BMO donates $200,000 to the McGill University Dementia Education Program to empower people living with dementia and their caregivers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, October 8, 2026 – BMO has donated $200,000 to the McGill University Dementia Education Program, helping advance its mission to provide education, resources, and support to people living with dementia and the family members and friends who care for them.

Established in 2017, the McGill University Dementia Education Program is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia through free, evidence-based, multilingual educational resources. Led by a multidisciplinary team, the program helps people better understand dementia, navigate its challenges, and access practical support throughout the care journey.

The program operates within the Division of Geriatric Medicine in McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences under the academic leadership of geriatrician Dr. José Morais and neurologist Dr. Serge Gauthier, in collaboration with former caregiver Claire Webster. To date, more than 450,000 families have benefited from its wide range of free resources, including over 140 McGill Cares webcasts, a comprehensive educational guide available in 14 languages, a self-paced online course, virtual support groups, educational videos, and other learning tools.

This generous contribution from BMO will help the program expand its reach and continue providing critical educational resources to families facing the realities of dementia, including guidance on the financial vulnerabilities that can accompany cognitive decline.

“We are deeply grateful to BMO for this generous support,” said Claire Webster, Founder and Ambassador of the McGill University Dementia Education Program. “Our program relies entirely on private donations, and this contribution will significantly strengthen our ability to educate the public about dementia and the financial challenges that often accompany cognitive decline. BMO’s generosity reflects a strong commitment to protecting and empowering people affected by dementia, and we are proud to partner with an organization that shares our vision of creating more informed, compassionate, and supportive communities.”

“Dementia can affect every part of a family’s life. These are deeply personal conversations, and ones where thoughtful advice can make a meaningful difference,” said Craig Meeds, Head, Wealth Advice Canada, BMO Private Wealth. “We’re grateful for the work that McGill’s Dementia Education Program is doing to build greater awareness and preparedness and we are proud to support them. Their efforts will equip many people across the country, including our professionals and clients, with trusted resources to navigate challenging conversations with skill and confidence.”

“McGill University is one of Montreal and Quebec’s most important institutions, and BMO is proud to support its Dementia Education Program and its essential work to provide people living with dementia, their families, and caregivers with trusted, accessible resources,” said Grégoire Baillargeon, President, BMO Financial Group, Quebec. “We are especially grateful to Claire Webster, Dr. José Morais and Dr. Serge Gauthier for their leadership and dedication in pushing knowledge even further in this important field. This partnership reflects our longstanding commitment to McGill and our shared belief that collaboration can help build a more inclusive and resilient society.”

About McGill University

Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, McGill University is Canada’s top ranked medical doctoral university. McGill is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with research activities spanning three campuses, 12 faculties, 14 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 39,000 students, including more than 10,400 graduate students. McGill attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,000 international students making up 30% of the student body. Over half of McGill students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 20% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.

About BMO Financial Group 

BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of July 31, 2026. Serving clients for more than 200 years, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services across Canada, the United States, and select markets globally. BMO is innovating for business value, by deploying and integrating human, digital and artificial intelligence to personalize client experiences, augment teams, and automate its business responsibly. Driven by its purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and stronger communities.

For further information:

McGill University Media Contacts: Diane Weidner, diane.weidner [at] mcgill.ca, (514) 264-4361 / Keila DePape, keila.depape [at] mcgill.ca

BMO Media Contact: Aaron Sobeski, Toronto, Aaron.Sobeski [at] bmo.com, (416) 867-3996