<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12


================================================================================

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                         dated as of January 25, 2001,


                                      among


                         OIL STATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.,

                                 PTI GROUP INC.,


                            THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN,

                           CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON,

               as Administrative Agent and U.S. Collateral Agent,


                                       and


                       CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CANADA,

                        as Canadian Administrative Agent
                          and Canadian Collateral Agent

                           ---------------------------


                             HIBERNIA NATIONAL BANK

                                       and

                              ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

                            as Co-Syndication Agents


================================================================================

<PAGE>   2


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   Definitions

<S>                                                                         <C>
SECTION 1.01.  Defined Terms .................................................2
SECTION 1.02.  Terms Generally ..............................................30
SECTION 1.03.  Several Obligations; Power of Attorney .......................31
SECTION 1.04.  Classification of Loans and Borrowings .......................31
SECTION 1.05.  Exchange Rate Calculations ...................................31


                                   ARTICLE II

                                   The Credits

SECTION 2.01.  Commitments ..................................................32
SECTION 2.02.  Loans ........................................................32
SECTION 2.03.  Borrowing Procedure ..........................................35
SECTION 2.04.  Evidence of Debt; Repayment of Loans .........................36
SECTION 2.05.  Fees .........................................................37
SECTION 2.06.  Interest on Loans ............................................38
SECTION 2.07.  Default Interest .............................................39
SECTION 2.08.  Alternate Rate of Interest ...................................39
SECTION 2.09.  Termination and Reduction of Commitments .....................40
SECTION 2.10.  Conversion and Continuation of Borrowings ....................41
SECTION 2.11.  Optional Prepayment ..........................................42
SECTION 2.12.  Mandatory Prepayments ........................................43
SECTION 2.13.  Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances ................44
SECTION 2.14.  Change in Legality ...........................................46
SECTION 2.15.  Indemnity ....................................................46
SECTION 2.16.  Pro Rata Treatment ...........................................47
SECTION 2.17.  Sharing of Setoffs ...........................................48
SECTION 2.18.  Payments .....................................................48
SECTION 2.19.  Taxes ........................................................49
SECTION 2.20.  Assignment of Commitments Under Certain Circumstances;
                    Duty to Mitigate ........................................50
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   3


                                                                              2


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
SECTION 2.21.  Letters of Credit ............................................51
SECTION 2.22.  Bankers' Acceptances .........................................55

                                   ARTICLE III

                         Representations and Warranties


SECTION 3.01.  Organization; Powers .........................................58
SECTION 3.02.  Authorization ................................................58
SECTION 3.03.  Enforceability ...............................................58
SECTION 3.04.  Governmental Approvals .......................................59
SECTION 3.05.  Financial Statements .........................................59
SECTION 3.06.  No Material Adverse Change ...................................60
SECTION 3.07.  Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases .................60
SECTION 3.08.  Subsidiaries and Special Purposes Business Entities...........60
SECTION 3.09.  Litigation; Compliance with Laws .............................60
SECTION 3.10.  Agreements ...................................................61
SECTION 3.11.  Federal Reserve Regulations ..................................61
SECTION 3.12.  Investment Company Act; Public Utility Holding Company Act ...61
SECTION 3.13.  Use of Proceeds ..............................................61
SECTION 3.14.  Tax Returns ..................................................61
SECTION 3.15.  No Material Misstatements ....................................61
SECTION 3.16.  Employee Benefit Plans .......................................62
SECTION 3.17.  Environmental Matters ........................................63
SECTION 3.18.  Insurance ....................................................63
SECTION 3.19.  Security Documents ...........................................63
SECTION 3.20.  Location of Real and Immovable Property and Leased Premises ..64
SECTION 3.21.  Labor Matters ................................................64
SECTION 3.22.  Solvency .....................................................64


                                   ARTICLE IV

                              Conditions of Lending

SECTION 4.01.  All Credit Events ............................................65
SECTION 4.02.  First Credit Event ...........................................66
</TABLE>


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                                                                               3

<TABLE>
                                    ARTICLE V

                              Affirmative Covenants

<S>                                                                         <C>
SECTION 5.01.  Existence; Businesses and Properties .........................70
SECTION 5.02.  Insurance ....................................................70
SECTION 5.03.  Obligations and Taxes ........................................71
SECTION 5.04.  Financial Statements, Reports, etc. ..........................71
SECTION 5.05.  Litigation and Other Notices .................................73
SECTION 5.06.  Information Regarding Collateral .............................73
SECTION 5.07.  Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections ....74
SECTION 5.08.  Use of Proceeds ..............................................74
SECTION 5.09.  Further Assurances ...........................................74


                                   ARTICLE VI

                               Negative Covenants

<S>                                                                         <C>
SECTION 6.01.  Indebtedness .................................................75
SECTION 6.02.  Liens ........................................................77
SECTION 6.03.  Sale and Lease-Back Transactions .............................78
SECTION 6.04.  Investments, Loans and Advances ..............................79
SECTION 6.05.  Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions ....81
SECTION 6.06.  Restricted Payments; Restrictive Agreements ..................81
SECTION 6.07.  Transactions with Affiliates .................................82
SECTION 6.08.  Business of Borrowers and Subsidiaries .......................83
SECTION 6.09.  Other Indebtedness and Agreements ............................83
SECTION 6.10.  Interest Coverage Ratio ......................................83
SECTION 6.11.  Maximum Leverage Ratio .......................................83
SECTION 6.12.  Maximum Senior Leverage Ratio ................................83
SECTION 6.13.  Minimum Consolidated Net Tangible Assets .....................83
SECTION 6.14.  Hedging Agreements ...........................................83
SECTION 6.15.  Fiscal Year ..................................................83
SECTION 6.16.  Pension Plans ................................................84
</TABLE>


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                                                                               4


<TABLE>
                                  ARTICLE VII

                               Events of Default



                                  ARTICLE VIII

              The Administrative Agents and the Collateral Agents



                                   ARTICLE IX

                                 Miscellaneous

<S>                                                                         <C>
SECTION 9.01.  Notices ..................................................... 89
SECTION 9.02.  Survival of Agreement ....................................... 90
SECTION 9.03.  Binding Effect .............................................. 90
SECTION 9.04.  Successors and Assigns ...................................... 90
SECTION 9.05.  Expenses; Indemnity ......................................... 94
SECTION 9.06.  Right of Setoff ............................................. 96
SECTION 9.07.  Applicable Law .............................................. 96
SECTION 9.08.  Waivers; Amendment .......................................... 96
SECTION 9.09.  Interest Rate Limitation .................................... 97
SECTION 9.10.  Entire Agreement ............................................ 98
SECTION 9.11.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL ........................................ 98
SECTION 9.12.  Severability ................................................ 98
SECTION 9.13.  Counterparts ................................................ 98
SECTION 9.14.  Headings .................................................... 99
SECTION 9.15.  Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process ................. 99
SECTION 9.16.  Confidentiality ............................................. 99
SECTION 9.17.  Judgment Currency ...........................................100
</TABLE>


Schedule 1.01(a) Existing Credit Agreements and Refinanced Debt
Schedule 1.01(b) Collateralized Letters of Credit
Schedule 1.01(c) Rolled Letters of Credit
Schedule 1.01(d) Mortgaged Properties
Schedule 1.01(e) U.S. Subsidiary Guarantors
Schedule 1.01(f) Canadian Subsidiary Guarantors
Schedule 2.01    Lenders and Commitments
Schedule 3.02    Required Payments
Schedule 3.08    Subsidiaries, Inactive Subsidiaries and Special Purchase
                   Business Entities
Schedule 3.09    Litigation
Schedule 3.16(b) Canadian Benefit Plans
Schedule 3.17    Environmental Matters
Schedule 3.18    Insurance
Schedule 3.19    Filing Offices
Schedule 3.20(a) Real Property Owned In Fee
Schedule 3.20(b) Leased Property
Schedule 6.01    Outstanding Indebtedness on Closing Date
Schedule 6.02    Liens Existing on Closing Date
Schedule 6.04    Existing Investments

Exhibit A        Form of Administrative Questionnaire



<PAGE>   6


                                                                               5


Exhibit B        Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit C-1      Form of U.S. Borrowing Request
Exhibit C-2      Form of Canadian Borrowing Request
Exhibit D-1      Form of Mortgage
Exhibit D-2      Form of Deed of Trust
Exhibit D-3      Form of Canadian Debenture
Exhibit E-1      Form of U.S. Pledge Agreement
Exhibit E-2      Form of Canadian Pledge Agreement
Exhibit F-1      Form of U.S. Security Agreement
Exhibit F-2      Form of Canadian Security Agreement
Exhibit G-1      Form of U.S. Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement
Exhibit G-2      Form of Canadian Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement
Exhibit G-3      Form of U.S. Borrower Guarantee Agreement
Exhibit G-4      Form of PTI Holdco Sub Guarantee Agreement
Exhibit H-1      Form of Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
Exhibit H-2      Form of Opinion of Fraser Milner Casgrain
Exhibit I        Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit J        Form of Intercompany Subordination Provisions
Exhibit K        Form of Seller Paper Subordination Provisions


<PAGE>   7

                                    CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of January 25,
                           2001, among OIL STATES INTERNATIONAL, INC., a
                           Delaware corporation (the "U.S. Borrower"), PTI GROUP
                           INC., a corporation amalgamated under the laws of the
                           Province of Alberta (the "Canadian Borrower" and,
                           together with the U.S. Borrower, the "Borrowers"),
                           the Lenders (as defined in Article I), CREDIT SUISSE
                           FIRST BOSTON, a bank organized under the laws of
                           Switzerland, acting through its New York branch
                           ("CSFB"), as administrative agent (in such capacity,
                           the "Administrative Agent") for the Lenders and as
                           U.S. collateral agent (in such capacity, the "U.S.
                           Collateral Agent") for the Lenders, and CREDIT SUISSE
                           FIRST BOSTON CANADA, a bank organized under the laws
                           of Canada ("CSFBC"), as administrative agent (in such
                           capacity, the "Canadian Administrative Agent") for
                           the Canadian Lenders (as defined in Article I), and
                           as Canadian collateral agent (in such capacity, the
                           "Canadian Collateral Agent") for the Canadian
                           Lenders.

         The U.S. Borrower intends to consummate a series of transactions (the
"Combination") pursuant to which (a) Sooner Inc. ("Sooner"), HWC Energy
Services, Inc. ("HWC") and the Canadian Borrower (together with their respective
subsidiaries, the "Acquired Companies") will merge with wholly owned
Subsidiaries (such term and each other capitalized term used but not defined in
this introductory statement having the meaning assigned to it in Article I) of
the U.S. Borrower and (b) except as set forth on Schedule 3.08, the existing
minority interests in each of the Acquired Companies (the "Minority Interests")
will be acquired by the U.S. Borrower or one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries,
with the result that each of Sooner, HWC and the Canadian Borrower will become a
wholly owned Subsidiary of the U.S. Borrower.

         Concurrent with the consummation of the Combination, (a) the U.S.
Borrower intends to issue approximately 12,500,000 shares of its common stock,
par value U.S.$.01 per share, pursuant to a public offering registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "IPO") and to receive therefrom approximately
U.S.$150,000,000 in gross cash proceeds, and (b) the U.S. Borrower and the
Acquired Companies will repay or, with respect to the Collateralized Letters of
Credit, provide cash collateral for, all amounts outstanding under, and
terminate, the Existing Credit Agreements and the Refinanced Debt.

         The U.S. Borrower has requested the U.S. Lenders to extend credit in
the form of U.S. Loans to the U.S. Borrower at any time and from time to time
prior to the Maturity Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any time
outstanding not in excess of U.S.$105,000,000. The Borrowers have requested the
Canadian Lenders to extend credit in the form of Canadian Loans to the Canadian
Borrower and/or to the U.S. Borrower at any time and from time to time prior to
the Maturity Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not
in excess of U.S.$45,000,000 (or the Canadian Dollar Equivalent

<PAGE>   8

                                                                               2


thereof). The Borrowers have requested the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of
Credit to support payment obligations of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries
incurred in the ordinary course of business. The proceeds of the Loans will be
used (a) on the Closing Date, solely (i) to acquire the Minority Interests, (ii)
to repay or, with respect to the Collateralized Letters of Credit, provide cash
collateral for, all amounts due or outstanding under the Existing Credit
Agreements and the Refinanced Debt and (iii) to pay related fees and expenses
and (b) on and after the Closing Date, solely for general corporate purposes of
the Borrowers, including to finance Permitted Acquisitions.

         The Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the Borrowers and the
Issuing Banks are willing to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the
Borrowers on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   Definitions

         SECTION 1.01. DEFINED TERMS. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms shall have the meanings specified below:

         "ABR", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to
whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest
at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

         "Acceptance Fee" shall mean a fee payable in Canadian dollars by the
Canadian Borrower to the Canadian Administrative Agent for the account of a
Canadian Lender with respect to the acceptance of a B/A or the making of a B/A
Equivalent Loan on the date of such acceptance or loan, calculated on the face
amount of the B/A or the B/A Equivalent Loan at the rate per annum applicable on
such date as set forth in the row labeled "Eurocurrency/B/A Spread" in the
definition of the term "Applicable Percentage" on the basis of the number of
days in the applicable Contract Period (including the date of acceptance and
excluding the date of maturity) and a year of 365 days (it being agreed that the
rate per annum applicable to any B/A Equivalent Loan is equivalent to the rate
per annum otherwise applicable to the Bankers' Acceptance which has been
replaced by the making of such B/A Equivalent Loan pursuant to Section 2.22).

         "Acquired Companies" is defined in the introductory statement to this
Agreement.

         "Adjusted LIBO Rate" shall mean, with respect to any Eurocurrency
Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards,
if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the product of (a) the LIBO Rate
in effect for such Interest Period and (b) Statutory Reserves.


<PAGE>   9

                                                                               3


         "Administrative Agent Fees" shall have the meaning assigned to such
term in Section 2.05(b).

         "Administrative Agents" shall mean the Administrative Agent and the
Canadian Administrative Agent.

         "Administrative Questionnaire" shall mean an Administrative
Questionnaire in the form of Exhibit A, or such other form as may be supplied
from time to time by the Applicable Administrative Agent.

         "Affiliate" shall mean, when used with respect to a specified person,
another person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the person
specified; provided, however, that for purposes of Section 6.07, the term
"Affiliate" shall also include any person that directly or indirectly owns 5% or
more of any class of Equity Interests of the person specified or that is an
officer or director of the person specified.

         "Agents" shall mean, collectively, the Administrative Agents and the
Collateral Agents.

         "Aggregate L/C Exposure" shall mean, at any time, the sum of the U.S.
L/C Exposure and the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the Canadian L/C Exposure at such
time.

         "Alternate Base Rate" shall mean, for any day, a rate per annum
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greater of
(a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Federal Funds Effective
Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. If for any reason the Administrative
Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive absent
manifest error) that it is unable to ascertain the Federal Funds Effective Rate
for any reason, including the inability or failure of the Administrative Agent
to obtain sufficient quotations in accordance with the terms of the definition
thereof, the Alternate Base Rate shall be determined without regard to clause
(b) of the preceding sentence until the circumstances giving rise to such
inability no longer exist. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change
in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective on the
effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective
Rate, respectively.

         "Applicable Administrative Agent" shall mean (a) the Administrative
Agent, with respect to any U.S. Loan or U.S. Letter of Credit, and (b) the
Canadian Administrative Agent, with respect to any Canadian Loan or Canadian
Letter of Credit.

         "Applicable Collateral Agent" shall mean (a) the U.S. Collateral Agent,
with respect to the U.S. Security Documents and the U.S. Collateral, or (b) the
Canadian Collateral Agent, with respect to the Canadian Security Documents and
the Canadian Collateral.


<PAGE>   10

                                                                               4


         "Applicable Issuing Bank" shall mean (a) CSFB or any other Issuing Bank
that has issued, or has a commitment to issue, U.S. Letters of Credit, with
respect to U.S. Letters of Credit, and (b) CSFBC or any other Issuing Bank that
has issued, or has a commitment to issue, Canadian Letters of Credit, with
respect to Canadian Letters of Credit.

         "Applicable Percentage" shall mean, for any day, with respect to any
Eurocurrency Loan, ABR Loan, B/A Loan, Canadian Prime Rate Loan, U.S. Base Rate
Loan or the Commitment Fee, the applicable percentage set forth below under the
applicable caption, based upon the Leverage Ratio as of the relevant date of
determination:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      ABR, Canadian Prime Rate
     Leverage Ratio        Eurocurrency/B/A Spread    and U.S. Base Rate Spread    Commitment Fee Percentage
     --------------        -----------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
<S>                        <C>                        <C>                          <C>
Category 1

   Less than 1.50 to
   1.00                             1.50%                       0.50%                        0.250%

Category 2

   Greater than or
   equal to 1.50 to 1.00
   but less than 2.00 to
   1.00                             1.75%                       0.75%                        0.375%

Category 3

   Greater than or
   equal to 2.00 to 1.00
   but less than 2.75 to
   1.00                             2.00%                       1.00%                        0.500%

Category 4

   Greater than or
   equal to 2.75 to 1.00
   but less than 3.50 to
   1.00                             2.25%                       1.25%                        0.500%

Category 5

   Greater than or
   equal to 3.50 to 1.00            2.50%                       1.50%                        0.500%
</TABLE>


         Each change in the Applicable Percentage resulting from a change in the
Leverage Ratio shall be effective with respect to all Loans and Letters of
Credit outstanding on and after the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent
of the financial statements and certificates required by Section 5.04(a) or (b)
and Section 5.04(d), respectively, indicating such change until the date
immediately preceding the next date of delivery of such financial statements and
certificates indicating another such change; provided, however, that at any time
during which the U.S. Borrower has failed to deliver when due the financial
statements and certificates required by Section 5.04(a) or (b) and Section
5.04(d), respectively, the


<PAGE>   11

                                                                               5


Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in Category 5 for purposes of determining
the Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, from the date hereof
through but excluding the date of delivery of the U.S. Borrower's financial
statements for the period ended September 30, 2001, pursuant to Section 5.04(b),
the Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be greater than 2.00 to 1.00 for purposes
of determining the Applicable Percentage.

         "Asset Sale" shall mean the sale, transfer or other disposition (by way
of merger, casualty, condemnation or otherwise) by the U.S. Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries to any person other than a Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor
of (a) any Equity Interests of any of the Subsidiaries (other than directors'
qualifying shares) or (b) any other assets of the U.S. Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries (other than (i) inventory, damaged, obsolete or worn out assets,
scrap and Permitted Investments, in each case disposed of in the ordinary course
of business, or (ii) dispositions between or among Foreign Subsidiaries (other
than a disposition by a Loan Party to a Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Loan
Party)), provided that (x) any asset sale or series of related asset sales
described in clause (b) above having a value not in excess of U.S.$500,000 shall
be deemed not to be an "Asset Sale" for purposes of this Agreement, (y) the
transactions forming part of the Combination shall be deemed not to constitute
"Asset Sales" for purposes of this Agreement and (z) the transactions forming
the U.S. Borrower's sale of its ownership interest in the Chickasaw Distributors
shall be deemed not to be an "Asset Sale" for purposes of this Agreement.

         "Assignment and Acceptance" shall mean an assignment and acceptance
entered into by a Lender and an assignee, and accepted by the Applicable
Administrative Agent and, to the extent required by Section 9.04(b), consented
to by the U.S. Borrower, in the form of Exhibit B or such other form as shall be
approved by the Applicable Administrative Agent.

         "B/A Equivalent Loan" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.22(h).

         "B/A Loan" shall mean a Borrowing comprised of one or more Bankers'
Acceptances or, as applicable, B/A Equivalent Loans. For greater certainty, all
provisions of this Agreement that are applicable to Bankers' Acceptances are
also applicable, mutatis mutandis, to B/A Equivalent Loans.

         "Bankers' Acceptance" and "B/A" shall mean a non-interest bearing
instrument denominated in Canadian dollars, drawn by the Canadian Borrower, and
accepted by a Canadian Lender in accordance with this Agreement, and shall
include a depository note within the meaning of the Depository Bills and Notes
Act (Canada) and a bill of exchange within the meaning of the Bills of Exchange
Act (Canada).

         "Board" shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
of the United States of America.


<PAGE>   12

                                                                               6


         "Borrowing" shall mean a group of Loans of a single Type made,
converted or continued by the Lenders on a single date and, in the case of a
Eurocurrency Borrowing, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect and,
in the case of a B/A Borrowing, as to which a single Contract Period is in
effect.

         "Borrowing Request" shall mean a request by a Borrower in accordance
with the terms of Section 2.03 and substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 or
C-2, as applicable, or such other form as shall be reasonably approved by the
Applicable Administrative Agent.

         "Business Day" shall mean (a) when used in connection with a Loan,
Letter of Credit or payment denominated in U.S. dollars, any day other than a
Saturday, Sunday or day on which banks in New York City are authorized or
required by law to close; provided, however, that when used in connection with a
Eurocurrency Loan, the term "Business Day" shall also exclude any day on which
banks are not open for dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars in the London
interbank market, and (b) when used in connection with a Loan, Letter of Credit
or payment denominated in Canadian dollars, any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday or day on which banks in Toronto, Ontario are authorized or required by
law to close.

         "Calculation Date" shall mean (a) the last Business Day of each month,
(b) the date of each Borrowing Request with respect to a Canadian Loan and (c)
the Business Day preceding the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of each
Letter of Credit denominated in Canadian dollars; provided, however, that none
of the foregoing shall constitute a Calculation Date unless at the time thereof
(or after giving effect to any Borrowing or Letter of Credit then being
requested) Canadian Loans denominated in Canadian dollars are outstanding.

          "Canadian Benefit Plans" shall mean all employee benefit plans of any
nature or kind whatsoever that are not Canadian Pension Plans and are maintained
or contributed to by the U.S. Borrower or any of the Canadian Subsidiaries, in
each case covering employees in Canada.

         "Canadian Collateral" shall mean all "Collateral" as defined in any
Canadian Security Document.

         "Canadian Commitment" shall mean, with respect to each Canadian Lender,
the commitment of such Canadian Lender to make Canadian Loans hereunder as set
forth in Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which
such Canadian Lender assumed its Canadian Commitment, as applicable, as the same
may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.09 and (b) reduced or
increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Canadian
Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.

         "Canadian Credit Exposure" shall mean, with respect to any Canadian
Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of all
outstanding Canadian Loans of such Lender denominated in U.S. dollars, plus the
U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate

<PAGE>   13

                                                                               7


principal amount at such time of all outstanding Canadian Loans of such Canadian
Lender denominated in Canadian dollars, plus the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the
aggregate amount at such time of such Canadian Lender's Canadian L/C Exposure.

         "Canadian Dollar Equivalent" shall mean, on any date of determination,
with respect to any amount in U.S. dollars, the equivalent in Canadian dollars
of such amount, determined by the Administrative Agent using the Exchange Rate
then in effect.

         "Canadian dollars" and "C$" shall mean lawful currency of Canada.

         "Canadian GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in
Canada, as recommended from time to time by the Canadian Institute of Chartered
Accountants, applied on a consistent basis.

         "Canadian L/C Exposure" shall mean at any time the sum of (a) the
aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Canadian Letters of Credit at such
time plus (b) the aggregate principal amount of all L/C Disbursements in respect
of Canadian Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed at such time.
The Canadian L/C Exposure of any Canadian Lender at any time shall mean its
Canadian Pro Rata Percentage of the aggregate Canadian L/C Exposure at such
time.

         "Canadian Lenders" shall mean Lenders having Canadian Commitments or
outstanding Canadian Loans. Each Canadian Lender at all times shall be a
resident of Canada for the purposes of the ITA and shall be a Schedule I Bank, a
Schedule II Bank or a Schedule III Bank.

         "Canadian Loans" shall mean (a) the Canadian dollar-denominated
revolving loans (including the aggregate face amount of outstanding B/As) made
by the Canadian Lenders to the Canadian Borrower hereunder and (b) the U.S.
dollar-denominated revolving loans made by the Canadian Lenders to the Canadian
Borrower and/or by the Affiliates of the Canadian Lenders to the U.S. Borrower
hereunder. Each Canadian Loan denominated in Canadian dollars shall be a
Canadian Prime Rate Loan or a B/A Loan. Each Canadian Loan denominated in U.S.
dollars and made to the Canadian Borrower shall be a Eurocurrency Loan or a U.S.
Base Rate Loan. Each Canadian Loan denominated in U.S. dollars and made to the
U.S. Borrower shall be a Eurocurrency Loan or an ABR Loan.

         "Canadian Pension Plans" shall mean each plan that is considered to be
a pension plan for the purposes of any applicable pension benefits standards
statute and/or regulation in Canada established, maintained or contributed to by
the Canadian Borrower or any of the Canadian Subsidiaries for its employees or
former employees.

         "Canadian Pledge Agreement" shall mean the Canadian Pledge Agreement,
substantially in the form of Exhibit E-2 , among PTI Holdco Sub, the Canadian
Borrower,


<PAGE>   14

                                                                               8


the Canadian Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and the Canadian Collateral
Agent for the benefit of the Canadian Secured Parties.

         "Canadian Prime Rate" shall mean, on any day, the annual rate of
interest equal to the greater of:

         (a)      the annual rate of interest announced from time to time by the
                  Canadian Administrative Agent as its prime rate in effect at
                  its principal office in Toronto, Ontario on such day for
                  determining interest rates on Canadian dollar- denominated
                  commercial loans made in Canada; and

         (b)      the annual rate of interest equal to the sum of (i) the CDOR
                  Rate in effect on such day and (ii) 1%.

When used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, "Canadian Prime Rate" refers to
whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest
at a rate determined by reference to the Canadian Prime Rate.

         "Canadian Pro Rata Percentage" of any Canadian Lender at any time shall
mean the percentage of the aggregate Canadian Commitments represented by such
Canadian Lender's Canadian Commitment.

         "Canadian Secured Parties" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in the Canadian Security Agreement.

         "Canadian Security Agreement" shall mean the Canadian Security
Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2, among the Canadian Borrower
and the Canadian Subsidiary Guarantors, as grantors, and the Canadian Collateral
Agent for the benefit of the Canadian Secured Parties.

         "Canadian Security Documents" shall mean the Canadian Security
Agreement, the Canadian Pledge Agreement and each other Security Document to
which the Canadian Borrower or any Canadian Subsidiary Guarantor is a party and
that purports to grant a Lien in the assets of any such person in favor of the
Canadian Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Canadian Secured Parties.

         "Canadian Subsidiaries" shall mean the Subsidiaries organized under the
laws of Canada or any province, territory or other political subdivision
thereof.

         "Canadian Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement" shall mean the Canadian
Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2, in
favor of the Canadian Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Canadian Secured
Parties.


<PAGE>   15

                                                                               9


         "Canadian Subsidiary Guarantor" shall mean each Canadian Subsidiary
listed on Schedule 1.01(f), and each other Canadian Subsidiary that is or
becomes a party to the Canadian Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement.

         "Capital Lease Obligations" of any person shall mean the obligations of
such person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other
arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a
combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and
accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such person under GAAP,
and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof
determined in accordance with GAAP.

