Contact: Fabrice De Dongo
Deloitte
416 874-3249

Montréal, September 24, 2007 – Samson Bélair/Deloitte & Touche is pleased to welcome the partners and employees of Verrier Paquin Hébert accounting firm to its team.

Verrier Paquin Hébert has long been recognized for its professionalism and commitment to the development of its human resources, and the quality of its reputation for service is without question. “With more than fourty years of experience, and a strong entrepreneurial culture, the business practices and values of this firm are similar to ours,” explained André Bannon, Managing Partner of the Québec Centre Region of Samson Bélair/Deloitte & Touche. Verrier Paquin Hébert has offices in seven cities: Bécancour, Drummondville, Longueuil, Nicolet, Saint-Hyacinthe, Sorel and Trois-Rivières.

A team of 250 people will now be part of our Firm, including 28 partners and associate partners. Furthermore, the merger of the two firms will enable Samson Bélair/Deloitte & Touche to better position itself with Québec’s private companies and accelerate its development strategy in this market. “The union of our two firms will help us to achieve a common goal: offer high-quality audit, tax and financial advisory services to strengthen our position as the most respected professional services firm in Québec and across Canada″ explained André Bannon.

From Verrier’s perspective, joining Deloitte represents an equally exciting opportunity. Says Yvan Bouvet, Verrier’s Managing Partner, “We were drawn to Deloitte because we share the same principles, including the value placed on people.  We were also attracted to the firm’s strength in Québec, its track record, commitment to bilingualism, Canadian and Global networks, and the potential for growth for our clients and our people.”

This merger took effect August 13, 2007.

About Deloitte
Deloitte, known in Québec as Samson Bélair/Deloitte & Touche s.e.n.c.r.l, is one of the leading professional services firms in Québec and Canada, providing audit, tax, financial advisory and consulting services. In Québec, approximately 1,900 people regularly draw on their expertise for clients from every sector of the economy. With over 6,800 people working in 51 offices across the country, Deloitte is dedicated to helping its clients and its people excel. Affaires Plus magazine recognized the firm as one of the best employers in Québec in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Deloitte is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.
Deloitte refers to one or more entities of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss Verein, its member firms, and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates. As a Swiss Verein (association), neither Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu nor any of its member firms has any liability for each other's acts or omissions. Each of the member firms is a separate and independent legal entity operating under the names "Deloitte," "Deloitte & Touche," "Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu," or other similar names. Services are provided by the member firms or their subsidiaries or affiliates and not by the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Verein.