Building Confidence.

Corporate sustainability reporting (CSR) is still in its infancy in Canada. Although at least 100 companies in Canada have produced sustainable reports that review the economic, social and environmental impact of their organizations, much work still has to be done to make these reports effective

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Building Confidence--Corporate Sustainability Reporting In Canada, published in November 2003, is a detailed assessment of corporate sustainability reporting in Canada, produced by Stratos Consulting in Ottawa, in collaboration with Alan Willis & Associates. The report is part of an ongoing sustainability reporting benchmarking program, which is trying to stimulate an increase in both the quantity and quality of corporate sustainability reporting in Canada. The program was initiated in 2001 with the publication of Stepping Forward, an early in-depth examination of corporate sustainability reporting in Canada. The objectives of the program and of this report are to:

* provide a detailed description and assessment of Canadian sustainability reporting practices and compare them with international and best practices;

* highlight the efforts of Canadian corporate environmental and sustainability reporters; and

* identify opportunities to improve reporting practices and to extend the use and effectiveness of these reports.

The survey doesn't assess corporate performance. Instead, it assesses how companies report on their sustainability practices. With greater public disclosure of sustainability information, the study authors hope that a greater range of decision makers will consider and use such information to inform their decisions on sustainable reporting.

Published by Stratos Inc. For more information and a copy of the study visit the Stratos Web site at www.stratos-sts.com.