Press Releases

SACRAMENTO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/11/12 -- This Valentine's Day, ScholarShare, California's 529 college savings program, offers a new suggestion for people struggling to find that perfect gift for the children in their lives. Spending money on flowers, chocolates, and teddy bears year after year can really add up, especially when money for college is top of mind for many families. For just $25, California families can help their loved ones plan for college by opening a college savings account to help combat their child's future college tuition costs.

ScholarShare has the tools to make it easier than ever for anyone to contribute to their children's or loved ones' college fund. Through the "Give a Gift" option on its website, any gift giver can open a college plan for children of all ages or contribute to an existing account. Families interested in saving for college can open an account and check out ScholarShare's new online resource tools on their website. College savings specialists are available at no cost, phone and in-person consultations to answer all questions.

If your favorite loved one is already on the path to college, you can contribute to an existing account with the "Gift of Education Certificate," allowing for a personal message to be included for the beneficiary.

ScholarShare has been found to have one of the most affordable college savings plans in the country*. SavingForCollege.com found California as having one of the lowest-cost 529 investment options among nationally-available plans. Of all the states that offer their program to non-residents, ScholarShare had one of the most affordable options. (Saving for College.com 529 Fee Study, January 1, 2012 http://www.savingforcollege.com/529_fee_study/lowest.php)

About the ScholarShare 529 Plan: ScholarShare accounts may be opened online with as little as $25. ScholarShare has no annual account maintenance fee, no income limit and offers a high maximum contribution limit of $350,000. The program currently holds more than $4 billion in assets. More than 300,000 accounts have been opened since ScholarShare's inception. To sign up for an account or for more information about the plan, visit http://www.scholarshare.com/. For information about the SIB, visit www.treasurer.ca.gov/scholarshare. Follow ScholarShare on Twitter at @ScholarShare529.

Named for the section of IRS code under which they were created, 529 plans are highly regarded for their tax-advantaged status. Any earnings on investments can grow tax-deferred. Withdrawals, when used for tuition and other qualified higher education expenses, are federal and state tax-free.

* Claim based on the 2012 Savingforcollege.com's 529 Fee Study which compared the lowest stock- or bond-based option with 10-year costs and expense totals for all direct-sold 529 savings plans.

Disclaimer

Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the ScholarShare 529 Plan. Please visit www.scholarshare.com for a Disclosure Booklet containing this and other information. Read it carefully.

Before investing in a 529 plan, you should consider whether the state you or your Beneficiary reside in or have taxable income in has a 529 plan that offers favorable state income tax or other benefits that are only available if you invest in that state's 529 plan.

The tax information contained herein is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. Taxpayers should seek advice based on their own particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. Non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal and state taxes and the additional federal 10% tax.

Account value for the Investment Options is not guaranteed and will fluctuate based upon a number of factors, including general market conditions.

The Scholar Share 529 College Savings Plan Twitter page is managed by the state of California.

TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., Program Manager.

C3217

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Source: ScholarShare

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/11/12 -- The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, issued the following statement to provide an update on the status of progress towards Attawapiskat:

"Today, we are proceeding with the immediate delivery of the first two modular homes by winter road. Sites are now being prepared by the First Nation to allow for their installation on a priority basis.

It is imperative with the warm weather and potentially shortened winter road season that all efforts to prepare the remaining 20 sites occur as quickly as possible so that they are ready for the delivery of the other remaining homes.

I have communicated directly with the Chief and Council to express my concern with the state of readiness of the serviced lots to receive and immediately hook up all modular homes that have been purchased with funds provided by our Government and that are ready to be delivered to Attawapiskat. In the best interests of the families living in temporary housing, our Government has also offered additional capacity to the Chief and Council to expedite this work and ensure maximum use of the winter road.

Our Government has allocated the necessary funds for this work and the Third Party Manager has advised that he will ensure all related invoices are paid from these funds.

We will continue to work with the community on an urgent basis to address the immediate needs of impacted families before the window of opportunity with this year's winter road is closed."

This statement is also available on the Internet at www.aandc-aadnc.gc.ca.

You can receive all our news and media updates automatically. For more information or to sign up for our Media Room RSS Feed, visit: www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1291225661056/1291225818571.

