TELUS commits $2 million to charities across Canada

Company donation in lieu of 2005 employee charitable giving campaign

Vancouver, B.C. – TELUS is committing $2 million to eligible charities across Canada in lieu of TELUS' Employee Charitable Giving Campaign (ECGC) for 2005. Funding is normally provided through the annual campaign, which encourages employees and retirees to make charitable contributions that are matched by TELUS dollar for dollar. For 2005, TELUS will provide 100 per cent of the funding.

Last year, as part of the 2004 ECGC, TELUS employees and retirees donated $1 million, which was matched by TELUS for a total of $2 million that was disbursed to charities in communities across Canada. As a result of TELUS' current labour situation, the company is deferring the employee campaign for 2005 and will re-establish it in 2006. In the meantime, TELUS will provide 100 per cent of the 2005 funding to ensure those charities that benefit from the campaign every year are not negatively impacted. TELUS will contribute the combined employee and retiree pledges and corporate matching contribution to all charities on the 2005 ECGC list, as well as provide a pro-rated contribution based on the giving patterns from last year's campaign.

The $2 million is part of an overall $10 million of financial and in-kind assistance TELUS commits annually to educational, health, arts and charitable organizations across Canada. This is in addition to TELUS' recent investment in science centres in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton. TELUS' support of science centres across Canada reflects the company's commitment to invest in our children's future by fostering educational opportunities through the innovative use of technology.

“TELUS has a steadfast commitment to actively support the communities that our customers, employees and retirees call home,” said Darren Entwistle, TELUS President and CEO. “Year after year, the generous contributions made by team members, retirees and the company, have made a real difference. Despite the challenges TELUS and our team members currently face with the ongoing labour disruption, TELUS will provide 100 per cent of the funding this year to ensure that eligible charities receive the support they are counting on.”

The ECGC supports more than 250 charities across Canada including Kidsport, the Alliance for Arts & Culture and the Children's Wish Foundation. In addition, a number of environmental charities were added to this year's program. TELUS' charitable contributions are focused around its three pillars of community investment: arts and culture, health and wellness and sports and education. TELUS constantly searches for ways to leverage its technology, expertise and resources to help change the lives of young Canadians and realize its commitment to becoming Canada's Premiere Corporate Citizen.

About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, T.NV; NYSE: TU) is the largest telecommunications company in Western Canada and the second largest in the country, with $8.0 billion of annual revenue, 4.7 million network access lines and 4.3 million wireless customers. The company provides customers with a full range of telecommunications products and services including data, voice and wireless services across Canada, utilizing next generation Internet-based technologies.
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For more information, please contact:
Shawn Hall
TELUS media relations
604-697-8176
shawn.hall@telus.com

Kathleen McWilliams
TELUS media relations
403-530-3270
kathleen.mcwilliams@telus.com