News Releases

- Residents of Quebec contributed an average of $5,318 this year to their RRSPs - up 42 per cent from last year

- Forty per cent in the province contributed to an RRSP before Feb 29th deadline

- Mutual funds were top RRSP investment choice for Quebecers, followed by GICs, bonds, equities and ETFs

- Nationally, men were more likely than women to have made a contribution

- 38 per cent contributed to an RRSP before Feb. 29th deadline - the same as the national average

- Ontarians contributed an average of $4,038 - $900 less than last year

- More than half (60 per cent) of the province's contributors opted for mutual funds for their RRSPs, followed by GICs (26 per cent), equities (22 per cent), bonds (6 per cent) and ETFs (6 per cent)

- Nationally, men more likely than women to have contributed

- 42 per cent of Manitobans and Saskatchewanians made an RRSP contribution this year - tops in the country

- The two provinces contributed an average of $5,605 - $2,000 more than last year

- Nationally, men were more likely than women to have made a contribution

- British Columbians contributed an average of $6,700 to their RRSPs this year - more than any other region in Canada

- One-third of British Columbians made a contribution before the February 29th deadline

- Nationally, men were more likely than women to have made a contribution

- Half of the province's contributors opted for mutual funds for their RRSPs (51 per cent), followed by equities (29 per cent), GICs (21 per cent), bonds (10 per cent) and ETFs (4 per cent)

- 32 per cent contributed to an RRSP before February 29th deadline

- Average contribution amount was $3,864

- Atlantic Canadians most likely in Canada to include equities in their RRSPs

- Nationally, men were more likely than women to have made a contribution

- 42 per cent of Albertans contributed to an RRSP before the February 29th deadline - unchanged from last year

- The average RRSP contribution amount in Alberta was $3,980 while the national average was $4,670

- Nationally, men were more likely than women to have made a contribution

- 38 per cent contributed to an RRSP before Feb. 29th deadline

- Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba led the way with 42 per cent participation

- Canadians contributed an average of $4,670

- Men more likely than women to have contributed

- Mutual funds were top RRSP investment choice this season, followed by GICs

18-Year BMO Veteran Responsible for Relationships With Corporate and Government Clients Worldwide

Adds global responsibility for all BMO's Fixed Income and Money Market Sales & Trading capabilities to existing Financial Products portfolio

Assumes Responsibility for All BMO's FX Activities in North America, Europe and Asia

Access to capital, developing a business plan, and finding customers top challenges

- Food and hospitality, retail/services, and arts/entertainment & recreation most favoured sectors

- 52 per cent of Canadians believe access to capital to be the primary challenge to starting their own business

- 86 per cent of potential entrepreneurs say sharing knowledge with other business owners will be important to their success

- Midnight, February 29th is the deadline for contributing to an RRSP

- BMO offers multiple options for Canadians looking to contribute

- BMO media spokespeople available to provide last-minute RRSP advice

New branch is latest step in rebuilding downtown Goderich following tornado damage

- Newly renovated BMO branch represents a $1.4 million investment into the community

- Special attendance by Deb Shewfelt, Mayor, Town of Goderich

- Donation presentation of $7,500 to the Alexandra Marine & General Hospital

- Grand opening celebration features a chance to win great prizes, including a iPad 2 or a cash prize

Tony Robson and David Haughton hosting BMO Capital Markets' 21st Global Metals & Mining Conference this week

- Outlook for copper factors in strong demand from China

- Gold consumption in India and China has been a key driver of the market

- Major outflows in burgeoning ETF industry carry potential risk to impact silver prices