TORONTO, ONTARIO — (Marketwire) — 10/06/12 — BMO Bank of Montreal today encouraged Canadians to support local farmers and choose locally-produced foods and wines this Thanksgiving weekend.
The agriculture and agri-food sector plays an important role in the Canadian economy, employing one-in-eight jobs directly and accounting for 8.1 per cent of total GDP, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
The history of Thanksgiving in Canada dates back to the 1600s in New France, when explorer Samuel de Champlain and early settlers celebrated their successful harvests. Many of the holiday foods we enjoy today are the same as those originally grown and harvested by Aboriginal Peoples in North America including corn, pumpkins, squash and cranberries.
“Thanksgiving provides us with a great opportunity to give thanks for family, good friends and the harvest, and to show our appreciation for the hard work and dedication of our local farmers,” said David Rinneard, National Manager, Agriculture, BMO Bank of Montreal. “By filling your holiday table with superb locally grown and locally produced food and wines, you can help support and sustain the fabric of Canada-s rural economy.”
When asked in a recent BMO poll, 86 per cent of Canadians responded that they felt it was important or very important that they purchase Canadian-produced food.
Fast Facts about Canada-s Agriculture Industry:
Turkey, all the Fixings, and Canadian Wines
About BMO Financial Group
Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $542 billion as at July 31, 2012, and more than 46,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.
BMO-s in the Canadian agricultural sector date back to 1817, when it first began working with farmers. BMO Bank of Montreal provides to Canada-s agri-business owners, the single largest core commercial sector that the bank serves. For Canadian businesses, including those in the agriculture and agri-food sectors, looking to innovate, enhance productivity, and grow their business, BMO Bank of Montreal announced a credit boost of $10 Billion over the next three years.
Contacts:
Media Contacts:
Paul Cunliffe, Toronto
(416) 867-3996
Valerie Doucet, Montreal
(514) 877-8224
Laurie Grant, Vancouver
(604) 665-7596
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Twitter: @BMOmedia