98 Interest rates on U.S. $148,500,000 (Cdn. $218,517,750 translated at the exchange rate at August 31, 2000) have been fixed by means of interest rate swaps at 11.4%. Interest rates on the balance of the bank loans fluctuate with the Canadian bankers’ acceptances and averaged 8.2% for the year. The banks hold as collateral a first ranking charge on all assets and undertakings of the Company. Under the credit agreement, the Company has under- taken to maintain certain financial covenants. The Company was in compliance with the covenants it made under the bank loans at August 31, 2000. Principal repayments on long-term debt in each of the next five years and thereafter are approximately as follows: The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Class A participating shares (“Class A Voting Shares”), Class B non-voting participating shares (“Class B Non-Voting Shares”), Class A Preferred Shares, and Class 1 and Class 2 Preferred Shares. Class A Voting Shares are convertible at any time into an equivalent number of Class B Non-Voting Shares. The Class B Non-Voting Shares are convertible into an equivalent number of Class A Voting Shares in limited circumstances. Authorized 11. SHARE CAPITAL  (thousands of Canadian dollars) 2001 3,000 2002 3,000 2003 3,000 2004 3,000 2005 3,000 Thereafter 282,355 297,355