Contacts:
Minister's Office
Jan O'Driscoll
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable John Duncan
819-997-0002

Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160

Source: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

PAWTUCKET, RI & PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) and Volumique, a French-based innovator and provider of technologies that enable object-based play on Interactive Screens found in tablets, smart phones and computers, announced today a global intellectual property license agreement that will give Hasbro the rights to employ Volumique’s proprietary technology in its new line of Hasbro zAPPed Games based on iconic brands such as BATTLESHIP and MONOPOLY.

“We are very excited about Hasbro zAPPed Gaming and how these games will be uniquely brought to life by Volumique’s proprietary technology and intellectual property,” said Duncan Billing, Hasbro’s Global Chief Development Officer. “This is an important agreement for both companies, since Hasbro brings to market the best gaming brands and category expertise, and Volumique can provide Hasbro with the right tools to launch an entirely new brand and gaming experience. Only Volumique possesses the synergistic abilities, proprietary technologies and intellectual property that makes this all possible.”

New Hasbro zAPPed games combine traditional analog, face-to-face gaming with the increased functionality of today’s consumer technology with the addition of iOS devices. This propriety technology will truly stand out in the upcoming release of BATTLESHIP zAPPed, which is due in September 2012. The game, inspired by the “BATTLESHIP” feature film from Universal Pictures, turns an iPad screen into an interactive game board when combined with specially designed ship styled playing pieces. Once the ship playing pieces are placed on the screen, the iPad will automatically recognize which ships are in play and when and where they are moved. The unique, proprietary interactive game play allows players to wage epic battles on their iPad by executing strategic maneuvers, launching devastating missile attacks and initiating lethal airstrikes.

With MONOPOLY zAPPed, which launches in June 2012, an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch will be turned into a banking unit and will add and subtract money from virtual accounts with a simple tap of a special bank card on the iOS device.

Hasbro and Volumique are very excited about the breadth of opportunity these proprietary technologies provide in one of the fastest growing segments of the gaming market and fully intend to actively protect and defend the game play made possible by such proprietary technologies.

About Hasbro

Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Hub, Hasbro’s multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.

Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2012 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Volumique

Volumique (les éditions volumiques), Paris- France is a leading innovator and provider of concepts and technologies to enable a play experience seamlessly combining tangible objects with the digital world. Volumique’s technologies are particularly geared towards bringing a digital renewal to games & toys as well as to children books. More information at www.volumique.com.

HASGP

Hasbro, Inc.Julie Duffy, 401-727-5931jduffy@hasbro.com

Source: Hasbro, Inc.

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/11/12 -- BMO Bank of Montreal recognizes an important milestone that Canadian consumers will reach this Sunday - Food Freedom Day 2012. According to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, this day is the calendar date by which the average Canadian will have earned enough money to pay for groceries for the entire year.

Canadians spend an average of just over $7,000 on food annually, which is approximately 10 per cent of household expenditures. That compares to $5,700 (11.4 per cent of household expenditures) in 1997. By comparison, food consumption accounts for 45 per cent of household expenses in Indonesia, 39 per cent in China, and more than 13 per cent in the United States, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

"Concern about widespread food price inflation is receding as the supply outlook for a number of agricultural commodities improves," said Kenrick Jordan, Senior Economist, BMO Capital Markets. "Intense competition in food retailing is also playing a role in restraining price increases. Overall, food price increases are expected to be a fair bit lower, on average, this year compared to 2011."

When asked in a recent BMO poll, 86 per cent of Canadians responded that they felt it was important or very important that they purchase Canadian produced food.

"Canadians benefit from a strong and stable agriculture system with reliable food sources and unparalleled safety. Our study's findings reaffirm the value consumers place on these factors when deciding the food they will purchase for themselves and their families," said David Rinneard, National Manager of Agriculture, BMO Bank of Montreal. Rinneard added that "Food Freedom Day presents Canadians with an opportunity to thank our farmers and show our support for their efforts to maintain a strong and vibrant Canadian agricultural sector."

"By recognizing Food Freedom Day, we also hope to draw attention to the process that brings safe, quality food to the table of Canadians, and to encourage them to make choices at the grocery store that will support the Canadian agriculture and agri-food industry," said Ron Bonnett, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.

