News Releases

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 30, 2012) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this release.

BMO Financial Group donated $500,000 to Science World's Bridging the Science Gap capital campaign at a ceremony yesterday during the BMO Power of Blue Day.

The donation will go towards the naming of the new "Our World: BMO Sustainability Gallery", which explores how everyday choices concerning electricity, water consumption and waste can affect the world and impact the future.

Science World's $35 million campaign sees a major refurbishment, an expansion of gallery spaces, broader programming, and a superior visitor experience for more than 550,000 annual guests with an overarching theme of sustainability.

"Investing in science and technology education is an investment in our children's future. We're impressed with the relaunched Science World, an important educational resource for all British Columbians, and we are very pleased to provide a major gift to this renewal," said Joanne Gassman, Senior Vice President, BC & Yukon, BMO Bank of Montreal.

In addition to the corporate gift, BMO Financial Group is also the presenting sponsor of the Extreme Dinosaurs Exhibit from August, 2011 until March, 2012.

"We are pleased that BMO Financial Group chose to support the Science World capital campaign," says Bryan Tisdall, President and CEO. "BMO has been with Science World since the very beginning, from our first capital campaign in 1988 that helped to create the current facility. BMO has played an important role in shaping Science World as a premier destination for learning and discovering science."

During the BMO Power of Blue Day, all BMO customers received free admission when they showed their BMO debit or credit card. BMO Power of Blue is a program that rewards the bank's clients with unexpected benefits and privileges at events sponsored by BMO such as Whitecaps FC games, Bard on the Beach plays and at Science World.

About Science World British Columbia

Each year more than 550,000 people visit the Science World facility in Vancouver and the outreach program takes an exciting science experience to an additional 188,000 students, teachers and parents in over 115 communities throughout British Columbia. Science World has been hugely successful in its mission of sparking curiosity in science and has become an essential part of science education in the province.

About BMO Financial Group in the Community

For more than 194 years, BMO Financial Group has believed in community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility in the communities it serves. In 2011, BMO contributed more than $66.4 million in donations, sponsorships and events in Canada and the United States to groups, organizations and programs that help build and sustain resilient, vital and healthy communities.

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