’s The Real Deal” Paralympic Schools Program is a free online schools program that includes downloadable fun and interactive activities, athlete interviews and photos for students and aims to raise awareness of Paralympic sport and athletes with a physical disability. Inaugurated in 2003, it was recently updated to include more information about Podi, the program’s new mascot.

About Canadian Paralympic Committee
The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is a non-profit, charitable, private organization that is recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The CPC delivers programs that strengthen the Paralympic Movement in Canada, including sending Canadian teams to the Paralympic Games. The CPC empowers persons with physical disabilities, through sport, at all levels. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

About Petro-Canada
Petro-Canada is one of Canada’s largest oil and gas companies, operating in both the upstream and the downstream sectors of the industry in Canada and internationally. The company creates value by responsibly developing energy resources and providing world class petroleum products and services. Petro-Canada is proud to be a national partner to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The company’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PCA and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PCZ. For more information, visit www.petro-canada.ca.