Several personalities from Canada and the United States were united yesterday at Concordia University to mark the visit to Montreal of Dr. Paul Farmer, Chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, representative of the UN special envoy to Haiti and member of the Board of Governors of the Foundation KANPE based in Montreal.

It was at this cocktail that L. Jacques Ménard, President of BMO Financial Group, Quebec, and Chancellor of Concordia has announced the partnership of the Bank of Montreal (BMO) with KANPE.

Indeed, BMO Financial Group has pledged a sum of $ 250,000 over five years to KANPE. The foundation seeks to break the cycle of poverty in Haiti by fostering self-sufficiency. Currently, KANPE supports and supervises more than 300 families in this country.

President of the Foundation, Ms. Dominique Anglade, Senior Consultant at McKinsey & Company and the Great Ambassador, Ms. Régine Chassagne, singer-musician of the group Arcade Fire, are both very honored of this gift of BMO. "The support of BMO represents for us an important lever to promote a sustainable economic development of families and vulnerable communities in Haiti," said Ms. Anglade.

"We must work to a greater mobilization here in Quebec, in Canada and around the world to support the courageous people of Haiti and support the efforts and local recovery efforts," said L. Jacques Ménard, President of BMO Financial Group, Quebec. "Given the scale of the challenge and the importance of concerted aid action in Haiti, we must all show fraternity and solidarity, which makes me believe that today we are all Haitians," added Mr. Ménard.

About KANPE

Founded in 2010, KANPE is a foundation in Montreal which aims to break the cycle of poverty in Haiti, in collaboration with organizations and associations local. KANPE priority is to support and assist the most vulnerable families toward financial independence in order to create a multiplier effect in the communities.

About BMO Financial Group

Founded in 1817 as Banque de Montréal, BMO Financial Group is recognized for its community involvement and has provided more than $ 54 million in donations and sponsorships in 2010 to support charities and nonprofits, supporting particular numerous health care institutions and higher education in Quebec and relief efforts in Haiti, including an initial contribution of $250,000 to the Red Cross.

HL/ HaitiLibre