Mr. Yan Lapointe reports

STAKEHOLDERS FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS SUPPORT THE PUBLISAC

Stakeholders from different backgrounds are expressing their support to the Publisac, owned by Transcontinental Inc., and calling for a constructive dialogue with the City of Montreal to ensure that the current distribution model is maintained. By rallying in support of the Publisac, these stakeholders stand united in a historic moment:

• Centrale des syndicats democratiques (CSD);
• Syndicat des travailleurs industriels et commerciaux (STIC);
• Syndicat des Teamsters (Quebec);
• Unifor -- the largest union in Quebec's pulp and paper sector;
• Federation de l'industrie manufacturiere (FIM-CSN);
• Federation nationale des communications (FNC-CSN);
• Federation des chambres de commerce du Quebec (FCCQ);
• Conseil du patronat du Quebec (Quebec Employer Council);
• Hebdos Quebec;
• Metro Media;
• The Suburban;
• Alliance Foret Boreale;
• Conseil de l'industrie forestiere du Quebec (CIFQ);
• Resolute Forest Products;
• Table des elus du Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean;
• Table des elus de la Manicouagan.

All agree that the Publisac is currently irreplaceable for households, local newspapers and merchants that use it, in addition to generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Quebec. They recognize the importance of the environmental transition and believe that the Publisac is a responsibly managed product.

They are joining their voices to ask the City of Montreal not to follow through on the recommendations of the Commission permanente sur l'eau, l'environnement, le developpement durable et les grands parcs (Standing Committee on Water, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Large Parks). All stakeholders advocate instead the establishment of a dialogue between the City of Montreal and all interested parties. Such a dialogue should identify the best ways to achieve reduction at source within the current distribution system, while taking into account all aspects (environmental, social and economic) of sustainable development and the democratic role played by local information. It is up to the population to determine the future of the Publisac, by easily opting out if it wishes, and not the public authorities.

About Transcontinental Inc.

Transcontinental is a leader in flexible packaging in North America. Transcontinental is Canada's largest printer.