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Toronto, Ontario – February 13, 2007 – Today, CanWest MediaWorks Inc and Contractors.com Canada are pleased to announce their strategic alliance and the launch of Canada’s first national online network of contractors. Canadian consumers now have access to a network of over 90,000 contractors across the country, as well as helpful information about home renovations through a new channel on CanWest’s canada.com network, www.canada.com/contractors.
“As part of the canada.com network, Contractors.com Canada provides homeowners with a comprehensive way to research the information and get the help they need to tackle a variety of home improvement projects,” said Kim Peters, Vice President, Online Classifieds, CanWest MediaWorks Inc. “This is yet another way canada.com is providing Canadians with online access to the information, tools and listings that are important in their daily lives.”
This latest offering on canada.com provides resources and tools to help homeowners to research, plan and manage their building, renovation, repair or maintenance projects; contractors to market their business; and advertisers to reach homeowners, consumers and contractors.
Homeowners can source local contractors by category of service, or they can post their projects and have interested and available contractors contact them. Each certified contractor listing includes a profile, photo gallery and reviews posted by past clients. Reviews are collected from homeowners and their experiences are posted to help other consumers.
“The award-winning Contractors.com website has been successful throughout the United States, offering homeowners and contractors alike the ability to connect in a trusted environment,” said Leonard Quinn, President and CEO, Contractors.com Canada. “Building on this record, we are very happy today to work with CanWest through the canada.com network to help Canadian homeowners and consumers get the best value for their project investment.”
The site includes tips, articles and advice, as well as helpful stories on home renovation experiences. It includes services such as “Expert advice” where users can receive answers to posted questions; a “Get Matched” option that assists in the search for contractors for a specific project; a “Loan Search Engine”; and a “Cost Estimator”.
Through canada.com, homeowners can find local, regional, and national resources, including building material manufacturers, retailers, distributors, dealers and wholesalers; certified contractors for all categories; and support services including design architects, interior decorators, loan centres, and insurance companies.
“Contractors.com Canada is the perfect addition to canada.com’s growing suite of websites, including working.com, driving.ca, shopping, and remembering.ca. While it provides national scope, it also reflects the local power behind all of our interactive brands,” said Arturo Duran, President, Interactive and Business Integration, CanWest MediaWorks Inc. “This is another unique way we are providing consumers with the information they want, and how they want it, while at the same time helping advertisers reach their target markets.”
Advertisers and contractors who sign up to become a member of Contractors.com Canada are given access to business tools and information, including marketing advice and tips for choosing the right leads. To help consumers find the most reliable options and services, the site highlights certified contractors within the network. Certified members have had their licence and insurance information verified by Contractors.com Canada.
The successful Contractors.com website was first launched in 1997 in the United States as one of the first Internet sites to help homeowners locate reputable contractors and was voted "Best of the Web" in 2000 and 2001 by Forbes Magazine. Contractors.com is the world's most comprehensive and researched online contractor directory containing over 1.2 million contractor listings across the United States and Canada, and over 25,000 registered Members, and is searchable free of charge.
canada.com is Canada's most popular online general news and information destination. The network of sites, including driving.ca, working.com, remembering.ca, renting.com, shopping, and connecting and over 11 of the country's top daily metro newspaper sites, integrates Canadian content and perspectives all in one place.
About canada.com
canada.com is 74% indirectly owned by CanWest Global Communications Corp, (NYSE: CWG; TSX: CGS and CGS.A, www.canwestglobal.com), and 26% indirectly owned by the CanWest MediaWorks Income Fund (TSX: CWM.UN; www.cwmincomefund.com). CanWest Global Communications Corp., an international media company, is Canada's largest media company and largest publisher of daily newspapers. The Company also owns, operates and/or holds substantial interests in free-to-air and subscription-based television networks, out-of-home advertising, web sites, and radio stations and networks in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, the United States and the United Kingdom.
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For more information, please contact:
Tammy Bender
CanWest MediaWorks
tbender.com
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