BCE awarded Best Overall Corporate Governance - International by Corporate Secretary

The latest 2013 governance honour for Canada's largest communications company

MONTREAL, Nov. 19, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - BCE Inc. is pleased to announce that it has been honoured with the Best Overall Corporate Governance Award - International at the sixth annual Corporate Secretary Corporate Governance Awards in New York.

Competing against a number of high-profile Canadian and international corporations, BCE was recognized for best overall governance, compliance and ethics in board structure, shareholder communications, regulatory filing and other governance operations. Other companies recognized for governance leadership by Corporate Secretary include General Electric, H&R Block, Johnson & Johnson, and PepsiCo.

"Bell is proud to be honoured for our leading corporate governance practices, both here in Canada and internationally," said George Cope, President and CEO of BCE Inc. and Bell Canada. "These awards recognize the leadership of the BCE Board of Directors and the commitment of the Bell team in upholding the highest ethical and operational standards in every aspect of our business."

Earlier this year, BCE was the recipient of the first-ever award for best overall corporate governance by the Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries, while the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance honoured BCE with its Gavel Award for exceptional communication with shareholders. In September, BCE Chair Thomas C. O'Neill, FCPA received the Award of Outstanding Merit from the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario) recognizing his contributions both to the profession and to the community.

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About BCE
BCE (TSX, NYSE: BCE) is Canada's largest communications company, providing a comprehensive and innovative suite of broadband communication services to residential and business customers under the Bell Canada and Bell Aliant brands. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media, including CTV, Canada's #1 television network, and the country's most-watched specialty channels. To learn more, please visit BCE.ca.

The Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative is a national charitable and awareness program promoting mental health across Canada with the Bell Let's Talk Day anti-stigma campaign and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research, and workplace initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

SOURCE: Bell Canada