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(August 30, 2007) Desjardins Family of Funds is seeking unitholder approval for the merger of some funds and changes to investment objectives.

Among the changes, Desjardins would like to merge its Select Canadian Equity Fund and the Desjardins CI Canadian Investment Fund into Desjardins Canadian Equity Value Fund.

Also on the block, Desjardins Fidelity Canadian Growth Fund would be merged into Desjardins Canadian Small Cap Equity Fund.

Desjardins Select Canadian Balanced Fund would be merged into Desjardins Canadian Balanced Fund, while Desjardins Select American Equity Fund would be merged into Desjardins American Equity Value Fund.

The company is also proposing that Desjardins Fidelity Global Fund be merged into Desjardins Select Global Equity Fund. This move would be contingent upon unitholders of the Select Global Equity approving a change to the fund’s objective to permit the fund to make direct investments in issuer’s securities rather than being restricted to investing through other mutual funds. The newly merged and refocused fund would then be renamed Desjardins Global All Cap Equity Fund

One more merger would see Desjardins Global Science and Technology Fund folded into Desjardins Global Equity Value Fund.

The manager of Desjardins Fidelity Small Cap America Fund is seeking unitholder approval to change the fund’s investment objective — to allow it to make direct investments in issuers’ securities rather than being restricted to investing through another mutual fund. The fund would then be renamed Desjardins Global Small Cap Equity Fund.

Special unitholder meetings will be held in November 2007 to consider the proposed mergers and changes. Subject to applicable unitholder and regulatory approvals being obtained, these mergers and changes will be completed in January 2008.

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Caisse names two new board members

(August 30, 2007) The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec has announced the appointment of two new directors to its board.

Christiane Bergevin, president of SNC-Lavalin Capital, and Ouma Sananikone, who has held several senior management positions, have been named to the board of the Quebec pension and insurance giant, replacing Bernard Bonin and John T. Wall.

“The depth of expertise that Ms. Bergevin and Ms. Sananikone represent is in line with the profile established by the Caisse’s board of directors for the appointment of new members,” said Pierre Brunet, chairman of the Caisse. “On behalf of the board, I extend to them the warmest of welcomes. I have no doubt that they will make a very positive contribution to the board’s work.”

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Mavrix closes flow-through offering

(August 30, 2007) Mavrix Fund Management has announced the closing of the Mavrix Quebec 2007-II FT Limited Partnership, which has raised gross proceeds of $23 million.

This limited partnership will invest in a diversified portfolio of flow-through shares focused on mining companies exploring the province of Quebec. The fund could gain exposure to a wide array of minerals, including gold, copper, zinc, nickel, iron, and diamonds.

The offering was co-led by Desjardins Securities and CIBC World Markets. Other syndicate members include BMO Nesbitt Burns, Dundee Securities, TD Securities, Berkshire Securities, Canaccord Capital, Laurentian Bank Securities, Industrial Alliance Securities, and Richardson Partners Financial.

(08/30/07)