Liberal Party Of Canada National Director Issues Retraction And Apology To Ipsos Reid

Toronto, ON - Mr. Steve McKinnon, National Party Director of the Liberal Party of Canada issued a public apology to Ipsos Reid, Canada's largest market research and public opinion polling company, on the CTV show "Mike Duffy Live" for comments he made about the company on the same show on Tuesday, May 23, 2006.

During that broadcast on May 23rd, Mr. McKinnon spoke about the results of a poll released by Ipsos Reid on May 23 which showed the Conservative Party to have support of 43% nationally, a level not seen since November of 1988.

Mr. McKinnon was served with a legal demand notice for retraction and apology on May 24, 2006. In compliance with part of that notice, Mr. McKinnon stated on the May 25 edition of "Mike Duffy Live":

"Mike, last time we spoke -- on Tuesday -- we were discussing the latest Ipsos Reid poll. In that discussion I made statements about the methodology which were without basis in fact, and I would like to retract those statements and apologize to Ipsos Reid."

Recently, Mr. McKinnon concluded the matter by providing Ipsos Reid with a letter of retraction and apology and paid a settlement cost.

"Ipsos Reid is one of the world's leading survey-based market research firms, Canada's market intelligence leader and Canada's leading provider of public opinion research. The reputation of Ipsos Reid for the integrity of its work is of vital importance to its business" said Peter A. Downard who acted for Ipsos Reid Corporation from the law firm of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, which is the counsel of record for the Corporation.

John Wright, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for Ipsos Reid, indicated that the matter is now concluded to the satisfaction of the Corporation.

Ipsos Reid is not, and has not been since the early 1980s, an agency of record for any political party in Canada. Ipsos Reid has served as an agency of record for a variety of media outlets and is currently the polling partner for CanWest News and Global Television as well as CFRB in Toronto and CJAD in Montrйal. In the United States, Ipsos Public Affairs is the agency of record for the Associated Press.

In accordance with all matters of this nature concluded by the Corporation, this factum is posted on the official corporate web site and acts as the sole information and comment provided.

Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 300 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

Ipsos
Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2005, Ipsos generated global revenues of e717.8 million ($853.8 million U.S.).

Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos offerings and capabilities.