St. John's, NL - (December 8, 2004)

Stan Marshall, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fortis Inc. is pleased to announce the following organizational changes:

John Walker, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fortis Properties, will become President and Chief Executive Officer, FortisBC, effective April 1, 2005; and

Earl Ludlow, Senior Vice President, FortisBC and Vice President Operations, FortisAlberta will become President and Chief Executive Officer, Fortis Properties, effective June 1, 2005.

Stan Marshall will function as President and Chief Executive Officer, Fortis Properties during the interim period April through May 2005.

“Philip Hughes has successfully overseen the integration of FortisAlberta and FortisBC since we acquired the companies in May 2004,” says Marshall. “These organizational changes are the next step in our planned strategy to establish FortisBC and FortisAlberta as stand-alone companies,” explains Marshall. “Philip, as President and Chief Executive Officer, FortisAlberta, and John will work closely to ensure we continue to achieve our operational goals during this transition period.

“Philip was appointed to lead the integration of FortisAlberta and FortisBC in October 2003. Prior to that, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Newfoundland Power. He first joined Fortis as a member of the executive of Maritime Electric in 1992.

“John began his career with Fortis in 1983 working in the utility operations of Newfoundland Power. He has led the growth of Fortis Properties since its inception in 1989 to its status today as a leading owner/operator of hotels and commercial real estate.

“Earl held progressively senior positions during his 24-year tenure with Newfoundland Power and Maritime Electric, the most recent being Vice President, Engineering and Operations Newfoundland Power before his appointment to the utilities in western Canada in October 2003.

“Over the years, Philip, John and Earl have made significant contributions to the successes achieved by the Fortis Group of Companies. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to them in their new leadership roles,” concludes Marshall.

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