NOTE TO EDITORS:

Mines and Energy Minister Paul Dicks will hold news conferences on Wednesday, October 18 at Grand Falls-Windsor and on Thursday, October 19 at Corner Brook.

Joining Mr. Dicks for the Grand Falls-Windsor news conference will be Gordon Oldford, general manager of Abitibi Consolidated Incorporated. The news conference will be held in the Mary Marche Room of the Mount Peyton Hotel starting at 11:30 a.m. Also participating in the news conferences will be Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister Kevin Aylward, Treasury Board President Anna Thistle and William Wells, President and Chief Executive Officer of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

Joining Mr. Dicks for the Corner Brook news conference will be Kevin Sheahan, vice-president and general manager of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper. The news conference will be held in the Banquet Room of the Blomidon Golf and Country Club starting at 3:00 p.m. Also participating in the news conference will be Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister Kevin Aylward and William Wells, President and Chief Executive Officer of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

Media contact: Gary Callahan, Mines and Energy, (709) 729-4890.

2000 10            17 4:35 p.m.