11PT Hsbc Bk. 21

RNS Number:0860N
Thomson Corporation
14 November 2001

( BW)(THOMSON)(TOC.TO) Thomson Agrees to Sell the Winnipeg Free Press

And Brandon Sun to Canadian Newspapers Company; Concludes Sale of

Newspaper Operations



    Business Editors



    TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2001--The Thomson Corporation

(TSE:TOC) today announced it has entered into an agreement to sell the

Winnipeg Free Press and the Brandon Sun, as well as their ancillary

operations, to Canadian Newspapers Company for an undisclosed amount.

The parties expect the sale to be completed in early December of this

year.

    The Winnipeg Free Press newspaper publishes seven days a week,

serving Winnipeg and Southern Manitoba with an average seven-day

circulation of 126,324. The Brandon Sun also publishes seven days a

week, serving the region with an average circulation of 15,389.

    "For well over one hundred years, both the Winnipeg Free Press and

Brandon Sun have served as Manitoba's most trusted news sources," said

Richard J. Harrington, president and chief executive officer of The

Thomson Corporation. "I am confident that Ron Stern and his

organization are committed to upholding this century-long tradition of

journalistic excellence and continue to serve the needs of the

Province's readers and advertisers."

    Ron Stern, president and chief executive officer of Canadian

Newspapers Company said, "I am delighted to have concluded

negotiations to buy the Winnipeg Free Press and the Brandon Sun. My

partner, Bob Silver, our colleagues and I, look forward to working

with the newspapers' management and employees. We are excited at the

prospects that lie ahead of us. We are also conscious of the

responsibilities associated with the ownership of these two important

newspapers."

    This transaction concludes the sale of all Thomson newspaper

assets, as originally announced on February 15, 2000.



    About The Thomson Corporation



    The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 2000 revenues of

approximately US$6 billion, is a leading, global provider of

integrated information solutions to business and professional

customers. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the Toronto

and London stock exchanges.



    About Canadian Newspapers Company



    Canadian Newspapers Company is a new entity, which has been

established to make this investment. Bob Silver and Ron Stern are

shareholders in Winnipeg-based Western Glove Works, one of Canada's

largest makers of jeans and casual wear. Among Ron Stern's other

activities, he is CEO and an investor in each of Alberta Newsprint

Company in Whitecourt, Alberta, and St. Marys Paper Ltd. in Sault Ste.

Marie, Ontario. Mr. Stern is chairman of Vancouver's largest pre-press

company, Supreme Graphics Ltd. and was previously the publisher of

Vancouver Magazine.



    --30--rm/ny*  mwa/in



    CONTACT: The Thomson Corporation

             Media Contact:

             Jason Stewart

             Director, Public Relations

             203/328-8339

             jason.stewart@thomson.com

             Investor Contact:

             John Kechejian

             Vice President, Investor Relations

             203/328-9470

             john.kechejian@thomson.com

                  or

             Canadian Newspapers Company

             Media Contact:

             Elli Kim

             604/646-3781 direct

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