Will fund BMO Financial Group Conference Centre in new School of Public Affairs and student scholarships

TORONTO, September 8, 2006 -- York University today announced a $1.25 million gift from BMO Financial Group in support of Glendon College through the Glendon College Opportunity Fund, to be commemorated with an opening reception on Sept. 8, 2006.

$1 million of this gift will establish the BMO Financial Group Conference Centre and fund development of public affairs programming, especially through the newly-created Glendon School of Public Affairs. The School − a first in Canada − will offer graduate students a high-level bilingual education that will prepare them for leadership roles in public life.

“Canada’s future competitiveness and strength depends in large part on the quality of its public sector,” said Glendon Principal Kenneth McRoberts. ”The Glendon School of Public Affairs at York will be unique in Canada. It will respond to demand from federal and provincial governments for fully bilingual leaders and public service employees.”

The BMO Financial Group Conference Centre, housed in Glendon Hall, will be at the heart of the School of Public Affairs. When fully developed, the school will offer a bilingual master's degree, executive development programs, stays for mid-career public servants, and a research centre on public and international affairs.

“In keeping with BMO’s longstanding and overarching commitment to learning, we are pleased to support Glendon College’s unique and innovative programming in public affairs that links Canada’s two main languages and cultures with a focus on public life,” said L. Jacques Ménard, Chairman of BMO Nesbitt Burns. “We are very pleased that the name of our organization will be associated with such a leading edge centre that will be the site of Glendon’s thriving distinguished speaker series, executive programming, special events and community outreach programs,” added Mr. Ménard.

The remaining $250,000 of this generous gift will establish the BMO Financial Group Scholarships; annually, 10 of the best and brightest first-year students at Glendon will each receive a $5,000 scholarship.

“BMO Financial Group is a long-time supporter of York University, and we are very pleased that BMO is once again providing leadership to York University in support of Glendon College, its faculty, students and staff,” said Paul Marcus, President and CEO of the York University Foundation.

Glendon College at York University is Canada’s only bilingual liberal arts college.

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 190,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 11 faculties and 23 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.

Since its founding in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group has supported the principles of community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility to the communities it serves. In 2005, BMO Financial Group contributed $29.5 million in corporate donations, sponsorships and events in Canada, supporting thousands of communities, charities and not-for-profit organizations across the country.

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Media contacts:

Alex Bilyk, York University

bilyk@yorku.ca, 416 736 5603

Ronald Monet, BMO Financial Group

ronald.monet@bmo.com, 514 877-1101 or 514 594-2501