News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 17, 2013) - The Canadian Foundation for Economic Education (CFEE) today officially marked the inaugural Talk With Our Kids About Money Day - a new program for families, students and teachers that offers easy to use resources and tools to help young Canadians learn more about money and personal finances. The program is being supported by BMO Financial Group.

"Our government and organizations like the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education, are working to encourage greater financial literacy, to better equip Canadians to make life's important financial decisions," said The Honourable Ted Menzies, Minister of State (Finance).

The official launch of the School Program - which focuses on schools in the greater metropolitan areas of Toronto and Montreal - includes approximately 45,000 students and teachers who are participating in financially-themed lesson plans in a wide range of subject areas. The School Program will be rolled out across Canada over the next three years.

The Home Program is being rolled out nationally as well, providing families with online access to ideas, multi-media tools and resources to begin - or continue - money-related conversations with their kids. The program content is organized by age range and focuses on activities that are simple, fun, engaging and educational. In addition, families who participate have a chance to win a $2,500 Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) courtesy of BMO in the "Let's Talk About Money" contest.

"The overall goal is to encourage conversations with kids about financial matters," said Gary Rabbior, President of CFEE. "We congratulate the schools, students, teachers and families that have taken this issue to heart by becoming the first in Canada to participate in Talk With Our Kids About Money Day and look forward to the growth of the program on a national scale."

The BMO Financial Literacy Poll, released yesterday, revealed that the vast majority of Canadians (99 per cent) agree it is important to develop good financial habits early in life; 96 per cent believe that schools need to do more to teach children and teenagers about finances.

"Today marks a milestone for the improvement of financially literacy in Canada and sends a strong signal that parents, schools and other stakeholders recognize the importance of having frank and open discussions that will help children in Canada become more confident in their decisions about money," said L. Jacques Ménard, Chairman of BMO Nesbitt Burns and Vice-Chair of the Federal Task Force on Financial Literacy. "BMO is proud to partner with CFEE and support this program, as it aligns with our ongoing mission of Making Money Make Sense and promoting financial literacy."

The new program, offered by CFEE and supported by BMO, includes:

• Website with resources, ideas, activities, etc. for families and teachers
• Teachers' Guide for schools in the greater metropolitan areas of Toronto and Montreal registering to participate (plus additional resources, tools and supports on the website) expanding to other provinces beginning in 2014

Families and teachers interested in participating can visit the website at www.talkwithourkidsaboutmoney.com or visit a BMO Bank of Montreal branch to learn more.

About CFEE:

CFEE is a federally chartered, non-profit, non-partisan organization, founded in 1974, that works to improve economic and financial literacy and enterprising capability.