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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 1, 2016) - BMO Global Asset Management (Canada) today announced that it has joined the Responsible Investment Association, Canada's leader in responsible investment.

The Responsible Investment Association focuses on the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into the selection and management of investments. It is a national, membership-based organization composed of financial institutions, mutual fund companies, investment firms, financial advisors, and various organizations and individuals who practice and support responsible investing.

"BMO Global Asset Management is honoured to join the Responsible Investment Association and is committed to incorporating ESG principles in the investment strategies we offer. We believe it is both the right thing to do and can also have an important impact on the creation of long-term investor value," said Lesley Marks, Chief Investment Officer, BMO Global Asset Management (Canada). "While our Fundamental Equity Group already formally includes and evaluates ESG principles as part of our ongoing investment decision-making process, we look forward to working with the Responsible Investment Association to refine our approach and continue our track record of responsible and sustainable investing."

Ms. Marks noted that the announcement today comes fewer than two years after the firm became a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment Initiative (UNPRI), a global network of investors, including asset owners, investment managers and service providers, who work together to put principles of responsible investing into practice.

"We are excited to welcome BMO Global Asset Management as an Associate Member of the Responsible Investment Association," said Deb Abbey, Chief Executive Officer, Responsible Investment Association. "Their decision to join our organization demonstrates leadership and strengthens our capacity to advance responsible investment in Canada."

About BMO Global Asset Management

BMO Global Asset Management is a global investment manager delivering service excellence from 27 offices in 17 countries to clients across five continents. Including discretionary and nondiscretionary assets, BMO Global Asset Management had CDN $304 billion in assets under management as of January 31, 2016.

Our four major investment centres in Toronto, Chicago, London and Hong Kong are complemented by a network of world-class boutique managers strategically located across the globe: BMO Real Estate Partners, LGM Investments, Monegy, Inc., Pyrford International Ltd., and Taplin, Canida & Habacht, LLC. BMO Global Asset Management has operations throughout North America and Europe, as well as in Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Sydney and is a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment initiative (UNPRI).

BMO Global Asset Management is a part of BMO Financial Group, a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America with total assets of CDN $699 billion as of January 31, 2016, and close to 47,000 employees.

About the Responsible Investment Association

The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is Canada's leader on responsible investment (RI). RI refers to the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into the selection and management of investments. We are a national, membership-based organization composed of financial institutions, mutual fund companies, investment firms, financial advisors, and various organizations and individuals who practice and support responsible investing. The RIA and its members strongly believe that RI is a valuable investment tool to enhance returns, reduce risk, and catalyze positive social change.