The BMO Employee Charitable Foundation hands out more than $400,000 as part of Generosity Day
Over $1 million collected in Quebec in 2007

MONTREAL, October 24, 2007 – The BMO Employee Charitable Foundation today donated some $417,000 to 36 Quebec-based non-profit organizations as part of the second edition of Generosity Day, which aims to recognize and celebrate the volunteer work and generosity of BMO employees and the institution’s customers.

In particular, the foundation donated $275,000, raised through the sale of 2007 BMO Bank of Montreal Dream Home tickets, to the following foundations that work with sick children:

- Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation – $70,000
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Foundation – $70,000
- Fondation du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec – $35,000
- Fondation du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke – $30,000
- Fondation les petits trésors – $30,000
- Marie Enfant Foundation – $20,000
- Ronald McDonald House – $20,000

The BMO Employee Charitable Foundation raised $1,014,480 in Quebec through its 2007 campaign. As the foundation’s administrative fees are entirely assumed by BMO, all monies will be redistributed in the various regions of the province in which they were raised, as has been the case with all the campaigns conducted since the foundation was established in 1996.

“Together, through our concerted actions and our involvement, we can contribute to the well-being of our communities while also deriving great personal satisfaction,” said François Hudon, Senior Vice-President, Quebec Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. “You are champions, all of you who work for the 36 community organizations represented here today and all of you who are active members of the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation.”

“Generosity Day allows us to pay homage to 26 BMO colleagues who have distinguished themselves through their involvement and leadership over the past year,” added Martin Beauchamp, Chair of the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation in Quebec. “It is also an opportunity for all BMO employees to be inspired by these leaders to exceed our fundraising goals in 2008.”

Bruno Mital, Regional Director of Kids Help Phone, which has benefited from the support of the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation, said, “We have found within the foundation people who share our passion and commitment to young people, like BMO Bank of Montreal itself, which is a founding partner of our organization. We are proud to be able to count on a loyal, unwavering partner and people who are ready to actively support our cause.”

The following organizations were also present at the Generosity Day and have received financial support from the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation in 2007:

Accueil Bonneau
Action Centre-Ville (Montréal)
Canadian Italian Community Foundation Quebec
CURE Foundation
Douglas Mental Health University Institute Foundation
Fondation du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec
Fondation du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke
Fondation les Petits Trésors of Hôpital Rivière-des-Prairies
Fondation Ordina-Coeur
Giant Steps Foundation
Jeunes au Travail
JEVI Centre de prévention du suicide-Estrie
Just for Kids Foundation
Kids Help Phone
L’Ancre des jeunes
L’Auberge du cœur le Baluchon
La Citad’Elle de Lachute
La Fondation de la Maison Michel-Sarrazin
La Fondation du Centre Jacques-Cartier
La Tablée populaire
La Traversée
Le Centre Marie-Ève
Le Relais communautaire de Pont-Viau
Les Loisirs Le Grillon
Les Services de réadaptation du Sud-Ouest et du Renfort
Maison des jeunes de Mascouche
Marie Enfant Foundation
Miriam Foundation
Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation
Quebec Breakfast Club
Ronald McDonald House of Montreal
Sainte-Justine Hospital Foundation
Shield of Athena
Station Familles
West Island Community Shares
West Island Palliative Care Residence Foundation

About the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation
Founded in 1996 in Quebec as Fountain of Hope, the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation is a national charitable organization formed of working and retired BMO Financial Group employees. With the generous support of these employees as well as BMO Financial Group customers and friends, the foundation helps improve the quality of life of the less fortunate by providing support to thousands of registered charitable organizations across Canada.

Active nationwide since 2000, the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation raised more than $8 million during its 2007 campaign due to the efforts of its six regional chapters and the generosity of BMO Financial Group employees and customers.

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Contact:

Ronald Monet, Montreal, BMO Financial Group, 514 877-1873, ronald.monet@bmo.com

Website:

www.bmoemployeecharitablefoundation.ca