News Releases

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Dec. 13, 2011) - BMO Financial Group today pledged $175,000 to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation's Building Care Together campaign to help purchase state-of-the-art equipment and technology for Victoria's new hospital. The announcement was made this afternoon in the light-filled Atrium of the new Patient Care Centre at Royal Jubilee Hospital.

"It's very inspiring to receive a commitment like this and we're very grateful for the support of BMO Financial Group," said Leslee Farrell, Co-chair of the Building Care Together campaign along with the Honourable Ted Hughes. "Time and time again, the generosity and involvement of our corporate partners have contributed to considerable health care advances in our community."

Shelly Jensen, Vice President, Vancouver Island District, BMO Bank of Montreal, presented the pledge to Leslee Farrell and Ted Hughes, remarking: "We understand that as Vancouver Island's population continues to grow and age, the demands on our medical caregivers will also multiply along with the need for more complex and expensive health services. Our donation today to the Patient Care Centre at Royal Jubilee Hospital reinforces our commitment to supporting and strengthening health care services for all citizens in the region."

Hughes added, "The Building Care Together campaign is about supporting the world-class equipment and facilities available to us in the new Patient Care Centre. It's a true testament to this community's strong commitment to high-quality health care that BMO Financial Group has chosen to make this significant corporate pledge. Donations to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation are investments in a stronger community and a healthier future for all of us."

To date, the Building Care Together campaign has received pledges totalling $11.375 million, and the campaign Co-chairs are looking forward to making a number of exciting announcements in the coming months, as part of the campaign's goal to raise $25 million.

About the Victoria Hospitals Foundation and the Building Care Together campaign:

VHF works in partnership with the Vancouver Island Health Authority to enable donations to Vancouver Island's two largest and most comprehensive hospitals: the Royal Jubilee and the Victoria General. Since 1989, the Victoria Hospitals Foundation has raised more than $80 million to benefit our hospitals. With a goal of $25 million, Building Care Together is the third and most ambitious campaign in the Foundation's history. Co-chaired by the Honourable Ted Hughes and Ms. Leslee Farrell, the campaign is raising funds to support the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment for the new Patient Care Centre at Royal Jubilee Hospital. For more information, please call the Foundation at 250-519-1750 or visit www.buildingcare.ca.

About BMO Financial Group:

Since its founding in 1817 as Bank of Montreal - Canada's first bank - BMO Financial Group has been committed to corporate and social responsibility and the principles of sustainable development. BMO remains one of Canada's largest corporate benefactors. In 2010, BMO contributed $54.3 million in donations, sponsorships and events to support charities and not-for-profit organizations in Canada and the U.S.