News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 23, 2012) - With growing global demand for safe, quality, and reliable sources of food showing no signs of slowing, Canada as the world's fifth largest agriculture exporter is well positioned for growth. The agriculture sector overall accounts for one in eight jobs in Canada and contributes to eight per cent of the country's total Gross Domestic Product. However, the industry faces some challenges - including how to improve productivity, which has weakened compared to the U.S.

The economic outlook for Canadian agriculture and its opportunities and challenges will be featured as experts from BMO and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, representing over 200,000 Canadian farmers and all agriculture industry associations and provincial associations, host a media panel on Thursday, April 26^th. The panel will include David Rinneard, National Manager, Agriculture, BMO Bank of Montreal, Ron Bonnett, President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture, and Ross Purdy, Agriculture Manager, Alberta, BMO Bank of Montreal.

What: Media are invited to a panel conference call on April 26^th at 11:00 a.m. ET featuring experts who will discuss the following topics:

• What is the outlook for the Canadian agriculture and agribusiness into 2012?
• How will the economy and global markets impact Canadian agriculture?
• What are the prospects for improving agricultural productivity?
• Is Canadian agriculture well positioned to growth its share of exports into emerging markets?

Who:

• David Rinneard, National Manager, Agriculture, BMO Bank of Montreal
• Ron Bonnett, President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture
• Ross Purdy, Senior Manager, Agriculture, Alberta, BMO Bank of Montreal

When: Thursday April 26, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. ET

Where: Media are invited to participate through conference call: 416-695-6277 or toll-free at 1-877-405-9213 - Passcode: 7343734

Please contact us at 416-867-3996 to confirm attendance or if you have any questions.

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly-diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $538 billion as at January 31, 2012, and more than 47,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.