Opening of RONA FabShop in Montreal by Bois Urbain

BOUCHERVILLE, QUÉBEC--(Marketwire - Oct. 30, 2012) -

Editor's note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

RONA inc. (TSX:RON)(TSX:RON.PR.A), the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, renovation and gardening products, and the RONA Foundation celebrated the official opening of the RONA FabShop in Montreal in collaboration with Bois Urbain yesterday.

The RONA FabShop by Bois Urbain offers young people with difficulties integrating into society the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to exercise a trade in woodworking. The vocational training acquired at the FabShop is recognized by the Programme d'apprentissage en milieu de travail (PAMT), Emploi-Québec's workplace apprenticeship program.

Since 2011, the RONA Foundation has been channelling its efforts toward the realization of a major project: the establishment of a nationwide network of RONA FabShops to help young people who are struggling to take their place in the job market and society. The FabShop in Montreal is the second such project to open its doors, the first being in Vancouver.

"We have good reason to be proud of these young people's accomplishments and their contributions to society. At RONA, we care greatly about developing our youth's full potential and preparing tomorrow's leaders. We're pleased to help provide them with the tools essential to their professional and personal success," said Robert Dutton, President and Chief Executive Officer of RONA and President of the Board of Directors for the RONA Foundation.

The RONA Foundation donates the money it collects to registered organizations whose activities embody its vision of youth development and personal accomplishment. It supports programs to combat the school dropout problem and those providing training, workplace apprenticeships and employment opportunities for underprivileged youth. Since its creation in 1998, the Foundation has distributed nearly $5 million to various youth-oriented charitable organizations whose mission corresponds to its own. So far this year, RONA has contributed more than $500,000 to its foundation. Click here to view the Foundation's 2011 Annual Report or visit www.foundation.rona.ca for more information.

About RONA

RONA (TSX:RON)(TSX:RON.PR.A) is the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, home renovation and gardening products. The Corporation operates a network of more than 800 corporate, franchise and affiliate stores of various sizes and formats under several banners. With more than 30,000 employees working under its family of banners in every region of Canada, the RONA store network generates consolidated sales of more than $6 billion. For more information, visit rona.ca.

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