News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 19, 2014) - Toronto will host WorldPride, June 20-29, as hundreds of thousands of guests come to celebrate the history and diversity of the LGBTQ community. To help beautify one of Toronto's most iconic cultural neighborhoods and the hub of WorldPride - the Church-Wellesley Village - BMO presents The Church Street Mural Project.

Nearly a year in development, the last of 11 large-scale murals are now complete and the entire collection will be officially unveiled on June 21, 2014. The exhibition - publicly-accessible throughout the Church-Wellesley Village - is one of the largest outdoor art exhibitions in Canada, as well as one of the largest LGBTQ exhibitions in the country.

"For more than 195 years, BMO has been investing in the communities and fostering inclusion where ever we do business. The unveiling of the Church Street Mural Project and Pride and Remembrance Run are just two of the many ways we are supporting diversity, and we couldn't be more proud," said Gavin Clark, Investment Advisor, BMO Nesbitt Burns, and Chair of BMO Pride, BMO's LGBTQ employee resource group.

"This art project represents the best of our community. These eleven extraordinary murals capture the heart of the Church-Wellesley Village and Toronto's LGBTQ history," said Councillor Wong-Tam. "BMO Bank of Montreal has been an excellent partner, taking the lead and making this work happen."

Event Details

What:	Church Street Mural Project Official Unveiling
Who:	Gavin Clark, Chair of BMO Pride, BMO's LGBTQ employee resource group
	Anthony Tintinalli, Regional Vice President, Toronto Downtown, BMO
	Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, Ward 27, Toronto Centre-Rosedale
	Dennis Findlay, Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives
	David Whitaker, CEO of Tourism Toronto
	Lilie Zendel, Manager of StreetARToronto program
	Raymond Goral, The Home Depot
When:	Saturday, June 21, 2014
	1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET
Where:	519 Church Street, Toronto
	Cawthra Square Park (North Side)
	M4Y 2C9

Editors, please note: photos will be available following this event.

Thirteen high-calibre and gallery-represented artists were selected by a panel of art community leaders to execute a vision that was brought together over two weeks through extensive collaboration and consultation with local and Canada-wide LGBTQ activists and historians, identified mainly through the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives (CLGA).

The Church Street Mural Project, presented by BMO, is one of many ways BMO supports Pride and its overall objective of fostering diversity. June 28, 2014 marks the 19th annual Pride and Remembrance Run, also presented by BMO. This year, the run is expected to draw 1,500 participants. The Pride and Remembrance Association is a 100 per cent volunteer-run not-for-profit organization and its ongoing goal of promoting and fostering community spirit and sportsmanship has been unwavering since 1996. The Pride and Remembrance Run, presented by BMO, is one of the most popular running events in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and the largest fundraising event during Pride week.

BMO Support for the Community

BMO embraces and proudly supports the diversity of people's social needs, ideas and interests. We distribute our contributions over a broad range of initiatives, including education, health care, arts and culture, community development and sports and athletics. In 2013, BMO Financial Group allocated $56 million to registered charities, not-for-profit and community-based organizations and institutions in Canada and the United States.

BMO has been a long-time supporter of the Toronto LGBTQ community. BMO has partnered with The 519 Church Street Community Centre, Fife House, Casey House, AIDS Committee of Toronto and Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.