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4.1
Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
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for members, officers and
directors of CGI
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1.
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VALUES,
PHILOSOPHY, MISSION AND VISION
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i)
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not
intentionally cause Company documents to be incorrect in any
way;
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ii)
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not create
or participate in the creation of any records that are intended to conceal
anything that is improper;
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iii)
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properly
and promptly record all disbursements of funds;
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iv)
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co-operate
with internal and external
auditors;
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v)
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report any
knowledge of any untruthful or inaccurate statements or records or
transactions that do not seem to serve a legitimate commercial purpose;
and
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vi)
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not make
unusual financial arrangements with a client or a supplier (such as,
over-invoicing or under-invoicing) for payments on their behalf to a party
not related to the transaction.
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i)
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methodologies;
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ii)
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all
information related to: processes, formulas, research and development,
products, financials, marketing; names and lists of customers, employees
and suppliers as well as related data; computer programs, all software
developed or to be developed including flow charts, source and object
codes;
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iii) | all information related to projects undertaken by the Company whether they are merger and acquisition or divestiture projects or projects related to large client contracts, including all information obtained in due diligence initiatives, whether such information pertains to CGI or to any third party; and | |
iv)
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all other
information or documents that, if disclosed, could be prejudicial to CGI
or its clients.
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Intellectual
Property
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i)
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Equal Employment
Opportunity - CGI is committed to treating all people fairly and
equitably, without discrimination. The company has established a program
to ensure that groups which are often subject to discrimination are
equitably represented within CGI and to eliminate any employment rules and
practices that could be discriminatory. CGI regards diversity among its
members as a priceless resource and one which enables the Company to work
harmoniously with clients from around the
world.
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ii)
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Anti-Harassment and
Anti-Discrimination Policies - CGI recognizes that everyone has the
right to work in an environment free of sexual, psychological and racial
harassment. CGI will do everything in its power to prevent its members
from becoming victims of such harassment. CGI defines sexual,
psychological or racial harassment as any behaviour, in the form of words,
gestures, or actions, generally repeated, that has undesired sexual,
psychological or racial connotations, that has a negative impact on a
person's dignity or physical or psychological integrity, or that results
in that person being subjected to unfavourable working conditions or
dismissal.
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iii)
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Procedure for Reporting
Discrimination or Harassment - Any member of CGI who feels
discriminated against or harassed can and should, in all confidence and
without fear of reprisal, personally report the facts to the
vice-president of his or her business unit and to the human resources
leader either in that business unit, in the country or at the corporate
head office. The facts will be examined carefully by these two
individuals. Neither the name of the person reporting the facts nor the
circumstances surrounding them will be disclosed to anyone whatsoever,
unless such disclosure is necessary for an investigation or disciplinary
action. Any disciplinary action will be determined by these same two
people and will be proportional to the seriousness of the behaviour
concerned. CGI will also provide appropriate assistance to any member who
is a victim of discrimination or harassment. In addition, retaliation
against persons who make complaints of harassment, witness harassment,
offer testimony or are otherwise involved in the investigation of
harassment complaints will not be
tolerated.
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i)
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Within CGI - CGI's
management philosophy demonstrates the value it places on its members'
participation in the Company's activities. Communication is a key
responsibility of all members. CGI encourages open communication and the
sharing of information because it believes its members are its most
valuable ambassadors.
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ii)
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Outside of CGI - CGI
also believes in maintaining open communication with its clients,
shareholders, the investment community, industry analysts, regulators, the
media and other interested parties. Clear and professional communication
enables CGI to promote its services and solutions to its various
audiences.
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i)
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Member Input - CGI
encourages its members to share their opinions and ideas, both at
scheduled meetings and in the member surveys circulated for this purpose.
Regular team meetings are held in all of CGI's business units, providing
opportunities for its members to get to know their colleagues better, to
discuss topics of common interest and to receive information about
developments both in their business unit and in the company. During the
annual tour of all business units, the senior managers of CGI provide a
review for the members of the past year's performance and discuss CGI's
strategies for the coming year.
