Montreal, January 17, 2024 — Desjardins Securities is celebrating a new year of giving to children in need. As part of Desjardins Securities' annual Commission Day, wealth managers donated part of their day's commissions to the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation. The event, which took place on January 16 at the Windsor, was marked by the team's participation in the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) Market Open and Market Close ceremonies, along with several ambassadors from the Foundation. Since the partnership was launched over 20 years ago, $9.1 million have been raised for the Foundation.

"We're proud of our partnership with the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation and of our wealth managers' commitment to this important cause," said David Lemieux, Vice-President and General Manager of Desjardins Securities. "By donating part of their day's commissions for January 16, our wealth management teams are showing their commitment to children in need and building a better future for everyone. It's important to give young people access to quality sports facilities year-round. The Foundation's projects aim to provide a better quality of life for youth, which is why we've been proud to partner with them for more than 20 years."

"It's a huge privilege for the Foundation to have the unwavering commitment of a leading partner like Desjardins Securities," explained Pierre Boivin, President of the Board of Directors of the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation. "For more than 20 years, Desjardins Securities has been a steadfast partner in our mission to help young people in need across Quebec. We're extremely grateful to them and their wealth management teams for their generosity. Year after year, it has allowed us to give thousands of children in vulnerable situations access to high-quality sports and recreation facilities, equipment and activities to help them discover the joy of moving and being active."

Desjardins believes that, by encouraging young people to adopt healthy lifestyles, we support their well-being so they can grow and reach their full potential. That's why Desjardins Securities is proud to have been in Saint-Jérôme for the official opening of the 14th community ice rink opened by the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation.

As part of their landmark BLEU BLANC BOUGE program, the Foundation has been building refrigerated community rinks across the province. But it doesn't stop there—they also provide financial aid to organizations who run programs that get kids moving and help them adopt healthy lifestyles.

BLEU BLANC BOUGE rinks are built to NHL specifications (200 x 85 feet) with high-quality ice, and provide a space to practise sports year-round. The ice season runs from late November to mid-March, but the facilities can host other sports, such as basketball and ball hockey, during the rest of the year. Since 2009, 14 rinks have been built: in the Montreal boroughs of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, Montréal-Nord, Verdun, LaSalle, Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and Ahuntsic-Cartierville, as well as in Longueuil, Laval, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Joliette, Val-d'Or, Saguenay and Saint-Jérôme. A 15th rink will open in winter 2025 in the Quebec City borough of La Cité-Limoilou. Since 2019, BLEU BLANC BOUGE rinks have used a new, energy-efficient, CO_²-powered refrigeration system, as well as infrastructure adapted for para ice hockey.

For more information (media inquiries only):
Jérémi Trudel
Public Relations, Desjardins Group
514-281-7000, ext. 5553436
media@desjardins.com

For more information (media inquiries only):
Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation
Justine Masse
514-989-3288
fondation@canadiens.com