The m5 Group of Companies today announced it has acquired the Halifax, NS based Group
ATN Consulting Inc.

Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia since 2010, Group ATN is a diversified consultancy
serving the public and private sectors, Indigenous communities and Non-Government
Organizations (NGOs). Group ATN also specializes in tourism analysis, communications,
and marketing.

“With this acquisition, we’re adding senior talent and new areas of expertise to our
already integrated offerings,” said Chris MacInnes, Halifax based partner with the m5
Group of Companies. “We are further enhancing our ability to provide comprehensive
planning and strategic counsel to our clients. The breadth of services we offer under one
roof is unparalleled.”

Group ATN is recognized as a leader in strategic private and public sector counsel and in
recent years has partnered with m5 on a variety of initiatives.

“Having collaborated on several client projects, the move to join with the m5 Group of
Companies came as a natural evolution for Group ATN,” said President Ron L’Esperance.
“We know our clients will benefit from the deeper bench, geographical reach and
expertise that the larger group offers.”

Group ATN is led by L’Esperance and Vice President Thomas McGuire. L’Esperance brings
an unmatched combination of private sector senior-level consultant and advisory
services, strengthened by his diverse career as deputy minister of numerous departments
with the Nova Scotia provincial government.

Vice President Thomas McGuire is recognized as a leading Canadian economist, senior
business advisor and analyst, developing client strategies, business planning and
projections on a regional, national and international scale for over 25 years.

Other members of the Group ATN team include Stephen Coyle, Director of Research; and
Corinne MacLellan, HLCol., a communications and media relations associate.

Group ATN will continue to operate under its current branding. The acquisition is
effective today.