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ii)
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Member Satisfaction Assessment
Process - Each year, all members of CGI are asked to participate in
the Member SatisfactionAssessment Process (MSAP) by filling out a survey
questionnaire. The answers provided in this questionnaire and the comments
made in the "Message to the Senior Management" section enable CGI
corporate and operational management to improve policies and programs and
develop action plans to achieve CGI's objective of becoming the best
employer in the industry. Members of CGI can
rest
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iii)
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Newsletter, Other
Communications and the Intranet site - The purpose of internal
communications is to fulfill CGI's promise to provide all members with
complete, meaningful, up-to-date information about CGI's activities on an
ongoing basis. Examples of ongoing communications initiatives include the
member newsletter, Perspectives; quarterly (audio) webcasts, Ontrack, and
CGI's enterprise Intranet site, all of which keep the members informed
about CGI's current projects and recent successes. CGI's Intranet site is
intended to implement an infrastructure that allows CGI to share
information and corporate policies with all of its members more
rapidly.
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i)
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Initiatives with Clients
- CGI is successful because it works hard at communicating effectively
with its clients around the world. A Corporate Identity Manual is
available in each of the business units. This manual provides guidelines
which must be followed by all members for all external communications. A
'branding' section is posted on the Intranet that supports the overall
branding effort, educating members on how best to manage the brand. It
also provides rules, as well as tools, for sales collaterals and
presentations, advertising, and trade show and conference
participation.
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ii)
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Marketing Materials - A
range of marketing materials has been developed in collaboration with
leaders across CGI, representing its various business units, industry
sectors and areas of expertise.
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9.
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND POLITICAL
AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTIONS
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10.
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COMPLIANCE WITH THE
CODE
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i)
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Copy of the Code -
Ensuring that all members have a copy of the Code, and that they
understand and comply with its
provisions.
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ii)
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Assistance - Offering
assistance and explanations to any member who has questions, doubts or is
in a difficult situation. Managers are also required to counsel members
promptly when their conduct or behaviour is inconsistent with the
Code.
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iii)
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Enforcement - Taking
prompt and decisive action when a violation of the Code has occurred, in
consultation with CGI's Corporate Secretary . If a manager knows a member
is contemplating a prohibited action and does nothing, the manager will be
held responsible along with the
member.
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i)
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Compliance - CGI's
members are expected to comply with the Code and all policies and
procedures of the company as well as to actively promote and support CGI's
values.
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ii)
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Preventing - Members
should take all necessary steps to prevent a Code
violation.
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iii)
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Reporting
- Members must immediately report to their manager (i)
situations of non-compliance with respect to this Code of which they
become aware and (ii) suspected violations of the Code. All
information will, to the extent possible, be received in confidence. It is
corporate policy not to take action against a member who reports in good
faith unless unusual circumstances warrant such
action.
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iv)
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Consequences - Unethical
behaviour, violations of this Code and of CGI's other guidelines and
policies, as well as withholding information during the course of an
investigation regarding a possible violation of the Code, may result in
disciplinary action which will be commensurate with the seriousness of the
behaviour. Such action could include termination as well as civil or
criminal action.
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11.
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ADMINISTRATION OF THE
CODE
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1.
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HONEST AND ETHICAL
CONDUCT
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(i)
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Undertake
their responsibilities in a vigilant manner in the interests of CGI and to
avoid any real or perceived impression of personal
advantage;
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(ii)
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Advance
CGI's legitimate interests when the opportunity arises at all times ahead
of their own interests;
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(iii)
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Proactively
promote ethical behavior among subordinates and peers;
and
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(iv)
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Use
corporate assets and resources in a responsible and fair manner, having
regard for the interests of CGI.
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2.
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FULL, FAIR, ACCURATE, TIMELY AND
UNDERSTANDABLE DISCLOSURE
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3.
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COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, RULES AND
REGULATIONS
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4.
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COMPLIANCE WITH THE
CODE
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4.3
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Guidelines
on Timely Disclosure of Material Information and Transactions in
Securities of CGI by Insiders
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I.
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TIMELY DISCLOSURE AND PROHIBITIONS
AGAINST SELECTIVE DISCLOSURE1
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1
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Definitions
provided in Sections I and II apply only to those
Sections.
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2
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Respectively,
the Toronto Stock Exchange Policy Statement on Timely Disclosure, the
Listed Company Manual of the New York Stock Exchange (both available on
the TSX website) and National Policy 51-201 on disclosure standards and
which provide guidance on best disclosure
practices.
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3
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A material
change is a change in the business, operations or capital of the issuer
that would reasonably be expected to have a significant effect on the
market price or value of any of the securities of the issuer and includes
a decision to implement a change made by the board of directors of the
issuer or by senior management of the issuer who believe that confirmation
of the decision by the board of directors is
probable.
