Mr. Jean-Sebastien Couillard reports

ROGERS SUGAR ANNOUNCES STRIKE ACTION AT ITS VANCOUVER REFINERY

Rogers Sugar Inc.'s workers' union, the Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC) Local 8, has initiated strike action following a failure to agree on terms for a new collective agreement for its members at the Vancouver refinery. The existing collective agreement expired on Feb. 28, 2023.

In the time since the expiration of the existing agreement, the company and PPWC Local 8 have met several times with the objective of reaching a new collective agreement. On Sept. 25, 2023, PPWC Local 8 issued a 72-hour strike notice to the company to take effect at Sept. 28, 2023, at 11:43 a.m. Pacific Time. In advance of this deadline, Rogers Sugar made the decision to idle the Vancouver plant, to ensure an orderly shutdown process that ensures the safety of all employees and the security of its facilities and operations.

Communications between the parties are ongoing and the company is optimistic about the potential to achieve an equitable agreement that benefits all participants. Rogers Sugar will provide updates as the situation progresses.

About Rogers Sugar Inc.

Rogers is a corporation established under the laws of Canada. The corporation holds all of the common shares of Lantic, and its administrative office is in Montreal, Que. Lantic has been refining sugar for 135 years and operates cane sugar refineries in Montreal, Que., and Vancouver, B.C., as well as the only Canadian sugar beet processing facility in Taber, Alta. Lantic also operates a distribution centre in Toronto, Ont. Lantic's sugar products are marketed under the Lantic trademark in Eastern Canada and the Rogers trademark in Western Canada and include granulated, icing, cube, yellow and brown sugars, liquid sugars, and specialty syrups. Lantic owns all of the common shares of The Maple Treat Company (TMTC) and its head office is headquartered in Montreal, Que. TMTC operates bottling plants in Granby, Degelis and St-Honore-de-Shenley, Que., and in Websterville, Vt. TMTC's products include maple syrup and derived maple syrup products supplied under retail private label brands in over 50 countries and are sold under various brand names. The company's goal is to offer the best-quality sugars and sweeteners to satisfy its customers.