AbitibiBowater Inc., doing business as Resolute Forest Products, has announced that it applied to the Bureau de décision et de révision (Québec), the administrative tribunal with statutory jurisdiction in securities law and regulatory matters in Quebec, for an order to cease trade the proposed offer by Mercer International Inc.  to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Fibrek Inc. Fibrek and Mercer announced the offer on February 10.

In its application, Resolute requested that the Bureau exercise its public interest jurisdiction to cease trade the offer on the basis, among other things, that it includes an improperly discounted and dilutive private placement of warrants and an unreasonable break fee.  Resolute requested that the Bureau hear its application on an expedited basis, and will argue that these measures are unlawful and inappropriate defensive measures to Resolute's offer.  On February 9, the Bureau rendered an order to cease trade Fibrek's tactical poison pill effective as of 3:00 p.m. today.

The offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Fibrek made by Resolute, together with RFP Acquisition Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, is more fully described in the offer circular and other ancillary documentation that Resolute filed on December 15, 2011, on the Canadian Securities Administrators' website ("SEDAR"), as varied and extended. The offer will expire at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on February 23, 2012, unless it is extended or withdrawn by Resolute. Resolute continues to work diligently with a view to obtaining all required approvals from the Canadian regulatory authorities.

Questions and requests for assistance or further information on how to tender Fibrek common shares to the offer should be directed to, and copies of the above referenced documents may be obtained by contacting, Georgeson at 1-866-598-0048 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..