As a result, MeTRo is now one of the largest companies in Canada. It has been a wonderful experience, which also included  tough and even critical periods along the way. But my vision  always remained the same, namely to make decisions based  not only to foster MeTRo’s short-term growth, but especially  its long-term growth, for the benefit of all stakeholders. I am of course very proud of MeTRo’s growth. A company’s  success over a long period of time stems from two key factors:  a solid balance sheet to ensure its sustainability and first and  foremost competent, engaged and passionate individuals who  make up a winning team. I therefore have no concerns about  the Company’s future. In closing, I would like to thank MeTRo’s shareholders  for their support, my fellow Board colleagues for their  contribution and more particularly Paul Gobeil, my partner for all these years, and all the members of MeTRo team. It has been a great pleasure and a privilege to be part with  you of MeTRo’s growth. In 2008, the time had come to make way for a young senior  executive who had earned his stripes in several positions  within MeTRo. eric R. la Flèche was appointed President and Chief executive officer and I became executive Chair of the Board.  In 2005, MeTRo truly consolidated its position in ontario by acquiring A&P Canada for $1.7 billion. At the time, A&P Canada operated 234 stores in ontario with $4.6 billion  in annual sales. It was a crucial time in our history. with that  acquisition, we became the second largest player in ontario.  we took advantage of a unique opportunity to go from a  solid regional base to a much broader platform, with greater  geographic diversification. MeTRo then continued its growth  and consolidated its position, particularly in ontario, where  its five conventional supermarket banners were brought  together under the Metro banner. The Company continued to grow and made several acquisitions:  GP food stores in fiscal 2010 to consolidate our presence in  eastern Québec; Marché Adonis in fiscal 2012 to better meet  the needs of cultural communities and increase our ethnic  product offering; Boulangerie Première Moisson last summer,  the reference in bakery in Québec. MeTRo is always on the  lookout for good opportunities. our acquisitions have always  been guided by disciplined financial management, in the  best long-term interest of MeTRo and its shareholders.  MeTRo has experienced constant growth since 1990, which  as you know represents an exceptional performance in such a competitive market. over the past 24 years: — sales have gone from $2.2 billion to $11.6 billion. — Retail square footage has gone from 5.1 million to 20.1 million square feet. — From a loss of $9 million, net earnings reached $456.2 million. — Market capitalization went from $55 million to $7.5 billion. — net earnings per share went from a $0.16 loss to a profit of $5.13 per share. — And the share price of $0.74 reached $90.80 as at december 1, 2014. Pierre H. Lessard ,  FCPA, FCA  CHAIR oF THe BoARd 2014  2012  2010 2005  1999  market with the acquisition  of 40 loeb supermarkets  in ontario by acquiring  A&P Canada Consolidating our position  entry into the ontario  A&P CANAdA LOeB GP FOOd STOReS mARCHé AdONIS PRemIèRe mOISSON