/NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED OVER U.S. WIRE SERVICES/
TORONTO, April 24 /CNW/ - Loblaw Companies Limited announced that it has
filed with the securities regulators in each of the provinces of Canada a
preliminary short form base shelf prospectus for the issuance of up to
$1 billion in debt securities and preferred shares. The base shelf prospectus
will also allow for the continuation of the Corporation's medium term note
program. Subject to receipt of regulatory approval, securities can be issued
under the prospectus over the next twenty-five months.
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's largest food distributor and a
leading provider of general merchandise products, drugstore and financial
products and services. Loblaw is also one of the largest private sector
employers in Canada, with over 140,000 full-time and part-time employees
executing its business strategy in more than 1,000 corporate and franchised
stores from coast to coast. Loblaw is a subsidiary of George Weston Limited
(TSX: WN).
None of the foregoing securities will be offered or sold within the
United States or to U.S. persons except as permitted by applicable
exemptions.
For further information: Inge van den Berg, Vice President, Investor
Relations, (905) 861-2221