TORONTO, June 29 /CNW/ - As Canadians recognized Multiculturalism Day
last Saturday, CIBC employees across the country wrapped up their celebration
of the bank's 17th annual Diversity Month in June.
    Throughout the month, CIBC staff participated in numerous events and
activities - from pot luck lunches and receptions to language classes and
fundraising events for charity - to recognize and celebrate the broad
diversity of employees within the bank.
    "Sharing and celebrating our differences helps break down barriers
between people," said Richard Venn, Senior Executive Vice-President and CIBC's
Diversity Champion. "It makes us stronger as an organization and enables us to
be more effective in serving our many different clients. I am proud of the
fact that CIBC's leadership and our employees are so strongly supportive of
our annual Diversity month activities."Among the events held were:

    -   A diversity month kick-off in downtown Toronto featuring a series of
        live performances and an array of multicultural cuisine from around
        the world.
    -   A celebration of National Aboriginal Day organized by the
        CIBC Aboriginal Employee Circle in Toronto;
    -   A 48-hour Diversity Open House with Affinity Network displays at our
        INTRIA offices in Vancouver;
    -   A reception to launch the 2010 National Aboriginal Achievement
        Awards. This is the 17th consecutive year for CIBC as lead sponsor of
        the awards, which recognize outstanding career achievements of
        First Nations, Inuit and Métis people;
    -   A Diversity Lunch & Learn in Vancouver with a fund-raising raffle
        benefitting YMCA Connections - Collectively Canadian Program that
        supports new immigrants to the community; and
    -   A Pride Week reception hosted by the CIBC Pride Network in Toronto.
        The Network took part in Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28
        and will participate in Vancouver's Pride Parade on Sunday, August 2.During the month CIBC also reaffirmed its support of the National
Aboriginal Achievement Foundation's education program with a donation of
$100,000. The program's annual bursaries and scholarships are given to
Aboriginal students enrolled in full-time post-secondary studies, and the
donation brings CIBC's total support of the program to $900,000.
    CIBC's on-going commitment and efforts to provide an inclusive workplace
for its employees was recognized earlier this year when it was named one of
the "Best Employers for New Canadians" for the second year in a row. Chosen by
the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers, CIBC was recognized for leading its
peers in creating a workplace that welcomes new Canadians and provides them
with an opportunity to make the most of their skills, education, and talents.
    CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our
employees and our communities.  We aim to make a difference in communities
through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of
employees. With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, and employee
commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run
for the Cure, the CIBC Children's Foundation and United Way, we are investing
in the social and economic development of communities across the country. In
2008, CIBC group of companies contributed more than $36 million worldwide to
charitable and non-profit initiatives. Of this, more than $27 million was
invested in Canada to support national, regional and local organizations. To
learn more, visit www.cibc.com/pas