BMO Kicks off Second Year of BMO Team of the Week Youth Soccer Program

Canadians will again get to vote for their favourite youth soccer team

TORONTO, Ontario Marketwire - April 2, 2012 - BMO Financial Group today launched the second season of its nationwide youth soccer program, BMO Team of the Week. The contest, open to youth soccer players ages 7-12, recognizes 15 weekly winners who demonstrate team pride, spirit, community commitment and passion for the game.

The 2012 Champion will be crowned this summer when Canadians cast their vote to select their favourite team from the 15 weekly winners. The winning team will receive: $125,000 towards a field refurbishment; a trip to see a Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact or Canadian National Team home match; and a $5,000 donation to the team's charity of choice.

"The response we had last year to the BMO Team of the Week program was truly amazing, as 300,000 Canadians from communities across Canada - from Whitehorse, Yukon to Gabriola Island, B.C. to Hunter River, P.E.I. and everywhere in between - voted for their favourite teams," said Sandy Bourne, Vice-President, Corporate Advertising & Sponsorships, BMO Financial Group. "We've heard from people across the country who have told us that the program has done an excellent job in promoting the value of participating in sport, along with the importance of being involved in the community. Our hope is that the achievements of last year's winners will encourage other youth soccer teams across Canada to rise to the challenge and participate."

For the next 15 weeks, Canadian soccer coaches, parents and community members can nominate their favourite youth soccer team aged 7-12 at BMOsoccer.com. BMO Team of the Week winners will be announced weekly starting on April 18th, and will receive $500, Team of the Week tracksuits, and a donation to a local charity. Each of the winning teams will become finalists for the grand prize and Canadians can vote for the winner starting on August 13th at BMOsoccer.com.

To learn more about the contest, including the story of last year's winner, click here.

BMO Team of the Week 2011 Champion: Glen Shields Sun Devils

Last year's BMO Team of the Week champion, the Glen Shields Sun Devils, U - 11 girls team from Vaughan, Ontario, have since put their title - and the prize - to good use. In addition to raising money of their own, the team successfully rallied the community and the City of Vaughan council to help with a larger refurbishment of their local soccer field. They also generously gave the $5,000 donation from BMO to the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

About BMO and Soccer

BMO supports soccer across Canada from youth players in local neighbourhoods and communities all the way up to the professional level. Our deep commitment to 'The Beautiful Game' is evident from the beginning of the curve with our grassroots sponsorship of more than 900 youth teams nationally. The relationship continues with support of Canada's men's and women's national teams, our professional teams (Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Montreal Impact) and our soccer venue title sponsorship (BMO Field).

Internet: BMOsoccer.com

Canadian Congress on the Future of Fish and Wildlife

photo credit: explorethebruce

Bi-national event to address fish and wildlife
conservation in a changing world

PETERBOROUGH, Ontario, April 24, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - From May 27 - 31, 2012, the first ever National Fish & Wildlife Conservation Congress will take place at the Westin, Ottawa, bringing together governments, policy and program managers, fish and wildlife experts from across Canada and the U.S., nongovernment organizations (NGO's) and others to chart a course for the future conservation of our nation's fish and wildlife resources.

The Congress is being led by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) in partnership with the federal government, government of Ontario, and a long list of national and international NGO's such as Ducks Unlimited Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Boone and Crockett, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Wildlife Society, among others. The event has attracted over 100 speakers from government, conservation organizations, academia and industry, who will deliver presentations and facilitate workshops designed to develop recommendations for the road ahead. Topics will include invasive species, fish and wildlife diseases, sustainable use, funding policies and a host of other topics relevant to the conservation of our valuable natural resources for today and into the future.

"The Congress is the first event of its kind to be held in Canada. Many leading experts in the field of fish and wildlife conservation from Canada and the U.S. and most of the largest conservation based organizations across North America will come together to discuss the challenges we face, and opportunities for the future in a unique format that will result in key recommendations being developed. These will serve as the impetus for creating a collaborative map on both sides of the border for the road ahead," said Greg Farrant, OFAH Manager of Government Affairs & Policy, and Congress General Manager.