BMO's roots in the Canadian agricultural sector date back to 1817, when it first began working with farmers. BMO Bank of Montreal provides customized loan and deposit solutions to Canada's agri-business owners, the single largest core commercial sector that the bank serves. For Canadian businesses, including those in the agriculture and agri-food sectors, looking to innovate, enhance productivity, and grow their business, BMO Bank of Montreal recently announced a credit boost of $10 Billion over the next three years.

Fast Facts About Canada's Agriculture Industry:

--  The agriculture and agri-food sector plays an important role in the
    Canadian economy, employing one in eight jobs directly and accounting
    for 8.1 per cent of total GDP, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food
    Canada.
--  Local farmers' markets are responsible for over $1 billion in sales and
    have a total economic effect of over $3 billion.

Survey was completed online from January 23-25, 2012, using Leger Marketing's online panel, LegerWeb, with a sample of 1523 Canadians. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-2.51 per cent 19 times out of 20.

Contacts:
For news media inquiries, please contact:
Paul Cunliffe, Toronto
416-867-7645
paul.cunliffe@bmo.com

Ronald Monet, Montreal
514-877-1873
ronald.monet@bmo.com

Laurie Grant, Vancouver
604-665-7596
laurie.grant@bmo.com
www.bmo.com

Source: BMO Bank of Montreal

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 11, 2012) - BMO Bank of Montreal recognizes an important milestone that Canadian consumers will reach this Sunday - Food Freedom Day 2012. According to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, this day is the calendar date by which the average Canadian will have earned enough money to pay for groceries for the entire year.

Canadians spend an average of just over $7,000 on food annually, which is approximately 10 per cent of household expenditures. That compares to $5,700 (11.4 per cent of household expenditures) in 1997. By comparison, food consumption accounts for 45 per cent of household expenses in Indonesia, 39 per cent in China, and more than 13 per cent in the United States, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

"Concern about widespread food price inflation is receding as the supply outlook for a number of agricultural commodities improves," said Kenrick Jordan, Senior Economist, BMO Capital Markets. "Intense competition in food retailing is also playing a role in restraining price increases. Overall, food price increases are expected to be a fair bit lower, on average, this year compared to 2011."

When asked in a recent BMO poll, 86 per cent of Canadians responded that they felt it was important or very important that they purchase Canadian produced food.

"Canadians benefit from a strong and stable agriculture system with reliable food sources and unparalleled safety. Our study's findings reaffirm the value consumers place on these factors when deciding the food they will purchase for themselves and their families," said David Rinneard, National Manager of Agriculture, BMO Bank of Montreal. Rinneard added that "Food Freedom Day presents Canadians with an opportunity to thank our farmers and show our support for their efforts to maintain a strong and vibrant Canadian agricultural sector."

"By recognizing Food Freedom Day, we also hope to draw attention to the process that brings safe, quality food to the table of Canadians, and to encourage them to make choices at the grocery store that will support the Canadian agriculture and agri-food industry," said Ron Bonnett, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.

BMO's roots in the Canadian agricultural sector date back to 1817, when it first began working with farmers. BMO Bank of Montreal provides customized loan and deposit solutions to Canada's agri-business owners, the single largest core commercial sector that the bank serves. For Canadian businesses, including those in the agriculture and agri-food sectors, looking to innovate, enhance productivity, and grow their business, BMO Bank of Montreal recently announced a credit boost of $10 Billion over the next three years.

Fast Facts About Canada's Agriculture Industry:

--  The agriculture and agri-food sector plays an important role in the
    Canadian economy, employing one in eight jobs directly and accounting
    for 8.1 per cent of total GDP, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food
    Canada.
--  Local farmers' markets are responsible for over $1 billion in sales and
    have a total economic effect of over $3 billion.

Survey was completed online from January 23-25, 2012, using Leger Marketing's online panel, LegerWeb, with a sample of 1523 Canadians. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-2.51 per cent 19 times out of 20.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
        For news media inquiries, please contact:
        Paul Cunliffe, Toronto
        416-867-7645
        paul.cunliffe@bmo.com

        Ronald Monet, Montreal
        514-877-1873
        ronald.monet@bmo.com

        Laurie Grant, Vancouver
        604-665-7596
        laurie.grant@bmo.com
        www.bmo.com

Source: BMO Bank of Montreal