Competition Bureau Concludes Review Of MDC's Purchase From Quebecor Printing.

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 1998--MDC Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:MDCAF) (TSE:MDZ.A.) ("MDC") of Toronto today announced that it has received confirmation from the Canadian Competition Bureau that the Bureau had concluded its review of the proposed purchase by MDC of the Custom Cheques of Canada and BA Custom Cards units of Quebecor Printing and had concluded the transaction did not warrant further review by the Canadian Competition Bureau.

Receipt of this notification from the Canadian Competition Bureau fulfills all regulatory preconditions for closing the transaction, scheduled to close on or before October 30, 1998.

MDC is a leading provider of secure transaction products and services as well as communications and marketing services to customers in over 65 countries around the world from its operating units in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. MDC has a strong record of growth, generated both internally and from strategic corporate acquisitions.

MDC offers secure transaction products and services through four primary areas: personalized transaction products such as personal and business cheques and credit, debit, and smart cards; secure ticketing products such as airline, transit, and event tickets; stamps, both postal and excise; and business and technology services such as customer communication design, database management, information presentation, statement outsourcing and business process services.

MDC shares are traded on Nasdaq under the symbol MDCAF and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol MDZ.A.