Kitchener, ON – (June 29, 2006)

Fortis Properties is pleased to announce the Holiday Inn Kitchener-Waterloo will be 100 per cent smoke-free as of July 1, 2006. 

Jonathan Lund, General Manager, Holiday Inn Kitchener-Waterloo is thrilled with the hotel’s transition.  “We are proud to be the only smoke-free, full-service hotel and conference centre in the area,” said Lund.  “This change reflects growing guest demand for a non-smoking environment.”  To accommodate this transition, the hotel has renovated its previous smoking rooms.

Joining the hotel in celebrating this milestone is Dr. Liana Nolan, the Region’s Medical Officer of Health.  “I applaud the Holiday Inn Kitchener-Waterloo for demonstrating its leadership in the hotel industry by becoming smoke-free” said Dr. Nolan.  “This transition promotes a healthier lifestyle for both patrons and staff.”

The award-winning hotel has had a busy year.  The Holiday Inn Kitchener-Waterloo recently opened an 11,000 square foot addition to its conference facilities, which included a state-of-the-art ballroom accommodating up to 700 people, elegant reception areas and additional private meeting rooms to complement the hotel’s existing meeting space.   

The Holiday Inn Kitchener-Waterloo is one of 15 hotels owned and operated by Fortis Properties Corporation.  A subsidiary of Fortis Inc., Fortis Properties is a leading Atlantic-Canadian based company with holding s in commercial real estate, hotels and hydro generation.

For more information on Fortis Properties and its operations, please visit the Company’s web site at www.fortisproperties.com.

- 30-