         "CDOR Rate" shall mean, for each day in any period, the annual rate of
interest that is the rate based on an average rate applicable to Canadian dollar
bankers' acceptances for a term equal to the term of the relevant Contract
Period (or for a term of 30 days for purposes of determining the Canadian Prime
Rate) appearing on the Reuters Screen CDOR Page at approximately 10:00 a.m.
(Standard Time), on such date, or if such date is not a Business Day, on the
immediately preceding Business Day; provided that if such rate does not appear
on the Reuters Screen CDOR Page on such date as contemplated, then the CDOR Rate
on such date shall be the arithmetic average of the Discount Rate quoted by each
Schedule II Reference Bank (determined by the Canadian Administrative Agent as
of 10:00 a.m. (Standard Time) on such date) that would be applicable to Canadian
dollar bankers' acceptances quoted by the banks listed in Schedule II of the
Bank Act (Canada) as of 10:00 a.m. (Standard Time) on such date or, if such date
is not a Business Day, on the immediately preceding Business Day.

         "Change in Control" shall mean (a) the acquisition of ownership,
directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any person or group
(within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof),
other than the Permitted Holders, of Equity Interests representing more than 35%
of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding
Equity Interests of the U.S. Borrower; (b) occupation of a majority of the seats
(other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the U.S. Borrower by
persons who were neither (i) nominated by the board of directors of the U.S.
Borrower nor (ii) appointed by the directors so nominated; (c) the failure,
after the date of the Combination and without giving effect to the Exchangeable
Shares, by the U.S. Borrower to own, directly or indirectly, beneficially and of
record, 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Canadian
Borrower or (d) the occurrence of a "Change of Control" or similar event
(however denominated) under and as defined in any indenture or other agreement
in respect of Material Indebtedness to which either Borrower or any Subsidiary
is a party or by which any such person or its assets is bound.

         "Change in Law" shall mean (a) the adoption of any law, rule or
regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or
regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental
Authority after the date of this Agreement or


<PAGE>   16

                                                                              10


(c) compliance by any Lender or an Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section
2.12, by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender's or such Issuing
Bank's holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive
(whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or
issued after the date of this Agreement.

         "Class", when used in reference to (a) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to
whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Canadian Loans or
U.S. Loans, and (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a
Canadian Commitment or a U.S. Commitment.

         "Closing Date" shall mean the date of the first Credit Event.

         "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time.

         "Collateral" shall mean, collectively, all of the U.S. Collateral and
the Canadian Collateral.

         "Collateral Agents" shall mean, collectively, the U.S. Collateral Agent
and the Canadian Collateral Agent.

         "Collateralized Letter of Credit" shall mean each Letter of Credit
previously issued for the account of a Borrower that (a) is outstanding on the
Closing Date and (b) is listed on Schedule 1.01(b).

         "Combination" is defined in the introductory statement to this
Agreement.

         "Commitment" shall mean, with respect to any Lender, such Lender's U.S.
Commitment or Canadian Commitment, and "Commitments" shall mean the U.S.
Commitments and the Canadian Commitments.

         "Commitment Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.05(a).

         "Compliance Certificate" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 5.04(d).

         "Confidential Information Memorandum" shall mean the Confidential
Information Memorandum of the U.S. Borrower dated October 2000.

         "Consolidated EBITDA" shall mean, for any period, Consolidated Net
Income for such period plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted
in determining such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (i) Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period, (ii) consolidated income tax expense for such
period, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization for such
period and (iv) any noncash charges or losses (other


<PAGE>   17

                                                                              11


than the write-down of current assets) for such period, and minus (b) without
duplication (i) all cash payments made during such period on account of
reserves, restructuring charges and other noncash charges added to Consolidated
Net Income pursuant to clause (a)(iv) above in a previous period and (ii) to the
extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, any extraordinary
gains and all noncash items of income for such period, all determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of determining the
Leverage Ratio, the Senior Leverage Ratio and the Interest Coverage Ratio at, or
for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on, March 31, 2001,
June 30, 2001 and September 30, 2001, Consolidated EBITDA shall be deemed to be
(a) the Consolidated EBITDA for the fiscal quarter ended on March 31, 2001,
multiplied by 4, (b) the Consolidated EBITDA for the two consecutive fiscal
quarters ended June 30, 2001, multiplied by 2, and (c) the Consolidated EBITDA
for the three consecutive fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2001, multiplied
by 4/3, respectively.

         "Consolidated Interest Expense" shall mean, for any period, the sum of
(a) the interest expense (including imputed interest expense in respect of
Capital Lease Obligations but excluding the amortization of debt discount and
debt issuance costs) of the U.S. Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period,
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus (b) any
interest accrued during such period in respect of Indebtedness of the U.S.
Borrower or any Subsidiary that is required to be capitalized rather than
included in consolidated interest expense for such period in accordance with
GAAP. For purposes of the foregoing, interest expense shall be determined after
giving effect to any net payments made or received by the U.S. Borrower or any
Subsidiary with respect to interest rate Hedging Agreements. For purposes of
determining the Interest Coverage Ratio for the period of four consecutive
fiscal quarters ending on March 31, 2001, June 30, 2001 and September 30, 2001,
Consolidated Interest Expense shall be deemed to be (a) the Consolidated
Interest Expense for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2001, multiplied by 4,
(b) the Consolidated Interest Expense for the two consecutive fiscal quarters
ended June 30, 2001, multiplied by 2, and (c) the Consolidated Interest Expense
for the three consecutive fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2001, multiplied
by 4/3, respectively.

         "Consolidated Net Income" shall mean, for any period, the net income or
loss of the U.S. Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be
excluded (a) the income of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or
payment of dividends or similar distributions by the Subsidiary of that income
is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any
agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, statute, rule or governmental
regulation applicable to such Subsidiary, (b) except to the extent contemplated
by the definitions of the terms "Leverage Ratio" and "Senior Leverage Ratio"
with respect to Permitted Acquisitions, the income or loss of any person accrued
prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with
the U.S. Borrower or any Subsidiary or the date that such person's assets are
acquired by the U.S. Borrower or any Subsidiary, (c) the income of any person in
which any other person (other than the U.S. Borrower or a wholly owned
Subsidiary or any director holding qualifying shares in accordance with


<PAGE>   18

                                                                              12


applicable law) has a joint interest, except to the extent of the amount of
dividends or other distributions actually paid to the U.S. Borrower or a wholly
owned Subsidiary by such person during such period, and (d) any gains or losses
attributable to sales of assets out of the ordinary course of business.

         "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" shall mean, as of any date of
determination, the total amount of assets of the U.S. Borrower and the
Subsidiaries (less any applicable depreciation, amortization and other valuation
reserves) at such date, after deducting therefrom (a) all liabilities of the
U.S. Borrower and the Subsidiaries at such date and (b) all goodwill, trade
names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt issuance fees and expenses and
other like intangible items at such date, all as determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Contract Period" shall mean the term of a B/A Loan selected by the
Canadian Borrower in accordance with Section 2.22, commencing on the date of
such B/A Loan and expiring on a Business Day which shall be either 30 days, 60
days, 90 days or 180 days thereafter, provided that (a) subject to clause (b)
below, each such period shall be subject to such extensions or reductions as may
be reasonably determined by the Canadian Administrative Agent to ensure that
each Contract Period shall expire on a Business Day, and (b) no Contract Period
shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

         "Control" shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a
person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise, and the terms "Controlling" and "Controlled" shall have meanings
correlative thereto.

         "Credit Event" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
4.01.

         "Credit Exposure" shall mean, on any date, the sum on such date of the
U.S. Credit Exposure and the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the Canadian Credit
Exposure.

         "Default" shall mean any event or condition which upon notice, lapse of
time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

         "Discount Proceeds" shall mean for any B/A (or, as applicable, any B/A
Equivalent Loan), an amount (rounded to the nearest whole cent, and with
one-half of one cent being rounded up) calculated on the applicable Borrowing
date by multiplying:

         (a)      the face amount of the B/A (or, as applicable, any B/A
                  Equivalent Loan); by

         (b)      the quotient of one divided by the sum of one plus the product
                  of:

                  (i)      the Discount Rate (expressed as a decimal) applicable
                           to such B/A (or, as applicable, any B/A Equivalent
                           Loan), and


<PAGE>   19

                                                                              13


                  (ii)     a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
                           days in the Contract Period of the B/A (or, as
                           applicable, any B/A Equivalent Loan) and the
                           denominator of which is 365,

with such quotient being rounded up or down to the fifth decimal place and
 .000005 being rounded up.

         "Discount Rate" shall mean:

                  (a) with respect to any Canadian Lender that is a Schedule I
         Bank, as applicable to a B/A being purchased by such Lender on any day,
         the CDOR Rate; and

                  (b) with respect to any Canadian Lender that is not a Schedule
         I Bank, as applicable to a B/A being purchased by such Lender on any
         day, the lesser of (A) the CDOR Rate plus 10 basis points (0.10%), and
         (B) the average (as determined by the Canadian Administrative Agent in
         good faith) of the respective percentage discount rates (expressed to
         two decimal places and rounded upward, if not in an increment of
         1/100th of 1%, to the nearest 0.01%) quoted by the Schedule II/III
         Reference Banks as the percentage discount rates at which the Schedule
         II/III Reference Banks would, in accordance with their normal market
         practices, at or about 10:00 a.m. (Standard Time) on such date, be
         prepared to purchase bankers' acceptances accepted by the Schedule
         II/III Reference Banks having a face amount and term comparable to the
         face amount and term of such B/A.

         "dollars", "U.S. dollars", "U.S.$" or "$" shall mean lawful money of
the United States of America.

         "Domestic Subsidiaries" shall mean all Subsidiaries incorporated or
organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or
the District of Columbia.

         "Environmental Laws" shall mean all former, current and future federal,
state, provincial, local and foreign laws (including common law), treaties,
regulations, rules, ordinances, codes, decrees, judgments, directives, orders
(including consent orders), and agreements in each case, relating to protection
of the environment, natural resources, human health and safety or the presence,
Release of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials, or the generation, manufacture,
processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, transport, recycling or
handling of, or the arrangement for such activities with respect to, Hazardous
Materials.

         "Environmental Liability" shall mean all liabilities, obligations,
damages, losses, claims, actions, suits, judgments, orders, fines, penalties,
fees, expenses and costs (including administrative oversight costs, natural
resource damages and remediation costs), whether contingent or otherwise,
arising out of or relating to (a) compliance or noncompliance with any
Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage,
treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous
Materials, (d) the


<PAGE>   20

                                                                              14


Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other
consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with
respect to any of the foregoing.

         "Equity Interests" shall mean shares of capital stock, partnership
interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial
interests in a trust or other equity interests in any person, or any obligations
convertible into or exchangeable for, or giving any person a right, option or
warrant to acquire such equity interests or such convertible or exchangeable
obligations.

         "Equity Issuance" shall mean any issuance or sale by the U.S. Borrower
or any Subsidiary after the Closing Date of any Equity Interests of the U.S.
Borrower or any Subsidiary, as applicable, except in each case for (a) any
issuance or sale to the U.S. Borrower or any Subsidiary, (b) any issuance or
sale pursuant to the IPO or the Combination, (c) any issuance of directors'
qualifying shares, and (d) sales or issuances of common stock of the U.S.
Borrower to management or employees of the U.S. Borrower or any Subsidiary under
any employee stock option or stock purchase plan or employee benefit plan in
existence from time to time, and (e) any issuances of shares of common stock of
the U.S. Borrower solely in exchange for Exchangeable Shares of PTI Holdco.

         "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as the same may be amended from time to time.

         "ERISA Affiliate" shall mean any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) that, together with either Borrower, is treated as a single
employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or solely for purposes of
Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single
employer under Section 414 of the Code.

         "ERISA Event" shall mean (a) any "reportable event", as defined in
Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a
Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the
existence with respect to any Plan of an "accumulated funding deficiency" (as
defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not
waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d)
of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with
respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by a Borrower or any of its ERISA
Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the
termination of any Plan or the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of a Borrower or
any of its ERISA Affiliates from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) the receipt
by a Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates from the PBGC or a plan
administrator of any notice relating to the intention to terminate any Plan or
Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the adoption of any
amendment to a Plan that would require the provision of security pursuant to
Section 401(a)(29) of the Code or Section 307 of ERISA; (g) the receipt by a
Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any notice, or the receipt by any
Multiemployer Plan from a Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any notice,
concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a
Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization,
within the


<PAGE>   21

                                                                             15


meaning of Title IV of ERISA; (h) the occurrence of a "prohibited transaction"
with respect to which a Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is a "disqualified
person" (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) or with respect to
which a Borrower or any such Subsidiary could otherwise be liable; or (i) any
other event or condition with respect to a Plan or Multiemployer Plan that could
result in liability of a Borrower or any Subsidiary.

         "Eurocurrency", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers
to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing
interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

         "Event of Default" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Article VII.

         "Exchangeable Shares" shall mean the non-voting Exchangeable Shares in
the capital of PTI Holdco, issued to certain existing shareholders of the
Canadian Borrower in connection with the Combination.

         "Exchange Rate" shall mean, on any day, (a) for purposes of determining
the U.S. Dollar Equivalent, the rate at which Canadian dollars may be exchanged
into U.S. dollars and (b) for purposes of determining the Canadian Dollar
Equivalent, the rate at which U.S. dollars may be exchanged into Canadian
dollars, in each case as set forth at approximately 12:00 p.m., Standard Time,
on such day on the applicable Bloomberg Currency Page. In the event that such
rate does not appear on such Bloomberg Currency Page, the Exchange Rate shall be
determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying
exchange rates as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the U.S.
Borrower, or, in the absence of such agreement, such Exchange Rate shall instead
be the arithmetic average of the spot rates of exchange of the Administrative
Agent in the market where its foreign currency exchange operations in respect of
Canadian dollars or U.S. dollars, as applicable, are then being conducted, at or
about 12:00 p.m., Standard Time, on such day for the purchase of U.S. dollars or
Canadian dollars, as the case may be, for delivery two Business Days later;
provided that if at the time of any such determination, for any reason, no such
spot rate is being quoted, the Administrative Agent may use any method it deems
commercially reasonable and appropriate to determine such rate, and such
determination shall be presumed correct absent manifest error.

         "Excluded Taxes" shall mean, with respect to either Administrative
Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be
made by or on account of any obligation of either Borrower hereunder, (a) income
taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income and franchise taxes imposed on
it by the United States of America, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of
which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located
or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is
located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or
any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction described in clause (a) above
and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a
request by a Borrower under Section 2.20(a)), any withholding tax that is
imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at


<PAGE>   22

                                                                              16


the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a
new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender's failure to
comply with Section 2.19(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or
its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending
office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the applicable
Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.19(a).

         "Existing Credit Agreements" shall mean the credit agreements described
in Schedule 1.01(a).

         "Federal Funds Effective Rate" shall mean, for any day, the weighted
average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on
overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System
arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business
Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so
published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for the day for such
transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds
brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

         "Fees" shall mean, collectively, the Commitment Fees, the
Administrative Agent's Fees, the L/C Participation Fees and the Issuing Bank
Fees.

         "Financial Officer" of any person shall mean the chief financial
officer, principal accounting officer, Treasurer or Controller of such person.

         "Foreign Lender" shall mean, with respect to a Borrower, any Lender
that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which such
Borrower is located. For purposes of this definition, the United States of
America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to
constitute a single jurisdiction and Canada and each Province thereof shall be
deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

         "Foreign Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic
Subsidiary.

         "GAAP" shall mean United States generally accepted accounting
principles applied on a consistent basis.

         "Governmental Authority" shall mean any Federal, state, provincial,
local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or
regulatory body.

         "Granting Lender" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 9.04(i).

         "Guarantee" of or by any person shall mean any obligation, contingent
or otherwise, of such person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of
guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other person (the "primary obligor") in any
manner, whether directly or indirectly, and


<PAGE>   23

                                                                              17


including any obligation of such person, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or
pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such
Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of)
any security for the payment of such Indebtedness, (b) to purchase or lease
property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such
Indebtedness of the payment of such Indebtedness or (c) to maintain working
capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity
of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such
Indebtedness; provided, however, that the term "Guarantee" shall not include
endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

         "Guarantee Agreements" shall mean, collectively, the U.S. Subsidiary
Guarantee Agreement, the Canadian Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, the U.S.
Borrower Guarantee Agreement and the PTI Holdco Sub Guarantee Agreement.

         "Guarantors" shall mean, collectively, the U.S. Borrower , the
Subsidiary Guarantors and PTI Holdco Sub.

         "Hazardous Materials" shall mean (a) any petroleum products or
byproducts and all other hydrocarbons, coal ash, radon gas, asbestos, urea
formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorofluorocarbons and
all other ozone-depleting substances and (b) any chemical, material, substance
or waste that is prohibited, limited or regulated by or pursuant to any
Environmental Law.

         "Hedging Agreement" shall mean any interest rate protection agreement,
foreign currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection agreement or
other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement.

         "HWC" is defined in the introductory statement to this Agreement.

         "Inactive Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary of the U.S. Borrower
that (a) does not conduct any business operations, (b) has assets with a total
book value not in excess of U.S.$25,000 and (c) does not have any Indebtedness
outstanding and includes on the Closing Date each Subsidiary listed in Schedule
3.08 as being an Inactive Subsidiary.

         "Indebtedness" of any person shall mean, without duplication, (a) all
obligations of such person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or
advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such person
upon which interest charges are customarily paid (excluding trade accounts
payable and accrued obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business),
(d) all obligations of such person under conditional sale or other title
retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such person,
(e) all obligations of such person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase
price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable and accrued
obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness
of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an
existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property
owned or


<PAGE>   24

                                                                              18


acquired by such person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have
been assumed (provided that, for purposes hereof, the amount thereof shall be
limited to the lesser of (i) the amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the fair
market value of such property), (g) all Guarantees by such person of
Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such person, (i)
all obligations of such person as an account party in respect of letters of
credit and (j) all obligations of such person in respect of bankers'
acceptances. The Indebtedness of any person shall include the Indebtedness of
any partnership in which such person is a general partner, except to the extent
that, by its terms, such Indebtedness is nonrecourse to such person.

         "Indemnified Taxes" shall mean Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

         "Insolvency Law" shall mean, to the extent applicable, (a) Title 11 of
the United States Code, (b) the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), (c) the
Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) and (d) any similar federal,
provincial, state, local or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law applicable to
the U.S. Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case as now constituted or
hereafter amended or enacted.

         "Interest Coverage Ratio" for any period shall mean the ratio of
Consolidated EBITDA for such period to Consolidated Interest Expense for such
period.

         "Interest Payment Date" shall mean (a) with respect to any ABR Loan,
Canadian Prime Rate Loan or U.S. Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each
March, June, September and December, commencing with the last Business Day of
March 2001, and (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of the
Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in
the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three
months' duration, each day that would have been an Interest Payment Date had
successive Interest Periods of three months' duration been applicable to such
Borrowing.

         "Interest Period" shall mean, with respect to any Eurocurrency
Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the
numerically corresponding day (or, if there is no numerically corresponding day,
on the last day) in the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3 or 6 months thereafter,
as a Borrower may elect; provided, however, that if any Interest Period would
end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended
to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day
would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall
end on the next preceding Business Day. Interest shall accrue from and including
the first day of an Interest Period to but excluding the last day of such
Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be
the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective
date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

         "IPO" is defined in the introductory statement to this Agreement.


<PAGE>   25

                                                                              19


         "Issuing Bank" shall mean, as the context may require, (a) CSFB, with
respect to Letters of Credit issued by it, (b) CSFBC, with respect to Letters of
Credit issued by it, (c) with respect to each Rolled Letter of Credit, the
Lender that issued such Rolled Letter of Credit, (d) any other Lender that may
become an Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.21(i) or (k), with respect to
Letters of Credit issued by such Lender, or (e) collectively, all the foregoing.
Any Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of
Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term
"Issuing Bank" shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of
Credit issued by such Affiliate.

         "Issuing Bank Fees" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.05(c).

         "ITA" shall mean the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended, and any
successor thereto, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

         "L/C Commitment" shall mean the commitment of each Issuing Bank to
issue Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.21.

         "L/C Disbursement" shall mean a payment or disbursement made by an
Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

         "L/C Participation Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.05(c).

         "Lenders" shall mean (a) the persons listed on Schedule 2.01 (other
than any such person that has ceased to be a party hereto pursuant to an
Assignment and Acceptance) and (b) any person that has become a party hereto
pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance.

         "Letter of Credit" shall mean any letter of credit issued (or, in the
case of a Rolled Letter of Credit, deemed issued) pursuant to Section 2.21. A
Letter of Credit shall be a "U.S. Letter of Credit" if issued for the account of
the U.S. Borrower in U.S. dollars, and a "Canadian Letter of Credit" if issued
for the account of the Canadian Borrower in Canadian dollars.

         "Leverage Ratio" shall mean, on any date, the ratio of Total Debt on
such date to Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal
quarters most recently ended on or prior to such date for which financial
statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or (b). Solely for
purposes of this definition, if, at any time the Leverage Ratio is being
determined, either Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have completed a Permitted
Acquisition or Asset Sale since the beginning of the relevant four fiscal
quarter period, the Leverage Ratio shall be determined on a pro forma basis
(using the criteria therefor described in Section 6.04(i)) as if such Permitted
Acquisition or Asset Sale, and any related incurrence or repayment of
Indebtedness, had occurred at the beginning of such period.


<PAGE>   26

                                                                              20


         "LIBO Rate" shall mean, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for
any Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent
at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days
prior to the beginning of the relevant Interest Period by reference to the
British Bankers' Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in U.S.
dollars (as set forth by the Bloomberg Information Service or any successor
thereto or any other service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been
nominated by the British Bankers' Association as an authorized information
vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates) for a period equal to such
Interest Period; provided that, to the extent that an interest rate is not
ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the "LIBO
Rate" shall be the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative
Agent to be the average of the rates per annum at which deposits in U.S. dollars
are offered for such relevant Interest Period to major banks in the London
interbank market in London, England by the Administrative Agent at approximately
11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the
beginning of such Interest Period.

         "Lien" shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of
trust, lien, pledge, encumbrance, charge, hypothec or security interest in or on
such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale
agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease
having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating
to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or
similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

         "Loan Documents" shall mean, collectively, this Agreement, the
Guarantee Agreements and the Security Documents.

         "Loan Parties" shall mean the Borrowers and the Guarantors.

         "Loans" shall mean, collectively, the U.S. Loans and the Canadian
Loans.

         "Margin Stock" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Regulation U.

         "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean (a) a materially adverse effect on
the business, assets, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects of the U.S. Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b)
material impairment of the ability of either Borrower or any other Loan Party to
perform any of its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is or will be
a party or (c) material impairment of the rights of or benefits available to the
Lenders under any Loan Document.

         "Material Indebtedness" shall mean Indebtedness (other than the Loans
and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Hedging
Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries in an
aggregate principal amount exceeding U.S.$5,000,000. For purposes of determining
Material Indebtedness, the "principal amount" of the obligations of a Borrower
or any Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement at


<PAGE>   27

                                                                              21


any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting
agreements) that such Borrower or Subsidiary would be required to pay if such
Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time.

         "Maturity Date" shall mean January 25, 2004, or the latest date (not
later than January 25, 2006) to which the Maturity Date shall have been extended
pursuant to Section 2.09(d).

         "Minority Interests" is defined in the introductory statement to this
Agreement.

         "Mortgaged Properties" shall mean, initially, the owned real properties
of the Loan Parties specified on Schedule 1.01(d), and shall include each other
parcel of real property and improvements thereto with respect to which a
Mortgage is granted pursuant to Section 5.09.

         "Mortgages" shall mean the mortgages, deeds of trust, debentures and
other security documents delivered pursuant to clause (i) of Section 4.02(m) or
pursuant to Section 5.09, each substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1, D-2 or
D-3, as applicable.

         "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean a multiemployer plan as defined in
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

         "Net Cash Proceeds" shall mean (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, the
cash proceeds (including cash proceeds subsequently received (as and when
received) in respect of noncash consideration initially received), net of (i)
selling expenses (including reasonable broker's fees or commissions, legal fees,
transfer and similar taxes and the U.S. Borrower's good faith estimate of income
taxes paid or payable in connection with such sale), (ii) amounts provided as a
reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities under any
indemnification obligations or purchase price adjustment associated with such
Asset Sale (provided that, to the extent and at the time any such amounts are
released from such reserve, such amounts shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds) and
(iii) the principal amount, premium or penalty, if any, interest and other
amounts on any Indebtedness for borrowed money which is secured by the asset
sold in such Asset Sale and which is repaid with such proceeds (other than any
such Indebtedness assumed by the purchaser of such asset); provided, however,
that, if (x) the U.S. Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Financial
Officer to the Agents at the time of receipt thereof setting forth the U.S.
Borrower's intent to reinvest such proceeds in productive assets of a kind then
used or usable in the business of the U.S. Borrower and the Subsidiaries within
180 days of receipt of such proceeds and (y) no Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and shall be continuing at the time of such certificate or
at the proposed time of the application of such proceeds, such proceeds shall
not constitute Net Cash Proceeds except to the extent not so used or
contractually committed to be used at the end of such 180-day period, at which
time such proceeds shall be deemed to be Net Cash Proceeds; and (b) with respect
to any issuance or disposition of Indebtedness or any Equity Issuance, the cash
proceeds thereof, net of all taxes and customary fees, commissions, costs and
other expenses incurred in connection therewith.


<PAGE>   28

                                                                              22


         "Obligations" shall mean all obligations defined as "Obligations" in
the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreements and the Security Documents.

         "Other Taxes" shall mean any and all present or future stamp or
documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar
levies arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the
execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan
Document.

          "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to
and defined in ERISA.

         "Perfection Certificate" shall mean the Perfection Certificate
substantially in the form of Annex 1 to the Security Agreements.

         "Permitted Acquisition" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 6.04(i).

         "Permitted Holders" shall mean L.E. Simmons, SCF-III, L.P., SCF-IV,
L.P., and their Affiliates.

         "Permitted Investments" shall mean:

                  (a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and
         interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States
         of America or Canada (or by any agency, state or province thereof to
         the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of
         the United States of America or, in the case of any such agency or
         province or territory of Canada, Canada or the applicable province or
         territory), in each case maturing within one year from the date of
         acquisition thereof;

                  (b) investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days
         from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of
         acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from Standard &
         Poor's Ratings Service, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Canadian Bond
         Rating Service or Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited;

                  (c) investments in certificates of deposit, banker's
         acceptances and time deposits maturing within one year from the date of
         acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money
         market and other deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic
         office of any Lender or any commercial bank organized under the laws of
         the United States of America or any State thereof or under the laws of
         Canada that has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of
         not less than U.S.$500,000,000 (or, in the case of any bank that is a
         Lender, U.S.$200,000,000);

<PAGE>   29

                                                                              23



                  (d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of
         not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and
         entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria of
         clause (c) above; and

                  (e) other short-term investments utilized by Foreign
         Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash
         management in investments of a type analogous to the foregoing.

