NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release: September 11, 2001

Tolko's senior management team has gathered in Edmonton to conduct their Quarterly Business Review (QBR). Choosing an Alberta location for the QBR is a natural fit says Al Thorlakson, President & CEO of Tolko Industries. "Tolko has been in business for forty years, and during the last seven years we have increased our involvement in Alberta, with one-third of our assets now located here."

In conjunction with Tolko's QBR, the Company is hosting an event at the University of Alberta. The "Partners in Business" social evening will recognize Tolko's partnerships with the Alberta Research Council and the University of Alberta. "We consider the Forest Products Division of the Alberta Research Council to be one of the best in Canada," says Thorlakson. "We support their core research & development program and we also work together on specific projects. Our relationship with the University of Alberta Business School has evolved into a valuable partnership with our support of their graduate students, and their research assistance on current business issues."

At the "Partners in Business" event, Al Thorlakson will announce Tolko's intention to fund a study on the potential for agro-forestry opportunities in the White Zone land of Alberta. Thorlakson comments, "Potentially a million hectares of productive land is available in the White Zone of the province. Much of this land is forested, but is unallocated for either agricultural or forestry purposes. Responsible development of this unallocated forestry land base has the potential to produce thousands of permanent jobs. We would like to investigate prospects for sustaining viable businesses in cooperation with agricultural interests." The study will consist of data collection, inventory, mapping and business analysis, and will be undertaken with staff and students from the School of Business Administration at the University of Alberta.

Tolko's operations in Alberta include an Oriented Strand Board plant in High Prairie which provides direct employment for 200 people and an additional 150 seasonal employees, and its High Level Lumber Division which provides direct employment for 300 people with an additional 500 employed in winter logging.

Thorlakson concludes, "Alberta is a great place to do business and we remain committed to our involvement in the province both now and for future growth opportunities."

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