Bell inaugurates Québec's largest-ever fundraiser for mental health

• Bal des Lumières to raise funds for Hôpital Louis-H. Lafontaine, Douglas Institute, and the Mental Illness Foundation
• George Cope joined by co-chairs Serge Godin, Geoff Molson and Louis Vachon
• Bell Centre to host "An evening of enlightenment and hope" March 20, 2013

MONTREAL, Aug. 21, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today announced it will be presenting the largest-ever fundraising event for mental health in Québec. Bal des Lumières, to be held March 20, 2013, at the Bell Centre in Montréal will raise funds for the Fondation de l'Hôpital Louis-H. Lafontaine, the Mental Illness Foundation, and the Douglas Mental Health University Institute Foundation.

"Bal des Lumières will set a new standard for mental health fundraising in Montréal and Québec," said George Cope, President and CEO of BCE and Bell, and Chair of the event. "I'm very pleased to be joined by some of Québec's most distinguished business leaders in building on the progress of the Bell Let's Talk initiative and the fight against the stigma of mental illness."

Joining Mr. Cope as co-chairs of Bal des Lumières are Serge Godin, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board, CGI; Geoff Molson, Owner, President and Chief Executive Officer, Club de hockey Canadien, Bell Centre & evenko; and Louis Vachon, President and CEO, National Bank. These leaders of Québec industry and culture have joined to shine a spotlight on mental health and raise funds for three of Montréal's most important mental health organizations.

"The last two years have seen major progress in highlighting mental health while breaking the stigma of mental illness," said Mr. Godin. "Collectively we are committing to making the next leap in converting awareness of mental illness - which after all affects 1 in 5 of us - into much needed funding for these three leading organizations in Québec mental health."

Bal des Lumières is the first external charitable gala to be held at the Bell Centre in over five years. Some 700 guests will enjoy an evening of exquisite dining and inspiring entertainment in this unique venue.

"We are very happy to make the Bell Centre available for Bal des Lumières, working together as a team to inspire hope and support the incredible work of Louis-H. Lafontaine, the Douglas and the Mental Illness Foundation," said Mr. Molson. "This issue touches us all and there can be no better expression of the commitment of our four companies to dedication and commitment of those on the front lines of mental health care here in Québec."

"National Bank is proud to join with Bell, CGI and the Canadiens to not only raise awareness of mental health but raise funds for those at the forefront of research and care in Québec," said Mr. Vachon. "With mental health issues the leading cause of workplace disability, costing our economy $51 billion every year, I look forward to seeing every business leader in Québec on March 20."

About Bell Let's Talk
The Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative is a $50-million charitable program based on 4 action pillars: Anti-stigma, care and access, research, and workplace best practices. To learn more about Bell Let's Talk, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

Bell is honoured to be named the recipient of the 2012 Freeman Philanthropic Services Award for Outstanding Corporation for the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative. The prestigious international award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) was presented to Bell in March in Vancouver.

Bell in Québec
Bell is committed to the Québec community, employing more people, spending more on Québec infrastructure and R&D, and contributing more to charities (led by the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative) and community events than any other communications company. Bell employs more than 17,000 team members in Québec and invested over $900 million in Québec infrastructure and R&D in 2011 alone - including the rollout of the next-generation Bell Fibe network that is already ramping up competition and choice in TV and Internet services for consumers in Québec.

Bell offers Bell Mobility wireless, Bell TV, Bell Internet, Bell Home Phone and Bell Business Markets services across Canada, and is wholly owned by Montréal's BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For more information, please visit Bell.ca.

About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is one of the largest independent information technology and business process services firms in the world. CGI provides end-to-end services with approximately 31,000 professionals located in offices and global delivery centers in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific. As at June 30, 2012, CGI's annualized revenue was approximately $4.3 billion and its order backlog was approximately $13.6 billion. CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB) and are included in both the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the FTSE4Good Index. Website: www.cgi.com.

About National Bank of Canada
With $176 billion in assets as at April 30, 2012, National Bank of Canada (www.nbc.ca), together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada's leading integrated financial groups, and was named among the five strongest banks in the world by Bloomberg Markets. The Bank has close to 20,000 employees and is widely recognized as a top employer. Its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow the Bank's activities via social media and learn more about its extensive community involvement at clearfacts.ca and commitment.nationalbank.ca.

SOURCE: BELL CANADA