iShares(R) Canada Announces Launch of Two New ETFS

  Barclays Global Investors Canada Limited (iShares) (TSX: XBB)(TSX: XCB)(TSX: XCG)(TSX: XCV)(TSX: XDV)(TSX: XEG)(TSX: XFN)(TSX: XGB)(TSX: XGD)(TSX: XIC)(TSX: XIN)(TSX: XIT)(TSX: XIU)(TSX: XLB)(TSX: XMA)(TSX: XMD)(TSX: XRB)(TSX: XRE)(TSX: XSB)(TSX: XSP)(TSX: XTR)(TSX: XSU)(TSX: XEN)(TSX: XCS)(TSX: XCR)(TSX: XGR)(TSX: XGC)(TSX: XAL) -

The iShares Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) business, a division of Barclays Global Investors Canada Limited (BGI Canada), today announced the launch of two new funds, the iShares CDN MSCI World Index Fund (XWD) and the iShares CDN MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (XEM). Both new funds offer investors desired exposure to international stocks and emerging markets respectively. They will begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange today.

"Investors are looking for better ways to gain exposure to international opportunities," said Heather Pelant, Head of iShares, BGI Canada. "These funds stand above and apart from others because they enable investors to access foreign markets while avoiding the currency and estate tax considerations usually associated with U.S.-listed ETFs. At the same time, investors can be assured they will enjoy the same traditional advantages they've come to expect from iShares ETFs: transparency, tax and cost efficiency, immediate access, liquidity and easy diversification."

The new iShares ETFs include:

- The iShares CDN MSCI World Index Fund (XWD), with a management expense ratio of 0.45%, is the first ETF of its kind in North America. The fund provides long-term capital growth by replicating, as closely as possible, the performance of the MSCI World Index, net of expenses. The MSCI World Index provides worldwide exposure to more than 1,500 stocks from 23 developed markets around the globe.

- The iShares CDN MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (XEM), with a management expense ratio of 0.82%, provides long-term capital growth by replicating, as closely as possible, the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets index, net of expenses.

For more information about the new iShares funds, please visit www.iShares.ca.

About BGI Canada

BGI Canada is an indirect subsidiary of Barclays PLC and part of Barclays Global Investors (BGI), a division of Barclays PLC. BGI is one of the world's largest asset managers and a leading global provider of investment management products and services with more than 3,000 institutional clients and US$1.5 trillion of assets under management as of December 31, 2008. BGI is the global product leader in exchange traded funds (iShares) with over 360 funds globally across equities, fixed income and commodities which trade on 18 exchanges worldwide. iShares' customer base consists of the institutional segment of pension plans and fund managers, as well as the retail segment of financial advisors and high net worth individuals. As at March 31, 2009, BGI Canada managed over $64 billion in Canadian assets and in other assets for Canadian clients, including $17 billion in the TSX-listed iShares Funds. BGI Canada has offices in Toronto and Montreal.

Contacts: More information, or to schedule an interview: Contact for Media: Veritas Communications Lisa An 416-955-4587 or Cell: 647-292-2478 [e-mail] All other inquiries: 1-866-iShares (1-866-474-2731) [e-mail]