<html>
<head>
<meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8">
<title>EDC AND CCC WIN AUDITOR GENERAL'S AWARDS</title>
</head>
<body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0">
<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>January 22, 2004 <em>(4:30 p.m. EST)</em> No. 8</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>EDC AND CCC WIN AUDITOR GENERAL'S AWARDS</strong></font></p>
<p>International Trade Minister Jim Peterson today congratulated Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Canadian
Commercial Corporation (CCC) on winning 2003 Auditor General's Awards for Excellence in Annual Reporting by Crown
Corporations. The CCC won for the first time in the smaller Crown corporations category, while EDC won for the sixth
time in the larger Crown corporations category.</p>
<p>"I am pleased that EDC and the CCC have been recognized for their strong commitment to transparency and accountability,
key priorities of the Government of Canada," said Minister Peterson. "Their continuing high performance in these areas is a
credit to all of their employees, who have worked hard to meet these goals."</p>
<p>The Auditor General's Award was launched in 1994 to recognize and reward exemplary achievement in annual reporting
among Crown corporations, as well as to promote better performance reporting within this community. Crown corporations
account for a significant portion of government activity and play a key role in implementing public policy.</p>
<p>EDC is a Crown corporation that operates as a commercial financial institution. During its 60 years in operation, EDC has
helped thousands of Canadian companies grow and prosper internationally by providing trade finance and risk management
services that companies need, but that are not always readily available.</p>
<p>The CCC is an export contracting agency that brings buyers and Canadian exporters together. Since its inception in 1946,
the CCC has provided assistance to thousands of companies from across Canada, helping them negotiate more than $30
billion in contracts with foreign governments and private sector buyers.</p>
<p>Both the EDC and CCC report to Parliament through the Minister of International Trade.</p>
<p>Further information can be found on the Web site of the Auditor General of Canada: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071207014819/http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/">http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca</a>.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Jacqueline LaRocque</p>
<p>Director of Communications</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 992-7332</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071207014819/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
</body>
</html>
