Issue of Debt

RNS Number:9537A
Thomson Corporation
22 March 2001

( BW)(THOMSON-CORPORATION)(TOC.TO) The Thomson Corporation

Announces US$125 Million Public Debenture Offering



    Business Editors



   TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2001--The Thomson Corporation

(TSE:TOC) announced today that it has agreed to issue US$125 million

of Extendible Floating Rate Debentures. The offering will be

underwritten by TD Securities Inc. A prospectus supplement relating to

the offering, which is being made only in Canada, will be filed with

securities commissions in all provinces.

   The Debentures will mature on March 20, 2003 subject to the

extension of the maturity by a holder for additional one-year periods

from March 20, 2003 to March 22, 2004 and from March 22, 2004 to March

21, 2005. Interest will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 20,

June 20, September 20 and December 20 in each year. The interest rate

for each quarterly period will be equal to LIBOR plus (i) 0.45% for

the period from and including the date of issue of the Debentures to

but excluding March 20, 2003, (ii) 0.55% for the period from and

including March 20, 2003 to but excluding March 22, 2004, and (iii)

0.65% for the period from and including March 22, 2004 to but

excluding March 21, 2005. The Debentures will be direct unsecured

obligations of the Corporation. Proceeds of the offering will be used

for general corporate purposes, including repayment of indebtedness

incurred on the issuance of commercial paper. The offering is expected

to close on April 17, 2001.



   The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com) with 2000 revenues of

approximately US$6.0 billion, is a leading global e-information and

solutions company in the business and professional marketplace. The

Corporation's common shares are listed on the Toronto and London stock

exchanges.



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    CONTACT: The Thomson Corporation

             Investor Contact:


             John Kechejian,  203/328-9470


             [e-mail]


             Media Contact:

             Jason Stewart, 203/328-8339

             [e-mail]