Support marks major step forward in the fight against child pornography,
    sexual abuse and exploitationTORONTO, Aug. 26 /CNW/ - CIBC (CM: TSX;NYSE) announced today that it is
committing one million dollars to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection to
help reduce the victimization and exploitation of children across Canada.
    CIBC's investment will be directed to raise awareness of the Centre and
its Kids in the Know™ safety education program to better educate children
and parents about keeping their children safer from sexual abuse and
exploitation. The contribution is one of the largest the Centre has received
to date.
    Safety education kits will be developed and made available for parents
and for teachers to use in the classroom. These kits will be structured to
provide safety information for children of all ages, as well as information
about the Centre and its programs, including the Kids in the Know safety
education program.
    CIBC also has committed to work with the Centre to fight commercial child
pornography by applying transaction-monitoring technology through its Retail
banking operations to close down payment accounts used by illegal enterprises
trading in child pornography, one of the largest and fastest growing
commercial activities on the Internet.
    "Protecting children from sexual abuse, exploitation and being victims of
child pornography is an issue of the utmost importance," said Sonia Baxendale,
Senior Executive Vice President of CIBC Retail Markets. "On behalf of our
employees, clients and every parent, we are proud to be taking direct action
with the Centre to combat this issue and help safeguard children in Canada."
    CIBC has long been committed to child safety and children's issues. For
the past 11 years, CIBC has worked with Child Find by donating space on its
direct mail envelopes to help find missing children. In 2007 alone, the
pictures and vital information of missing children was sent out on 48 million
client statements across Canada. In addition, each year CIBC donates millions
of dollars through hundreds of organizations that support the safety,
protection and well-being of children in Canada.
    "We are thrilled to have CIBC's support and commitment to better protect
children and shut down the child pornography industry in Canada," said Lianna
McDonald, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
"Within only a few years, child pornography has become a multi-billion dollar
commercial enterprise, and is among the fastest growing businesses on the
Internet. Digital technology has made child pornography easy to produce and
commercialize. With CIBC's leadership and support, we are taking a major step
forward in the fight against child pornography. By helping raise awareness, we
will increase the personal safety of children and reduce the chances they will
be sexually abused or exploited."
    Kids in the Know is an interactive program that engages, empowers and
educates kids about their personal safety and reducing their risk of sexual
exploitation. It also guides parents and teachers towards helping children
learn the importance of having clear personal boundaries so that children can
become more aware of potentially dangerous situations.
    Canadians of all ages can help in the fight against child exploitation
and abuse. Here's how:-  Report online child sexual exploitation of children
    -  Educate children about how to keep themselves safer
    -  Advocate for the protection of all children
    -  Review missing children posters
    -  Help others by sharing your story about child safety.About the Canadian Centre for Child Protection

    The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is a non-profit, charitable
organization dedicated to the personal safety of all children. Its goal is to
reduce child victimization by providing programs and services to the Canadian
public. The service was incorporated in April 1985 as Child Find Manitoba
following the disappearance and murder of 13-year-old Candace Derksen.
Candace's mother, Wilma, created the organization to provide the essential
services that her family didn't have access to throughout and following her
daughter's disappearance. Over the past 20 years, Child Find Manitoba has
grown to provide national intervention, education, and prevention programs. On
May 25, 2006, International Missing Children's Day, the organization was
renamed the Canadian Centre for Child Protection to more accurately reflect
its national role in the protection of children.

    About CIBC

    CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our
employees and our communities. We aim to make a difference in communities
through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of
employees. With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, and employee
commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run
for the Cure, United Way and the CIBC World Markets Children's Foundation, we
are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the
country. In 2007, CIBC group of companies contributed more than $36 million
worldwide to charitable organizations and community initiatives. Of this,
$27 million was invested in Canada to support national, regional and local
organizations. To learn more, visit www.cibc.com/pas.