Notable speakers include the Hon. Peter Kent, federal Minister of Environment, Hon. Keith Ashfield, federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Hon. Terry French, Minister of Environment and Conservation, Newfoundland and Labrador, Hon. Michael Gravelle, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources, Dan Ashe, Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Virginia Poter, Director General, Canadian Wildlife Service, Rosie Cooney, World Conservation Union and Simon Roosevelt, Boone and Crockett.

For further information on the Congress program and the Congress agenda, or to register and book hotels, visit www.nfwcc.com.

With over 100,000 members, supporters and subscribers, and 675 member clubs, the OFAH is the province's largest nonprofit, conservation-based organization and the voice of anglers and hunters. For more information visit www.ofah.org or follow the OFAH on Facebook and Twitter.

Harry's Spring Run-Off Enables Personalized Prostate Cancer Medicine at The Princess Margaret

More than $2 Million Raised for The Princess Margaret

TORONTO, April 7, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - On a beautiful Saturday morning in High Park, almost 5,000 participants showed their support by raising $300,000 for the internationally recognized Prostate Centre Program at The Princess Margaret in the 34th annual Harry's Spring Run-Off 8K and 5K to Fight Prostate Cancer. This was the 7th year of Harry Rosen sponsorship. The run was the first event of the year in the East for Canada Running Series 2012, and kicked off "Run Canada Month" in the country's largest city.

"We are so proud to say we've raised over $2 million with the $300,000 from today's event," said Larry Rosen, CEO and Chairman of Harry Rosen Inc., who led Harry Rosen's team of 55 associates in the event. "It's amazing to contribute to the incredible work and significant advances made by the doctors of the prostate team."

"We are thrilled to partner with Harry's Spring Run-Off, as the monies raised are being used to advance personalized prostate cancer medicine - a unique and comprehensive program that focuses on four key areas from prevention to survivorship." said Dr. Bristow, Senior Scientist at the Ontario Cancer Institute and GU Radiation Oncologist at The Princess Margaret.

Participants in the event, sponsored by luxury menswear retailer Harry Rosen, ranged from serious elite runners, to those attired in outlandish outfits, and even children as the event also included an 800 metre dash for kids.

Matt Loiselle of Athletics Toronto battled the scenic, rolling hills of High Park to take first place in the 8K competitive run, with a time of 23:55. There was a great duel for second and third with Kitchener's Derek Nakluski surging away from Kenyan Kibet Rutto on the final spring road hill. Tarah McKay-Korir of St. Clements, Ontario was the first female to cross the 8K finish line with a time of 27:12. Brapton's Kate Van Buskirk was second, and last year's champion Dayna Pidhoresky of Tecumseh, Ontario placed third.

The $300,000 raised in today's event came from the combined efforts of over 600 individuals and 30 teams who participated in fundraising for The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. In addition to title sponsor Harry Rosen, funding for the event was generously provided by The Globe and Mail and CBS Outdoor, media sponsors.

More information about today's run, including full results, and photos, visit www.springrunoff.ca

About The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation

The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation at University Health Network raises funds for breakthrough research, exemplary teaching and the enhancement of compassionate patient care at one of the world's leading cancer research hospitals, The Princess Margaret Hospital and its research arm, the Ontario Cancer Institute. For more information, please visit www.pmhf.ca. University Health Network consists of The Princess Margaret, Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospitals, and is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

About Harry Rosen

Harry Rosen Inc., Canada's leading quality men's wear retailer, is celebrating its 58th year in business in 2012. Founded in 1954 by the man whose name the chain still bears, Harry Rosen Inc. has grown from a single 500-square-foot store in Toronto to become a powerhouse in Canadian retailing with 15 stores across the country, accounting for 40 percent of the Canadian market in high-end men's wear. Harry Rosen stores offer extensive collections of the world's finest men's wear labels including Tom Ford, Brunello Cucinelli, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Armani Collezioni, Brioni, Canali, Ermenegildo Zegna, Versace, Hugo Boss, Prada, Cole Haan, Salvatore Ferragamo, Loro Piana and J.P. Tilford by Samuelsohn.

About Canada Running Series.

Canada Running Series is the country's premier running circuit, comprising 8 events in Montreal Toronto and Vancouver. Recognized for innovation and international-class organization, it brings together Canada's top distance athletes, thousands of recreational and charity fun runners. In 2011 the Series attracted more than 60,000 participants and raised $6.5 million for 238, mostly local charities. Information at www.RunCRS.ca