Freshwater management in quebec: RBC steps up financial support to various
organizations

First Ever RBC Blue Water Day, June 11, 2010

MONTREAL, June 9 /CNW Telbec/ - This year and next, RBC will contribute a total of $5 million to Quebec organizations dedicated to freshwater conservation, the world's most precious natural resource. In addition to ONE DROP-which will benefit from a $10 million pledge from RBC allocated over a 10-year period from 2008 to 2018-the Quebec arm of the David Suzuki Foundation and the Restigouche River Salmon Conservation Foundation will receive $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. Since 2008, RBC has also donated amounts from $50,000 to $100,000 to H(2)O Chelsea, Great Lakes United, and the Montreal Science Centre Foundation.

"The RBC Blue Water Project(TM) definitely has a positive impact in Quebec, specifically in the form of financial contributions to organizations that are dedicated to protecting and promoting our drinking water resources," explains Micheline Martin, Regional President, Quebec, RBC Royal Bank.

The 10-year RBC Blue Water Project is a global initiative that aims to protect freshwater, our planet's most precious natural resource. RBC grants are provided to non-profit organizations that protect watersheds and promote access to clean drinking water. Since 2007, RBC has committed more than $20 million to over 200 organizations worldwide working in this area.

"This is why we have created RBC Blue Water Day," specifies Micheline Martin. "RBC will organize a series of activities in communities and in RBC's 1,200 branches across Canada to celebrate the work of some of the 200 RBC Blue Water Project grant recipients to date and raise people's awareness of the value and vulnerability of our water resources," she adds.

The first ever RBC Blue Water Day will be celebrated in Quebec on Friday, June 11, 2010, with a whole host of public activities and a media campaign. Posters will be displayed in branches, and internet and social media ads will help raise public awareness. Special events will be organized in some regions for our clients and the general public. As well, on June 11, a Webcast will be aired at 11:30 a.m., at the following address: www.facebook.com/rbcbluewaterproject?ref=ts. In this webcast, representatives from RBC, ONE DROP, the David Suzuki Foundation and Great Lakes United will speak and will address questions from listeners. Bloggers are invited to interact with the spokespersons to air their points of view on water management issues in Quebec, Canada and across the planet. The session will be mainly conducted in French, but questions in English will be answered in English.

RBC will also announce more than 20 Leadership grant recipients for 2010, selected from over 160 applicants.

About the RBC Blue Water Project:

The RBC Blue Water Project is a 10-year, $50 million philanthropic commitment to supporting organizations that protect watersheds and ensure access to clean drinking water. Since 2007, RBC has committed more than $20.48 million to more than 200 organizations worldwide working in this area. Friday, June 11, 2010, we will be celebrating our first ever RBC Blue Water Day. This is the day we've chosen to profile the important work being done by our more than 200 RBC Blue Water Project grant recipients worldwide. Working together, our goal is to create a blue water future, where everyone understands the value and vulnerability of freshwater: the world's most precious natural resource. For more information, visit www.rbc.com/bluewater.

For further information: Raymond Chouinard, RBC Royal Bank, [phone]