The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec welcomes the decision by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers on the combination of the Montréal and Toronto Stock Exchanges

The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec welcomes the Autorité des Marchés Financiers’s decision concerning the Montréal Stock Exchange’s request for approval of its plan to combine with TSX Group.

“This decision by the AMF is in line with the commitments the Caisse had called for with regard to continuing the operations of the Montréal Stock Exchange. The result of the combination: the Montréal Stock Exchange will be a major centre for all Canadian derivatives trading, including the carbon market which it will handle exclusively. The Caisse is also pleased that TSX Group will not be able to cease to be the) controlling shareholder—own more than 50% of the Montréal Stock Exchange—without AMF authorization,” stated Caisse President and Chief Executive Officer, Henri-Paul Rousseau.

“The AMF’s assurances and the expertise of the team in place at the Montréal Stock Exchange guarantee Canada-wide success, and a platform for development beyond our borders. The new TMX Group can certainly count on the support of the Caisse both as a shareholder and as a client,” Mr. Rousseau added.

The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is a financial institution that manages funds primarily for public and private pension and insurance plans. As at December 31, 2007, it held $155.4 billion of net assets. One of the leading institutional fund managers in Canada, the Caisse invests in the main financial markets as well as in private equity and real estate. For more information: www.cdpq.com.