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4
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A material
fact is a fact that significantly affects, or would reasonably be expected
to have a significant effect on, the market price or value of a security
of the issuer. The Securities Act (Québec) refers to "privileged
information" which is defined as "any information that has not been
disclosed to the public and that could affect the decision of a reasonable
investor". (Refer to Section III of this
document).
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w
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a change in
share ownership that may affect the control of the
company;
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w
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a change in
the corporate structure such as a merger, an amalgamation or a
reorganization;
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w
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a take-over
bid or issuer bid;
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w
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a major
corporate acquisition, disposition or joint
venture;
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w
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a stock
split, consolidation, stock dividend or other change in capital
structure;
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w
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the
borrowing of a significant amount of
funds;
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w
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the public
or private sale of additional
securities;
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w
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the
development of a new product and/or a development affecting the company's
resources, technology, products or
markets;
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w
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entering
into or loss of a significant
contract;
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w
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firm
evidence of a significant increase or decrease in near term earnings
prospects;
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w
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an
important change in capital investment plans or corporate
objectives;
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w
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a
significant change in management;
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w
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significant
litigation;
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w
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a major
labour dispute or a dispute with a major contractor or
supplier;
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w
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an event of
default under a financing or other
agreement;
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5
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U.S. case
law has interpreted information to be material if "there is a substantial
likelihood that a reasonable shareholder would consider it important" in
making an investment decision. Also, according to the U.S. case law,
information will be considered material if there is a substantial
likelihood that a fact "would have been viewed by the reasonable investor
as having significantly altered the "total mix" of information
available".
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w
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a
declaration or omission of
dividends;
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w
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a call of
securities for redemption; and
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w
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any other
development relating to the business and affairs of a company that would
reasonably be expected to significantly affect the market price or value
of any of the Company's securities or that would reasonably be expected to
have a significant influence on an informed investor's investment
decisions.
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w
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release of
the information would prejudice CGI's ability to pursue specific and
limited objectives or complete a transaction or series of transactions
that are underway. For instance, premature disclosure of the fact that CGI
intends to purchase a significant asset may increase the cost of the
acquisition;
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w
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disclosure
of the information would provide competitors with confidential corporate
information that would significantly benefit them. Such information may be
kept confidential if CGI is of the opinion that the detriment to it
resulting from disclosure would exceed the detriment to the market in not
having access to the information. A decision to release a new product, or
details on the features of a new product, may be withheld for competitive
reasons, but such information should not be withheld if it is available to
competitors from other sources;
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7
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However, in
such circumstances CGI is nonetheless required to file a "confidential"
material change report indicating the reasons why disclosure is being
delayed must be provided in writing. If CGI wishes to keep the material
information confidential, it must renew the confidential filing every 10
days following such filing.
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w
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disclosure
of information concerning the status of ongoing negotiations would
prejudice the successful completion of these negotiations. It is
unnecessary to make a series of announcements concerning the status of
negotiations with another party concerning a particular transaction. If it
seems that the situation is going to stabilize within a short period,
public disclosure may be delayed until a definitive announcement can be
made. Disclosure should be made once "concrete information" is available,
such as a final decision to proceed with the transaction or, at a later
point in time, finalization of the terms of the
transaction.
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w
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vendors,
suppliers, or strategic partners on issues such as research and
development, sales and marketing and supply
contracts;
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w
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employees,
officers and board members;
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w
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lenders,
legal counsel, auditors, financial advisors and
underwriters;
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8
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Persons in a
special relationship with CGI, include, but are not limited to: (a)
insiders of CGI; (b) directors, officers and employees of CGI; (c) persons
engaging in professional or business activities for or on behalf of CGI;
and (d) anyone who learns of material information from someone that is
known or should be known to be in a special relationship with
CGI.
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9
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The CSA
point out that although selective disclosure most often occurs in
one-on-one discussions and private meetings, it can occur in a variety of
situations including annual
meetings.
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w
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parties to
negotiations;
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w
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labour
unions and industry associations;
and
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w
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government
agencies and non-governmental regulators;
and
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w
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credit
rating agencies (provided that the information is disclosed for the
purpose of assisting the agency to formulate a credit rating and the
ratings are or will be publicly
available).
