Montreal, June 2, 2003 - National Bank Participates in La semaine québécoise des personnes handicapées

Montreal, 2 June 2003 - 

National Bank of Canada is proud to join forces with the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec (OPHQ) for La semaine québécoise des personnes handicapées, which runs from June 1 to June 7. In order to raise public awareness about the importance and benefits of integrating people with disabilities into all business sectors, the Bank has planned a day of special activities at its Head Office on Wednesday, June 4.

Under the theme of Ensemble…Tout le monde y gagne! (Everyone wins by working together), National Bank employees will have the opportunity to try out a wheelchair, take a walk with a guide dog, or eat lunch blindfolded. Putting themselves in the shoes of people with disabilities will give them a better idea of what life is like for the more than a million people who live with a disability, and to understand the many obstacles they have to deal with every day. "Integrating people with disabilities into different teams at the Bank has many positive repercussions," Michel Lozeau, Equity and Diversity Ambassador and Senior Vice-President – E-Commerce at the National Bank, explained. "For example, they can help create a stronger sense of belonging and loyalty among their colleagues."

According to Marie-Jeanne Nahas, Advisor at the National Bank's Customer Relationship Centre and activity spokesperson, "true integration of people with disabilities in the workplace is achieved when you look at a person's skills and knowledge, rather than their disability. Having gone through such an integration process myself, I'm in a good position to say that the National Bank does exactly that."

The organization of this special day is part of the National Bank's long-term commitment to the integration and equality of people with disabilities. Several initiatives have already been implemented, such as the Bursary and Summer Employment Program for Students with Physical or Sensory Disabilities, which will be marking its 15th anniversary next year. For the past three years, the National Bank has also been involved in the Défi sportif, a sports competition that brings together more than 2,000 athletes to compete in 16 adapted events.

The activities will be held on Wednesday, June 4, in the lobby of the Head Office of the National Bank, located at 600 de La Gauchetière West. Any interested media representatives are welcome to attend.

About the National Bank of Canada

National Bank of Canada is an integrated group which provides comprehensive financial services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations in its core market, while offering specialized services to its clients elsewhere in the world. The National Bank offers a full array of banking services, including retail, corporate and investment banking. It is an active player on international capital markets and, through its subsidiaries, is involved in securities brokerage, insurance and wealth management as well as mutual fund and retirement plan management. The National Bank has assets of over $75 billion and, together with its subsidiaries, employs over 17,000 people. The Bank's securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (NA:TSX). For more information, visit the Bank's website at www.nbc.ca.

Information (the telephone number and e-mail address provided below are for the exclusive use of journalists and other media representatives):

Denis Dubé
Director of Public Relations
National Bank of Canada
Tel.: (514) 394-8644
E-mail: denis.dube@nbc.ca