         "Permitted Seller Paper" shall mean unsecured subordinated Indebtedness
of any Loan Party issued to the seller in connection with any Permitted
Acquisition so long as (a) such Indebtedness does not impose any financial or
other "maintenance" covenants on the U.S. Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries
and (b) such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations on terms no less
favorable to the Lenders than those set forth in Exhibit K.

         "person" shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust,
joint venture, association, company, limited liability company, partnership,
Governmental Authority or other entity.

         "Plan" shall mean any employee pension benefit plan (other than a
Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section
412 of the Code or Section 307 of ERISA, and in respect of which either Borrower
or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section
4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" as defined in Section 3(5) of
ERISA.

         "Pledge Agreements" shall mean, collectively, the U.S. Pledge Agreement
and the Canadian Pledge Agreement.

          "Prime Rate" shall mean the rate of interest per annum publicly
announced from time to time by CSFB as its prime rate in effect at its principal
office in New York City; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective on the
date such change is publicly announced as being effective.

         "PTI Holdco" shall mean 892489 Alberta Inc., a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the Province of Alberta.

         "PTI Holdco Sub" shall mean 892493 Alberta Inc., a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the Province of Alberta, and, after the
Combination, the direct owner of 100% of the Equity Interests of the Canadian
Borrower.

         "PTI Holdco Sub Guarantee Agreement" shall mean the PTI Holdco Sub
Guarantee Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit G-4, between PTI
Holdco Sub and the Canadian Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Canadian
Secured Parties.


<PAGE>   30

                                                                              24


         "Refinanced Debt" shall mean the indebtedness, other than the Existing
Credit Agreements, listed on Schedule 1.01(a).

         "Register" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
9.04(d).

         "Regulation T" shall mean Regulation T of the Board as from time to
time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or
thereof.

         "Regulation U" shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to
time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or
thereof.

         "Regulation X" shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to
time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or
thereof.

         "Related Parties" shall mean, with respect to any specified person,
such person's Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees,
agents and advisors of such person and such person's Affiliates.

         "Release" shall mean any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping,
injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or
migration into or through the environment or within or upon any building,
structure, facility or fixture.

         "Required Canadian Lenders" shall mean, at any time, Canadian Lenders
having Canadian Loans, a share of the Canadian L/C Exposure and unused Canadian
Commitments representing at least a majority of the sum of all Canadian Loans
outstanding, the Canadian L/C Exposure and unused Canadian Commitments at such
time. For purposes of determining the Required Canadian Lenders at any time, the
amount of any Canadian Loans denominated in Canadian dollars and the Canadian
L/C Exposure shall be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent thereof at such time, as
determined by the Administrative Agent using the then- applicable Exchange Rate.

         "Required Lenders" shall mean, at any time, Lenders having Loans, a
share of the Aggregate L/C Exposure and unused Commitments representing at least
a majority of the sum of all Loans outstanding, the Aggregate L/C Exposure and
unused Commitments at such time. For purposes of determining the Required
Lenders at any time, the amount of any Canadian Loans denominated in Canadian
dollars and Canadian L/C Exposure shall be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent thereof at
such time, as determined by the Administrative Agent using the then-applicable
Exchange Rate.

         "Required U.S. Lenders" shall mean, at any time, U.S. Lenders having
U.S. Loans, a share of the U.S. L/C Exposure and unused U.S. Commitments
representing at least a majority of the sum of all U.S. Loans outstanding, the
U.S. L/C Exposure and unused U.S. Commitments at such time.


<PAGE>   31

                                                                              25


         "Reset Date" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
1.05.

         "Responsible Officer" of any person shall mean any executive officer or
Financial Officer of such person and any other officer or similar official
thereof responsible for the administration of the obligations of such person in
respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

         "Restricted Indebtedness" shall mean Indebtedness of the U.S. Borrower
or any Subsidiary, the payment, prepayment, repurchase or defeasance of which is
restricted under Section 6.09(b).

         "Restricted Payment" shall mean any dividend or other distribution
(whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity
Interests in the U.S. Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in
cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar
deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition,
cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests in the U.S. Borrower or any
Subsidiary or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity
Interests in the U.S. Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the
transactions forming part of the Combination and the issuance by the U.S.
Borrower of shares of its common stock to the holders of the Exchangeable Shares
in exchange therefor shall not constitute Restricted Payments.

         "Rolled Letter of Credit" shall mean each Letter of Credit previously
issued for the account of a Borrower that (a) is outstanding on the Closing Date
and (b) is listed on Schedule 1.01(c).

         "Schedule I Bank" shall mean a bank that is a Canadian chartered bank
listed on Schedule I under the Bank Act (Canada).

         "Schedule II Bank" shall mean a bank that is a Canadian chartered bank
listed on Schedule II under the Bank Act (Canada).

         "Schedule III Bank" shall mean a bank that is a Canadian bank listed on
Schedule III under the Bank Act (Canada).

         "Schedule II/III Reference Banks" shall mean CSFBC and such other
Schedule II Banks and/or Schedule III Banks as are agreed to from time to time
by the Canadian Borrower and the Canadian Administrative Agent; provided that
there shall be no more than three Schedule II/III Reference Banks at any time.

         "Secured Parties" shall mean, collectively, the U.S. Secured Parties
and the Canadian Secured Parties.


<PAGE>   32

                                                                              26


         "Security Agreements" shall mean, collectively, the U.S. Security
Agreement and the Canadian Security Agreement.

         "Security Documents" shall mean the Security Agreements, the Pledge
Agreements, the Mortgages and each of the security agreements, mortgages and
other instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant to any of the
foregoing or pursuant to Section 5.09.

         "Senior Leverage Ratio" shall mean, on any date, the ratio of Total
Senior Debt on such date to Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four
consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to such date for
which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or
(b). Solely for purposes of this definition, if, at any time the Senior Leverage
Ratio is being determined, either Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have
completed a Permitted Acquisition or Asset Sale since the beginning of the
relevant four fiscal quarter period, the Senior Leverage Ratio shall be
determined on a pro forma basis (using the criteria therefor described in
Section 6.04(i)) as if such Permitted Acquisition or Asset Sale, and any related
incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, had occurred at the beginning of such
period.

         "Sooner" is defined in the introductory statement to this Agreement.

         "SPC" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(i).

         "Special Purpose Business Entity" shall mean (a) Ek'Ati Services Ltd.,
(b) Norwel Developments Limited and (c) any other entity formed by the Canadian
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or in which the Canadian Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries acquires an Equity Interest, in each case so long as (i) such
entity is formed, or such Equity Interest is acquired, after the Closing Date,
(ii) such entity is, or proposes to engage in, a joint venture with persons that
are, or are owned or controlled by, aboriginal peoples in Alaska or Canada,
(iii) any loans or advances to, or investments in such Special Purpose Business
Entity is permitted by Section 6.04, and (iv) the Canadian Borrower delivers a
certificate of a Responsible Officer to the Administrative Agents designating
such Special Purpose Business Entity as such and certifying compliance with the
foregoing requirements of this clause (c) and includes each entity listed in
Schedule 3.08 as being a Special Purpose Business Entity.

         "Standard Time" shall mean eastern standard time or eastern daylight
savings time, as applicable on the relevant date.

         "Statutory Reserves" shall mean a fraction (expressed as a decimal),
the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the
number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any
marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal
established by the Board for Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation
D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant
to such Regulation D. Eurocurrency Loans shall be deemed to constitute
Eurocurrency Liabilities and to be subject to such reserve requirements without


<PAGE>   33

                                                                              27


benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available
from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D. Statutory Reserves
shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in
any reserve percentage.

         "Subordinated Indebtedness" shall mean Indebtedness of a Loan Party
that is subordinated to the prior payment in full of the Obligations on terms
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

         "subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to any person (herein referred to
as the "parent"), any corporation, partnership, association or other business
entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than
50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power are, at the time
any determination is being made, owned, controlled or held by the parent or one
or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries
of the parent.

         "Subsidiary" shall mean any subsidiary of the U.S. Borrower other than
a Special Purpose Business Entity.

         "Subsidiary Guarantee Agreements" shall mean, collectively, the U.S.
Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and the Canadian Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement.

         "Subsidiary Guarantors" shall mean, collectively, the U.S. Subsidiary
Guarantors and the Canadian Subsidiary Guarantors.

         "Synthetic Lease" shall mean any synthetic lease, tax retention
operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing
product in which the transaction is considered indebtedness for borrowed money
for federal income tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease in
accordance with GAAP for financial reporting purposes.

         "Synthetic Purchase Agreement" shall mean any swap, derivative or other
agreement or combination of agreements pursuant to which the U.S. Borrower or
any Subsidiary is or may become obligated to make (a) any payment in connection
with a purchase by any third party from a person other than the U.S. Borrower or
any Subsidiary of any Equity Interest or Restricted Indebtedness or (b) any
payment (other than on account of a permitted purchase by it of any Equity
Interest or Restricted Indebtedness) the amount of which is determined by
reference to the price or value at any time of any Equity Interest or Restricted
Indebtedness; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for
payments only to current or former directors, officers or employees of the U.S.
Borrower or the Subsidiaries (or to their heirs or estates) shall be deemed to
be a Synthetic Purchase Agreement.

         "Taxes" shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies,
imposts, duties, deductions, charges, liabilities or withholdings imposed by any
Governmental Authority.


<PAGE>   34

                                                                              28

         "Total Canadian Commitment" shall mean, at any time, the aggregate
amount of the Canadian Commitments, as in effect at such time.

         "Total Commitment" shall mean, at any time, the sum at such time of (a)
the Total U.S. Commitment and (b) the Total Canadian Commitment.

         "Total Debt" at any time shall mean the total Indebtedness of the U.S.
Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such time (excluding Indebtedness of the type
described in clause (i) of the definition of such term, except to the extent of
any unreimbursed drawings thereunder).

         "Total Senior Debt" at any time shall mean the Total Debt at such time,
less the portion thereof, if any, constituting Subordinated Indebtedness.

         "Total U.S. Commitment" shall mean, at any time, the aggregate amount
of the U.S. Commitments, as in effect at such time.

         "Transactions" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
3.02.

         "Type", when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing, shall refer to
the Rate by reference to which interest on such Loan or on the Loans comprising
such Borrowing is determined. For purposes hereof, the term "Rate" shall include
the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the Alternate Base Rate, the Canadian Prime Rate, the
U.S. Base Rate and the Discount Rate applicable to Bankers' Acceptances and B/A
Equivalent Loans.

         "U.S. Base Rate" shall mean, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the
greater of (a) the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to
time by the Canadian Administrative Agent as its base rate in effect at its
principal office in Toronto, Ontario for determining interest rates on U.S.
dollar-denominated commercial loans made in Canada and (b) the Federal Funds
Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. Each change in the U.S.
Base Rate shall be effective on the date such change is publicly announced as
being effective.

         "U.S. Borrower Guarantee Agreement" shall mean the U.S. Borrower
Guarantee Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit G-3, between the U.S.
Borrower and the Canadian Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Canadian
Secured Parties.

         "U.S. Collateral" shall mean all "Collateral" as defined in any
Security Document, other than Canadian Collateral.

         "U.S. Commitment" shall mean, with respect to each U.S. Lender, the
commitment of such U.S. Lender to make U.S. Loans hereunder as set forth in
Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such U.S.
Lender assumed its U.S. Commitment, as applicable, as the same may be (a)
reduced from time to time pursuant to


<PAGE>   35

                                                                              29


Section 2.09 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to
assignments by or to such U.S. Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.

         "U.S. Credit Exposure" shall mean, with respect to any U.S. Lender at
any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of all outstanding U.S.
Loans of such U.S. Lender, plus the aggregate amount at such time of such U.S.
Lender's U.S. L/C Exposure.

         "U.S. Dollar Equivalent" shall mean, on any date of determination, with
respect to any amount in Canadian dollars, the equivalent in U.S. dollars of
such amount, determined by the Administrative Agent using the Exchange Rate then
in effect.

         "U.S. L/C Exposure" shall mean at any time the sum of (a) the aggregate
undrawn amount of all outstanding U.S. Letters of Credit at such time plus (b)
the aggregate principal amount of all L/C Disbursements in respect of U.S.
Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed at such time. The U.S. L/C
Exposure of any U.S. Lender at any time shall mean its U.S. Pro Rata Percentage
of the aggregate U.S. L/C Exposure at such time.

         "U.S. Lenders" shall mean the Lenders having U.S. Commitments or
outstanding U.S. Loans.

         "U.S. Loan" shall mean a loan denominated and made in U.S. dollars by
the U.S. Lenders to the U.S. Borrower hereunder. Each U.S. Loan shall be an ABR
Loan or a Eurocurrency Loan.

         "U.S. Pledge Agreement" shall mean the U.S. Pledge Agreement,
substantially in the form of Exhibit E-1, among the U.S. Borrower, the
Subsidiaries party thereto and the U.S. Collateral Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties.

         "U.S. Pro Rata Percentage" of any U.S. Lender at any time shall mean
the percentage of the aggregate U.S. Commitments represented by such U.S.
Lender's U.S. Commitment.

         "U.S. Secured Parties" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
the U.S. Security Agreement.

         "U.S. Security Agreement" shall mean the U.S. Security Agreement,
substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1, among the U.S. Borrower, the
Subsidiaries party thereto and the U.S. Collateral Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties.

         "U.S. Security Documents" shall mean the U.S. Security Agreement, the
U.S. Pledge Agreement and each other Security Document to which the U.S.
Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary is a party and that purports to grant a Lien
in the assets of any such person in favor of the U.S. Collateral Agent for the
benefit of the Secured Parties.


<PAGE>   36

                                                                              30


         "U.S. Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement" shall mean the U.S. Subsidiary
Guarantee Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2, between the U.S.
Subsidiary Guarantors and the U.S. Collateral Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties.

         "U.S. Subsidiary Guarantor" shall mean each Subsidiary of the U.S.
Borrower listed on Schedule 1.01(e), and each other Subsidiary that is or
becomes a party to the U.S. Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement.

         "wholly owned Canadian Subsidiary" shall mean any wholly owned
Subsidiary of the Canadian Borrower that is a Canadian Subsidiary.

         "wholly owned Domestic Subsidiary" shall mean any wholly owned
Subsidiary of the U.S. Borrower that is a Domestic Subsidiary.

         "wholly owned Subsidiary" of any person shall mean a subsidiary of such
person of which securities (except for directors' qualifying shares and, in the
case of PTI Holdco, the Exchangeable Shares) or other ownership interests
representing 100% of the equity or 100% of the ordinary voting power are, at the
time any determination is being made, owned, controlled or held by such person
or one or more wholly owned subsidiaries of such person or by such person and
one or more wholly owned subsidiaries of such person.

         "Withdrawal Liability" shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as
a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as
such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

         SECTION 1.02. TERMS GENERALLY. The definitions in Section 1.01 shall
apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.
Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding
masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words "include", "includes" and
"including" shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without limitation".
The word "will" shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the
word "shall"; and the words "asset" and "property" shall be construed as having
the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible
assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be
deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to,
this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, (a) any reference in this Agreement to any Loan
Document shall mean such document as amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time and (b) all terms of an accounting or
financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from
time to time; provided, however, that if the Borrowers notify the Administrative
Agent that the Borrowers wish to amend any covenant in Article VI or any related
definition to eliminate the effect of any change in GAAP occurring after the
date of this Agreement on the operation of such covenant (or if the
Administrative Agent notifies the Borrowers that the Required Lenders wish to
amend Article VI or any related definition for such purpose), then the
Borrowers'


<PAGE>   37

                                                                              31


compliance with such covenant shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect
immediately before the relevant change in GAAP became effective, until either
such notice is withdrawn or such covenant is amended in a manner satisfactory to
the Borrowers and the Required Lenders.

         SECTION 1.03. SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS; POWER OF ATTORNEY. (a) Subject to
the U.S. Borrower's obligations under the U.S. Borrower Guarantee Agreement, the
obligations of the Borrowers to pay the principal of and interest on each Loan
are several and not joint, and the Canadian Borrower and its Subsidiaries
(other than its Domestic Subsidiaries) shall not be liable for the payment
obligations of the U.S. Borrower hereunder.

         (b) The Canadian Borrower hereby appoints the U.S. Borrower and each of
its officers to be its attorneys in fact (its "Attorneys") and in its name and
on its behalf and as its act and deed or otherwise to sign all documents and
carry out all such acts as are necessary or appropriate in connection with
executing any Borrowing Request, any Loan Documents or any other instruments,
certificates or documents delivered thereunder or in connection therewith
(collectively, the "Documents"). This Power of Attorney shall be valid for the
duration of the term of this Credit Agreement. The Canadian Borrower hereby
ratifies any and all acts which any of its Attorneys shall do in order to
execute on its behalf, or in connection with, the Documents mentioned herein.

         SECTION 1.04. CLASSIFICATION OF LOANS AND BORROWINGS. For purposes of
this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a "U.S.
Loan") or by Type (e.g., a "Eurocurrency Loan") or by Class and Type (e.g., a
"Eurocurrency U.S. Loan"). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by
Class (e.g., a "U.S. Borrowing") or by Type (e.g., a "Eurocurrency Borrowing")
or by Class and Type (e.g., a "Eurocurrency U.S. Borrowing").

         SECTION 1.05. EXCHANGE RATE CALCULATIONS. On each Calculation Date, the
Administrative Agent shall (a) determine the Exchange Rate as of such
Calculation Date and (b) give notice thereof to the Borrowers and to each Lender
that shall have requested such information. The Exchange Rates so determined
shall become effective on the first Business Day immediately following the
relevant Calculation Date (each, a "Reset Date") and shall remain effective
until the next succeeding Reset Date, and shall for all purposes of this
Agreement (other than any other provision expressly requiring the use of a
current Exchange Rate) be the Exchange Rate employed in converting amounts
between U.S. Dollars and Canadian dollars.


<PAGE>   38

                                                                              32


                                   ARTICLE II

                                   The Credits

         SECTION 2.01. COMMITMENTS. Subject to the terms and conditions and
relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth (a) each U.S.
Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, to make U.S. Loans in U.S. dollars to
the U.S. Borrower, at any time and from time to time on or after the date
hereof, and until the earlier of the Maturity Date and the termination of the
U.S. Commitment of such Lender in accordance with the terms hereof, in an
aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in such
Lender's U.S. Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender's U.S. Commitment and (b)
each Canadian Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, to make (i) Canadian
Loans in Canadian dollars and/or U.S. dollars to the Canadian Borrower, and (ii)
if at the time of the requested Canadian Loan the U.S. Commitments have been
fully utilized, to make Canadian Loans in U.S. dollars to the U.S. Borrower
through the Canadian Lenders' Affiliates, in each case at any time and from time
to time on or after the date hereof, and until the earlier of the Maturity Date
and the termination of the Canadian Commitment of such Lender in accordance with
the terms hereof, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that
will not result in such Lender's Canadian Credit Exposure exceeding such
Lender's Canadian Commitment. Within the limits set forth in the preceding
sentence and subject to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth herein,
the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Loans.

         SECTION 2.02. LOANS. (a) Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing
consisting of Loans made by the U.S. Lenders or the Canadian Lenders, as
applicable, ratably in accordance with their applicable Commitments; provided,
however, that the failure of any Lender to make any Loan shall not in itself
relieve any other Lender of its obligation to lend hereunder (it being
understood, however, that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any
other Lender to make any Loan required to be made by such other Lender). Except
for Loans deemed made pursuant to Section 2.02(f), the Loans comprising any
Borrowing shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is (i) in the case of
U.S. dollar-denominated Loans, an integral multiple of U.S.$250,000 and in a
minimum amount of U.S.$1,000,000, (ii) in the case of Canadian
dollar-denominated Loans, an integral multiple of C$100,000 and in a minimum
amount of C$1,000,000 or (iii) equal to the remaining available balance of the
applicable Commitment.

         (b) Subject to Sections 2.08 and 2.14, (i) each Borrowing denominated
in U.S. dollars shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans (if made to the U.S.
Borrower), U.S. Base Rate Loans (if made to the Canadian Borrower) or
Eurocurrency Loans as the applicable Borrower may request pursuant to Section
2.03 and (ii) each Borrowing denominated in Canadian dollars shall be comprised
entirely of B/A Loans or Canadian Prime Rate Loans as the Canadian Borrower may
request pursuant to Section 2.03. Each Lender may at its option make any
Eurocurrency Loan or Canadian Loan denominated in U.S. dollars by causing any
domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan;

<PAGE>   39

                                                                              33


provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the
U.S. Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement
or cause either Borrower to incur any cost under Section 2.19 that would not
have been incurred but for the exercise of such option. Borrowings of more than
one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided, however, that the
Borrowers shall not be entitled to request any Borrowing that, if made, would
result in more than five Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding hereunder at any
time or more than five B/A Borrowings outstanding hereunder at any time. For
purposes of the foregoing, Eurocurrency Borrowings having different Interest
Periods and B/A Borrowings having different Contract Periods, regardless of
whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate Borrowings.

         (c) Except with respect to Loans made pursuant to Section 2.02(f), each
U.S. Lender and each Canadian Lender making Loans denominated in U.S. dollars to
the U.S. Borrower shall make each such Loan to be made by it hereunder on the
proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such
account in New York City as the Administrative Agent may designate not later
than 11:00 a.m., Standard Time, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, or 1:00
p.m., Standard Time, in the case of an ABR Borrowing, and the Administrative
Agent shall promptly credit the amounts so received to an account in the name of
the U.S. Borrower, maintained with the Administrative Agent and designated by
the U.S. Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request or, if a Borrowing shall
not occur on such date because any condition precedent herein specified shall
not have been met, return the amounts so received to the respective Lenders.
Except with respect to Loans made pursuant to Section 2.02(f), each Canadian
Lender making Loans to the Canadian Borrower shall make each Canadian Loan
(other than Canadian Loans described in the preceding sentence) to be made by it
hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to such account in Toronto, Ontario, as the Canadian Administrative Agent
may designate not later than 11:00 a.m., Standard Time, in the case of a
Eurocurrency Borrowing or a B/A Borrowing, or 1:00 p.m., Standard Time, in the
case of a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing or U.S. Base Rate Borrowing, and the
Canadian Administrative Agent shall promptly credit the amounts so received to
an account in the name of the Canadian Borrower designated by the Canadian
Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request or, if a Canadian Borrowing shall
not occur on such date because any condition precedent herein specified shall
not have been met, return the amounts so received to the respective Canadian
Lenders.

         (d) Unless the Applicable Administrative Agent shall have received
notice from a Lender prior to the date of any Borrowing that such Lender will
not make available to the Applicable Administrative Agent such Lender's portion
of such Borrowing, the Applicable Administrative Agent may assume that such
Lender has made such portion available to the Applicable Administrative Agent on
the date of such Borrowing in accordance with paragraph (c) above and the
Applicable Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make
available to the applicable Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If the
Applicable Administrative Agent shall have so made funds available then, to the
extent that such Lender shall not have made such portion available to the
Applicable Administrative


<PAGE>   40

                                                                              34


Agent, such Lender and the applicable Borrower severally agree to repay to the
Applicable Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount
together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made
available to the applicable Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the
Applicable Administrative Agent at (i) in the case of a Borrower, the interest
rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in
the case of such Lender, a rate determined by the Applicable Administrative
Agent to represent its cost of overnight or short-term funds in the applicable
currency (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error). If
such Lender shall repay to the Applicable Administrative Agent such
corresponding amount, such amount shall constitute such Lender's Loan as part of
such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement; provided, however, that the
foregoing does not constitute a waiver by either Borrower of any claim for
damages permitted hereunder and attributable to such Lender.

         (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the
Borrowers shall not be entitled to request any Borrowing if the Interest Period
or Contract Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity
Date.

         (f) If an Issuing Bank shall not have received from the U.S. Borrower
or the Canadian Borrower, as the case may be, the payment required to be made by
Section 2.21(e) within the time specified in such Section, such Issuing Bank
will promptly notify the Applicable Administrative Agent of the L/C Disbursement
and the Applicable Administrative Agent will promptly notify each U.S. Lender or
Canadian Lender, as applicable, of such L/C Disbursement and its U.S. Pro Rata
Percentage or Canadian Pro Rata Percentage, as applicable, thereof. Each such
Lender shall pay by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
Applicable Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m., Standard Time, on such
date (or, if such Lender shall have received such notice later than 12:00
(noon), Standard Time, on any day, not later than 11:00 a.m., Standard Time, on
the immediately following Business Day), an amount equal to such Lender's U.S.
Pro Rata Percentage or Canadian Pro Rata Percentage, as applicable, of such L/C
Disbursement (it being understood that such amount shall be deemed to constitute
an ABR Loan or a Canadian Prime Rate Loan, as applicable, of such Lender and
such payment shall be deemed to have reduced the U.S. L/C Exposure or the
Canadian L/C Exposure, as applicable), and the Applicable Administrative Agent
will promptly pay to such Issuing Bank amounts so received by it from such
Lenders. The Applicable Administrative Agent will promptly pay to such Issuing
Bank any amounts received by it from a Borrower pursuant to Section 2.21(e)
prior to the time that any Lender makes any payment pursuant to this paragraph
(f); any such amounts received by the Applicable Administrative Agent thereafter
will be promptly remitted by the Applicable Administrative Agent to the Lenders
that shall have made such payments and to such Issuing Bank, as their interests
may appear. If any Lender shall not have made its U.S. Pro Rata Percentage or
Canadian Pro Rata Percentage, as applicable, of such L/C Disbursement available
to the Applicable Administrative Agent as provided above, such Lender and the
Borrower for whose account such L/C Disbursement was made severally agree to pay
interest on such amount, for each day from and including the date such amount is
required to be paid in accordance with this paragraph to but excluding the date
such


<PAGE>   41

                                                                              35


amount is paid, to the Applicable Administrative Agent for the account of such
Issuing Bank at (i) in the case of such Borrower, a rate per annum equal to the
interest rate applicable to Loans pursuant to Section 2.06(a) or 2.06(c), as the
case may be, and (ii) in the case of such Lender, for the first such day, the
rate determined by the Applicable Administrative Agent to represent its cost of
obtaining overnight or short-term funds in the relevant currency, and for each
day thereafter, the Alternate Base Rate or the Canadian Prime Rate, as the case
may be; provided, however, that the foregoing does not constitute a waiver by
either Borrower of any claim for damages permitted hereunder and attributable to
such Lender.

         SECTION 2.03. BORROWING PROCEDURE. (a) In order to request a Borrowing
(other than a deemed Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.02(f), as to which this
Section 2.03(a) shall not apply), the U.S. Borrower shall hand deliver or fax to
the Administrative Agent a duly completed Borrowing Request (a) in the case of a
Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 1:00 p.m., Standard Time, three Business
Days before a proposed Borrowing, (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing under the
U.S. Commitments not later than 11:00 a.m., Standard Time, on the day of the
proposed Borrowing, and (c) in the case of an ABR Borrowing under the Canadian
Commitments, not later than 2:00 p.m., Standard Time, one Business Day before
the proposed Borrowing. Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable, shall
be signed by or on behalf of the U.S. Borrower and shall specify the following
information: (i) whether the Borrowing then being requested is to be a U.S.
Borrowing or, if at the time of such request the U.S. Commitments have been
fully utilized, a Canadian Borrowing; (ii) whether such Borrowing is to be a
Eurocurrency Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing; (iii) the date of such Borrowing
(which shall be a Business Day); (iv) the number and location of the account to
which funds are to be disbursed (which shall be an account that complies with
the requirements of Section 2.02(c)); (v) the amount of such Borrowing; and (vi)
if such Borrowing is to be a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period with
respect thereto; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any contrary
specification in any Borrowing Request, each requested Borrowing shall comply
with the requirements set forth in Section 2.02. If no election as to the Type
of Borrowing is specified in any such notice, then the requested Borrowing shall
be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period with respect to any Eurocurrency
Borrowing is specified in any such notice, then the U.S. Borrower shall be
deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month's duration. The
Administrative Agent shall promptly advise the applicable Lenders of any notice
given pursuant to this Section 2.03(a) (and the contents thereof), and of each
Lender's portion of the requested Borrowing.

