Port Hawkesbury, Canso demand answers from BMO ahead of July closures

Municipal councils and business leaders in Port Hawkesbury and Canso are deeply troubled by the recent announcement of Bank of Montreal (BMO) branch closures scheduled for July 25. The decision to close the Canso branch has left the community without any financial institution, forcing residents to travel 140 kilometers to the nearest BMO location in New Glasgow. This news has come as a shock to many, with locals feeling blindsided by the sudden closure.
Fin Armsworthy, representing Canso and surrounding communities within his District 8 seat of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough, expressed his dismay, stating, “This was a pretty big blow to the community. We’ve been kicked around a lot, but this is a pretty bad blow.” Following an emergency meeting held to address the branch closure, the Guysborough district council is demanding an immediate meeting with BMO regional vice-president Deanne Chaulk to discuss a possible reversal of the decision.
Hours later, Port Hawkesbury town council convened a special meeting to discuss the impending closure of their own BMO branch. The council decided to write to BMO officials expressing their concerns and urging them to reconsider their decision. Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton emphasized the importance of maintaining a branch in Port Hawkesbury, highlighting the current and future developments in the region that necessitate access to local banking services.
BMO defended their closure decisions as a response to changing consumer preferences for digital banking. The bank plans to offer in-person seminars to assist customers in transitioning to online banking. However, Armsworthy raised concerns about Canso’s senior population and the lack of basic computer skills needed for digital banking. Tanya Felix, executive director of the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the challenges faced by seniors and small business owners in accessing in-person banking services in New Glasgow.
In the face of these closures and the resulting loss of services and jobs, the chamber of commerce and affected municipal councils are determined to fight back. Felix is offering support to businesses impacted by the closures and is hopeful that BMO will reconsider their decision. Armsworthy, determined to advocate for his community, declared, “We won’t go down without a fight.”
As the communities of Port Hawkesbury and Canso come together to oppose these closures, they are sending a clear message to BMO that access to local banking services is crucial for their vitality and sustainability. The fight to keep these branches open continues, with residents and leaders standing united in their efforts to preserve essential services for their communities.