Media Advisory - BMO Celebrates Longstanding Support of LGBTQ+ Community with 22nd Annual Pride and Remembrance Run

• Marks the largest fundraising event held during Toronto's Pride Month celebrations
• To date, the Run has raised more than $1.5 million for local charities that support the LGBTQ+ community

TORONTO, June 19, 2017 /CNW/ - On Saturday, June 24th, the 22nd annual Pride and Remembrance Run will see record participants lace up as part of the largest fundraising event held during Toronto Pride Month. BMO will join racers to show their support as Platinum Sponsor.

The race is a long standing part of Toronto Pride Week — which is devoted to the celebration and support of the LGBTQ+ community — and is one of the most popular running events in the Greater Toronto Area. This year, participants will raise money to benefit four Toronto Organizations: the Fife House Transitional Housing Program; Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity Gay-Straight Alliance Forums; Casey House; and the Pride and Remembrance Foundation.

WHO:	Chris Brohman, President, Pride and Remembrance Association Sheldon Bizjak, Co-President, Pride and Remembrance Association
	Nardine Flaro, Regional Vice President, Toronto Downtown, BMO Bank of Montreal Paul Noble, Vice-President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary, BMO Capital Markets
WHAT:	The 22^nd Annual Pride and Remembrance Run, supported by BMO Financial Group
WHEN:	Saturday, June 24^th, 2017
	9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon ET
	Race begins at 10:00 a.m. ET
	Awards Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. ET
WHERE:	Start/Finish Line: Corner of Church and Wellesley Streets
	Awards Ceremony: Barbara Hall Park (519 Church St., Toronto, ON)

"For 200 years, BMO has been investing and fostering inclusion in the communities where we do business, and we're proud to support the diversity of all of our customers' social needs, ideas and interests," said Nardine Flaro, Regional Vice President, Toronto Downtown, BMO Bank of Montreal. "The Pride and Remembrance Run is one of the GTA's most popular running events, and we're looking forward to being on-site this year as the Platinum Sponsor, and to participate through our employee fundraising team, Team BMO."

"For more than 20 years, the Pride and Remembrance Run and the LGBTQ+ community have rallied together with spirit and sportsmanship to show our pride and to give back," said Chris Brohman, Co-President of the Pride and Remembrance Run. "Now, more than ever, it is important that we continue to foster the community spirit that unites us."

"Now in its 22^nd year, the Pride and Remembrance Run has become a staple of Toronto's Pride celebrations. The funds raised from the run will go to charities that help support LGBTQ2+ individuals and build the whole community up. By walking and running together, we take steps towards the kind of society we want to live in — one that is fairer, more diverse and accepting. I look forward to running alongside all the participants again this year," said The Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario.

The five kilometer run/three kilometer walk kicks off at the start line with warm-ups led by Michael de Corte of Jock Yoga. The run begins with a blast of a horn and the firing of a confetti cannon.

About the Pride and Remembrance Run
In 1996, three gay athletes founded the Pride and Remembrance Run, an annual five-kilometre run / three-kilometre walk coinciding with Toronto's Pride Week. It was dedicated to partnering the themes of PRIDE and REMEMBRANCE with community celebration and personal achievement.

The Pride and Remembrance Run has become an annual tradition promoting and fostering community spirit, goodwill, volunteerism and sportsmanship in the LGBTQ+ community. For more information, visit priderun.org.

About BMO and Diversity
From the development of the first Registered Disability Savings Plan to sponsorship of the Pride and Remembrance Run, BMO is committed to promoting accessibility, inclusivity and equality. This commitment extends to initiatives outside the workplace into all communities where BMO operates.

SOURCE BMO Financial Group

Media Contacts: Jessica Leroux, Toronto, [e-mail], 416-867-3996; Web: www.bmo.com; Twitter: @BMO; Instagram: @BMOCanada