RBC appoints Phil Fontaine as Special Advisor
TORONTO, September 2, 2009 — RBC is pleased
to announce that Phil Fontaine, former National Chief of the
Assembly of First Nations (AFN), has been appointed Special
Advisor to RBC, beginning September 1, 2009.
Fontaine will provide advice and counsel to RBC's Canadian
businesses to help the company deepen its relationships with
Aboriginal governments, communities and businesses in Canada.
"We are proud to welcome Phil Fontaine and look forward
to benefitting from his wisdom and expertise, gained from
a tremendous career as a leader within Canada's First Nations
communities," said Gordon M. Nixon, RBC president and
CEO. "Phil Fontaine's guidance will be particularly valuable
as we continue our effort to build relationships with Aboriginal
Peoples and communities across the country."
RBC has a long history of service to the Aboriginal community
and was one of the first banks to open a full-service branch
on a First Nation. RBC proudly continues to build relationships
and serve Aboriginal Peoples by improving access to financial
services, providing employment, training and development,
procurement opportunities and contributing to community and
social development.
In 2007, RBC signed an historic agreement with the AFN, formalizing
its commitment to Aboriginal Peoples with a two-year action
plan to help build strong, sustainable Aboriginal economies.
"RBC is a leader in building relationships with Aboriginal
peoples and I'm pleased to join RBC as it continues working
for the benefit of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples,
helping them increase opportunities for economic development,"
Fontaine said. "I look forward to this new career challenge
and working with RBC in communities across Canada."
Fontaine will have significant involvement in many of RBC's
key corporate citizenship and sponsorship initiatives, including
the RBC Blue Water Project and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic
Winter Games. His first project will be to help ensure that
RBC maximizes the involvement of the Aboriginal community
in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.
Fontaine finished an unprecedented third term as National
Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in July. He is a dedicated
and highly respected leader in Canada and beyond. He has been
instrumental in facilitating change and advancement for First
Nations people from the time he was first elected to public
office as Chief when he was 28 years old.
Fontaine is a proud member of the Sagkeeng First Nation in
Manitoba and still plays an active role in the support of
his community.
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For more information or interviews:
Matt Gierasimczuk, Media Relations, 416-974-2124, matthew.gierasimczuk@rbc.com
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