News Releases
BMO Capital Markets, the investment and corporate banking arm of BMO Financial Group (TSX, NYSE: BMO), announced it has made a donation of $262,500 to the Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth (FAAY), through its Equity Through Education charitable program, in celebration of National Aboriginal Day.
National Aboriginal Day was proclaimed in 1996 so that all Canadians could share and experience the cultures of Indians, Inuit, and M�tis in Canada. Many Aboriginal groups mark June 21st as a time to celebrate their heritage. National Aboriginal Day also supports initiatives to commemorate the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples.
“BMO Capital Markets has made a tradition of celebrating National Aboriginal day as part of our commitment to diversity and to our corporate values,” said Eric Tripp, Co-President, BMO Capital Markets and Campaign Chair of the special trading day. “We're excited that this donation will assist more than 30 scholars in their educational pursuits.”
FAAY is a scholarship and bursary program operated by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) dedicated to developing the next generation of aboriginal leaders. By encouraging youth to stay in school, FAAY bridges the gap between the reality aboriginal youth face in their communities and the opportunities available to those with higher education. Since the launch of the program in 2005, Equity Through Education has donated nearly $690,000 to FAAY.
“The efforts of companies like BMO Capital Markets are helping extraordinary Aboriginal young people get a better start and build a better Canada. Those efforts are telling them that somebody cares what happens to them – and that gives them a tremendous boost as they get going in the world. I am very grateful for the good work Equity Through Education is doing,” said Jocelyne Soulodre, President and CEO, CCAB.
About BMO Capital Markets' Equity Through Education Program
BMO Capital Markets founded the Equity Through Education program in 2005 to support and promote Education and Diversity. Each year, BMO Capital Markets has selected a special trading day, whereby all institutional equity trading commissions earned across North America are donated to seven organizations. More than 1,300 individuals have benefited from the program through scholarships, bursaries, mentoring programs and job search strategy forums. For more information, visit www.bmocm.com/equitythrougheducation/default.aspx
About BMO Capital Markets
BMO Capital Markets, through its parent, BMO Financial Group, has a proud tradition of supporting community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility to the communities it serves. In 2006, BMO Financial Group pledged $2.9 million in new funding to 10 universities and colleges across Canada. BMO Financial Group contributed more than $40 million in corporate donations, sponsorships and events in 2006, supporting thousands of communities, charities and not-for-profit organizations in Canada and the United States.
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BMO Capital Markets kicked off National Aboriginal Day from its trading floor in
BMO Capital Markets kicked off National Aboriginal Day from its trading floor in