         (b) In order to request a Borrowing (other than a deemed Borrowing
pursuant to Section 2.02(f), as to which this Section 2.03(b) shall not apply),
the Canadian Borrower (or the U.S. Borrower on its behalf) shall hand deliver or
fax to the Canadian Administrative Agent a duly completed Borrowing Request (a)
in the case of a B/A Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 1:00
p.m., Standard Time, three Business Days before the proposed Borrowing and (b)
in the case of a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing or U.S. Base Rate Borrowing, not
later than 3:00 p.m., Standard Time, one Business Day before the proposed
Borrowing. Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable, shall be signed


<PAGE>   42

                                                                              36


by or on behalf of the Canadian Borrower and shall specify the following
information: (i) whether the Borrowing then being requested is to be denominated
in Canadian dollars or U.S. dollars; (ii) whether such borrowing is to be a
Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, a B/A Borrowing, a U.S. Base Rate Borrowing or a
Eurocurrency Borrowing; (iii) the date of such Borrowing (which shall be a
Business Day); (iv) the number and location of the account to which funds are to
be disbursed (which shall be an account that complies with the requirements of
Section 2.02(c)); (v) the amount of such Borrowing; and (vi) if such Borrowing
is to be a B/A Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Contract Period or
Interest Period, respectively, therefor; provided, however, that,
notwithstanding any contrary specification in any Borrowing Request, each
requested Borrowing shall comply with the requirements set forth in Section
2.02. If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified in any such
notice, then the requested Borrowing shall be a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing
(if denominated in Canadian dollars) or a U.S. Base Rate Borrowing (if
denominated in U.S. dollars). If no Contract Period or Interest Period with
respect to a B/A Borrowing or Eurocurrency Borrowing has been specified in any
such notice, then the Canadian Borrower shall be deemed to have selected a
Contract Period or Interest Period of 30 days' or one month's duration,
respectively. The Canadian Administrative Agent shall promptly advise the
applicable Lenders of any notice given pursuant to this Section 2.03(b) (and the
contents thereof), and of each Lender's portion of the requested Borrowing.

         SECTION 2.04. EVIDENCE OF DEBT; REPAYMENT OF LOANS. (a) The U.S.
Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent (i)
for the account of each U.S. Lender holding U.S. Loans, and (ii) for the account
of each Canadian Lender holding Canadian Loans denominated in U.S. dollars and
made to the U.S. Borrower, the then unpaid principal amount of each such Loan of
such Lender on the Maturity Date. The Canadian Borrower hereby unconditionally
promises to pay to the Canadian Administrative Agent for the account of each
Canadian Lender holding Canadian Loans made to the Canadian Borrower, the then
unpaid principal amount of each such Loan of such Canadian Lender on the
Maturity Date. Except for any B/A Loan (the compensation for which is set forth
in Section 2.22), each Loan shall bear interest from and including the date made
on the outstanding principal balance thereof as set forth in Section 2.06.

         (b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an
account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrowers to such Lender
resulting from each Loan made by such Lender from time to time, including the
amounts of principal and interest payable and paid such Lender from time to time
under this Agreement.

         (c) The Administrative Agents shall maintain accounts in which they
will record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type and currency
thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any
principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the
applicable Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum
received by the Applicable Administrative Agent hereunder from either Borrower
or any Subsidiary Guarantor and each Lender's share thereof.


<PAGE>   43

                                                                              37


         (d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraphs
(b) and (c) above shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of
the obligations therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any
Lender or the Administrative Agents to maintain such accounts or any error
therein shall not in any manner affect the obligations of the Borrowers to repay
the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

         (e) Any Lender may request that Loans made by it hereunder be evidenced
by a promissory note. In such event, the applicable Borrower shall execute and
deliver to such Lender a promissory note or promissory notes payable to such
Lender and its registered assigns and in a form and substance reasonably
acceptable to the Applicable Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event any Lender
shall request and receive such a promissory note, the interests represented by
such note shall at all times (including after any assignment of all or part of
such interests pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more
promissory notes payable to the payee named therein or its registered assigns.

         SECTION 2.05. FEES. (a) Each Borrower agrees to pay to each Lender,
through the Applicable Administrative Agent, on the last Business Day of March,
June, September and December in each year, commencing on the last Business Day
of March 2001, and on each date on which any Commitment of such Lender shall
expire or be terminated as provided herein, a commitment fee (a "Commitment
Fee") equal to the Applicable Percentage on the daily unused amount of the
Commitments of such Lender to make Loans to such Borrower during the preceding
quarter (or other period commencing with the earlier to occur of the Closing
Date and December 25, 2000, or ending with the Maturity Date or the date on
which the Commitments of such Lender shall expire or be terminated). All
Commitment Fees shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days
elapsed in a year of 360 days. The Commitment Fees due to each Lender shall
commence to accrue on the earlier to occur of the Closing Date and December 25,
2000, and shall cease to accrue on the date on which the applicable Commitment
of such Lender shall expire or be terminated as provided herein.

         (b) Each Borrower agrees to pay to the Applicable Administrative Agent,
for its own account, the administration fees separately agreed to from time to
time by such Borrower and such Administrative Agent (the "Administrative Agent
Fees").

         (c) Each Borrower agrees to pay (i) to each Lender, through the
Applicable Administrative Agent, on the last Business Day of March, June,
September and December of each year, commencing on the last Business Day of
March 2001, and on the date on which the Commitment of such Lender shall be
terminated as provided herein, a fee (an "L/C Participation Fee") calculated on
such Lender's U.S. Pro Rata Percentage or Canadian Pro Rata Percentage, as
applicable, of the daily aggregate U.S. L/C Exposure or Canadian L/C Exposure,
as applicable (in each case excluding the portion thereof attributable to
unreimbursed L/C Disbursements in respect of Letters of Credit) during the
preceding quarter (or shorter period commencing with the Closing Date or ending
with the Maturity Date or the date on which all Letters of Credit have been
canceled or have expired and the


<PAGE>   44

                                                                              38


Commitments of all Lenders shall have been terminated) at a rate equal to the
Applicable Percentage from time to time used to determine the interest rate on
Borrowings comprised of Eurocurrency Loans pursuant to Section 2.06, and (ii) to
the Applicable Issuing Bank with respect to each Letter of Credit, the fronting,
issuance, payment, amendment and transfer fees specified from time to time by
such Issuing Bank (the "Issuing Bank Fees"). All L/C Participation Fees and,
unless otherwise agreed by the Applicable Issuing Bank, Issuing Bank Fees, shall
be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360
days.

         (d) All Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available
U.S. dollars (except with respect to L/C Participation Fees and Issuing Bank
Fees in respect of Canadian Letters of Credit, each of which shall be payable in
immediately available Canadian dollars), to the Applicable Administrative Agent
for distribution, if and as appropriate, among the Lenders, except that the
Issuing Bank Fees shall be paid directly to the Applicable Issuing Bank. Once
paid, absent manifest error, none of the Fees shall be refundable under any
circumstances.

         SECTION 2.06. INTEREST ON LOANS. (a) Subject to the provisions of
Section 2.07, the Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest
(computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360,
365 or 366 days, as the case may be, when the Alternate Base Rate is determined
by reference to the Prime Rate and over a year of 360 days at all other times
and calculated from and including the date of such Borrowing to but excluding
the date of repayment thereof) at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base
Rate plus the Applicable Percentage in respect of ABR Loans in effect from time
to time.

         (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.07, the Loans comprising
each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) at a rate per annum equal
to the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing
plus the Applicable Percentage in respect of Eurocurrency Loans in effect from
time to time.

         (c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.07, the Loans comprising
each Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of
the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case
may be, and calculated from and including the date of such Borrowing to but
excluding the date of repayment thereof) at a rate per annum equal to the
Canadian Prime Rate plus the Applicable Percentage in respect of the Canadian
Prime Rate Loans in effect from time to time.

         (d) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.07, the Loans comprising
each B/A Borrowing shall be subject to an Acceptance Fee, payable by the
Canadian Borrower on the date of acceptance of the relevant B/A and calculated
as set forth in the definition of the term "Acceptance Fee" in Section 1.01.


<PAGE>   45

                                                                              39


         (e) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.07, the Loans comprising
each U.S. Base Rate Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may
be, and calculated from and including the date of such Borrowing to but
excluding the date of repayment thereof) at a rate per annum equal to the U.S.
Base Rate plus the Applicable Percentage in respect of U.S. Base Rate Loans in
effect from time to time.

         (f) Interest on each Loan shall be payable to the Applicable
Administrative Agent on the Interest Payment Dates applicable to such Loan
except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. The applicable Alternate Base
Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate, Canadian Prime Rate, U.S. Base Rate, Discount Rate,
and Acceptance Fee shall be determined by the Applicable Administrative Agent,
and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

         (g) For the purposes of the Interest Act (Canada) and disclosure
thereunder, whenever any interest or fee to be paid hereunder or in connection
herewith is to be calculated on the basis of any period of time that is less
than a calendar year, the yearly rate of interest to which the rate used in such
calculation is equivalent is the rate so used multiplied by the actual number of
days in the calendar year in which the same is to be ascertained and divided by
360, 365 or 366, as applicable. The rates of interest under this Agreement are
nominal rates, and not effective rates or yields. The principle of deemed
reinvestment of interest does not apply to any interest calculation under this
Agreement.

         SECTION 2.07. DEFAULT INTEREST. If a Borrower shall default in the
payment of the principal of or interest on any Loan or any other amount becoming
due hereunder, by acceleration or otherwise, or under any other Loan Document,
such Borrower shall on demand from time to time pay interest, to the extent
permitted by law, on such defaulted amount to but excluding the date of actual
payment (after as well as before judgment) (a) in the case of overdue principal,
at the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan pursuant to Section 2.06 plus
2.00% per annum and (b) in all other cases, at a rate per annum (computed on the
basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as
the case may be, when determined by reference to the Prime Rate or the Canadian
Prime Rate and over a year of 360 days at all other times) equal to the rate
that would be applicable to an ABR Loan (or a Canadian Prime Rate Loan, in the
case of the Canadian Borrower) plus 2.00%.

         SECTION 2.08. ALTERNATE RATE OF INTEREST. In the event, and on each
occasion, that on the day two Business Days prior to the commencement of any
Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing the Administrative Agent shall have
determined that dollar deposits in the principal amounts of the Loans comprising
such Borrowing are not generally available in the London interbank market, or
that the rates at which such dollar deposits are being offered will not
adequately and fairly reflect the cost to any Lender of making or maintaining
its Eurocurrency Loan during such Interest Period, or that reasonable means do
not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the Administrative Agent
shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, give written or fax notice of such
determination to the Borrowers and the Lenders.


<PAGE>   46

                                                                              40


In the event of any such determination, until the Administrative Agent shall
have advised the Borrowers and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to
such notice no longer exist, any request by a Borrower for a Eurocurrency
Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.03 or 2.10 shall be deemed to be a request for
an ABR Borrowing (or, in the case of a request by the Canadian Borrower, a U.S.
Base Rate Borrowing). Each determination by the Administrative Agent hereunder
shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

         SECTION 2.09. TERMINATION AND REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS. (a) The
Commitments and the L/C Commitments shall automatically terminate on the
Maturity Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all the Commitments shall
automatically terminate at 5:00 p.m., Standard Time, on February 15, 2001, if
the initial Credit Event shall not have occurred by such time.

         (b) Upon at least three Business Days' prior irrevocable written or fax
notice to the Administrative Agents, the U.S. Borrower or the Canadian Borrower,
as the case may be, may at any time in whole permanently terminate, or from time
to time in part permanently reduce, any Class of Commitments; provided, however,
that each partial reduction of any Class of Commitments shall be in an integral
multiple of U.S.$1,000,000, or C$1,000,000, as the case may be.

         (c) Each reduction in any Class of Commitments hereunder shall be made
ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of
such Class. The applicable Borrower shall pay to the Applicable Administrative
Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders, on the date of each termination
or reduction, the Commitment Fees on the amount of the Commitments so terminated
or reduced accrued to but excluding the date of such termination or reduction.

         (d) The Borrowers may, by notice to the Administrative Agent (which
shall promptly deliver a copy to each of the Lenders) given not less than 45
days prior to the Maturity Date at any time in effect, request that the Lenders
extend the Maturity Date for an additional period of not more than one year as
specified in such notice. Each Lender shall, by notice to the Borrowers and the
Administrative Agent given not later than 30 days following receipt of the
Borrowers' request, advise the Borrowers whether or not it agrees to such
extension. Any Lender that has not so advised the Borrowers and the
Administrative Agent by such day shall be deemed to have declined to agree to
such extension. If the Borrowers shall have requested and if each Lender shall
have agreed to an extension of the Maturity Date, then the Maturity Date shall
be extended for the additional period specified in the Borrowers' request. The
decision to agree or withhold agreement to any extension of the Maturity Date
hereunder shall be at the sole discretion of each Lender. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this paragraph, (i) the Maturity Date may not be
extended to a date later than January 25, 2006, pursuant to this paragraph,
(ii) the Borrowers shall have the right, pursuant to Section 2.20(a), to replace
any Lender (a "Non-Consenting Lender") that has declined to agree to any
requested extension of the Maturity Date with a Lender or other financial
institution that will agree to such extension of the Maturity Date, (iii) if
Lenders holding at

<PAGE>   47

                                                                              41


least 66-2/3% but less than 100% of the Commitments of a Class shall have agreed
to such requested extension, the applicable Borrower may repay or prepay, on a
non-pro rata basis, the Loans (together with accrued and unpaid interest and
Fees), and terminate the Commitments, of the Non-Consenting Lenders of such
Class (provided that the Total Commitment immediately after giving effect to
such termination shall not be less than U.S.$100,000,000) and (iv) the Borrowers
shall have the right, any time prior to the Maturity Date then in effect, to
withdraw their request for an extension under this paragraph by notice to the
Administrative Agent (which shall promptly deliver a notice to each Lender), in
which case the Maturity Date will not be so extended.

         SECTION 2.10. CONVERSION AND CONTINUATION OF BORROWINGS. The Borrowers
shall have the right at any time upon prior irrevocable notice to the Applicable
Administrative Agent (a) not later than 11:00 a.m., Standard Time, on the day of
the proposed conversion, to convert any Eurocurrency Borrowing into an ABR
Borrowing under the U.S. Commitments, (b) not later than 3:00 p.m., Standard
Time, one Business Day before the proposed conversion to convert any
Eurocurrency Borrowing under the Canadian Commitments into an ABR Borrowing or a
U.S. Base Rate Borrowing under the Canadian Commitments, as the case may be, or
to convert any B/A Borrowing into a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, (c) not later
than 1:00 p.m., Standard Time, three Business Days prior to conversion or
continuation, to convert any ABR Borrowing or U.S. Base Rate Borrowing into a
Eurocurrency Borrowing or to continue any Eurocurrency Borrowing as a
Eurocurrency Borrowing for an additional Interest Period, (d) not later than
1:00 p.m., Standard Time, three Business Days prior to conversion, to convert
the Interest Period with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing to another
permissible Interest Period and (e) not later than 1:00 p.m., Standard Time,
three Business Days prior to conversion or continuation, to convert any Canadian
Prime Rate Borrowing to a B/A Borrowing or to continue any B/A Borrowing as a
B/A Borrowing for an additional Contract Period, subject in each case to the
following:

                  (i) each conversion or continuation shall be made pro rata
         among the Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts
         of the Loans comprising the converted or continued Borrowing;

                  (ii) if less than all the outstanding principal amount of any
         Borrowing shall be converted or continued, then each resulting
         Borrowing shall satisfy the limitations specified in Sections 2.02(a)
         and 2.02(b) and, if applicable, Section 2.22, regarding the principal
         amount and maximum number of Borrowings of the relevant Type;

                  (iii) each conversion shall be effected by each Lender and the
         Applicable Administrative Agent by recording for the account of such
         Lender the new Type and/or Interest Period or Contract Period for such
         Borrowing resulting from such conversion; accrued interest on any
         Eurocurrency Loan (or portion thereof) being converted shall be paid by
         the applicable Borrower at the time of conversion;


<PAGE>   48

                                                                              42


                  (iv) if any Eurocurrency Borrowing or B/A Borrowing is
         converted at a time other than the end of the Interest Period
         applicable thereto, the applicable Borrower shall pay, upon demand, any
         amounts due to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.15;

                  (v) any portion of a Borrowing maturing or required to be
         repaid in less than one month may not be converted into or continued as
         a Eurocurrency Borrowing or a B/A Borrowing;

                  (vi) any portion of a Eurocurrency Borrowing or a B/A
         Borrowing that cannot be converted into or continued as a Eurocurrency
         Borrowing or a B/A Borrowing by reason of the immediately preceding
         clause shall be automatically converted at the end of the Interest
         Period or Contract Period in effect for such Borrowing into an ABR
         Borrowing, a U.S. Base Rate Borrowing or a Canadian Prime Rate
         Borrowing, as the case may be; and

                  (vii) upon notice to the Borrowers from the Administrative
         Agent given at the request of the Required U.S. Lenders or the Required
         Canadian Lenders, as the case may be, after the occurrence and during
         the continuance of a Default or Event of Default, no outstanding Loan
         may be converted into, or continued as, a Eurocurrency Loan or a B/A
         Loan, respectively.

         Each notice pursuant to this Section 2.10 shall be irrevocable and
shall refer to this Agreement and specify (i) the identity and amount of the
Borrowing that the applicable Borrower requests be converted or continued, (ii)
whether such Borrowing is to be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency
Borrowing, an ABR Borrowing, a B/A Borrowing, a U.S. Base Rate Borrowing or a
Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, (iii) if such notice requests a conversion, the
date of such conversion (which shall be a Business Day) and (iv) if such
Borrowing is to be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing or a
B/A Borrowing, the Interest Period or Contract Period with respect thereto. If
no Interest Period or Contract Period is specified in any such notice with
respect to any conversion to or continuation as a Eurocurrency Borrowing or a
B/A Borrowing, the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an
Interest Period or Contract Period of one month's or 30 days', as the case may
be, duration. The Applicable Administrative Agent shall promptly advise the
applicable Lenders of any notice given pursuant to this Section 2.10 and of each
Lender's portion of any converted or continued Borrowing. If a Borrower shall
not have given notice in accordance with this Section 2.10 to continue any
Eurocurrency or B/A Borrowing into a subsequent Interest Period or Contract
Period (and shall not otherwise have given notice in accordance with this
Section 2.10 to convert such Borrowing), such Borrowing shall, at the end of the
Interest Period applicable thereto (unless repaid pursuant to the terms hereof),
automatically be converted into an ABR Borrowing, a U.S. Base Rate Borrowing or
a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, as applicable.

         SECTION 2.11. OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT. (a) Each Borrower shall have the
right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing (other than
Bankers' Acceptances


<PAGE>   49

                                                                              43


or B/A Equivalent Loans, which may, however, be defeased as provided below), in
whole or in part, upon written or telecopy notice (or telephone notice promptly
confirmed by written or telecopy notice) delivered to the Applicable
Administrative Agent (i) by 1:00 p.m., Standard Time, at least three Business
Days prior to the date designated for such prepayment, in the case of any
prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, (ii) by 11:00 a.m., Standard Time, on
the date designated for such prepayment in the case of any prepayment of an ABR
Borrowing under the U.S. Commitments, or (iii) by 3:00 p.m., Standard Time, one
Business Day prior to the date designated for such prepayment, in the case of an
ABR Borrowing, a U.S. Base Rate Borrowing or a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing
under the Canadian Commitments; provided, however, that each partial prepayment
shall be in an amount that is a minimum amount of U.S.$1,000,000 or an integral
multiple of U.S.$100,000 in excess thereof (or C$1,000,000 and C$100,000,
respectively, in the case of Borrowings denominated in Canadian dollars); and
provided further that the Canadian Borrower may defease any B/A or B/A
Equivalent Loan by depositing with the Canadian Administrative Agent an amount
that, together with interest accruing on such amount to the end of the Contract
Period for such B/A or B/A Equivalent Loan is sufficient to pay such maturing
Bankers' Acceptances or B/A Equivalent Loans when due. The Applicable
Administrative Agent shall promptly advise the applicable Lenders of any notice
given pursuant to this Section 2.11 and of each Lender's portion of such
prepayment.

         (b) Each notice of prepayment shall specify (i) the amount to be
prepaid, (ii) the prepayment date and (iii) the Class of Loans to be repaid and
shall commit the applicable Borrower to prepay such obligations by the amount
specified therein on the date specified therein. All prepayments pursuant to
this Section 2.11 shall be subject to Section 2.15, but shall otherwise be
without premium or penalty.

         SECTION 2.12. MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS. (a) In the event of any
termination of all the U.S. Commitments or Canadian Commitments, the applicable
Borrower shall, on the date of such termination, repay or prepay all its
outstanding Borrowings and replace all outstanding Letters of Credit and/or
deposit an amount equal to the sum of the U.S. L/C Exposure and the Canadian L/C
Exposure in cash in a cash collateral account established with the Collateral
Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties. In the event of any partial
reduction of the U.S. Commitments or the Canadian Commitments then (i) at or
prior to the effective date of such reduction, the Administrative Agent shall
notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of the aggregate U.S. Credit Exposure or
the aggregate Canadian Credit Exposure, as the case may be, after giving effect
thereto, and (ii) if the aggregate U.S. Credit Exposure or the aggregate
Canadian Credit Exposure, as the case may be, would exceed the Total U.S.
Commitment or Total Canadian Commitment, respectively, after giving effect to
such reduction, then the U.S. Borrower or the Canadian Borrower, as the case may
be, shall, on the date of such reduction, repay or prepay Borrowings (or defease
B/A Borrowings as described in Section 2.11(a)) and/or replace or cash
collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount sufficient to eliminate
such excess. If on any Calculation Date, the aggregate Canadian Credit Exposure
would exceed the Total Canadian Commitment, then on the immediately succeeding
Reset Date the Canadian Borrower shall repay or prepay


<PAGE>   50

                                                                              44


Canadian Borrowings (or defease B/A Borrowings as described in Section 2.11(a))
and/or replace or cash collateralize outstanding Canadian Letters of Credit in
an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess.

         (b) Not later than the third Business Day following the completion of
any Asset Sale, the Borrowers shall permanently reduce the Commitments in
accordance with Section 2.12(e) (and prepay Loans and/or cash collateralize
Letters of Credit and B/A Loans to the extent required by Section 2.12(a)) by an
aggregate amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds with respect thereto.

         (c) In the event and on each occasion that an Equity Issuance occurs,
substantially simultaneously with (and in any event not later than the third
Business Day next following) the occurrence of such Equity Issuance, the
Borrowers shall permanently reduce the Commitments in accordance with Section
2.12(e) (and prepay Loans and/or cash collateralize Letters of Credit and B/A
Loans to the extent required by Section 2.12(a)) by an amount equal to 50% of
the Net Cash Proceeds therefrom.

         (d) In the event that any Loan Party or any subsidiary of a Loan Party
shall receive Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance or other disposition of
Indebtedness for money borrowed of any Loan Party or any subsidiary of a Loan
Party (other than Indebtedness for money borrowed permitted pursuant to Section
6.01), substantially simultaneously with (and in any event not later than the
third Business Day next following) the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds by such
Loan Party or such subsidiary, the Borrowers shall permanently reduce the
Commitments in accordance with Section 2.12(e) (and prepay Loans and/or cash
collateralize Letters of Credit and B/A Loans to the extent required by Section
2.12(a)) by an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds.

         (e) Mandatory reductions of Commitments under this Agreement shall be
allocated pro rata between the then-outstanding U.S. Commitments and Canadian
Commitments.

         (f) The U.S. Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, at the
time of each Commitment reduction required under this Section 2.12, (i) a
certificate signed by a Financial Officer of the U.S. Borrower setting forth in
reasonable detail the calculation of the amount of such reduction and (ii) to
the extent practicable, at least three days prior written notice of such
prepayment. To the extent required, the Administrative Agent shall promptly
determine the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the amount of any Commitment reduction
and shall notify the Borrowers and Lenders thereof. All prepayments of
Borrowings under this Section 2.12 shall be subject to Section 2.15, but shall
otherwise be without premium or penalty.

         SECTION 2.13. RESERVE REQUIREMENTS; CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES. (a)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any Change in Law
shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar
requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of or credit
extended by any Lender or


<PAGE>   51

                                                                              45


Issuing Bank (except any such reserve requirement which is reflected in the
Adjusted LIBO Rate or Discount Rate) or shall impose on such Lender or Issuing
Bank or the London interbank market or other relevant interbank market any other
condition affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans or B/A Loans made by
such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein, and the result of
any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or Issuing
Bank of making or maintaining any Eurocurrency Loan or B/A Loan or increase the
cost to any Lender of issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or purchasing
or maintaining a participation therein or to reduce the amount of any sum
received or receivable by such Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of
principal, interest or otherwise), in each case, by an amount deemed by such
Lender or Issuing Bank (acting reasonably) to be material, then the applicable
Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, upon
demand in accordance with paragraph (c) below such additional amount or amounts
as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such
additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

         (b) If any Lender or Issuing Bank (acting reasonably) shall have
determined that any Change in Law regarding capital adequacy has or would have
the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender's or Issuing Bank's
capital or on the capital of such Lender's or Issuing Bank's holding company, if
any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made or participations in
Letters of Credit purchased by such Lender pursuant hereto or the Letters of
Credit issued by such Issuing Bank pursuant hereto to a level below that which
such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender's or Issuing Bank's holding company
could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such
Lender's or Issuing Bank's policies and the policies of such Lender's or Issuing
Bank's holding company with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by
such Lender or Issuing Bank (acting reasonably) to be material, then from time
to time in accordance with paragraph (c) below the applicable Borrower shall pay
to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or
amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender's or
Issuing Bank's holding company for any such reduction suffered.

         (c) A certificate of a Lender or Issuing Bank setting forth the amount
or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding
company, as applicable, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) above shall be
delivered to the applicable Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest
error. The applicable Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank the
amount shown as due on any such certificate delivered by it within 10 days after
its receipt of the same.

