National Bank and UniAction Underscore the 40th Anniversary of the Arrival of "Boat People" Refugees

An exhibition open to the general public will be offered on August 30

MONTREAL, Aug. 14, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - National Bank is proud to be associated with UniAction to present the Discovery Day on Vietnamese History and Culture. The public is invited to discover the fascinating story of this community on Sunday, August 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the lobby of the Mariners' House - National Bank Pavilion at Pointe-à-Callière. Admission to this exhibition is free, and all donations will be given to Maison Chance Vietnam, an organization that helps children and adults with disabilities.

Many dignitaries will be on hand for the occasion, including Kathleen Weil, Quebec Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness; Frantz Benjamin, Chairman of the City Council for the City of Montréal; Kim Thuy, author; Louis Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Bank; as well as Karen Leggett, Executive Vice-President - Marketing and Corporate Strategy and Chair of National Bank's diversity committee.

"National Bank is proud to contribute to the Discovery Day on Vietnamese History and Culture, which attests to the resiliency of "boat people" refugees," stated Louis Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Bank. "Providing an open and inclusive work environment is a priority for the Bank. It is therefore only natural for us to team up with various organizations, such as UniAction, to truly recognize the contribution of cultural diversity to the development of our society."

"As a "boat people" refugee, I wanted to underscore this 40th anniversary, in order to thank everyone who has made a difference in our lives throughout the years. It is also a good opportunity to share our history and culture with the rest of the population, and especially to emphasize the achievements of our community, in order to inspire future generations," said Thi Be Nguyen, founder of UniAction and one of National Bank's Diversity Ambassadors, who launched the project.

In addition to the Vietnamese culture, visitors of the exhibit will be able to learn about the challenges met by Laotian and Cambodian refugees, as well as witness the generosity of those who welcomed them.

"Pointe-à-Callière is pleased to host this activity and I take this opportunity to salute the bravery and tenacity of these refugees from the sea," said Francine Lelièvre, Executive Director of Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History.

About National Bank of Canada
With $207 billion in assets as at April 30, 2015, National Bank of Canada (www.nbc.ca), together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada's leading integrated financial groups. The Bank has more than 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.

About UniAction
The mission of UniAction is to unite philanthropists of different cultures with the objective of making a difference in social issues such as poverty, access to education and health, both here and internationally. We also help charities through fundraising, as well as offering counsel and tools to help them to achieve their goals.
www.uniaction.ca.

Location of the activity
Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History
Mariners' House - National Bank Pavilion
165, Place D'Youville
Old Montréal, Quebec, H2Y 2B2

SOURCE National Bank of Canada

(The telephone number provided below is for the exclusive use of journalists and other media representatives.): Jean-François Lauzon, Advisor - Public Affairs, National Bank, Tel.: [phone]