Quebec's first musical instrument lending library launches in Montréal

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial and the City of Montréal are pleased to launch the Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library program in the Montréal Public Libraries. This innovative free program will help put instruments in the hands of the community, sharing the joy of music.

Sun Life is providing $108,860 in funding and donating one hundred musical instruments to the City of Montréal to launch this new program. This support will enable the Montréal Public Libraries to provide guitars, keyboards, violins, ukuleles, drums and xylophones to its members. Whether you're a beginner picking up an instrument for the first time or a seasoned musician, this program is designed for anyone looking to explore the power of music.

"Well rooted in the community, the Montréal Public Libraries have become dynamic, visionary and innovative key-players largely contributing to Montréal's cultural vitality. We are delighted to partner with Sun Life Financial to help Montréalers discover the wonderful world of music through this innovative service. In addition to expanding and diversifying the Montréal Public Libraries' musical collection, this program squarely fits the new Montréal Child Policy initiative and is part of the 5-axle intervention plan covering access to culture, sports and leisure," said Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal.

Instruments will be available to Montréalers for loan free of charge with a valid Montréal Public Libraries card from one of eight branches: Du Boisé, Georges-Vanier, La Petite-Patrie, Maison culturelle et communautaire, Plateau-Mont-Royal, Saint-Léonard, Saul-Bellow and Verdun.

"Sun Life Financial understands the important role music and the arts play in society, that's why we are helping create opportunities for people to explore their creative side," said Robert Dumas, President, Sun Life Financial Quebec. "We actively support many cultural initiatives in Quebec and are excited to bring this incredibly successful musical instrument lending program to Montréal as it will help in creating a stronger and more vibrant community."

This program is part of a national initiative that has helped create musical lending libraries in cities across Canada. The Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library was launched in April 2016 with the Toronto Public Library and in June with the Vancouver Public Library. It is a natural extension of Sun Life's support of music education, one that aligns perfectly with the company's award-winning Making the Arts More Accessible™ program. It's Sun Life's belief that arts and culture should be celebrated within our communities and made available to everyone, regardless of their means.

Musical Instrument Donation Drive
Montréal Public Libraries is also conducting a Musical Instrument Donation Drive running from October 24, 2016 until December 24, 2016. People may drop off their new or gently used musical instrument donations at six libraries: Georges-Vanier, La Petite-Patrie, Maison culturelle et communautaire, Plateau-Mont-Royal, Saul-Bellow et Verdun. Please visit www.bibliomontreal.com/musique for more information.

Join the conversation about the program on social media using the #OffrirLaMusique:

Sun Life Financial

• Twitter: @SunLifeQC
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/financieresunlifequebec

Montréal Public Libraries

• Twitter: @bibliomontreal
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bibliomontreal/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bibliomontreal/
• Tumblr: http://bibliomontreal.tumblr.com/

About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2016, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $865 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

About the Montréal Public Libraries
The Montréal Public Libraries has a network of 45 libraries distributed throughout 19 boroughs. Actively involved in the neighbourhoods, the Montréal Public Libraries mission is to offer everyone access to reading, information, knowledge, culture and leisure activities. Their bold programming and teams of dedicated employees make it an ideal place for patrons to experience knowledge in all its forms. The Libraries make 4.2 million items available 7 days per week and provides lively spaces for gatherings and dialogue for all.

Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada

Image with caption: "Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal and Sun Life Financial's Robert Dumas, joined Jeff Stinco, Sébastien Lefebvre & Chuck Comeau from Simple Plan to launch the Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library in Montreal. (CNW Group/Sun Life Financial Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161024_C7909_PHOTO_EN_802352.jpg