BMO and the HEC Montréal Foundation today announced a $1.5 million donation toward the Hélène Desmarais Building in downtown Montreal which will foster collaboration among the academic, business, and entrepreneurial communities. This major gift reflects the value BMO places on educating future generations and on professional development, in keeping with the School’s mission to turn out responsible managers.
Higher education is a priority for BMO,” said Grégoire Baillargeon, President, BMO Financial Group, Quebec. Located downtown, the building will bring HEC Montréal closer to the business community and create opportunities and synergies between students and businesses. Education is the cornerstone of a prosperous society. It is the foundation of our future and fosters social progress. With this gift, we hope to contribute in a concrete way to making management and financial education more accessible.
In recognition, the atrium near the De La Gauchetière West entrance, will be called “Espace BMO”.
We are deeply grateful for this gift from BMO, a long-time partner, said Michel Patry, President and CEO of the HEC Montréal Foundation. BMO has shown tremendous generosity in supporting the construction of HEC Montréal’s Hélène Desmarais Building, which will now occupy a central place in the vast ecosystem of innovation and collaboration between the academic and business worlds. With this gesture, BMO recognizes and supports the outstanding education our institution provides the leaders of today and tomorrow.
As a financial leader, BMO is keeping a close eye on business challenges like sustainable finance and the labour shortage. Supporting continuing education is one way to help address these issues. BMO’s goal is to be an agent for progress and positive change by rallying partners around a common goal: building a more sustainable society and environment.
Being more accessible to the professionals and executives who work in Montreal’s downtown business district will help HEC Montréal transfer knowledge to organizations and improve the skills of the businesspeople who power the Quebec economy. In addition to programs for executives and practising professionals, the Hélène Desmarais Building will house branches of several research and knowledge transfer centres and the School’s entrepreneurship and innovation facility, along with a conference centre and other community services.