         (d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to
demand compensation for any increased costs or reduction in amounts received or
receivable or reduction in return on capital shall not constitute a waiver of
such Lender's or Issuing Bank's right to demand such compensation; provided that
the Borrowers shall not be under any obligation to compensate any Lender or
Issuing Bank under paragraph (a) or (b) above with respect to increased costs or
reductions with respect to any period prior to the date that is 120 days prior
to such request if such Lender or Issuing Bank knew or could reasonably have


<PAGE>   52

                                                                              46


been expected to know of the circumstances giving rise to such increased costs
or reductions and of the fact that such circumstances would result in a claim
for increased compensation by reason of such increased costs or reductions;
provided further that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to any increased
costs or reductions arising out of the retroactive application of any Change in
Law within such 120-day period. The protection of this Section shall be
available to each Lender and Issuing Bank regardless of any possible contention
of the invalidity or inapplicability of the Change in Law that shall have
occurred or been imposed.

         SECTION 2.14. CHANGE IN LEGALITY. (a) Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, if any Change in Law shall make it unlawful for any
Lender to make or maintain any Eurocurrency Loan or to give effect to its
obligations as contemplated hereby with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, then,
by written notice to the Borrowers and to the Administrative Agent:

                  (i) such Lender may declare that Eurocurrency Loans will not
         thereafter (for the duration of such unlawfulness) be made by such
         Lender hereunder (or be continued for additional Interest Periods and
         ABR Loans and U.S. Base Rate Loans will not thereafter (for such
         duration) be converted into Eurocurrency Loans), where upon any request
         for a Eurocurrency Borrowing (or to convert an ABR Borrowing to a
         Eurocurrency Borrowing or to continue a Eurocurrency Borrowing for an
         additional Interest Period) shall, as to such Lender only, be deemed a
         request for an ABR Loan or a U.S. Base Rate Loan (or a request to
         continue an ABR Loan or a U.S. Base Rate Loan as such or to convert a
         Eurocurrency Loan into an ABR Loan or a U.S. Base Rate Loan), unless
         such declaration shall be subsequently withdrawn; and

                  (ii) such Lender may require that all outstanding Eurocurrency
         Loans made by it be converted to ABR Loans or U.S. Base Rate Loans, as
         the case may be, in which event all such Eurocurrency Loans shall be
         automatically converted to ABR Loans or U.S. Base Rate Loans, as the
         case may be, as of the effective date of such notice as provided in
         paragraph (b) below.

In the event any Lender shall exercise its rights under (i) or (ii) above, all
payments and prepayments of principal that would otherwise have been applied to
repay the Eurocurrency Loans that would have been made by such Lender or the
converted Eurocurrency Loans of such Lender shall instead be applied to repay
the ABR Loans or U.S. Base Rate Loans made by such Lender in lieu of, or
resulting from the conversion of, such Eurocurrency Loans.

         (b) For purposes of this Section 2.14, a notice to the U.S. Borrower by
any Lender shall be effective as to each Eurocurrency Loan made by such Lender,
if lawful, on the last day of the Interest Period then applicable to such
Eurocurrency Loan; in all other cases such notice shall be effective on the date
of receipt by such Borrower.

         SECTION 2.15. INDEMNITY. The Borrowers shall severally indemnify each
Lender against any loss or expense that such Lender may sustain or incur as a
consequence of (a) any


<PAGE>   53

                                                                              47


event, other than a default by such Lender in the performance of its obligations
hereunder, which results in (i) such Lender receiving or being deemed to receive
any amount on account of the principal of any Eurocurrency Loan prior to the end
of the Interest Period in effect therefor, (ii) the conversion of any
Eurocurrency Loan to an ABR Loan or U.S. Base Rate Loans or the conversion of
the Interest Period with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, in each case other
than on the last day of the Interest Period in effect therefor, or (iii) any
Eurocurrency Loan or B/A Loan to be made by such Lender (including any
Eurocurrency Loan or B/A Loan to be made pursuant to a conversion or
continuation under Section 2.10 or 2.22, as applicable) not being made after
notice of such Loan shall have been given by a Borrower hereunder (any of the
events referred to in this clause (a) being called a "Breakage Event") or (b)
any default in the making of any payment or prepayment required to be made
hereunder. In the case of any Breakage Event, such loss shall include an amount
equal to the excess, as reasonably determined by such Lender, of (i) its cost of
obtaining funds for the Eurocurrency Loan or B/A Loan that is the subject of
such Breakage Event for the period from the date of such Breakage Event to the
last day of the Interest Period or Contract Period in effect (or that would have
been in effect) for such Loan over (ii) the amount of interest likely to be
realized by such Lender in redeploying the funds released or not utilized by
reason of such Breakage Event for such period. A certificate of any Lender
setting forth any amount or amounts which such Lender is entitled to receive
pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall be delivered to the applicable Borrower and
shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

         SECTION 2.16. PRO RATA TREATMENT. (a) Except as permitted under Section
2.09(d) or required under Section 2.14, each Borrowing, each payment or
prepayment of principal of any Borrowing, each payment of interest on the Loans,
each payment of the Commitment Fees, each reduction of the Commitments and each
conversion of any Borrowing to or continuation of any Borrowing as a Borrowing
of any Type shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with
their respective Commitments of the applicable Class (or, if such Commitments
shall have expired or been terminated, in accordance with the respective
principal amounts of their outstanding Loans).

         (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the
Security Documents, it is the intent of the Secured Parties that each of the
Secured Parties shall share in the aggregate proceeds of the Collateral on a pro
rata basis as provided in paragraph (a) above. Accordingly, if the proceeds in
respect of one class of Collateral (i.e., U.S. Collateral or Canadian
Collateral) are insufficient to repay the Obligations intended to be secured by
such class of Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents, the Agents, shall,
to the extent they deem necessary, allocate and reallocate the proceeds of the
Collateral to ensure that each Secured Party receives its pro rata share of the
proceeds of all the Collateral. If after giving effect to the allocations
described in the preceding sentence any Secured Party shall have received less
than its pro rata share of the aggregate proceeds of all the Collateral, each
Secured Party that received more than its pro rata share of the aggregate
proceeds of all the Collateral agrees to deliver to the Agents, for reallocation
to the Secured Parties that received less than their pro rata share of the
proceeds of all the Collateral, the excess of the aggregate


<PAGE>   54

                                                                              48


amount received by such Secured Party over the amount that would have been such
Secured Party's pro rata share of the proceeds of all the Collateral.

         SECTION 2.17. SHARING OF SETOFFS. Each Lender agrees that if it shall,
through the exercise of a right of banker's lien, setoff or counterclaim against
a Borrower or any other Loan Party, or pursuant to a secured claim or other
security or interest arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim, received
by such Lender under any applicable Insolvency Law or otherwise, or by any other
means, obtain payment (voluntary or involuntary) in respect of any Loan as a
result of which the unpaid portion of its Loans shall be proportionately less
than the unpaid portion of the Loans of any other Lender, it shall be deemed
simultaneously to have purchased from such other Lender at face value, and shall
promptly pay to such other Lender the purchase price for, a participation in the
Loans of such other Lender, so that the aggregate unpaid amount of the Loans and
participations in Loans held by each Lender shall be in the same proportion to
the aggregate unpaid amount of all Loans then outstanding as the amount of its
Loans prior to such exercise of banker's lien, setoff or counterclaim or other
event was to the amount of all Loans outstanding prior to such exercise of
banker's lien, setoff or counterclaim or other event; provided, however, that if
any such purchase or purchases or adjustments shall be made pursuant to this
Section 2.17 and the payment giving rise thereto shall thereafter be recovered,
such purchase or purchases or adjustments shall be rescinded to the extent of
such recovery and the purchase price or prices or adjustment restored without
interest. Each Borrower expressly consents to the foregoing arrangements and
agrees that any Lender holding a participation in a Loan to such Borrower deemed
to have been so purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker's lien,
setoff or counterclaim with respect to any and all moneys owing by such Borrower
to such Lender by reason thereof as fully as if such Lender had made a Loan
directly to such Borrower in the amount of such participation.

         SECTION 2.18. PAYMENTS. (a) The Borrowers shall make each payment
(including principal of or interest on any Borrowing or any L/C Disbursement or
any Fees or other amounts) hereunder and under any other Loan Document not later
than 2:00 p.m., Standard Time, on the date when due in immediately available
U.S. dollars (or Canadian dollars, in the case of payments relating to
Commitments, Loans and Letters of Credit denominated in Canadian dollars),
without setoff, defense or counterclaim. Each such payment (other than Issuing
Bank Fees, which shall be paid directly to the Applicable Issuing Bank) shall be
made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at Eleven Madison Avenue, New
York, New York, 10010 or in the case of payments by or on behalf of the Canadian
Borrower, to the accounts in Toronto, Ontario designated by the Canadian
Administrative Agent.

         (b) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, whenever any payment
(including principal of or interest on any Borrowing or any Fees or other
amounts) hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall become due, or
otherwise would occur, on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment may be
made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in
such case be included in the computation of interest or Fees, if applicable.


<PAGE>   55

                                                                              49


         SECTION 2.19. TAXES. (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any
obligation of the Borrowers or any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan
Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if a Borrower or any Loan Party
shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such
payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that,
after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to
additional sums payable under this Section), the Applicable Administrative Agent
or such Lender (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would
have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Borrower or such Loan
Party shall make such deductions and (iii) such Borrower or such Loan Party
shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in
accordance with applicable law.

         (b) In addition, the Borrowers shall pay any Other Taxes to the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

         (c) Each Borrower shall indemnify the Applicable Administrative Agent
and each Lender, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full
amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by such Administrative Agent
or such Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on
account of any obligation of such Borrower or any Loan Party hereunder or under
any other Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or
asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any
penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect
thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or
legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A
certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the
applicable Borrower by a Lender, or by the Applicable Administrative Agent on
its behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

         (d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or
Other Taxes by a Borrower or any other Loan Party to a Governmental Authority,
the applicable Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original
or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority
evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other
evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

         (e) Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or
reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the
applicable Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a
party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall, if such payment
otherwise would be subject to a withholding Tax, deliver to the applicable
Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times
prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation
prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by a Borrower as will
permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate.


<PAGE>   56

                                                                              50


         (f) Each Canadian Lender represents that it is a resident of Canada for
purposes of the ITA.

         SECTION 2.20. ASSIGNMENT OF COMMITMENTS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES;
DUTY TO MITIGATE. (a) In the event (i) any Lender or Issuing Bank delivers a
certificate requesting compensation pursuant to Section 2.13, (ii) any Lender or
Issuing Bank delivers a notice described in Section 2.14, (iii) a Borrower is
required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or Issuing Bank or any
Governmental Authority on account of any Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to
Section 2.19, (iv) any Lender fails to agree to an extension of the Maturity
Date as provided in Section 2.09(d), or (v) any Lender breaches its obligations
to fund a Loan under Section 2.02, then the applicable Borrower may, at its sole
expense and effort (including with respect to the processing and recordation fee
referred to in Section 9.04(b)), upon notice to such Lender or Issuing Bank and
the Administrative Agent, require such Lender or Issuing Bank to transfer and
assign, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions
contained in Section 9.04), all of its interests, rights and obligations under
this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such assigned obligations (which
assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided
that (x) such assignment shall not conflict with any law, rule or regulation or
order of any court or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction, (y) the
applicable Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the
Administrative Agent and the Applicable Issuing Bank, which consent shall not
unreasonably be withheld or delayed, and (z) the applicable Borrower or such
assignee shall have paid to the affected Lender or Issuing Bank in immediately
available funds an amount equal to the sum of the principal of and interest
accrued to the date of such payment on the outstanding Loans or L/C
Disbursements of such Lender or Issuing Bank, respectively, plus all Fees and
other amounts accrued for the account of such Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder
(including any amounts under Section 2.13 and Section 2.15).

         (b) If (i) any Lender or Issuing Bank shall request compensation under
Section 2.13, (ii) any Lender or Issuing Bank delivers a notice described in
Section 2.14 or (iii) a Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any
Lender or Issuing Bank or any Governmental Authority on account of any Lender or
Issuing Bank, pursuant to Section 2.19, then such Lender or Issuing Bank shall
use reasonable efforts (which shall not require such Lender or Issuing Bank to
incur an unreimbursed loss or unreimbursed cost or expense or otherwise take any
action inconsistent with its internal policies or legal or regulatory
restrictions or suffer any disadvantage or burden deemed by it to be
significant) (x) to file any certificate or document reasonably requested in
writing by such Borrower or (y) to assign its rights and delegate and transfer
its obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if
such filing or assignment would reduce its claims for compensation under Section
2.13 or enable it to withdraw its notice pursuant to Section 2.14 or would
reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.19, as the case may be, in the
future. Each Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses
incurred by any Lender or Issuing Bank in connection with any such filing or
assignment, delegation and transfer.


<PAGE>   57

                                                                              51


         SECTION 2.21. LETTERS OF CREDIT. (a) General. Each Borrower may request
the issuance of a Letter of Credit for its own account or for the account of any
of its wholly owned Subsidiaries (in which case such Borrower and such wholly
owned Subsidiary shall be co-applicants with respect to such Letter of Credit),
in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Applicable
Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time while the Commitments remain in
effect, but no later than five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date. This
Section shall not be construed to impose an obligation upon an Issuing Bank to
issue any Letter of Credit that is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of
this Agreement.

         (b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain
Conditions. In order to request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or to amend,
renew or extend an existing Letter of Credit), the applicable Borrower shall
hand deliver or fax to the Applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent
(reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or
extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or
identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, the date of
issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, the date on which such Letter of
Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) below), the amount of
such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such
other information as shall be necessary to prepare such Letter of Credit. A U.S.
Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if, and upon
issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit, the U.S.
Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that, after giving effect to
such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the U.S. L/C Exposure shall
not exceed U.S.$10,000,000 and (ii) the aggregate U.S. Credit Exposure shall not
exceed the Total U.S. Commitment. A Canadian Letter of Credit shall be issued,
amended, renewed or extended only if, and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or
extension of each Canadian Letter of Credit, the Canadian Borrower shall be
deemed to represent and warrant that, after giving effect to such issuance,
amendment, renewal or extension (i) the Canadian L/C Exposure shall not exceed
C$7,500,000 and (ii) the aggregate Canadian Credit Exposure shall not exceed the
Total Canadian Commitment.

         (c) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at the close of
business on the earlier of the date one year after the date of the issuance of
such Letter of Credit and the date that is five Business Days prior to the
Maturity Date, unless such Letter of Credit expires by its terms on an earlier
date; provided that a Letter of Credit may provide for automatic extension of
any expiration date for additional periods of up to one year (but not past the
Maturity Date), subject to a right on the part of the Issuing Bank to prevent
any such automatic extension from occurring by giving reasonable notice to the
beneficiary during a period satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

         (d) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit and without
any further action on the part of an Issuing Bank or the Lenders, the Applicable
Issuing Bank hereby grants to each U.S. Lender or Canadian Lender, as the case
may be, and each such Lender hereby acquires from the Applicable Issuing Bank, a
participation in such Letter of Credit


<PAGE>   58

                                                                              52


equal to such Lender's U.S. Pro Rata Percentage or Canadian Pro Rata Percentage,
as applicable, of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter
of Credit, effective upon the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case
of the Rolled Letters of Credit, effective upon the Closing Date). In
consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely
and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Applicable Administrative Agent, for
the account of the Applicable Issuing Bank, such Lender's U.S. Pro Rata
Percentage or Canadian Pro Rata Percentage, as applicable, of each L/C
Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the applicable
Borrower (or, if applicable, another party pursuant to its obligations under any
other Loan Document) forthwith on the date due as provided in Section 2.02(f),
in the same currency in which such L/C Disbursement is denominated. Each Lender
acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant
to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional
and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the
occurrence and continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, and that each
such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or
reduction whatsoever.

         (e) Reimbursement. If an Issuing Bank shall make any L/C Disbursement
in respect of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Borrower shall pay to the
Applicable Administrative Agent an amount equal to such L/C Disbursement not
later than two hours after such Borrower shall have received notice from such
Issuing Bank that payment of such draft will be made, or, if such Borrower shall
have received such notice later than 11:00 a.m., Standard Time, on any Business
Day, not later than 11:00 a.m., Standard Time, on the immediately following
Business Day.

         (f) Obligations Absolute. Each Borrower's obligations to reimburse L/C
Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) above shall be absolute,
unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement, under any and all circumstances whatsoever,
and irrespective of:

                  (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of
         Credit or any Loan Document, or any term or provision therein;

                  (ii) any amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure
         from all or any of the provisions of any Letter of Credit or any Loan
         Document;

                  (iii) the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other
         right that such Borrower, any other party guaranteeing, or otherwise
         obligated with, such Borrower, any subsidiary or other Affiliate
         thereof or any other person may at any time have against the
         beneficiary under any Letter of Credit, the Applicable Issuing Bank,
         the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any other person, whether in
         connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other
         related or unrelated agreement or transaction;


<PAGE>   59

                                                                              53


                  (iv) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of
         Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any
         respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any
         respect;

                  (v) payment by the Applicable Issuing Bank under a Letter of
         Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not
         strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; and

                  (vi) any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind of
         the Applicable Issuing Bank, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent or
         any other person or any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether
         or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the
         provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge
         of such Borrower's obligations hereunder.

         Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is expressly
understood and agreed that the absolute and unconditional obligation of each
Borrower hereunder to reimburse L/C Disbursements will not be excused by the
gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Applicable Issuing Bank. However,
the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Applicable Issuing Bank from
liability to a Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to
consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the
Borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by such Borrower
that are caused by such Issuing Bank's failure to comply with its duties as an
issuing bank under applicable law or gross negligence or wilful misconduct in
determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of
Credit strictly comply with the terms thereof; it is understood that the
Applicable Issuing Bank may accept documents that appear on their face to be in
order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any
notice or information to the contrary and, in making any payment under any
Letter of Credit (i) such Issuing Bank's exclusive reliance on the documents
presented to it under such Letter of Credit as to any and all matters set forth
therein, including reliance on the amount of any draft presented under such
Letter of Credit, whether or not the amount due to the beneficiary thereunder
equals the amount of such draft and whether or not any document presented
pursuant to such Letter of Credit proves to be insufficient in any respect, if
such document on its face appears to be in order, and whether or not any other
statement or any other document presented pursuant to such Letter of Credit
proves to be forged or invalid or any statement therein proves to be inaccurate
or untrue in any respect whatsoever and (ii) any noncompliance in any immaterial
respect of the documents presented under such Letter of Credit with the terms
thereof shall, in each case, be deemed not to constitute wilful misconduct or
gross negligence of the Applicable Issuing Bank.

         (g) Disbursement Procedures. The Applicable Issuing Bank shall,
promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to
represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. The Applicable Issuing
Bank shall as promptly as possible give telephonic notification, confirmed by
fax, to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower of such demand for
payment and whether the Applicable Issuing Bank

<PAGE>   60

                                                                              54


has made or will make an L/C Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure
to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the applicable Borrower
of its obligation to reimburse the Applicable Issuing Bank and the Lenders with
respect to any such L/C Disbursement. The Administrative Agent shall promptly
give each Lender notice thereof.

         (h) Interim Interest. If an Issuing Bank shall make any L/C
Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, then, unless the applicable
Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Disbursement in full on such date, the unpaid
amount thereof shall bear interest for the account of the Applicable Issuing
Bank, for each day from and including the date of such L/C Disbursement, to but
excluding the earlier of the date of payment by such Borrower or the date on
which interest shall commence to accrue thereon as provided in Section 2.02(f),
at the rate per annum that would apply to such amount if such amount were an ABR
Loan or a Canadian Prime Rate Loan, as the case may be.

         (i) Resignation or Removal of an Issuing Bank. An Issuing Bank may
resign at any time by giving 30 days' prior written notice to the Administrative
Agent, the Lenders and the Borrowers, and may be removed at any time by the U.S.
Borrower by notice to such Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders. Subject to the next succeeding paragraph, upon the acceptance of any
appointment as an Issuing Bank hereunder by a Lender that shall agree to serve
as successor Issuing Bank, such successor shall succeed to and become vested
with all the interests, rights and obligations of the retiring Issuing Bank and
the retiring Issuing Bank shall be discharged from its obligations to issue
additional Letters of Credit hereunder. At the time such removal or resignation
shall become effective, the applicable Borrower shall pay all accrued and unpaid
fees pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(ii). The acceptance of any appointment as an
Issuing Bank hereunder by a successor Lender shall be evidenced by an agreement
entered into by such successor, in a form satisfactory to the Borrowers and the
Administrative Agent, and, from and after the effective date of such agreement,
(i) such successor Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of the
previous Issuing Bank under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (ii)
references herein and in the other Loan Documents to the term "Issuing Bank"
shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or
to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require.
After the resignation or removal of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the retiring
Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the
rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such
resignation or removal, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of
Credit.

         (j) Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be
continuing, and a Borrower shall receive notice from the Administrative Agent or
the Required U.S. Lenders or the Required Canadian Lenders requesting that it
deposit cash collateral and specifying the amount to be deposited, then such
Borrower shall on the Business Day it receives such notice deposit in an account
with the U.S. Collateral Agent or the Canadian Collateral Agent, as the case may
be, for the benefit of the U.S. Lenders or Canadian Lenders, as the case may be,
an amount in cash equal to the U.S. L/C Exposure or the Canadian L/C Exposure,


<PAGE>   61

                                                                              55


respectively, as of such date. Such deposit shall be held by the U.S. Collateral
Agent or the Canadian Collateral Agent, as the case may be, as collateral for
the payment and performance of the Obligations. Such Collateral Agent shall have
exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal,
over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such
deposits in Permitted Investments, which investments shall be made at the option
and sole discretion of such Collateral Agent, such deposits shall not bear
interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in
such account. Moneys in such account shall (i) automatically be applied by the
Applicable Administrative Agent to reimburse the Applicable Issuing Bank for L/C
Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed, (ii) be held for the
satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the applicable Borrower for the
U.S. L/C Exposure or the Canadian L/C Exposure, as applicable, at such time and
(iii) if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, be applied to satisfy
the Obligations. If a Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash
collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such
amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to such
Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured
or waived.

         (k) Additional Issuing Banks. A Borrower may, at any time and from time
to time with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed) and such Lender, designate one or more
additional Lenders to act as an issuing bank under the terms of this Agreement.
Any Lender designated as an issuing bank pursuant to this paragraph (k) shall be
deemed (in addition to being a Lender) to be the Issuing Bank with respect to
Letters of Credit issued or to be issued by such Lender, and all references
herein and in the other Loan Documents to the term "Issuing Bank" shall, with
respect to such Letters of Credit, be deemed to refer to such Lender in its
capacity as Issuing Bank.

         SECTION 2.22. BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES. (a) Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, the Canadian Borrower may request a Borrowing
denominated in Canadian dollars by presenting drafts for acceptance and, if
applicable, purchase as B/As by the Canadian Lenders.

         (b) No Contract Period with respect to a B/A to be accepted and, if
applicable, purchased as a Loan shall extend beyond the Maturity Date. All B/A
Loans shall be denominated in Canadian dollars.

         (c) To facilitate availment of the B/A Loans, the Canadian Borrower
hereby appoints each Canadian Lender as its attorney to sign and endorse on its
behalf, in handwriting or by facsimile or mechanical signature as and when
deemed necessary by such Canadian Lender, blank forms of B/As in the form
requested by such Canadian Lender. The Canadian Borrower recognizes and agrees
that all B/As signed and/or endorsed on its behalf by a Canadian Lender shall
bind the Canadian Borrower as fully and effectually as if signed in the
handwriting of and duly issued by the proper signing officers of the Canadian
Borrower. Each Canadian Lender is hereby authorized to issue such B/As endorsed
in blank in such face

<PAGE>   62

                                                                              56


amounts as may be determined by such Canadian Lender; provided that the
aggregate amount thereof is equal to the aggregate amount of B/As required to be
accepted and purchased by such Canadian Lender. No Canadian Lender shall be
liable for any damage, loss or other claim arising by reason of any loss or
improper use of any such instrument except the gross negligence or wilful
misconduct of such Canadian Lender or its officers, employees, agents or
representatives. Each Canadian Lender shall maintain a record with respect to
B/As (i) voided by it for any reason, (ii) accepted and purchased by it
hereunder and (iii) canceled at their respective maturities. Each Canadian
Lender further agrees to retain such records in the manner and for the statutory
periods provided in the various provincial or federal statutes and regulations
which apply to such Canadian Lender. On request by or on behalf of the Canadian
Borrower, a Canadian Lender shall cancel all forms of B/A which have been pre-
signed or pre-endorsed on behalf of the Canadian Borrower and which are held by
such Canadian Lender and are not required to be issued in accordance with the
Canadian Borrower's irrevocable notice. At the discretion of a Lender, Bankers'
Acceptances to be accepted by such Lender may be issued in the form of
"Depository Bills" within the meaning of the Depository Bills and Notes Act
(Canada) and deposited with the Canadian Depository for Securities Limited
("CDS") and may be made payable to "CDS & Co." or in such other name as may be
acceptable to CDS and thereafter dealt with in accordance with the rules and
procedures of CDS, consistent with the terms of this Agreement. All Depository
Bills so issued shall be governed by the provisions of this Section 2.22.

         (d) Drafts of the Canadian Borrower to be accepted as B/As hereunder
shall be signed as set forth in this Section 2.22. Notwithstanding that any
person whose signature appears on any B/A may no longer be an authorized
signatory for any of the Canadian Lenders or the Canadian Borrower at the date
of issuance of a B/A, such signature shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient
for all purposes as if such authority had remained in force at the time of such
issuance and any such B/A so signed shall be binding on the Canadian Borrower.

         (e) Promptly following receipt of a notice of borrowing, continuation
or conversion of B/As, the Canadian Administrative Agent shall so advise the
Canadian Lenders and shall advise each Canadian Lender of the aggregate face
amount of the B/As to be accepted by it and the applicable Contract Period
(which shall be identical for all Canadian Lenders). The aggregate face amount
of the B/As to be accepted by a Canadian Lender shall be in an integral multiple
of C$100,000 and such face amount shall be in each Canadian Lender's pro rata
portion of such Canadian Borrowing; provided, that the Canadian Administrative
Agent may, in its sole discretion, increase or reduce any Canadian Lender's
portion of such B/A to the nearest C$100,000.

         (f) The Canadian Borrower may specify in a notice of borrowing or
conversion or continuation pursuant to Section 2.03 or Section 2.10,
respectively, that it desires that any B/As requested by such notice be
purchased by the Canadian Lenders, in which case the Canadian Lenders shall
purchase, or arrange the purchase of, each B/A from the Canadian Borrower at the
Discount Rate for such Canadian Lender applicable to such B/A accepted


<PAGE>   63

                                                                              57


by it and provide to the Canadian Administrative Agent the Discount Proceeds for
the account of the Canadian Borrower. The Acceptance Fee payable by the Canadian
Borrower to a Canadian Lender under Section 2.06 in respect of each B/A accepted
by such Canadian Lender shall be set off against the Discount Proceeds payable
by such Canadian Lender under this Section 2.22.

         (g) Each Canadian Lender may at any time and from time to time hold,
sell, rediscount or otherwise dispose of any or all B/As accepted and purchased
by it.

