November 10, 2004 Securities

Montréal – On September 29, 2004, Judge Rosaire Desbiens of the Court of Québec (Criminal and Penal Division) acquitted Camil Girard of a charge under section 195(4) of the Québec Securities Act.

Mr. Girard had failed to appear after being summoned to testify in connection with an investigation conducted by the Commission des valeurs mobilières du Québec (the Securities Commission, which is now part of the Autorité des marchés financiers, or the “AMF”). The Judge upheld his defence of reasonable care and acquitted him of the charge.

To read the press releases on this matter issued to date, please consult the AMF website, under Media Centre/Press Releases.

Established on February 1, 2004, the Autorité des marchés financiers is the regulatory and oversight body for Québec’s financial sector. The AMF consists of the Commission des valeurs mobilières du Québec, the Bureau des services financiers, the Régie de l’assurance-dépôts du Québec, the Fonds d’indemnisation des services financiers and the Inspector General of Financial Institutions.

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