AUSTRALIA

Ivernia Inc. and Yunnan Metallurgical Group Form Long-term Strategic Relationship
Toronto-based Ivernia Inc., a base metals operating, development and exploration company, and China-based Yunnan Metallurgical Group (YMG) inked a strategic partnership aimed at growth and diversification in Australia and Asia. The agreement provides for a C$22 million private placement in Ivernia by YMG; a collaboration to identify and evaluate new base metal opportunities for joint investment; a joint and coordinated effort to ensure successful operations at the Ivernia’s Magellan mine; a commercial concentrate agreement whereby YMG will purchase approximately 50% of Magellan’s annual forecast lead concentrate production; and an exchange of technical expertise. YMG is an integrated base metal producer located in Yunnan province and the Magellan mine is located in Western Australia. Information summarized from: Ivernia Inc. Press Release

JAPAN

Altius’ orders equipment from Japanese consortium for refinery development in Newfoundland
St. John’s-based Newfoundland and Labrador Refining Corporation (NLRC), of which Altius is a major shareholder, signed an agreement with Japan’s IJK Consortium for the fabrication and delivery of several heavy-walled steel reactor vessels. The vessels will be used at NLRC’s proposed 300,000 barrel per day grassroots oil refinery in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland. The IJK consortium, a partnership between Japan Steel Works Ltd., Kobe Steel Ltd. and I.P.S. Services Inc., is a fabricator of heavy wall reactors. Altius is a natural resource project generation and royalty business based in Newfoundland. Information summarized from: Altius Minerals Corp. Press Release

CHINA

YVR and China Southern Airlines Sign MOU on Direct Flights.An agreement was signed between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and China Southern Airlines that will see the first direct flights between Vancouver and Guangzhou starting July 2009. Officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during a bilateral meeting Nov. 29, confirming the commencement of the first direct flights between Vancouver and Guangzhou in 2009. ‘Currently, citizens of Guangdong must travel either to Shanghai or Beijing to take advantage of air services to Vancouver, or alternatively transit through Hong Kong,’ said Tony Gugliotta, Vancouver Airport Authority’s senior vice-president of marketing and commercial development. Information summarized from: BC Premier’s Office Press Release

INDONESIA

Canadian Film Festival in Indonesia Commemorates 30 Years of Canada-ASEAN Relations
The Canadian Embassy in Indonesia has organized a Canadian Film Festival to commemorate 30 years of Canada-ASEAN relations. The festival runs from November 26 to December 14 and takes place in three major Indonesian cities: Jakarta, Bandung and Yogyakarta. Documentaries showcased are made in Canada, with a particular focus on Canadians in Southeast Asia, Southeast Asians in Canada, or Southeast Asians in their countries as seen through the lens of Canadian directors. This geographic focus celebrates 30 years of Canada-ASEAN relations, through arts and culture. A range of social themes are highlighted throughout these films, including poverty reduction, peace and security, labour rights and multiculturalism/pluralism. For more information, visit the Canadian Embassy in Indonesia. Information provided by: Canadian Embassy, Indonesia

CANADA

Bombardier Appoints New President and Chief Executive Officer. Bombardier’s Board of Directors appointed Mr. Pierre Beaudoin as President and Chief Executive Officer of Bombardier Inc. effective June 4, 2008, date of the next annual general meeting of shareholders. Mr. Laurent Beaudoin will remain as Chairman of the Board. Pierre Beaudoin has been with Bombardier for 22 years and is currently Executive Vice President of Bombardier Inc. and President and Chief Operating Officer of Bombardier Aerospace. Bombardier is a manufacturer of transportation solutions with offices in Australia, Japan, Singapore, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, India and Hong Kong. Information summarized from: Bombardier Inc. Press Release

JAPAN

Japan’s Inpex Holdings Acquires 10% Interest in Joslyn Oil Sands Project in Alberta
Inpex Holdings Inc. of Japan announced that it acquired, through its subsidiary company Inpex Canada, Ltd., a 10% interest in the Joslyn Oil Sands Upstream Project in Alberta from Deer Creek Energy Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of French oil company Total S.A. The acquisition includes interests in three oil sands leases. As part of the acquisition Inpex also has the right, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Inpex Corporation, to participate in the construction and operation of the Upgrader Project planned by Total E&P Canada. The Joslyn Oil Sands Project is located approximately 60 km. northwest of Fort McMurray. Information summarized from: Inpex Holdings Inc. Press Release (Japan)

AUSTRALIA

Conporec’s Technology to be Deployed in Australia Quebec-based Conporec Inc., which develops, owns and operates various patented composting and sorting technologies for the treatment and recycling of municipal solid waste, announced the official project start-up for the construction of a sorting-composting plant in Australia. Conporec will design and equip a 100,000-tonne annual capacity plant. To carry out this project, Conporec will provide design and engineering services as well as the rights and licences to use its technology to BioVision 2020 Pty. Ltd., a project company set up to design, build, own and operate the new plant for the next 20 years. The company said that the project should take 19 months and will cost more than C$60 million.Information summarized from: Conporec Inc. Press Release

CHINA