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Alberta Motor Transport Association and BMO Work Together to Protect Commercial Drivers in Alberta

June 10, 2020 | COVID response, Culture

“As a leading cross-border bank, we recognize how important it is to do our part and help to keep the supply chain moving – especially for food and agriculture-based businesses – as we start to see the economy reopening,” says Allison Hakomaki, Head, Canadian Commercial Banking, Prairies, BMO Financial Group.

With that in mind, to help promote the health and wellness of commercial truck drivers who are hauling and delivering essential goods, BMO recently donated 50,000 non-medical masks to the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA).

Alberta’s economy has been hit hard by the combination of a drop in oil prices and COVID-19 – so when the AMTA reached out to Allison, she knew right away that she wanted to help. As a financial institution with many food and agriculture clients, we know the importance of keeping the supply chain moving – and as a cross-border bank, we know that it’s essential to help keep drivers safe as economies start reopening, and trips back and forth between Canada and the United States begin to increase.

Allison reached out to several BMO partners for donations of other personal protective equipment (PPE), and found many eager to contribute. We then joined with the AMTA and several other organizations to assemble 25,000 PPE kits for drivers. The kits include non-medical masks, as well as latex gloves and hand sanitizer – all donated by BMO and our partners.

The Calgary Stampede – a long-time BMO partner and client – donated their Grandstand space to enable volunteers to put together PPE kits while safely social distancing and following Alberta Health Services directives. Approximately 20% of the volunteers were BMO employees.

The PPE kits are free for truck drivers and available at six weigh scales across Alberta. “As part of our purpose as an organization, we look for ways to grow the good in the communities where we live and work,” says Allison. “We are excited to work alongside the AMTA and provide a means to protect commercial truck drivers.”

The AMTA acts as the voice, standard and resource of the commercial transportation industry in Alberta, delivering leading-edge education and advocacy. They represent 350 carrier members, 275 industry suppliers and 14,500 associate carriers. And right now, their role in helping fuel the economy is more vital than ever.

“We continue to be amazed at how many people and companies are still stepping up to help truck drivers, the transportation industry and other essential services,” says Chris Nash, president of the AMTA. “These trying times are hard on all of us, and when people band together for the greater good, it really is encouraging.”

During these unprecedented times, BMO is living its Purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, and going above and beyond to help those who are being affected by COVID-19. Learn more about how employees are reaching out to their communities.

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