September 18, 2002

Toyota Canada dedicates new Japanese Tea Garden at Montreal Botanical Garden

Montreal, Quebec - The new Tea Garden at the Japanese Pavilion of the Montreal Botanical Garden was officially opened yesterday and dedicated to the late Hector Dupuis, a former Toyota Canada executive and prominent figure in Canada's automotive industry.

Toyota Canada provided a total financial contribution of $175,000 to the Montreal Botanical Garden to build the Tea Garden. The Tea Garden was designed using plans provided by Montreal's sister city of Hiroshima.

Yoshio Nakatani, Chairman of Toyota Canada Inc., Tetsuo Shioguchi, Japanese Consul General in Montreal, Cosmo Maciocia, member of the Executive Committee of the City of Montreal and representatives of the Montreal Botanical Garden were joined by Mr. Dupuis' wife, Louise, for the ceremony.

The new Tea Garden leads into the Japanese Pavilion's Tea Room where the elegant, centuries-old Japanese tea ceremony is celebrated throughout the summer. The garden's traditional role is to provide an oasis of peace in which guests leave behind the cares of the day before entering the tea room.

"Hector Dupuis began his automotive career here in his native Montreal and he was a tireless supporter of many of its most worthy causes," said Nakatani. "Toyota is proud to honour his community service and his love of the city by offering this garden in his name. I know our dealers and associates, here and across the country, agree it is a fitting tribute to his life, and we are pleased to have his family join us for this special occasion."

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