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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 3, 2010) -

Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available via Marketwire on the picture wire of The Canadian Press

JVS Toronto, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to working with government and the private sector to provide employment programs to thousands of unemployed and underemployed individuals, today presented BMO Financial Group (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) with its Employer of the Year Award. The award was presented this afternoon at JVS Toronto's annual Strictly Business Awards Luncheon at the Royal York Hotel.

"We are honoured to have received this award from JVS," said Yasmin Meralli, Vice President, Diversity and Workplace Equity, BMO Financial Group. "At BMO, embracing diversity is one of our core values. Since 2007, BMO has hired 65 graduates of the pre-employment training program for positions in our company. We are also pleased to work with JVS Toronto to run financial literacy programs for people with disabilities. With our focus on Making Money Make Sense for our customers, it's a natural fit for us."

"Our partnership with BMO has proven to be a great success," said Helen Goldlist, Chair, JVS Toronto. "BMO has made an impressive commitment to integrating persons with disabilities fully into the workplace, an undertaking that enriches not only the lives of these new employees but also those at BMO who coach and work alongside them. The ongoing success of this initiative is helping to change perceptions of people with disabilities and prove that, if given the opportunity and appropriate training and resources, people with disabilities can contribute enormously to the workforce. Our community is stronger because of the work BMO and JVS do together."