         (h) If a Canadian Lender notifies the Canadian Administrative Agent in
writing that it is unable to accept Bankers' Acceptances, such Canadian Lender
will, instead of accepting and, if applicable, purchasing Bankers' Acceptances,
make an advance (a "B/A Equivalent Loan") to the Canadian Borrower in the amount
and for the same term as the draft that such Canadian Lender would otherwise
have been required to accept and purchase hereunder. Each such Canadian Lender
will provide to the Canadian Administrative Agent the Discount Proceeds of such
B/A Equivalent Loan for the account of the Canadian Borrower. Each such B/A
Equivalent Loan will bear interest at the same rate that would result if such
Lender had accepted (and been paid an Acceptance Fee) and purchased (on a
discounted basis at the Discount Rate) a Bankers' Acceptance for the relevant
Contract Period (it being the intention of the parties that each such B/A
Equivalent Loan shall have the same economic consequences for the Lenders and
the Canadian Borrower as the Bankers' Acceptance which such B/A Equivalent Loan
replaces). All such interest shall be paid in advance on the date such B/A
Equivalent Loan is made, and will be deducted from the principal amount of such
B/A Equivalent Loan in the same manner in which the Discount Proceeds of a
Bankers' Acceptance would be deducted from the face amount of the Bankers'
Acceptance.

         (i) The Canadian Borrower waives presentment for payment and any other
defense to payment of any amounts due to a Canadian Lender in respect of a B/A
accepted and purchased by it pursuant to this Agreement which might exist solely
by reason of such B/A being held, at the maturity thereof, by such Canadian
Lender in its own right and the Canadian Borrower agrees not to claim any days
of grace if such Canadian Lender as holder sues the Canadian Borrower on the B/A
for payment of the amount payable by the Canadian Borrower thereunder. On the
last day of the Contract Period of a B/A, or such earlier date as may be
required or permitted pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, the Canadian
Borrower shall pay the Canadian Lender that has accepted and purchased such B/A
the full face amount of such B/A and after such payment, the Canadian Borrower
shall have no further liability in respect of such B/A and such Canadian Lender
shall be entitled to all benefits of, and be responsible for all payments due to
third parties under, such B/A.

         (j) Except as required by any Canadian Lender upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default, no B/A Loan may be repaid by the Canadian Borrower prior to
the expiry date of the Contract Period applicable to such B/A Loan; provided,
however, that any B/A Loan may be defeased as provided in the proviso to Section
2.11(a).


<PAGE>   64

                                                                              58


                                   ARTICLE III

                         Representations and Warranties

         Each Borrower represents and warrants to the Agents, the Issuing Banks
and each of the Lenders that:

         SECTION 3.01. ORGANIZATION; POWERS. Each Borrower and each of its
respective Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has all
requisite power and authority to own its property and assets and to carry on its
business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, (c) is qualified to
do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such
qualification is required, except where the failure so to qualify could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) has the
power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each
of the Loan Documents and each other agreement or instrument contemplated hereby
or thereby to which it is or will be a party and, in the case of the Borrowers,
to borrow hereunder.

         SECTION 3.02. AUTHORIZATION. The execution, delivery and performance by
(a) the U.S. Borrower and each Acquired Company of each agreement necessary to
effectuate, or executed in connection with, the Combination and (b) each Loan
Party of each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the consummation
of the Combination, the IPO and the other transactions contemplated thereby or
by the Loan Documents (including the Borrowings hereunder) (collectively, the
"Transactions") (i) have been (or will have been on or prior to the Closing
Date) duly authorized by all requisite corporate and, if required, stockholder
action and (ii) will not (x) violate (A) any provision of law, statute, rule or
regulation, or of the certificate or articles of incorporation or of the
memorandum of association or articles of association or other constitutive
documents or by-laws of either Borrower or any Subsidiary, (B) any order of any
Governmental Authority or (C) any provision of any indenture or other instrument
in respect of any Material Indebtedness or other material agreement to which
either Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any of them or any of
their property is or may be bound, (y) be in conflict with, result in a breach
of or constitute (alone or with notice or lapse of time or both) a default
under, or give rise to any right to accelerate or to require the prepayment,
repurchase or redemption of any obligation under any such indenture or other
instrument in respect of Material Indebtedness or other material agreement,
except as set forth in Schedule 3.02 or (z) result in the creation or imposition
of any Lien upon or with respect to any property or assets now owned or
hereafter acquired by either Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than any Lien
created hereunder or under the Security Documents).

         SECTION 3.03. ENFORCEABILITY. This Agreement has been (or will have
been on or prior to the Closing Date) duly executed and delivered by the
Borrowers and constitutes, and each other Loan Document when executed and
delivered by each Loan Party thereto will constitute, a legal, valid and binding
obligation of such Loan Party enforceable against such


<PAGE>   65

                                                                              59


Loan Party in accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy,
reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors'
rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of
general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding
in equity or at law)).

         SECTION 3.04. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. No action, consent or approval
of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental
Authority is or will be required in connection with the Transactions, except for
(i) the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, filing of
financing statements under provincial personal property security registries,
filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States
Copyright Office, recordation of the Mortgages in the offices specified in
Schedule 3.19 and other filings necessary to perfect Liens created under the
Security Documents, (ii) filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
with respect to the completion of the IPO and (iii) those which will have been
made or obtained and be in full force and effect on or prior to the Closing
Date.

         SECTION 3.05. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. (a) The U.S. Borrower has
heretofore furnished to the Lenders (i) the audited consolidated balance sheets
and related statements of operations, cash flows and stockholders' equity of (A)
the U.S. Borrower, as of and for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and
1999, (B) the Canadian Borrower, as of and for the 358-day period ended December
31, 1997, and the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999, (C) HWC as of and for
the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999, and (D) Sooner as of and for the
years ending June 30, 1999 and June 30, 2000, and (ii) the unaudited
consolidated balance sheets and related statements of operations, cash flows and
stockholders' equity of each of the U.S. Borrower, the Canadian Borrower, Sooner
and HWC as of and for the periods ended March 31, 2000, June 30, 2000 and
September 30, 2000. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of
each such person and its consolidated subsidiaries as of such dates and for such
periods. Such balance sheets and the notes thereto disclose all material
liabilities, direct or contingent, of each such person and its consolidated
subsidiaries as of the dates thereof. Such financial statements were prepared in
accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis.

         (b) The U.S. Borrower has heretofore delivered to the Lenders its
unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet and related statements of
operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows as of and for the 9-month period
ended September 30, 2000, prepared giving effect to the Transactions as if they
had occurred, with respect to such balance sheet, on such date and, with respect
to such other financial statements, on the first day of the 9-month period
ending on such date. Such pro forma financial statements have been prepared in
good faith by the U.S. Borrower, based on the assumptions used to prepare the
pro forma financial information contained in the Confidential Information
Memorandum (which assumptions are believed by the U.S. Borrower on the date
hereof and on the Closing Date to be reasonable), are based on the best
information available to the U.S. Borrower as of the date of delivery thereof,
accurately reflect all adjustments required to be made to give effect to the


<PAGE>   66

                                                                              60


Transactions and present fairly, in all material respects, on a pro forma basis
the estimated consolidated financial position of the U.S. Borrower and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and for such period, assuming that the
Transactions had actually occurred at such date or at the beginning of such
period, as the case may be.

         SECTION 3.06. NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. There has been no material
adverse change in the business, assets, operations, condition (financial or
otherwise) or prospects of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
since December 31, 1999.

         SECTION 3.07. TITLE TO PROPERTIES; POSSESSION UNDER LEASES. (a) Each of
the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries has good and indefeasible title to, or valid
leasehold interests in, all its material properties and assets, except for minor
defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business
as currently conducted or to utilize such properties and assets for their
intended purposes. All such material properties and assets are free and clear of
Liens, other than Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02.

         (b) Each of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries has complied with all
material obligations under all material leases to which it is a party and all
such leases are in full force and effect as of the Closing Date. Each of the
Borrowers and the Subsidiaries enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under
all such material leases as of the Closing Date.

         SECTION 3.08. SUBSIDIARIES AND SPECIAL PURPOSE BUSINESS ENTITIES.
Schedule 3.08 sets forth as of the Closing Date a list of all Subsidiaries
(including Inactive Subsidiaries identified as such) and Special Purposes
Business Entities and the percentage ownership interest of the Borrowers
therein. The shares of capital stock or other Equity Interests so indicated on
Schedule 3.08 are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by the Borrowers,
directly or indirectly, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created
pursuant to the Loan Documents).

         SECTION 3.09. LITIGATION; COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. (a) Except as set forth
on Schedule 3.09, there are not any actions, suits or proceedings at law or in
equity or by or before any Governmental Authority now pending or, to the
knowledge of either Borrower, threatened against either Borrower or any
Subsidiary or any business, property or rights of any such person (i) that
involve any Loan Document or the Transactions or (ii) as to which there is a
reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely
determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (b) Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the
status of the matters disclosed on Schedule 3.09 that, individually or in the
aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a
Material Adverse Effect.

         (c) Neither Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries nor any of their
respective material properties or assets is in violation of, nor will the
continued operation of their material properties and assets as currently
conducted violate, any law, rule or regulation (including

<PAGE>   67
                                                                              61


any zoning, building, Environmental Law, ordinance, code or approval or any
building permits) or any restrictions of record or agreements affecting the
Mortgaged Property, or is in default with respect to any judgment, writ,
injunction, decree or order of any Governmental Authority, where such violation
or default could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 3.10. AGREEMENTS. (a) Neither Borrower nor any of the
Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement or instrument or subject to any
corporate restriction that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (b) Neither Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries is in default in any
manner under any provision of any indenture or other agreement or instrument,
where such default could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.

         SECTION 3.11. FEDERAL RESERVE REGULATIONS. (a) Neither Borrower nor any
of the Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important
activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of buying or
carrying Margin Stock.

         (b) No part of the proceeds of any Loan or any Letter of Credit will be
used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or
ultimately, for any purpose that entails a violation of, or that is inconsistent
with, the provisions of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulation T, U
or X.

         SECTION 3.12. INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT; PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY
ACT. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary is (a) an "investment company" as
defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940
or (b) a "holding company" as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.

         SECTION 3.13. USE OF PROCEEDS. The Borrowers will use the proceeds of
the Loans and will request the issuance of Letters of Credit only for the
purposes specified in the preamble to this Agreement.

         SECTION 3.14. TAX RETURNS. Each of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries
has filed or caused to be filed all federal, state, provincial, local and
foreign Tax returns or materials required to have been filed by it and has paid
or caused to be paid all Taxes due and payable by it and all assessments
received by it, except Taxes that are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and for which either Borrower or such Subsidiary, as
applicable, shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect
thereto in accordance with GAAP or Canadian GAAP, as the case may be.

         SECTION 3.15. NO MATERIAL MISSTATEMENTS. None of (a) the Confidential
Information Memorandum or (b) any other information, report, financial
statement, exhibit or schedule furnished by or on behalf of either Borrower to
an Agent or any Lender in

<PAGE>   68
                                                                              62


connection with the negotiation of any Loan Document or included therein or
delivered pursuant thereto contained, contains or will contain any material
misstatement of fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were, are or will be made, not misleading; provided that to the
extent any such information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule
was based upon or constitutes a forecast or projection, each of the Borrowers
represents only that it acted in good faith and utilized reasonable assumptions
and due care in the preparation of such information, report, financial
statement, exhibit or schedule.

         SECTION 3.16. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. (a) Each of the Borrowers and its
ERISA Affiliates is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable
provisions of ERISA and the Code and the regulations and published
interpretations thereunder, except where such noncompliance could not reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No ERISA Event has occurred
or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such
ERISA Events, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of either
Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates in an amount in excess of
U.S.$2,500,000. The present value of all benefit liabilities under each Plan
(based on those assumptions used for purposes of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 87) did not, as of the last annual valuation preceding the Closing Date,
exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Plan.

         (b) Schedule 3.16(b) sets forth all Canadian Benefit Plans (other than,
for greater certainty, universal plans created by and to which the Canadian
Borrower is obligated to contribute by statute) and Canadian Pension Plans as of
the date of this Agreement. The Canadian Pension Plans are duly registered under
the ITA and any other applicable laws which require registration, have been
administered in all material respects in accordance with the ITA and such other
applicable laws and no event has occurred which is reasonably likely to cause
the loss of such registered status. All material obligations of the Canadian
Borrower and each of its subsidiaries (including fiduciary, funding, investment
and administration obligations) required to be performed in connection with the
Canadian Pension Plans and the funding agreements therefor have been performed
on a timely basis. There are no outstanding disputes concerning the assets of
the Canadian Pension Plans or the Canadian Benefit Plans. No promises of benefit
improvements under the Canadian Pension Plans or the Canadian Benefit Plans have
been made except where such improvement could not reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect. All contributions or premiums required to be made or
paid by the Canadian Borrower and each of its subsidiaries to the Canadian
Pension Plans or the Canadian Benefit Plans have been made on a timely basis in
accordance with the terms of such plans and all applicable laws. There have been
no improper withdrawals or applications of the assets of the Canadian Pension
Plans or the Canadian Benefit Plans. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.16(b),
each of the Canadian Pension Plans and the Canadian Benefit Plans is fully
funded on a solvency basis and going concern basis (using actuarial methods and
assumptions which are consistent with the valuations last filed with the
applicable Governmental Authorities and which are consistent with Canadian
GAAP).

<PAGE>   69
                                                                              63


         SECTION 3.17. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. (a) Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.17 and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or
in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect, neither Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries (i) has failed to
comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any
permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has
become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any
claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for
any Environmental Liability.

         (b) Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the
status of the matters disclosed on Schedule 3.17 that, individually or in the
aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a
Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 3.18. INSURANCE. Schedule 3.18 sets forth a true, complete and
correct description of all insurance maintained by the Borrowers or by a
Borrower for the Subsidiaries as of the date hereof and the Closing Date. As of
each such date, such insurance is in full force and effect and all premiums have
been duly paid. The Borrowers and the Subsidiaries have insurance in such
amounts and covering such risks and liabilities as are in accordance with normal
industry practice.

         SECTION 3.19. SECURITY DOCUMENTS. (a) Each Pledge Agreement is
effective to create in favor of the Applicable Collateral Agent, for the ratable
benefit of the Secured Parties referred to therein, a legal, valid and
enforceable security interest in the Collateral (as defined in such Pledge
Agreement) and, when such Collateral (to the extent such Collateral constitutes
an instrument under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code or Personal Property
Security Act) is delivered to such Collateral Agent, such Pledge Agreement shall
constitute a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in,
all right, title and interest of the pledgors thereunder in such Collateral, in
each case prior and superior in right to any other person.

         (b) Each of the Security Agreements is effective to create in favor of
the Applicable Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties
referred to therein, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the
Collateral (as defined in such Security Agreement) and, when financing
statements in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 6
to the Perfection Certificate, such Security Agreement shall constitute a fully
perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of
the grantors thereunder in such portion of the Collateral in which a security
interest may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the
applicable Uniform Commercial Code or Personal Property Security Act (other than
the Intellectual Property, as defined in the U.S. Security Agreement), in each
case prior and superior in right to any other person, other than with respect to
Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02.

         (c) When the U.S. Security Agreement is filed in the United States
Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, and the
filings referred to in

<PAGE>   70
                                                                              64


paragraph (b) above shall have been made, the U.S. Security Agreement and such
filings shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in,
all right, title and interest of the grantors thereunder in the Intellectual
Property (as defined in the U.S. Security Agreement), in each case prior and
superior in right to any other person (it being understood that subsequent
recordings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United
States Copyright Office may be necessary to perfect a lien on registered
trademarks, trademark applications and copyrights acquired by the grantors after
the date hereof).

         (d) Each Mortgage is effective to create for the ratable benefit of the
Secured Parties referred to therein a legal, valid and enforceable security
interest in all Collateral or Charged Property (as defined in such Mortgage)
and, when appropriate filings or registrations are made in the offices specified
on Schedule 3.19, such Mortgage shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on all
right, title and interest of the applicable Loan Party thereunder in the
applicable Mortgaged Property as of the Closing Date, prior and superior in
right to any other person, other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted
by Section 6.02.

         SECTION 3.20. LOCATION OF REAL AND IMMOVABLE PROPERTY AND LEASED
PREMISES. (a) Schedule 3.20(a) lists completely and correctly as of the Closing
Date all real and immovable property which, individually, have a fair market
value in excess of U.S. $250,000 and which is owned in fee by the Borrowers and
the Subsidiaries and the addresses thereof.

         (b) Schedule 3.20(b) lists completely and correctly as of the Closing
Date all real and immovable property leased through valid leasehold interests by
the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries and the addresses thereof.

         SECTION 3.21. LABOR MATTERS. As of the date hereof and the Closing
Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against either Borrower or any
Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of either Borrower, threatened. The
hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Borrowers and the
Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any
other applicable federal, state, provincial, local or foreign law dealing with
such matters, except where such violation, either individually or in the
aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
All payments due from either Borrower or any Subsidiary, or for which any claim
may be made against either Borrower or any Subsidiary, on account of wages and
employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or
accrued as a liability on the books of such Borrower or such Subsidiary, except
where the failure to do the same, either individually or in the aggregate, could
not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The
consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to any right of termination
or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective
bargaining agreement to which either Borrower or any Subsidiary is bound.

         SECTION 3.22. SOLVENCY. Immediately after the consummation of the
Transactions to occur on the Closing Date and immediately following the making
of each Loan and the giving of each of the Guarantee Agreements and after giving
effect to the application of the

<PAGE>   71
                                                                              65


proceeds of each Loan, (a) the fair value of the assets of each Loan Party will
exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (b) the
present fair saleable value of the property of each Loan Party will be greater
than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts
and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and
other liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) each Loan Party will be able
to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such
debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) each Loan Party will
not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which
it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted
following the Closing Date.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                              Conditions of Lending

         The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks
to issue Letters of Credit hereunder are subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions:

         SECTION 4.01. ALL CREDIT EVENTS. On the date of each Borrowing, and on
the date of each issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit
(each such event being called a "Credit Event"):

         (a) The Applicable Administrative Agent shall have received a notice of
such Borrowing as required by Section 2.03 (or such notice shall have been
deemed given in accordance with Section 2.03) or, in the case of the issuance,
amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit, the Applicable Issuing
Bank and the Applicable Administrative Agent shall have received a notice
requesting the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of such Letter of
Credit as required by Section 2.21(b).

         (b) The representations and warranties set forth in Article III hereof
and in each other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material
respects on and as of the date of such Credit Event with the same effect as
though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations
and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date.

         (c) Each Borrower and each other Loan Party shall be in compliance with
all the terms and provisions set forth herein and in each other Loan Document on
its part to be observed or performed, and at the time of and immediately after
such Credit Event, no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be
continuing.

         Each Credit Event shall be deemed to constitute a representation and
warranty by the Borrowers on the date of such Credit Event as to the matters
specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 4.01.

<PAGE>   72
                                                                              66


         SECTION 4.02. FIRST CREDIT EVENT. On the Closing Date:

         (a) The Administrative Agents shall have received, on behalf of
themselves, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, a favorable written opinion of
(i) Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., U.S. counsel for the Borrowers, substantially to the
effect set forth in Exhibit H-1, and (ii) Fraser Milner Casgrain, Canadian
counsel to the Canadian Borrower, substantially to the effect set forth in
Exhibit H-2, in each case (A) dated the Closing Date, (B) addressed to the
Issuing Banks, the Administrative Agents and the Lenders, and (C) covering such
other matters relating to the Loan Documents and the Transactions as the
Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, and the Borrowers hereby request
such counsel to deliver such opinions.

         (b) All legal matters incident to this Agreement, the Borrowings and
extensions of credit hereunder and the other Loan Documents shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Lenders, to the Issuing Bank and to the Administrative
Agent.

         (c) The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a copy of the
certificate or articles of incorporation or amalgamation, including all
amendments thereto, of each Loan Party, certified as of a recent date by the
Secretary of State or other relevant Governmental Authority of the state or
jurisdiction of its organization or, in the case of any corporation organized
and existing under the laws of Alberta, an officer of the Loan Party, and a
certificate as to the good standing or tax status of each Loan Party as of a
recent date, from such Secretary of State or other relevant Governmental
Authority; (ii) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each
Loan Party dated the Closing Date and certifying (A) that attached thereto is a
true and complete copy of the by-laws or operating agreement of such Loan Party
as in effect on the Closing Date and at all times since a date prior to the date
of the resolutions described in clause (B) below, (B) that attached thereto is a
true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of
such Loan Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan
Documents to which such person is a party and, in the case of the Borrowers, the
borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified,
rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect, (C) that the certificate
of formation or articles of incorporation or amalgamation of such Loan Party
have not been amended since the date of the last amendment thereto shown on the
certificate of good standing furnished pursuant to clause (i) above, and (D) as
to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan
Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of
such Loan Party; (iii) a certificate of another officer as to the incumbency and
specimen signature of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary executing the
certificate pursuant to clause (ii) above; and (iv) such other documents as the
Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

         (d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated
the Closing Date and signed by a Financial Officer of the U.S. Borrower,
confirming compliance with the conditions precedent set forth in paragraphs (b)
and (c) of Section 4.01.

<PAGE>   73
                                                                              67


         (e) The Administrative Agent shall have received all Fees and other
amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date, including, to the
extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required
to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrowers hereunder or under any other Loan
Document.

         (f) The U.S. Pledge Agreement shall have been duly executed by the
parties thereto and delivered to the U.S. Collateral Agent and shall be in full
force and effect, and (i) all the outstanding Equity Interests of each Domestic
Subsidiary and (ii) 65% of the voting Equity Interests and 100% of the nonvoting
Equity Interests (if any) of each Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by the U.S.
Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary, shall have been duly and validly pledged
thereunder to the U.S. Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured
Parties, and certificates representing such shares, if any, accompanied by
instruments of transfer and stock powers endorsed in blank, shall be in the
actual possession of the U.S. Collateral Agent.

         (g) The Canadian Pledge Agreement shall have been duly executed by the
parties thereto and delivered to the Canadian Collateral Agent and shall be in
full force and effect, and all the outstanding Equity Interests of the Canadian
Subsidiaries shall have been duly and validly pledged thereunder to the
Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Canadian Secured Parties, and
certificates, if any, representing such Equity Interests, accompanied by
instruments of transfer and stock powers endorsed in blank, shall be in the
actual possession of the Canadian Collateral Agent.

         (h) The Security Agreements shall have been duly executed by the Loan
Parties party thereto and shall have been delivered to the Applicable Collateral
Agent and shall be in full force and effect and each document (including each
financing statement) required by law or reasonably requested by the Collateral
Agents to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the
Applicable Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a valid,
legal and perfected first-priority security interest in and lien on the
Collateral (subject to any Lien expressly permitted by Section 6.02) described
in such agreement shall have been delivered to the Applicable Collateral Agent.

         (i) The Collateral Agents shall have received the results of a search
of the Uniform Commercial Code filings (or equivalent Personal Property Security
Act filings) made with respect to the Loan Parties in the states (or other
jurisdictions) within the U.S. or Canada in which the chief executive office of
each such person is located, any offices of such persons in which records have
been kept relating to accounts receivable, any jurisdiction within the U.S. or
Canada in which tangible goods forming part of the Collateral are located, and
the other jurisdictions in which Uniform Commercial Code filings (or equivalent
Personal Property Security Act filings) are to be made pursuant to the preceding
paragraph, together with copies of the financing statements (or similar
documents) disclosed by such search, and accompanied by evidence satisfactory to
the Collateral Agent that the Liens indicated in any such financing statement
(or similar document) would be permitted under Section 6.02 or have been or will
be contemporaneously released or terminated.

<PAGE>   74
                                                                              68


         (j) The Collateral Agents shall have received a Perfection Certificate
with respect to the Loan Parties dated the Closing Date and duly executed by a
Responsible Officer of the Borrowers.

         (k) Each of the Guarantee Agreements shall have been duly executed by
the parties thereto, shall have been delivered to the Collateral Agents and
shall be in full force and effect.

         (l) The Agents shall have received a copy of, or a certificate as to
coverage under, the insurance policies required by Section 5.02 and the
applicable provisions of the Security Documents, each of which shall be endorsed
or otherwise amended to include a customary lender's loss payable endorsement
and to name the Collateral Agents as additional insureds, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Agents.

         (m)(i) Each of the Security Documents, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Lenders, relating to each of the Mortgaged Properties shall
have been duly executed by the parties thereto and delivered to the Applicable
Collateral Agent and shall be in full force and effect, (ii) none of such
Mortgaged Properties shall be subject to any Lien other than those permitted
under Section 6.02, (iii) the Applicable Collateral Agent shall have received
such other documents, including a commitment or binder for a policy or policies
of title insurance issued by a nationally recognized title insurance company,
together with such endorsements as may be reasonably requested by such
Collateral Agent and the Lenders, insuring the Mortgages as valid first liens on
the Mortgaged Properties, free of Liens other than those permitted under Section
6.02, together with such legal opinions required to be furnished pursuant to the
terms of the Mortgages or as reasonably requested by such Collateral Agent or
the Lenders.

         (n) The U.S. Borrower shall concurrently consummate the IPO and receive
therefrom gross cash proceeds of not less than U.S.$120,000,000.

         (o) The Lenders shall be reasonably satisfied as to the amount and
nature of any environmental and employee health and safety exposures to which
the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries may be subject and the plans of the Borrowers
with respect thereto.

         (p) The Combination shall have been consummated or shall be consummated
contemporaneously with the initial Credit Event on the Closing Date, in
accordance with applicable law and the terms of the relevant documentation
therefor, and the Lenders shall be satisfied with the capitalization, structure
and equity ownership of the U.S. Borrower and its Subsidiaries after giving
effect to the Transactions.

         (q) The Lenders shall have received unaudited combined pro forma
balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash
flows of the U.S. Borrower and the Acquired Companies as of and for the 9-month
period ending September 30, 2000,

<PAGE>   75
                                                                              69


which financial statements shall not be materially inconsistent with the
financial statements or forecasts previously provided to the Lenders.

         (r) The Lenders shall have received a pro forma consolidated balance
sheet of the Borrower as of the last final month ended at least 30 days prior to
the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Transactions and the other
transactions contemplated hereby, which balance sheet shall not be materially
inconsistent with the forecasts previously provided to the Lenders.

         (s) The Lenders shall be reasonably satisfied in all respects with the
tax position and the contingent tax and other liabilities of, and with any tax
sharing arrangements among, the U.S. Borrower and its Subsidiaries after giving
effect to the Transactions.

         (t) The Lenders shall have received a detailed business plan of the
U.S. Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the years 2001 through 2004, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

         (u) All requisite Governmental Authorities and third parties shall have
approved or consented to the Transactions and the other transactions
contemplated hereby to the extent required and there shall be no litigation,
governmental or judicial action, actual or threatened, that could reasonably be
expected to restrain, prevent or impose burdensome conditions on the
Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby.

         (v) All principal, premium, if any, interest, fees and other amounts
due and owing under the Existing Credit Agreements and the Refinanced Debt shall
be paid in full with the proceeds of the initial Credit Event, the commitments
thereunder contemporaneously terminated and all guarantees and security in
support thereof contemporaneously released, and the Administrative Agent shall
have received reasonably satisfactory evidence thereof, and after giving effect
to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby, the
Borrowers and the subsidiaries shall have outstanding no Indebtedness or
preferred stock other than (i) the Loans and Letters of Credit hereunder and
(ii) the Indebtedness listed on Schedule 6.01.