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w
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whether and
to what extent an issuer has implemented, maintained and followed
reasonable selective disclosure policies and procedures
;
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10
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The
Legislation does not define the term "generally disclosed". Insider
trading jurisprudence however states that information has been generally
disclosed when it has been disseminated in a manner calculated to
effectively reach the market place and public investors have been given a
reasonable amount of time to analyze the information. What constitutes a
"reasonable amount of time" will depend on a number of factors including
the circumstances in which the event arises, the particulars of the
information, the nature of the market for the issuer's securities and the
disclosure method used.
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11
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Unlike
Regulation FD which will be discussed
below.
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w
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whether any
selective disclosure was intentional;
and
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w
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what steps
were taken to disseminate information that had been unintentionally
disclosed, including how quickly the information was
disclosed.
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12
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The
dissemination of information through a website is governed by the TSX
Electronic Communications Disclosure Guidelines (which may be found on the
TSX website).
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II.
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CGI CORPORATE DISCLOSURE
POLICY
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13
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Which became
effective on October 23, 2000.
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14
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The
Securities Act of 1934, as
amended.
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w
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Material
information will be publicly disclosed immediately via news
release.
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w
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In certain
circumstances, the Committee may determine that such disclosure would be
unduly detrimental to the Company (for example if release of the
information would prejudice negotiations in a corporate transaction), in
which case the information will be kept confidential until the Committee
determines it is appropriate to publicly disclose. In these circumstances,
the Committee will cause a confidential material change report to be filed
with the applicable securities regulators, and will periodically (at least
every 10 days) review its decision to keep the information confidential
(also see 'Dealing with Rumours').
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w
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Disclosure
must include any information the omission of which would make the rest of
the disclosure misleading (half truths are
misleading).
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w
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Unfavourable
material information must be disclosed as promptly and completely as
favourable information.
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w
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There must
be no selective disclosure. Previously undisclosed material information
must not be disclosed to selected individuals (for example, in an
interview with an analyst or in a telephone conversation with an
investor). If previously undisclosed material information has been
inadvertently disclosed to an analyst or any other person not bound by an
express confidentiality obligation, this information must be broadly
disclosed immediately via news
release.
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w
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Disclosure
on the Company's Web site alone does not constitute adequate disclosure of
material information.
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w
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Disclosure
must be corrected immediately if the Company subsequently learns that
earlier disclosure contained a material error at the time it was
given.
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a)
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the number
of CGI employees with access to confidential information must be limited,
to the extent possible;
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b)
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appropriate
measures are to be taken in order to avoid unauthorized access to the
confidential documents through technology or
otherwise;
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i)
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a press
release containing the material information shall have been previously
released through a widely circulated news or wire service. Such press
release shall contain the date and time of the call, the subject matter
and the means for accessing it;
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ii)
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CGI
representatives participating in the analyst conference call will meet
before the call to prepare for anticipated questions. Statements and
responses to anticipated questions will be discussed and scripted in
advance and reviewed by the Company's executive
management.
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iii) |
the
conference call shall be held in an open manner, permitting investors to
listen either by telephone or through Internet
Webcasting;
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iv) |
a dial-in
replay will be provided for a period of at least one week after the
investor conference call and a web replay will be provided for a period of
at least 90 days after the call.
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v)
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a detailed
transcript of the conference call will be kept and reviewed to determine
whether any unintentional selective disclosure occurred during the
conference call. If so, immediate steps to ensure full public announcement
shall be made including contacting the Exchanges and asking that trading
be halted pending the issuance of a news
release.
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w
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All
material forward-looking information will be broadly disseminated via news
release and included in the Company's annual and
quarterly
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The
information will be clearly identified as forward
looking.
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The Company
will identify all material assumptions used in the preparation of the
forward-looking information.
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The
information will be accompanied by a statement that identifies, in
specific terms, the risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual
results to differ materially from those projected in the
statement.
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w
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The
information may be accompanied by supplementary information such as a
range of reasonably possible outcomes or a sensitivity analysis to
indicate the extent to which different business conditions may affect the
actual outcome.
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w
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The
information will be accompanied by a statement that the information is as
of the current date and subject to change after that date and the Company
disclaims any intention to update or revise the forward-looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
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Once
forward looking information has been disclosed, CGI will regularly assess
whether an update is required and ensure that past disclosure of
forward-looking information is accurately reflected in current
MD&A.
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w
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Forward-looking
statements shall be updated, if necessary, by issuing a press release and
filing a material change report.
