Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
February 1, 2016

The following is being distributed at the request of The Rooms Corporation:

Commemorating Our First World War Story

First World War Education Program Receives Funding from BMO Financial Group

This afternoon, the Honourable Brian Tobin, PC, OC, former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and Vice-Chair, BMO Capital Markets, and Victor Pellegrino, Senior Vice-President, Atlantic Provinces Division, BMO Bank of Montreal, presented a major donation of $1,000,000 towards The Rooms Where Once They Stood We Stand Capital Campaign for First World War Commemoration.

“BMO Financial Group has had a long history of meeting the financial needs of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Following the bank crash in Newfoundland in the 1890s, the Bank of Montreal was the first bank to lend assistance to the province and made the greatest contribution by lending the Newfoundland government sufficient funds to meet interest payments and to resume construction of the railway. Over 125 years later, BMO continues to meet the financial needs of Newfoundland and Labrador and support the people and communities in which it operates.”
- The Honourable Brian Tobin, Vice-Chair, BMO Capital Markets, BMO Bank of Montreal

BMO was one of the first corporate supporters of The Rooms with a contribution to The Rooms opening ceremonies in June of 2005. Shortly thereafter, BMO became its first corporate sponsor, establishing a long-term partnership for education and outreach. Together, The Rooms and BMO have reached hundreds of schools and thousands of school children, enhancing the education experience in public schools across the province. Today’s major contribution cements this tradition of education and outreach enabling The Rooms to deliver education programs about Newfoundland and Labrador’s involvement in the First World War both at The Rooms and in schools across the province.

“On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the most formative event in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador, we are honoured to have BMO Financial Group join us in our efforts to commemorate the First World War. Their contribution will help preserve the memory of our fallen ancestors and their remarkable story ̶ giving our students an understanding of the significance of the First World War and how it relates to their own history.”
- Tom Foran, Chair of The Rooms Corporation and Co-Chair of The Rooms Capital Campaign

In 2017, BMO Financial Group will celebrate its 200th Anniversary. To celebrate this historic anniversary, BMO is honoured to lend its support to The Rooms First World War Education and Outreach program. In doing so, BMO has contributed directly to the province’s 200 schools, touching the lives of 70,000 students or more and has supported a milestone event in Newfoundland and Labrador’s history.

QUICK FACTS

• BMO Bank of Montreal has presented a major donation of $1,000,000 towards The Rooms Where Once They Stood We Stand Capital Campaign for First World War Commemoration.
• Funding will be used to create a province-wide education initiative.
• Additional information on the Where Once They Stood We Stand Capital Campaign can be found by visiting www.therooms.ca .

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Media contacts:

Vanessa McBay Director Marketing and Development The Rooms Corporation 709-757-8070 vanessamcbay@therooms.ca

Valérie Doucet Manager Media Relations Eastern Canada BMO Financial Group 514-877-8224 valerie.doucet@bmo.com

2016 02 01                             3:00 p.m.