                                    ARTICLE V

                              Affirmative Covenants

         Each of the Borrowers covenants and agrees with each Lender that so
long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have
been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all
other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document shall have been paid
in full and all Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired and all
amounts drawn thereunder have been reimbursed in full,

<PAGE>   76
                                                                              70


unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, each of the
Borrowers will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to:

         SECTION 5.01. EXISTENCE; BUSINESSES AND PROPERTIES. (a) Do or cause to
be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and
effect its legal existence, except as otherwise expressly permitted under
Section 6.05.

         (b) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to obtain, preserve,
renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the rights, licenses, permits,
franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names
material to the conduct of its business, except where the failure to do so could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; maintain and
operate such business in substantially the manner in which it is presently
conducted and operated; comply in all material respects with all applicable
laws, rules, regulations, decrees and orders of any Governmental Authority,
whether now in effect or hereafter enacted, except where the failure do so could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and at all times
maintain and preserve all property material to the conduct of such business and
keep such property in good repair, working order and condition and from time to
time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals,
additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the
business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all
times, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 5.02. INSURANCE. (a) Keep its insurable properties adequately
insured at all times by financially sound and reputable insurers; maintain such
other insurance, to such extent and against such risks, including fire and other
risks insured against by extended coverage, as is customary with companies in
the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations,
including public liability insurance against claims for personal injury or death
or property damage occurring upon, in, about or in connection with the use of
any properties owned, occupied or controlled by it; and maintain such other
insurance as may be required by law.

         (b) Cause all such policies covering any Collateral to be endorsed or
otherwise amended to include a customary lender's loss payable endorsement, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents, which endorsement
shall provide that, from and after the Closing Date, if the insurance carrier
shall have received written notice from an Agent of the occurrence of an Event
of Default, the insurance carrier shall pay all proceeds otherwise payable to
the Borrowers or the Loan Parties under such policies directly to the Applicable
Collateral Agent; cause all such policies to provide that none of the Borrowers,
the Agents nor any other party shall be a coinsurer thereunder and to contain a
"Replacement Cost Endorsement", without any deduction for depreciation, and such
other provisions as the Agents may reasonably require from time to time to
protect their interests; deliver original or certified copies of all such
policies to the Agents; cause each such policy to provide that it shall not be
canceled, modified or not renewed (i) by reason of nonpayment of premium upon
not less than 10 days' prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the
Applicable

<PAGE>   77
                                                                              71


Administrative Agent and the Applicable Collateral Agent (giving such Agents the
right to cure defaults in the payment of premiums) or (ii) for any other reason
upon not less than 30 days' prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the
Agents; deliver to the Applicable Administrative Agent and the Applicable
Collateral Agent, evidence of the insurance maintained pursuant to paragraph (a)
above.

         (c) If at any time the area in which the Premises (as defined in the
Mortgages) are located is designated (i) a "flood hazard area" in any Flood
Insurance Rate Map published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any
successor agency), obtain flood insurance in such total amount as the Agents may
from time to time require, and otherwise comply with the National Flood
Insurance Program as set forth in the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as
it may be amended from time to time, or (ii) a "Zone 1" area, obtain earthquake
insurance in such total amount as the Agents may from time to time require.

         (d) With respect to any Mortgaged Property, carry and maintain
comprehensive general liability insurance including the "broad form CGL
endorsement" and coverage on an occurrence basis against claims made for
personal injury (including bodily injury, death and property damage) and
umbrella liability insurance against any and all claims in the amounts
customarily insured against or carried by corporations of established reputation
engaged in the same or similar businesses and similarly situated, naming the
Applicable Collateral Agent as an additional insured, on forms satisfactory to
such Collateral Agent.

         SECTION 5.03. OBLIGATIONS AND TAXES. Pay its Indebtedness and other
obligations promptly and in accordance with their terms and pay and discharge
promptly when due all Taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies
imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property,
before the same shall become delinquent or in default, as well as all lawful
claims for labor, materials and supplies or otherwise that, if unpaid, might
give rise to a Lien upon such properties or any part thereof; provided, however,
that such payment and discharge shall not be required with respect to any such
obligation Tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim so long as the validity or
amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and
applicable Borrower shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with
respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and such contest operates to suspend
collection of the contested obligation, tax, assessment or charge and
enforcement of a Lien.

         SECTION 5.04. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, REPORTS, ETC. Furnish to the U.S.
Administrative Agent, the U.S. Collateral Agent and each Lender:

                  (a) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, the
         audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income,
         stockholders' equity and cash flows of the U.S. Borrower, showing its
         consolidated financial condition as of the close of such fiscal year
         and the results of its operations and the operations of its
         consolidated Subsidiaries during such year and setting forth in each
         case in comparative form the

<PAGE>   78
                                                                              72


         figures for the previous fiscal year, audited by Ernst & Young LLP or
         other independent public accountants of recognized national standing
         and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which shall not be
         qualified in any material respect) to the effect that such consolidated
         financial statements fairly present in all material respects the
         financial condition and results of operations of the U.S. Borrower and
         its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance
         with GAAP;

                  (b) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three
         fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, the unaudited consolidated balance
         sheet and related statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash
         flows of the U.S. Borrower, showing its consolidated financial
         condition as of the close of such fiscal quarter and the results of its
         operations and the operations of its consolidated Subsidiaries during
         such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year and
         setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the
         corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, all certified by one
         of its Financial Officers as fairly presenting in all material respects
         the financial condition and results of operations of the U.S. Borrower
         and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance
         with GAAP, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments;

                  (c) prior to the commencement of each fiscal year of the U.S.
         Borrower, a detailed consolidated budget for such fiscal year
         (including a projected consolidated balance sheet and related
         statements of projected operations and cash flows as of the end of and
         for such fiscal year and setting forth the assumptions used for
         purposes of preparing such budget) and, promptly when available, any
         significant revisions of such budget;

                  (d) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements
         under paragraph (a) or (b) above, a certificate in the form of Exhibit
         I (a "Compliance Certificate") of a Financial Officer (i) certifying
         that no Event of Default or Default has occurred or, if such an Event
         of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent
         thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with
         respect thereto and (ii) setting forth computations in detail
         reasonably satisfactory to the Agents demonstrating compliance with the
         covenants contained in Sections 6.10, 6.11, 6.12 and 6.13;

                  (e) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies
         of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials
         filed by the U.S. Borrower or any Subsidiary with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission, or any Govern mental Authority succeeding to any
         or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any national
         securities exchange, or distributed to its shareholders, as the case
         may be, and all press releases;

<PAGE>   79
                                                                              73


                  (f) promptly after the receipt thereof by either Borrower or
         any of the Subsidiaries, a copy of any "management letter" received by
         any such person from its certified public accountants and the
         management's responses thereto; and

                  (g) promptly, from time to time, such other information
         regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of
         the Borrowers or any Subsidi ary, or compliance with the terms of any
         Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably
         request.

         SECTION 5.05. LITIGATION AND OTHER NOTICES. Upon obtaining knowledge
thereof, furnish to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender
prompt written notice of the following:

                  (a) any Event of Default or Default, specifying the nature and
         extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) taken or proposed to
         be taken with respect thereto;

                  (b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or
         proceeding, whether at law or in equity or by or before any
         Governmental Authority, against either Borrower or any Affiliate
         thereof that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
         Adverse Effect;

                  (c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event or analogous event with
         respect to a Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan that, alone
         or together with any other such events that have occurred, could
         reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrowers and the
         Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding U.S.$1,000,000; and

                  (d) any development that has resulted in, or could reasonably
         be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 5.06. INFORMATION REGARDING COLLATERAL. (a) Furnish to the
Administrative Agent prompt (and in any event within 30 days) written notice of
any change (i) in any Loan Party's corporate name or in any trade name used to
identify it in the conduct of its business or in the ownership of its
properties, (ii) in the location of any Loan Party's chief executive office, its
principal place of business, any office in which it maintains books or records
relating to Collateral owned by it or any office or facility at which Collateral
owned by it is located (including the establishment of any such new office or
facility), (iii) in any Loan Party's identity or corporate structure or (iv) in
any Loan Party's Federal Taxpayer Identification Number. Each Borrower also
agrees promptly to notify the Administrative Agent if any material portion of
the Collateral is expropriated, damaged or destroyed.

         (b) In the case of the Borrowers, each year, at the time of delivery of
the annual financial statements with respect to the preceding fiscal year
pursuant to Section 5.04(a),

<PAGE>   80
                                                                              74


deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer setting
forth the information required pursuant to Section 2 of the Perfection
Certificate or confirming that there has been no change in such information
since the date of the Perfection Certificate delivered on the Closing Date or
the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 5.06.

         SECTION 5.07. MAINTAINING RECORDS; ACCESS TO PROPERTIES AND
INSPECTIONS. Keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and
correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all requirements of law are made of
all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Each
Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, permit any representatives
designated by the Agents or any Lender to visit and inspect the financial
records and the properties of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary at reasonable
times and as often as reasonably requested and to make extracts from and copies
of such financial records, and permit any representatives designated by the
Agents or any Lender to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of the
Borrowers or any Subsidiary with the officers thereof and independent
accountants therefor.

         SECTION 5.08. USE OF PROCEEDS. Use the proceeds of the Loans and
request the issuance of Letters of Credit only for the purposes set forth in the
preamble to this Agreement.

         SECTION 5.09. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Execute any and all further
documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all
further action (including filing Uniform Commercial Code, Personal Property
Security Act and other financing statements, mortgages and deeds of trust) that
may be required under applicable law, or that the Administrative Agent or the
Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in order to effectuate the transactions
contemplated by the Loan Documents and in order to grant, preserve, protect and
perfect the validity and first priority of the security interests created or
intended to be created by the Security Documents. The U.S. Borrower will cause
any subsequently acquired or organized Domestic Subsidiary (other than (a) any
Inactive Subsidiary and (b) any such acquired Subsidiary that is not a wholly
owned Subsidiary) or any Domestic Subsidiary that ceases to be an Inactive
Subsidiary to execute a supplement making it a party to the U.S. Subsidiary
Guarantee Agreement and each applicable U.S. Security Document in favor of the
Collateral Agent. The Canadian Borrower will cause any subsequently acquired or
organized Canadian Subsidiary (other than (a) any Inactive Subsidiary and (b)
any such non-wholly owned Subsidiary, as aforesaid) or any Canadian Subsidiary
that ceases to be an Inactive Subsidiary to execute a supplement to the Canadian
Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and each applicable Canadian Security Document.
In addition, from time to time, the Borrowers will, at their cost and expense,
promptly secure the Obligations by pledging or creating, or causing to be
pledged or created, perfected security interests with respect to such of their
respective assets and properties located within the United States or Canada as
the Administrative Agent shall designate (it being understood that it is the
intent of the parties that the Obligations of the U.S. Borrower shall be secured
by substantially all the assets of the U.S. Borrower and the U.S. Subsidiary
Guarantors located in the United States

<PAGE>   81
                                                                              75


(including real and other properties acquired subsequent to the Closing Date),
and the Obligations of the Canadian Borrower shall be secured by substantially
all the assets of the Canadian Borrower and the Canadian Subsidiary Guarantors
located in Canada (including real and other properties acquired subsequent to
the Closing Date which, individually, have a fair market value in excess of U.S.
$250,000)). Such security interests and Liens will be created under the Security
Documents and other security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust and other
instruments and documents in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Collateral Agents, and the Borrowers shall deliver or cause to be delivered to
the Lenders all such instruments and documents (including legal opinions, title
insurance policies and lien searches) as the Collateral Agents shall reasonably
request to evidence compliance with this Section. The Borrowers agree to provide
such evidence as the Collateral Agents shall reasonably request as to the
perfection and priority status of each such security interest and Lien. In
furtherance of the foregoing, each Borrower will give prompt notice to the
Administrative Agent of the acquisition by it or any of its subsidiaries of any
real property (or any interest in real property) having a value in excess of
U.S.$250,000.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                               Negative Covenants

         Each of the Borrowers covenants and agrees with each Lender that, so
long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have
been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all
other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document have been paid in full
and all Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired and all amounts
drawn thereunder have been reimbursed in full, unless the Required Lenders shall
otherwise consent in writing, neither Borrower will, nor will it cause or permit
any of its Subsidiaries to:

         SECTION 6.01. INDEBTEDNESS. On or after the Closing Date, incur,
create, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

                  (a) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in
         Schedule 6.01, and any extensions, renewals or replacements of such
         Indebtedness to the extent the principal amount of such Indebtedness is
         not increased, neither the final maturity nor the weighted average life
         to maturity of such Indebtedness is decreased, such Indebtedness, if
         subordinated to the Obligations, remains so subordinated on terms not
         less favorable to the Lenders and the original obligors in respect of
         such Indebtedness remain the only obligors thereon;

                  (b) Indebtedness created hereunder and under the other Loan
         Documents;

                  (c) intercompany Indebtedness of the Borrowers and the
         Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Sections 6.04(f) and (g);

<PAGE>   82
                                                                              76


                  (d) Indebtedness of either Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred
         to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or
         capital assets, and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such
         Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount
         thereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or
         within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such
         construction or improvement and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of
         Indebtedness permitted by this Section 6.01(d), when combined with the
         aggregate principal amount of all Capital Lease Obligations incurred
         pursuant to Section 6.01(e), shall not exceed U.S. $5,000,000 at any
         time outstanding;

                  (e) Capital Lease Obligations in an aggregate principal
         amount, when combined with the aggregate principal amount of all
         Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(d), not in excess of
         U.S. $5,000,000 at any time outstanding;

                  (f) Indebtedness under bid bonds, labour and materials payment
         bonds, performance bonds and similar bonds or with respect to workers'
         compensation claims, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of
         business;

                  (g) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries (other than the
         Canadian Borrower and the Canadian Subsidiaries) in an aggregate
         principal amount not to exceed U.S.$5,000,000 at any time outstanding;

                  (h) Indebtedness of a person or any of its subsidiaries (i)
         existing at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary of the U.S.
         Borrower or at the time it merges or consolidates with a Subsidiary of
         the U.S. Borrower or (ii) assumed in connection with the acquisition of
         assets from such person; provided in each case that (x) such
         Indebtedness was not created in contemplation of such acquisition,
         merger or consolidation, (y) such acquisition, merger or consolidation
         is otherwise permitted under this Agreement and (z) the aggregate
         principal amount of Indebtedness that may be outstanding at any time
         pursuant to this paragraph (h) shall not exceed U.S.$5,000,000;

                  (i) Permitted Seller Paper in an aggregate principal amount
         not to exceed U.S.$10,000,000 at any time outstanding;

                  (j) the Collateralized Letters of Credit, but not any
         extensions or renewals thereof; and

                  (k) other unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrowers and the
         Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
         U.S.$5,000,000 at any time outstanding.

<PAGE>   83
                                                                              77


         SECTION 6.02. LIENS. On or after the Closing Date, create, incur,
assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or assets (including stock or
other securities of any person, including any Subsidiary) now owned or hereafter
acquired by it or on any income or revenues or rights in respect of any thereof,
except:

                  (a) Liens on property or assets of the Borrowers and the
         Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule
         6.02; provided that such Liens shall secure only those obligations
         which they secure on the date hereof and extensions, renewals and
         replacements thereof permitted hereunder;

                  (b) any Lien created under the Loan Documents;

                  (c) Liens for taxes not yet due or which are being contested
         in compliance with Section 5.03;

                  (d) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's,
         repairmen's or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of
         business and securing obligations that are not due and payable or which
         are being contested in compliance with Section 5.03;

                  (e) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA), pledges and
         deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with
         workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance and other social
         security laws or regulations;

                  (f) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade
         contracts (other than for Indebtedness), leases (other than Capital
         Lease Obligations, except to the extent permitted by Section 6.01(e)),
         statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and
         other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of
         business;

                  (g) zoning restrictions, easements, rights-of-way,
         restrictions on use of real property and other similar encumbrances
         incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the aggregate,
         are not substantial in amount and do not materially detract from the
         value of the property subject thereto or interfere with the ordinary
         conduct of the business of the Borrowers or any of the Subsidiaries;

                  (h) purchase money security interests in real property,
         improvements thereto or equipment hereafter acquired (or, in the case
         of improvements, constructed) by the Borrowers or any Subsidiary;
         provided that (i) such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted
         by Section 6.01, (ii) such security interests are incurred, and the
         Indebtedness secured thereby is created, within 90 days after such
         acquisition (or construction), (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby
         does not exceed 90% of the lesser of the cost or the fair market value
         of such real property, improvements or equipment at the time of such
         acquisition (or construction) and (iv) such security

<PAGE>   84
                                                                              78


         interests do not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrowers
         or any Subsidiary;

                  (i) Liens on assets of Foreign Subsidiaries (other than the
         Canadian Borrower and the Canadian Subsidiaries); provided that (i)
         such Liens do not extend to, or encumber, assets of any Loan Party and
         (ii) such Liens secure only Indebtedness incurred by such Foreign
         Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 6.01(g);

                  (j) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the
         acquisition thereof by the U.S. Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided
         that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection
         with such acquisition, (ii) such Lien does not apply to any other
         property or assets of the U.S. Borrower or any Subsidiary and (iii)
         such Lien does not materially interfere with the use, occupancy and
         operation of any Mortgaged Property;

                  (k) Liens arising out of judgments or awards in respect of
         which a Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries shall in good faith be
         prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review in respect of which
         there shall be secured a subsisting stay of execution pending such
         appeal or proceedings; provided that the aggregate amount of all such
         judgments or awards (and any cash and the fair market value of any
         property subject to such Liens) does not exceed U.S.$5,000,000 at any
         time outstanding;

                  (l) cash collateral securing reimbursement obligations in
         respect of the Collateralized Letters of Credit; provided that the
         aggregate amount of such cash shall not exceed the maximum liability of
         the U.S. Borrower and the Subsidiaries as account parties in respect of
         such Collateralized Letter of Credit;

                  (m) Liens on Equity Interests in a Special Purpose Business
         Entity incurred for the purpose of providing independent financing for
         such Special Purpose Business Entity; provided, however, that such
         Liens are non-recourse as to the Canadian Borrower or any of its
         subsidiaries holding any Equity Interests in such Special Purpose
         Business Entity; and

                  (n) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business in an
         amount not to exceed U.S. $1,500,000.

         SECTION 6.03. SALE AND LEASE-BACK TRANSACTIONS. Enter into any
arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any person whereby it shall sell or
transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether
now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or
other property which it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or
purposes as the property being sold or transferred unless (a) the sale of such
property is permitted by Section 6.05 and (b) the Capital Lease Obligations or
Liens arising therefrom, if any, are permitted by Section 6.01 and 6.02,
respectively.

<PAGE>   85
                                                                              79


         SECTION 6.04. INVESTMENTS, LOANS AND ADVANCES. Purchase, hold or
acquire any Equity Interests, evidences of indebtedness or other securities of,
make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, or make or permit to exist any
investment or any other interest in, any other person, except:

                  (a) investments by the Borrowers in the Equity Interests of
         the Subsidiaries, in each case existing on the date hereof, and
         additional investments in the Equity Interests of Subsidiary Guarantors
         and the Canadian Borrower; provided that (i) any such Equity Interests
         held by a Loan Party shall be pledged pursuant to a Pledge Agreement
         (subject to the limitations applicable to voting Equity Interests of a
         Foreign Subsidiary referred to in Section 4.02(f)) and (ii) the
         aggregate amount of investments by Loan Parties in, and loans and
         advances by Loan Parties to, Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties
         shall not exceed U.S. $5,000,000 at any time outstanding;

                  (b) Permitted Investments;

                  (c) accounts receivable owing to the Borrowers or any of the
         Subsidiaries arising from sales of inventory under usual and customary
         terms in the ordinary course of business;

                  (d) advances to directors, officers and employees of the
         Borrowers or any of the Subsidiaries to meet expenses incurred by such
         directors, officers and employees in the ordinary course of business,
         in an aggregate amount not to exceed U.S.$2,000,000 at any time
         outstanding;

                  (e) securities of any customer of a Borrower or any Subsidiary
         received in lieu of cash payment, if such Borrower reasonably deems
         such customer to be in a reorganization or unable to make a timely cash
         payment on Indebtedness of such customer owing to it, provided that
         such Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, has paid no new
         consideration (other than forgiveness of Indebtedness) therefor;

                  (f) any Subsidiary may make intercompany loans to a Borrower
         or any Subsidiary Guarantor and each Borrower may make intercompany
         loans and advances to the other Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor;
         provided that (i) no Loan Party may make loans to any Foreign
         Subsidiaries (other than the Canadian Borrower and the Canadian
         Subsidiaries) pursuant to this paragraph (f);

                  (g) the Loan Parties may make loans and advances to Foreign
         Subsidiaries (other than the Canadian Borrower and the Canadian
         Subsidiaries) so long as the aggregate amount of any loans and,
         advances at any time outstanding

<PAGE>   86
                                                                              80


         (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs thereof)
         pursuant to this paragraph (g) shall not exceed U.S.$5,000,000;

                  (h) the Borrower may enter into Hedging Agreements to the
         extent permitted by Section 6.14;

                  (i) the U.S. Borrower or any wholly owned Domestic Subsidiary
         or the Canadian Borrower or any wholly owned Canadian Subsidiary may
         acquire all or substantially all the assets of a person or line of
         business of such person primarily located in the United States or
         Canada, or not less than 100% of the Equity Interests of a person that
         would become a wholly owned Domestic Subsidiary or a wholly owned
         Canadian Subsidiary (in each case referred to herein as the "Acquired
         Entity"); provided that (i) such acquisition was not preceded by an
         unsolicited tender offer for such Equity Interests by, or proxy contest
         initiated by, the U.S. Borrower or any Subsidiary; (ii) the Acquired
         Entity shall be a going concern and shall be in a similar line of
         business as that of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries; (iii) at the
         time of such transaction (A) both before and after giving effect
         thereto, no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be
         continuing; (B) the Borrowers would be in compliance with the covenants
         set forth in Sections 6.10, 6.11, 6.12 and 6.13 as of the most recently
         completed period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to
         such transaction for which the financial statements and certificates
         required by Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b) have been delivered or for which
         comparable financial statements have been filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission, after giving pro forma effect to such transaction
         and to any other event occurring during or after such period as to
         which pro forma recalculation is appropriate (including any Asset Sale
         and any other transaction described in this Section 6.04(i) occurring
         during or after such period) as if such transaction had occurred as of
         the first day of such period and (C) after giving effect to such
         acquisition, there must be at least U.S.$10,000,000 of the Total
         Commitment unused and available; (iv) the consideration for any such
         acquisition shall not exceed U.S.$25,000,000; and (v) for the period
         commencing on the Closing Date and ending with the third anniversary of
         the Closing Date, the aggregate consideration for all such acquisitions
         shall not exceed U.S.$75,000,000 (any acquisition of an Acquired Entity
         meeting all the criteria of this Section 6.04(i) being referred to
         herein as a "Permitted Acquisition"). All pro forma calculations
         required to be made pursuant to this Section 6.04(i) shall (i) include
         only those adjustments that would be permitted or required by
         Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and (ii) be
         certified to by a Financial Officer as having been prepared in good
         faith based upon reasonable assumptions;

                  (j) the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries may consummate the
         Transactions and the U.S. Borrower may issue shares of its common stock
         in exchange for the Exchangeable Shares of PTI Holdco;

                  (k) investments existing on the date hereof and set forth on
         Schedule 6.04;

<PAGE>   87
                                                                              81


                  (l) investments consisting of non-cash proceeds of Asset Sales
         for which the consideration consists of at least 75% cash as required
         under Section 6.05; and

                  (m) other investments, loans and advances (other than
         investments in and loans and advances to Foreign Subsidiaries) in an
         aggregate amount (valued at cost or outstanding principal amount, as
         the case may be) not greater than U.S.$10,000,000 at any time
         outstanding.

         SECTION 6.05. MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, SALES OF ASSETS AND
ACQUISITIONS. (a) Merge into or consolidate with any other person, or permit any
other person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or
otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) as part
of any Asset Sale all or any substantial part of the assets of a Borrower
(whether now owned or hereafter acquired) or less than all the Equity Interests
of any Subsidiary, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in one transaction
or a series of transactions) all or any substantial part of the assets of any
other person, except that (i) the U.S. Borrower or any wholly owned Domestic
Subsidiary or the Canadian Borrower or any wholly owned Canadian Subsidiary may
make Permitted Acquisitions and (ii) if at the time thereof and immediately
after giving effect thereto no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred
and be continuing (x) any wholly owned Subsidiary may merge into the U.S.
Borrower in a transaction in which the U.S. Borrower is the surviving
corporation and (y) any wholly owned Subsidiary may merge into or consolidate
with any other wholly owned Subsidiary (or, in order to consummate a Permitted
Acquisition, any other person) in a transaction in which the surviving entity is
a wholly owned Subsidiary and (except in the case of Permitted Acquisitions) no
person other than the Borrowers or a wholly owned Subsidiary receives any
consideration, provided that (i) if any such merger described in this clause (y)
shall involve a Loan Party, the surviving entity of such merger shall be a Loan
Party and (ii) the Combination shall be permitted.

         (b) Engage in any Asset Sale otherwise permitted under paragraph (a)
above unless (i) except with respect to any Asset Sale consisting of the sale of
Equity Interests in a Special Purpose Business Entity, such Asset Sale is for
consideration at least 75% of which is cash, (ii) such consideration is at least
equal to the fair market value of the assets being sold, transferred, leased or
disposed of and (iii) the fair market value of all assets sold, transferred,
leased or disposed of pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall not exceed (i)
U.S.$5,000,000 in any fiscal year or (ii) U.S.$15,000,000 in the aggregate.

         SECTION 6.06. RESTRICTED PAYMENTS; RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS. (a) Declare
or make, or agree to declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted
Payment (including pursuant to any Synthetic Purchase Agreement), or incur any
obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so; provided, however, that (i)
Restricted Payments made in connection with, and to consummate, the Combination
shall be permitted, (ii) any Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends or make
other distributions ratably to its equity holders of a given class, (iii) so
long as no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing or
would result therefrom, the U.S. Borrower or any Canadian Subsidiary may
repurchase its Equity Interests owned by

<PAGE>   88
                                                                              82


employees of the U.S. Borrower or the Subsidiaries or make payments to employees
of the U.S. Borrower or the Subsidiaries upon termination of employment in
connection with the exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights or
similar equity incentives or equity based incentives pursuant to management
incentive plans or in connection with the death or disability of such employees
in an aggregate amount not to exceed U.S.$1,000,000 in any fiscal year and (iv)
so long as no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing
or result therefrom, the U.S. Borrower and, with respect to the Exchangeable
Shares, PTI Holdco (with funds advanced by the U.S. Borrower) may make
Restricted Payments in any fiscal year in an aggregate amount not to exceed the
excess of (x) the lesser of (A) U.S.$7,500,000 and (B) 50% of Consolidated Net
Income for the prior year over (y) the aggregate amount expended in such fiscal
year to prepay, purchase or otherwise retire or acquire for value Subordinated
Indebtedness prior to the stated maturity thereof.

