Mr. Jean-Sebastien Couillard reports

ROGERS SUGAR SEEKS MEDIATION IN ONGOING EFFORT TO REACH FAIR COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT WITH WORKERS AT VANCOUVER REFINERY

Rogers Sugar Inc. has applied to the British Columbia Labour Relations Board for mediation to reach a fair collective agreement with the Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC) Local 8 representing workers at the company's Vancouver refinery, and the union has accepted mediation.

The company provided the following statement: "Rogers Sugar looks forward to the opportunity to work constructively with the union toward a fair collective agreement that will return our Vancouver plant to full sugar production as soon as possible.

"We remain fully committed to engaging in discussions aimed at finding a solution that works for the company and for employees, and one that supports customers for the short and long term by enabling us to best serve steadily rising demand for Canadian sugar.

"We are working hard to support customers throughout the labour disruption. Since the beginning of the strike, the Vancouver sugar refinery has continued to operate at a reduced level, and we have used other facilities to help supply our customers in Western Canada.

"Still, we know that this disruption has created localized shortages in Western Canada of some products such as brown sugar and packaged white sugar. We know this is difficult for some of our customers, and we apologize for that. We once again thank all our customers for their continued patience as we seek a resolution."

About Rogers Sugar Inc.

Rogers Sugar is a corporation established under the laws of Canada. The corporation holds all of the common shares of Lantic Inc. 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 approximately 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.