News Release

Vancouver  – The B.C. Securities Commission has permanently banned from the B.C. securities market three brothers convicted of securities offences in Alberta.

Under the ban, Kevin Patrick Boyle, Brian James Boyle and Jason Patrick Boyle cannot buy or sell securities, act as directors or officers of any issuer and engage in investor relations activities.

The Alberta Provincial Court convicted the trio – who had dealings with B.C. investors – of numerous breaches of the Alberta Securities Act. In the summer of 2002, they were sentenced to jail terms and were banned from the Alberta securities market for significant periods. The Boyle brothers did not attend their sentencing and remain at large.

“The Securities Act is a regulatory statute with a public interest mandate. Its overarching purpose is to ensure investor protection, capital market efficiency and public confidence in the system. Persons who contravene the Act and engage in abusive trading activity damage the integrity of the securities market and undermine public confidence in the system,” said the commission panel.

“On the basis of the evidence of their past conduct in Alberta we find that the Boyles represent a threat to investors in this province and that they cannot be trusted to comply with securities laws.”

The B.C. Securities Commission is the independent provincial government agency responsible for regulating trading in securities and exchange contracts within the province. Copies of the decision can be viewed in the documents database of the commission’s websitewww.bcsc.bc.caor by contacting Andrew Poon, Media Relations, 604-899-6880.