Attention News/Assignment Editors:

The Calgary Foundation set to release Calgary's 2008 Vital Signs report

    CALGARY, Oct. 7 /CNW/ - Calgary is at a critical point in its history,
with a population of 1,000,000, unparalleled prosperity and growing
challenges. Calgary's Vital Signs serves as a community barometer inviting
Calgarians to grade their quality of life.
    One facet of Calgary's Vital Signs is an annual report card, to be
released this year on Oct. 7, 2008. The report provides a clear snapshot of
our city's wellness and livability, and gives Calgarians the opportunity to
become "citizen graders" and have their say by grading Calgary's quality of
life.

    Calgary's 2008 Vital Signs report will be released at a press conference
on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008 from 10:00-11:30 am. Presentations will start at
approximately 10:30 am.

    <<
    -   City of Calgary Outdoor Resource Centre - 1111 Memorial Drive NW
        (corner of Memorial Drive and 10th Street NW).
    -   Key members of Calgary's Vital Signs team will be in attendance.
        Coffee and an array of international foods will be provided.
        Complimentary parking available.
    >>

    Calgary's Vital Signs report tracks quality of life in 12 key areas
including: Getting Started, Safety, Health and Wellness, Housing, Arts and
Culture, Gap Between Rich and Poor, Environment, Diversity, Sustainable City,
Learning, Work, Belonging & Leadership. The report was developed with many
community partners and reflects the community because it involved stakeholders
at every level, from advising on the report's indicators and exploring
research sources, to citizen graders assigning grades.

    <<
    Thriving

    -   Calgary transit carries over 270,000 on the CTrain alone everyday -
        the highest per capita number of passengers of any light rail transit
        system in North America.
    -   In 2007, Calgary had the highest number of small business per capita
        in Canada.
    -   In 2006, 69% of Calgary's aboriginal population aged 15 and over held
        at least one certificate, diploma or degree - one of the highest
        rates in the country.

    Critical

    -   Calgary leads the country in rates of domestic assaults.
    -   In 2006, the average house cost 4.2 years of annual income for the
        average family, up from 2.9 years in 2000.
    -   Recent immigrant's average income is 63.2% that of non-immigrant
        income.
    >>

    More information about Calgary's 2008 Vital Signs available at
www.calgaryvitalsigns.ca.

    The Calgary Foundation (TCF), established in 1955, facilitates
collaborative philanthropy by making powerful connections between donors and
community organizations for the long term benefit of Calgary and surrounding
area.

For further information: Chris Huestis, Communications Coordinator, The
Calgary Foundation, P: (403) 802-7716, chuestis@thecalgaryfoundation.org