Competition Bureau Files Application for Consent Order Regarding Divestiture of TQS by Quebecor

OTTAWA, November 10, 2000 — The Competition Bureau today filed an application for a Consent Order with the Competition Tribunal regarding the sale of TQS by Quebecor. The purpose of the Order is to maintain competition in the sale of French-language television advertising time in Quebec.

Following competition concerns identified by the Bureau, Quebecor decided to sell its existing interests in TQS. The proposed acquisition of Groupe Vidéotron would have given Quebecor control of Canada's first and third largest French television networks, TVA and TQS respectively. As a result, the Bureau felt that competition would have been substantially reduced, with Quebecor controlling more than half of all French-language television advertising revenues in Quebec.

The order requires that Quebecor divest its TQS interests by Dec. 31, 2001, otherwise the sale will be made by a trustee. The activities of TQS and TVA will remain separate through existing trust arrangements.

The Bureau is still reviewing the remaining elements of Quebecor's acquisition of Groupe Vidéotron.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that is responsible for merger review and the lawful conduct of business in Canada, as defined by theCompetition Act.

For more information, please contact:

Julie Hébert
819-953-4257