This news release contains forward-looking statements. For a description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see the section entitled "Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" later in this release.

MONTRÉAL, Nov. 18, 2024 /CNW/ - BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE) (NYSE: BCE) announced today that it has implemented the previously announced amendments to its Shareholder Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the "DRP") to permit, at the BCE Board's discretion, for the issuance of new common shares from treasury at a discount to the volume weighted average trading price of the common shares for the five trading days immediately preceding the applicable dividend payment date (the "Average Market Price").

Commencing with the previously declared dividend payable on January 15, 2025 to eligible holders of common shares as of the December 16, 2024 record date, and subsequently until further notice, common shares distributed under the DRP will be issued from treasury at a discount of 2% to the Average Market Price. The discount will not apply to purchases made pursuant to optional cash payments.

Common shares delivered to participants under the DRP in reinvestment of cash dividends were previously purchased by BCE's agent, TSX Trust Company (the "Agent"), on the secondary market with cash provided by BCE. The equity issuances anticipated from implementing a discounted DRP are expected to enable BCE to retain cash to help fund strategic growth initiatives and strengthen the balance sheet.

The DRP continues to offer a convenient means for eligible holders of BCE common shares to acquire additional common shares without charge for any commission or brokerage fees by reinvesting the cash dividends on their respective holdings of common shares or by making optional cash payments in the form of cash or dividends on BCE preferred shares. The annual limit of optional cash payments, in the form of cash or dividends on preferred shares, has been increased from Cdn$20,000 to Cdn$40,000.

Existing participants in the DRP will automatically have the discount applied to the reinvestment of the dividend payable to holders of common shares on January 15, 2025. Registered shareholders of BCE common shares resident in Canada or the United States wishing to join the DRP can obtain an enrollment form at , or by contacting the Agent (Tel: 1‐800‐561‐0934 (Toll free in Canada and the U.S.) or bce@tmx.com), or on BCE's website at . In order to participate in time for the dividend payable on January 15, 2025, enrollment forms from registered holders of common shares must be received by the Agent before the close of business on December 16, 2024. Beneficial owners of BCE common shares (shareholders who hold their shares through a financial institution, broker or other intermediary) should consult with the intermediary well in advance of that date to determine how to participate in the DRP.

Participation in the DRP is optional. Eligible shareholders who have not elected to participate in the DRP will continue to receive their regular cash dividends in the usual manner. A copy of the DRP incorporating the latest amendments is available on BCE's website at , on SEDAR+ at , and on the website of the Agent at .

Notice to United States Investors

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation to buy securities. Since DRP participants may receive newly issued common shares pursuant to the DRP, BCE has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to register sales of such newly issued common shares in the United States. A copy of the prospectus relating to such sales is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and on BCE's website at  as well as on the website of the Agent at .

The common shares of BCE offered under the DRP outside the United States will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933.

About BCE

BCE is Canada's largest communications company,1 providing advanced Bell broadband Internet, wireless, TV, media and business communications services. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.

Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities. This includes the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes mental health with awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

SOURCE  Bell Canada