Partnership Agreement Reached Between Compass Group Canada – ESS, And Two Innu First Nations Councils Regarding Vocational Opportunities With Hydro Quebec La Romaine Project

MONTREAL, – Sept. 4 – on behalf of the Innu Councils of Pakua Shipi and Unamen Shipu, Chief Christiane Lalo and Chief Guy Bellefleur are pleased to announce that a partnership agreement has been signed between the two Innu communities and Compass Group Canada – ESS, effective on August 26th, 2009. Compass Group Canada -ESS currently provide contract food and facilities management services to the hydroelectric, oil and gas, mining, construction and remote site sectors partnering with aboriginal communities across Canada and Alaska.

“We are very proud of the long standing history between Compass Group Canada – ESS and First Nations in Canada,” said Brian Arbuckle, Chairperson, ESS North America. “We have been doing business together for many years, putting together innovative agreements that maximize opportunities for our First Nations partners, which benefit the Compass Group Canada – ESS teams in the aboriginal communities in which we operate” said Arbuckle.

The new partnership agreement will offer the Pakua Shipi and Unamen Shipu Innu the opportunity to work alongside the culinary and facilities management teams of Compass Group Canada – ESS, thereby providing practical vocational training, experience and mentorship in the areas of food services, janitorial, facilities management, and all other related areas. This training and experience will serve to maximize employment opportunities for the Innu of Pakua Shipi and Unamen Shipu communities with ESS Pakua Shipi Unamen Shipu Support Services and Hydro Quebec’s projects underway on the Middle and Lower North Shore on the La Romaine River project and future activity on their traditional lands.

“We are very excited about the opportunities this agreement offers for our people,” said Chief Lalo. This first-hand experience and training will provide them with skills and credentials to work with other professionals on Hydro Quebec’s La Romaine projects as well as other opportunities in the surrounding areas. This agreement will be beneficial for members of our community and will definitely serve to improve our level of socioeconomic development,” said Chief Bellefleur

The partnership agreement provides training for all interested, qualified parties, to be trained and mentored in positions ranging from kitchen help, cooks, management, retail sales clerks, housekeepers and maintenance engineers.

About Compass Group Canada-ESS

Compass Group Canada is the country’s leading foodservice and support services company with revenues of approx. $1.2 billion in 2008. Operating in 55 countries and with over 388,000 associates worldwide, its parent company, Compass Group PLC had revenues of (pnds stlg)11 billion in the year ending September 30, 2008.

For further information: Denis Smith, Director, Aboriginal Affairs, ESS Support Services, (514) 761-5802 x260, Denis.smith[at]compass-canada.com Alain Sachel, Advisor, to Pakua Shipi and Unamen Shipu Innu Councils, Alainsachel[at]hotmail.com Cindy Harris, Director of Communications, Compass Group Canada, Cindy.harris[at]compass-canada.com (905) 568-4636 x432