Joint Statement by Canada's Transport Minister, John Baird, and Minister of State (Transport) Rob Merrifield in

* Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release.

Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:45pm EDT 

  OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Jun 29 (MARKET WIRE) -- 
The Mint's still unexplained loss of precious metals is inexcusable. The
Mint will be held accountable.

    We have ordered the Mint to call in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and
instructed the Mint to immediately commission an independent and
comprehensive review of security procedures.

    The RCMP investigation is ongoing.

    Going forward, the Mint will be required to report on inventory levels of
all precious metals on a quarterly basis.

    We have instructed the board to withhold all bonuses payable to
executives until this matter is resolved to our satisfaction.

    Our government is committed to effective governance and accountability to
Canadians.

    A copy of the third party review is available at:
http://www.mint.ca/store/mint/about-the-mint/precious-metals-reconciliation-3800
04

Contacts:
Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of Canada's Transport Minister,
John Baird, Ottawa
613-991-0700

Chris Hilton
Office of Minister of State (Transport)
Rob Merrifield, Ottawa
613-991-0700

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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