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i)
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The
Vice-President, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, under
the authority of the Disclosure Policy Committee,
and
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ii)
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Such
officers will be responsible for monitoring CGI's electronic
communications and enforcing compliance with CGI's guidelines. Moreover,
in order to ensure the integrity and security of CGI's electronic
communications, regular review and update of its security systems will be
executed. The Vice-President, Corporate Communications & Investor
Relations will maintain a log indicating the date that material
information is posted and/or removed from the IR section of the Web site.
Documents filed with securities regulators will be maintained on the web
site for a minimum of two years.
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b)
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CGI's
website:
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i)
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The
Vice-President, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, under
the authority of the Disclosure Policy Committee shall be responsible for
maintaining CGI's website up-to-date and accurate. All material
information shall be dated when posted or modified and outdated
information shall be archived, and
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ii)
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All CGI
corporate "timely disclosure" documents as well as any other public
documents filed with the Exchanges and the Canadian securities commissions
or required to be posted on the website shall be posted in their entirety
on CGI's website. Such documents
include:
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the annual
and interim financial statements and related auditors report and
MD&A;
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the annual
report;
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interim
shareholder reports;
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the annual
information form;
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press
releases (whether or not
favourable);
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management
proxy circulars;
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CEO and CFO
financial statements
certifications;
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Corporate
governance Guidelines;
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Board and
Board Committee Charters;
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Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics;
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Insider
trading reports; and
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w
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any other
communications transmitted to
shareholders.
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c)
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Rumours on
the Internet:
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d)
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Supplemental
information:
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e)
|
Investor
Relations contact information:
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f)
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Utilization
and exclusion of certain
information:
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i)
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Employee
use of electronic information:
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w
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CGI
employees are hereby reminded that all correspondence received and sent
via e-mail is to be considered corporate correspondence and therefore must
not transmit confidential information externally unless protected by
appropriate encryption technology;
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w
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CGI
employees are prohibited from participating in, hosting or linking to any
Internet chat-rooms, bulletin boards, web logs or news groups in
communications involving CGI or its
securities
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w
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CGI
employees are encouraged to report to the Vice-President, Corporate
Communications & Investor Relations any discussion pertaining to CGI
which they find on the Internet.
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ii)
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Analyst
reports and third party
information:
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g)
|
Legal
disclaimer:
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(i)
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any person
who possesses Privileged Information as a result of any relationship he
may have with CGI in the performance of his duties, or within the scope of
commercial or professional
activities
|
(ii)
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any person
who possesses Privileged Information coming from, to his knowledge, an
insider or another person targeted by this prohibition
and
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(iii)
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any person
who possesses Privileged Information which he knows to be such, with
respect to CGI.
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a)
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Directors,
senior executives, insiders and CGI employees who have access to
Privileged Information regarding CGI or any other public Company may not
carry out any transaction with CGI Securities when in possession of
Privileged Information.
|
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b)
|
Subject to
the restrictions provided for in the Legislation, these persons must pre
clear their trades with the Corporate Secretary and may only trade in CGI
Securities within the periods permitted under the CGI Policy on Insider Trading
and Blackout Periods.
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c)
|
The
directors may not carry out any transaction with CGI Securities from the
date of receipt of any notice concerning a meeting of the Board of
Directors, or of any other notice, whether or not this notice discloses
any Privileged Information.
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d)
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Directors
and senior executives shall avoid frequent transactions in the market in
order to avoid the appearance of
speculation.
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e)
|
Directors
and senior executives shall not engage in short selling in respect of CGI
Securities and shall not sell a call or buy a put in respect of CGI
Securities.
|
g)
|
Material information regarding the activities and affairs of CGI will be disclosed in a timely manner, in accordance with the requirements of the timely disclosure policies of the TSX and the NYSE and applicable securities legislation (as discussed in Section I). | |
|
h)
|
It is
forbidden for management, insiders and employees of CGI to convey to any
person whatsoever, any and all material information related to the
activities and affairs of CGI before CGI's shareholders and the general
public have been notified (by way of media or other means), except in the
necessary course of business and subject to an obligation of
confidentiality.
|
CGI
Group Inc.
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||
(Registrant)
|
||
Date:
November 10, 2008
|
By /s/ Beniot Dubé
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Name:
Beniot Dubé
Title: Vice-President, Legal
Affiairs - Greater Montreal and Assistant
Corporate
Secretary
|