         (b) Enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other
arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (i) the
ability of either Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist
any Lien upon any of its property or assets in favor of a Collateral Agent or
any successor thereto hereunder or under any agreement that replaces or
refinances this Agreement, or (ii) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay
dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or
to make or repay loans or advances to either Borrower or any other Subsidiary or
to Guarantee Indebtedness of either Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided
that (A) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by
law or by any Loan Document, (B) the foregoing shall not apply to customary
restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a
Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply
only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder,
(C) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed on any
Foreign Subsidiary (other than the Canadian Borrower or any Canadian Subsidiary)
by the terms of any Indebtedness of such Foreign Subsidiary permitted to be
incurred hereunder, (D) clause (i) of the foregoing shall not apply to
restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured
Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions
apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (E) clause (i)
of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and other
contracts restricting the assignment thereof and (F) clause (ii) of the
foregoing (solely as it relates to dividends) shall not apply to the
restrictions on PTI Holdco required by the terms of the Exchangeable Shares as
in effect on the date hereof.

         SECTION 6.07. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Except for transactions by
or among Loan Parties and transactions expressly permitted under this Agreement,
sell or transfer any property or assets to, or purchase or acquire any property
or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its
Affiliates, except that (i) the Borrowers or any Subsidiary may engage in any of
the foregoing transactions in the ordinary course of business at prices and on
terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrowers or such Subsidiary than
could be obtained on an arm's-length basis from unrelated third parties and (ii)
the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries may consummate the Combination.

<PAGE>   89
                                                                              83


         SECTION 6.08. BUSINESS OF BORROWERS AND SUBSIDIARIES. Engage at any
time in any business or business activity other than the businesses currently
conducted by it and business activities reasonably incidental thereto.

         SECTION 6.09. OTHER INDEBTEDNESS AND AGREEMENTS. (a) Permit any waiver,
supplement, modification, amendment, termination or release of any indenture,
instrument or agreement pursuant to which any Material Indebtedness of a
Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is outstanding if the effect of such waiver,
supplement, modification, amendment, termination or release would increase the
interest rate thereon, shorten the final maturity or the average life thereof or
cause an Event of Default.

         (b) Make any distribution, whether in cash, property, securities or a
combination thereof, other than regular scheduled payments of principal and
interest as and when due (to the extent not prohibited by applicable
subordination provisions), in respect of, or pay, or offer or commit to pay, or
directly or indirectly (including pursuant to any Synthetic Purchase Agreement)
redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire for consideration, or set apart
any sum for the aforesaid purposes, any Subordinated Indebtedness, except to the
extent the U.S. Borrower or PTI Holdco could make a Restricted Payment pursuant
to Section 6.06(a).

         SECTION 6.10. INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO. Permit the Interest Coverage
Ratio for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the U.S. Borrower,
in each case taken as one accounting period, to be less than 3.0 to 1.0.

         SECTION 6.11. MAXIMUM LEVERAGE RATIO. Permit the Leverage Ratio at any
time to be greater than 3.5 to 1.0.

         SECTION 6.12. MAXIMUM SENIOR LEVERAGE RATIO. Permit the Senior Leverage
Ratio at any time to be greater than 3.0 to 1.0.

         SECTION 6.13. MINIMUM CONSOLIDATED NET TANGIBLE ASSETS. Permit
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at any time on or after the Closing Date to be
less than the sum of (a) U.S.$120,000,000, plus (b) 50% of Consolidated Net
Income for each fiscal quarter with positive Consolidated Net Income ending
after the Closing Date and on or prior to the date as to which compliance with
this Section 6.13 is being determined.

         SECTION 6.14. HEDGING AGREEMENTS. Enter into any Hedging Agreement,
other than Hedging Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to
hedge or mitigate risks to which a Borrower or any Subsidiary is exposed in the
conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities.

         SECTION 6.15. FISCAL YEAR. With respect to the U.S. Borrower, change
its fiscal year end to a date other than December 31.

<PAGE>   90
                                                                              84


         SECTION 6.16. PENSION PLANS. (a) Terminate, in whole or in part, or
initiate the termination of, in whole or in part, any Canadian Pension Plan so
as to result in any liability to the Canadian Borrower or its applicable
subsidiary which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) permit to exist any event or condition in respect of any Canadian Pension
Plan which presents the risk of liability of the Canadian Borrower which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (c) enter into any new
Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan or modify any such existing plans
so as to increase its obligations thereunder which could result in any liability
to the Canadian Borrower or any of its subsidiaries and which could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (d) permit their unfunded
obligations and liabilities under Canadian Pension Plans to remain unfunded,
other than in accordance with applicable law; (e) engage in any transactions
which result in a fine or penalty against the Canadian Borrower in excess of
C$5,000,000 in respect of any Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan
which fine or penalty has not been paid within 30 days of final assessment
unless (i) such fine or penalty is being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings, (ii) the Canadian Borrower has set aside on its books adequate
reserves with respect thereto in accordance with Canadian GAAP and (iii) such
contest does not operate to suspend collection of the contested fine or penalty;
or (f) fail to make a required contribution under any Canadian Pension Plan or
Canadian Benefit Plan which would result in the imposition of a Lien upon the
assets of the Canadian Borrower or any of its subsidiaries within 30 days after
the date such payment becomes due, unless such payment is being contested in
compliance with the preceding clause (e) and there is no risk of forfeiture,
loss or subordination of the Secured Parties' Liens on such assets.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         In case of the happening of any of the following events ("Events of
Default"):

         (a) any representation or warranty made or deemed made in or in
connection with any Loan Document or the borrowings or issuances of Letters of
Credit hereunder, or any representation, warranty, statement or information
contained in any report, certificate, financial statement or other instrument
furnished in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document, shall prove to
have been false or misleading in any material respect when so made, deemed made
or furnished;

         (b) default shall be made in the payment in the applicable currency of
any principal of any Loan or the reimbursement with respect to any L/C
Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the
due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepay ment thereof or by acceleration
thereof or otherwise;

<PAGE>   91
                                                                              85


         (c) default shall be made in the payment in the applicable currency of
any interest on any Loan or any Fee or L/C Disbursement or any other amount
(other than an amount referred to in (b) above) due under any Loan Document,
when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall
continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days;

         (d) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by
either Borrower or any Subsidiary of any covenant, condition or agreement
contained in Section 5.01(a), 5.05(a) or 5.08 or in Article VI;

         (e) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by
either Borrower or any Subsidiary of any covenant, condition or agreement
contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in (b), (c) or (d)
above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 20 days after
the earlier of (i) notice thereof from the Administrative Agent or any Lender to
the Borrowers or (ii) any Financial Officer or other executive officer of either
Borrower obtains actual knowledge thereof;

         (f) (i) either Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to pay any
principal or interest, regardless of amount, due in respect of any Material
Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable, or (ii) any
other event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness
becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or
without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders
of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to
cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment,
repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity;
provided that this clause (ii) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that
becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or
assets securing such Indebtedness;

         (g) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary
petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief
in respect of either Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than any Inactive
Subsidiary), or of a substantial part of the property or assets of either
Borrower or a Subsidiary (other than any Inactive Subsidiary), under any
Insolvency Law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian,
sequestrator, conservator or similar official for either Borrower or any
Subsidiary (other than any Inactive Subsidiary) or for a substantial part of the
property or assets of either Borrower or a Subsidiary (other than any Inactive
Subsidiary) or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of either Borrower or any
Subsidiary (other than any Inactive Subsidiary); and such proceeding or petition
shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or
ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

         (h) either Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than any Inactive
Subsidiary) shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition
seeking relief under any Insolvency Law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or
fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing
of any petition described in (g) above, (iii) apply for or

<PAGE>   92
                                                                              86


consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator,
conservator or similar official for either Borrower or any Subsidiary (other
than any Inactive Subsidiary) or for a substantial part of the property or
assets of either Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than any Inactive
Subsidiary), (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a
petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment
for the benefit of creditors, (vi) become unable, admit in writing its inability
or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due or (vii) take any action
for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

         (i) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate
amount in excess of U.S.$5,000,000 shall be rendered against either Borrower,
any Subsidiary (other than any Inactive Subsidiary) or any combination thereof
and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days
during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be
legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of either
Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than any Inactive Subsidiary) to enforce any
such judgment;

         (j) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the
Required Lenders, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events, could
reasonably be expected to result in liability of either Borrower and its ERISA
Affiliates in an aggregate amount exceeding U.S.$5,000,000;

         (k) any Guarantee under any Guarantee Agreement for any reason shall
cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms),
or any Guarantor shall deny in writing that it has any further liability under
its Guarantee Agreement (other than as a result of the discharge of such
Guarantor in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents);

         (l) any security interest purported to be created by any Security
Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by a Borrower or any other Loan
Party not to be, a valid, perfected, first priority (except as otherwise
expressly provided in this Agreement or such Security Document) security
interest in the securities, assets or properties covered thereby having a fair
market value in excess of U.S. $1,000,000, except to the extent that any such
loss of perfection or priority results from the failure of a Collateral Agent to
maintain possession of certificates representing securities pledged under a
Pledge Agreement and except to the extent that such loss is covered by a
lender's title insurance policy; or

         (m) there shall have occurred a Change in Control;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to a Borrower
described in paragraph (g) or (h) above), and at any time thereafter during the
continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of
the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrowers, take either or both of
the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate forthwith
the Commitments and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due
and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Loans so

<PAGE>   93
                                                                              87


declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any
unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrowers accrued hereunder
and under any other Loan Document, shall become forthwith due and payable,
without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of
which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrowers, anything contained herein or
in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding; and in any event
with respect to either Borrower described in paragraph (g) or (h) above, the
Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then
outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees
and all other liabilities of the Borrowers accrued hereunder and under any other
Loan Document, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment,
demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
expressly waived by the Borrowers, anything contained herein or in any other
Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

               THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENTS AND THE COLLATERAL AGENTS

         Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints
the Administrative Agents and the Collateral Agents its agent and authorizes the
Agents to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are
delegated to such Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such
actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Agents are hereby expressly authorized to
execute any and all documents (including releases) with respect to the
Collateral and the rights of the Secured Parties with respect thereto, as
contemplated by and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the
Security Documents.

         Each bank serving as an Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent
hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as
any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and
such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and
generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or
other Affiliate thereof as if it were not an Agent hereunder.

         No Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly
set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, (a) no Agent shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied
duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) no
Agent shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any
discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly
contemplated hereby that such Agent is required to exercise in writing by the
Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be
necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.08), and (c) except
as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, no Agent shall have any duty to
disclose, nor shall it be liable for the failure to disclose, any information
relating to a Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that is communicated to or
obtained by the bank serving as an Administrative Agent and/or

<PAGE>   94
                                                                              88


Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. No Agent shall be
liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the
request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the
Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section
9.08) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct. No
Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written
notice thereof is given to such Agent by a Borrower or a Lender, and no Agent
shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any
statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan
Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document
delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or
observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set
forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or
genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document,
or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in
any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to
be delivered to such Agent.

         Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any
liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent,
statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or sent by the proper person. Each Agent may also rely
upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have
been made by the proper person, and shall not incur any liability for relying
thereon. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the
Borrowers), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall
not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the
advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

         Each Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights
and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by it. Each Agent
and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its
rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The
exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such
sub-agent and to the Related Parties of each Agent and any such sub-agent, and
shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of
the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Agent.

         Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent as
provided below, any Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the
Issuing Banks and the Borrowers. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders
shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrowers, to appoint a
successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders
and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent
gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the
Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Agent which shall be a bank
with an office in New York, New York or Toronto, Ontario, as applicable, or an
Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Agent
hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with
all the rights, powers, privileges and

<PAGE>   95
                                                                              89


duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from
its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Borrowers to a
successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless
otherwise agreed between the Borrowers and such successor. After an Agent's
resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.05 shall
continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its sub-agents and
their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to
be taken by any of them while acting as Agent.

         Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without
reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and
decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it
will, independently and without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and
based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem
appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action
under or based upon this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any related
agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 9.01. NOTICES. Notices and other communications provided for
herein or (except as otherwise provided therein) any other Loan Document shall
be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service,
mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax, as follows:

                  (a) if to the U.S. Borrower, to it at Three Allen Center, 333
         Clay Street, Suite 3460, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention of Chief
         Financial Officer (Fax No. (713) 652-0499), with a copy to the Canadian
         Borrower at the address below;

                  (b) if to the Canadian Borrower, to PTI Group, Inc., at 3050
         Parsons Road NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6N 1B1, Attention of Chief
         Financial Officer (Fax No. (780) 463-3109), with a copy to the U.S.
         Borrower at the address above;

                  (c) if to the Administrative Agent or the U.S. Collateral
         Agent, to Credit Suisse First Boston, at Eleven Madison Avenue, New
         York, New York 10010, Attention of Agency Group (Fax No. (212)
         325-8304);

                  (d) if to the Canadian Administrative Agent or the Canadian
         Collateral Agent, to Credit Suisse First Boston Canada, at 1 First
         Canadian Place, Suite 3000, P.O. Box 301, Toronto, Ontario M5X IC9,
         Attention of Agency Administration (Fax No. (416) 352-4574); and

<PAGE>   96
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                  (e) if to a Lender or an Issuing Bank, to it at its address
         (or fax number) set forth on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and
         Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender or Issuing Bank shall have
         become a party hereto.

All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance
with the provisions of this Agreement or any Loan Document shall be deemed to
have been given on the date of receipt if delivered by hand or overnight courier
service or sent by fax or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by
certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed
(properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 9.01 or in
accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in
accordance with this Section 9.01. Any party may change its address for notices
by giving notice of such change to each party in accordance with this Section
9.01.

         SECTION 9.02. SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENT. All covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties made by a Borrower herein and in the certificates
or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to
this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been
relied upon by the Lenders and the Issuing Bank and shall survive the making by
the Lenders of the Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit by the Issuing
Banks, regardless of any investigation made by the Lenders or the Issuing Banks
or on their behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the
principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any Fee or any other amount
payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document is outstanding and
unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments
have not been terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.13, 2.15, 2.19, 9.05 and
9.16 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the
expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Loans, the expiration of the
Commitments, the expiration of any Letter of Credit, the invalidity or
unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative
Agents, the Collateral Agents, any Lender or any Issuing Bank.

         SECTION 9.03. BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall become effective
when it shall have been executed by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent
and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which,
when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto.

         SECTION 9.04. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. (a) Whenever in this Agreement
any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to
include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants,
promises and agreements by or on behalf of the Borrowers, the Agents, the
Issuing Banks or the Lenders that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and
inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

         (b) Each Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of
its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a
portion of its Commitments

<PAGE>   97
                                                                              91


and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided, however, that (i) except in
the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender, (x) the
U.S. Borrower, the Applicable Administrative Agent and the Applicable Issuing
Bank must give their prior written consent to such assignment (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that the
consent of the U.S. Borrower shall not be required to any such assignment during
the continuance of any Event of Default, and (y) the amount of the Commitment of
the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date
the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to
the Applicable Administrative Agent) shall not be less than U.S.$5,000,000 (or,
if less, the entire remaining amount of such Lender's Commitment) or such lesser
amount as the U.S. Borrower and the Applicable Administrative Agent may from
time to time agree (such agreement to be conclusively evidenced by the execution
of the related Assignment and Acceptance by all the parties thereto), (ii) the
parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Applicable
Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together (except in the case
of any assignment to an Affiliate) with a processing and recordation fee of
U.S.$3,500 or C$5,000, as applicable, and (iii) the assignee, if it shall not be
a Lender, shall deliver to the Applicable Administrative Agent an Administrative
Questionnaire. Upon acceptance and recording pursuant to paragraph (e) of this
Section 9.04, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and
Acceptance, (A) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the
extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the
rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement and (B) the assigning
Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such
Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement
(other than under Section 9.16 with respect to Information (as defined in
Section 9.16) previously delivered to it) (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender's rights
and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party
hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.15,
2.19 and 9.05 as well as to any Fees accrued for its account and not yet paid.

         (c) By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the
assigning Lender thereunder and the assignee thereunder shall be deemed to
confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows:
(i) such assigning Lender warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of
the interest being assigned thereby free and clear of any adverse claim and that
its Commitment, and the outstanding balances of its Loans, in each case without
giving effect to assignments thereof which have not become effective, are as set
forth in such Assignment and Acceptance; (ii) except as set forth in (i) above,
such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no
responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations
made in or in connection with this Agreement, or the execution, legality,
validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement,
any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant
hereto, or the financial condition of either Borrower or any Subsidiary or the
performance or observance by either Borrower or any Subsidiary of any of its
obligations under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other
instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; (iii) such assignee represents
and warrants that it is legally

<PAGE>   98
                                                                              92


authorized to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance and that, if the
assigning Lender is a Canadian Lender, then such assignee is a resident of
Canada for the purposes of the ITA; (iv) such assignee confirms that it has
received a copy of this Agreement, together with copies of the most recent
financial statements referred to in Section 3.05(a) or delivered pursuant to
Section 5.04 and such other documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such
Assignment and Acceptance; (v) such assignee will independently and without
reliance upon the Agents, such assigning Lender or any other Lender and based on
such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under
this Agreement; (vi) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Agents to take
such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this
Agreement as are delegated to the Agents by the terms hereof, together with such
powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (vii) such assignee agrees that
it will perform in accordance with their terms all the obligations which by the
terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

         (d) The Applicable Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an
agent of the Applicable Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in The
City of New York a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a
register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the
Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant
to the terms hereof from time to time (the "Register"). The Administrative Agent
shall maintain its Register at one of its offices in The City of New York. The
Canadian Administrative Agent shall maintain its Register at one of its offices
in The City of Toronto. The entries in the Registers shall be conclusive and the
Borrowers, the Administrative Agents, the Issuing Banks, the Collateral Agents
and the Lenders may treat each person whose name is recorded in the Registers
pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this
Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Registers shall be
available for inspection by the Borrowers, the Issuing Banks, the Collateral
Agents and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon
reasonable prior notice.

         (e) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance
executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, an Administrative Questionnaire
completed in respect of the assignee (unless the assignee shall already be a
Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph
(b) above, if such assignee is a Foreign Lender with respect to the U.S.
Borrower, the documentation referred to in Section 2.19(e), and, if required,
the written consent of the U.S. Borrower, the Applicable Issuing Bank and the
Applicable Administrative Agent to such assignment, the Applicable
Administrative Agent shall (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii)
record the information contained therein in its Register and (iii) give prompt
notice thereof to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks. No assignment shall be
effective unless it has been recorded in a Register as provided in this
paragraph (e).

         (f) Each Lender may without the consent of the Borrowers, the Issuing
Banks or the Administrative Agents sell participations to one or more banks or
other entities in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this
Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to
it); provided, however, that (i) such Lender's obligations under this Agreement
shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain

<PAGE>   99
                                                                              93


solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such
obligations, (iii) the participating banks or other entities shall be entitled
to the benefit of the cost protection provisions contained in Sections 2.13,
2.15 and 2.19 to the same extent as if they were Lenders (but, with respect to
any particular participant, to no greater extent than the Lender that sold the
participation to such participant) and (iv) the Borrowers, the Agents, the
Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with
such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this
Agreement, and such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the
obligations of the Borrowers relating to the Loans or L/C Disbursements and to
approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement
(other than amendments, modifications or waivers decreasing any Fees payable
hereunder or the amount of principal of or the rate at which interest is payable
on the Loans, extending any scheduled principal payment date or date fixed for
the payment of interest on the Loans, increasing or extending the Commitments or
releasing any Guarantor or any substantial part of the Collateral, except as
expressly permitted hereunder).

         (g) Any Lender or participant may, in connection with any assignment or
participation or proposed assignment or participation pursuant to this Section
9.04, disclose to the assignee or participant or proposed assignee or
participant any information relating to the Borrowers furnished to such Lender
by or on behalf of the Borrowers; provided that, prior to any such disclosure of
information designated by the Borrowers as confidential, each such assignee or
participant or proposed assignee or participant shall execute an agreement
whereby such assignee or participant shall agree (subject to customary
exceptions) to preserve the confidentiality of such confidential information on
terms no less restrictive than those applicable to the Lenders pursuant to
Section 9.16.

         (h) Any Lender may at any time assign all or any portion of its rights
under this Agreement to secure extensions of credit to such Lender or in support
of obligations owed by such Lender; provided that no such assignment shall
release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such
assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

         (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any
Lender (a "Granting Lender") may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an
"SPC"), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender
to the Applicable Administrative Agent and the U.S. Borrower or the Canadian
Borrower, as applicable, the option to provide to either Borrower all or any
part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make
to such Borrower pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein
shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to make any Loan, (ii) if an SPC elects
not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of
such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to
the terms hereof, (iii) such SPC shall not be entitled to payments under
Sections 2.13, 2.15 or 2.19 in amounts greater than the Granting Lender would
have been entitled to in the absence of such funding by the SPC and (iv) with
respect to a SPC of a Canadian Lender, such SPC shall be a resident of Canada
for the purposes of the ITA. The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall
utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if,
such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees
that no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment

<PAGE>   100
                                                                              94


obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the
Granting Lender). In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby
agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that,
prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all
outstanding commercial paper or other senior Indebtedness of any SPC, it will
not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPC
any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation
proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the laws
of Canada or any Province thereof. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Section 9.04, any SPC may (i) with notice to, but
without the prior written consent of, the Borrowers and the Applicable
Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefore, assign all
or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender or to any
financial institutions (consented to by the U.S. Borrower or the Canadian
Borrower, as applicable, and the Applicable Administrative Agent) providing
liquidity and/or credit support to or for the account of such SPC to support the
funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose any non-public information
relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider
of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC,
provided that such SPC makes such recipient aware of the confidentiality
provisions of Section 9.16.

         (j) Neither Borrower shall assign or delegate any of its rights or
duties hereunder without the prior written consent of the Applicable
Administrative Agent, the Applicable Issuing Bank and each Lender, and any
attempted assignment without such consent shall be null and void.

         SECTION 9.05. EXPENSES; INDEMNITY. (a) The Borrowers agree, jointly and
severally, to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agents, the Collateral Agents and the Issuing Banks in connection
with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein and the
preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or
in connection with any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions
hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions hereby or thereby
contemplated shall be consummated) or incurred by the Administrative Agents, the
Collateral Agents or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection
of its rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or
in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder,
including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cravath, Swaine &
Moore, counsel for the Administrative Agent, and Lang Michener, Canadian counsel
for the Canadian Administrative Agent, and, in connection with any such
enforcement or protection, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any
other counsel for the Administrative Agents, the Collateral Agents or any
Lender.

         (b) The Borrowers agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify the
Administrative Agents, the Collateral Agents, each Lender, each Issuing Bank and
the Related Parties of any of the foregoing persons (each such person being
called an "Indemnitee") against, and to hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any
and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including
reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements but excluding any

<PAGE>   101
                                                                              95


such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense resulting from a claim or
proceeding brought by a Lender against any other Lender (other than any Agent in
its capacity as such), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising
out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (i) the execution or
delivery of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any agreement or
instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties
thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the
Transactions and the other transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) the use of
the proceeds of the Loans or issuance of Letters of Credit, (iii) any claim,
litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing,
whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto, or (iv) any actual or alleged
presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on any property owned or operated by
a Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in
any way to a Borrower or the Subsidiaries; provided that such indemnity shall
not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross
negligence or wilful misconduct of such Indemnitee or, with respect to any
Environmental Liability, to the extent such Indemnitee, after foreclosure or
other remedial action, has caused such Environmental Liability.

         (c) To the extent that the Borrowers fail to pay any amount required to
be paid by them to an Agent or an Issuing Bank under paragraph (a) or (b) of
this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to such Agent or Issuing Bank,
as the case may be, such Lender's pro rata share (determined as of the time that
the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such
unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss,
claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by
or asserted against such Agent or Issuing Bank in its capacity as such. For
purposes hereof, a Lender's "pro rata share" shall be determined based upon its
share of the sum of the aggregate amount of the Credit Exposures and unused
Total Commitment at the time.

         (d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, neither Borrower shall
assert, and each hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory
of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as
opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a
result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby,
the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds
thereof.

         (e) The provisions of this Section 9.05 shall remain operative and in
full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this
Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the
repayment of any of the Loans, the expiration of the Commitments, the expiration
of any Letter of Credit, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or
provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation
made by or on behalf of any Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank. All amounts due under
this Section 9.05 shall be payable on written demand therefor.

<PAGE>   102
                                                                              96


         SECTION 9.06. RIGHT OF SETOFF. If an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and
from time to time, except to the extent prohibited by law, to set off and apply
any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final)
at any time held and other Indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or
for the credit or the account of the Borrower to whom it has made Loans against
any of and all the obligations of such Borrower now or hereafter existing under
this Agreement and other Loan Documents held by such Lender, irrespective of
whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or
such other Loan Document and although such obligations may be unmatured. The
rights of each Lender under this Section 9.06 are in addition to other rights
and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

         SECTION 9.07. APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN LETTERS OF CREDIT AND AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH LETTER OF CREDIT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OR RULES DESIGNATED IN SUCH LETTER OF
CREDIT, OR IF NO SUCH LAWS OR RULES ARE DESIGNATED, THE UNIFORM CUSTOMS AND
PRACTICE FOR DOCUMENTARY CREDITS MOST RECENTLY PUBLISHED AND IN EFFECT, ON THE
DATE SUCH LETTER OF CREDIT WAS ISSUED, BY THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
(THE "UNIFORM CUSTOMS") AND, AS TO MATTERS NOT GOVERNED BY THE UNIFORM CUSTOMS,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

         SECTION 9.08. WAIVERS; AMENDMENT. (a) No failure or delay of the
Administrative Agents, the Collateral Agents, any Lender or any Issuing Bank in
exercising any power or right hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall
operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce
such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the
Administrative Agents, the Collateral Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not
exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of
any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any
departure by the Borrowers or any other Loan Party therefrom shall in any event
be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) below, and then
such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for
the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on a Borrower in any case shall
entitle the Borrowers to any other or further notice or demand in similar or
other circumstances.

         (b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived,
amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing
entered into by the

<PAGE>   103
                                                                              97


Borrowers and the Required Lenders; provided, however, that no such agreement
shall (i) decrease the principal amount of, or extend the maturity of or any
scheduled principal payment date or date for the payment of any interest on any
Loan or any date for reimbursement of an L/C Disbursement, or waive or excuse
any such payment or any part thereof, or decrease the rate of interest on any
Loan or L/C Disbursement, without the prior written consent of each Lender
affected thereby, (ii) increase or extend the Commitment or decrease or extend
the date for payment of any Fees of any Lender without the prior written consent
of such Lender, (iii) amend or modify the pro rata requirements of Section 2.16,
the provisions of Section 9.04(j), the provisions of this Section, the
definition of the term "Required Lenders" or (unless expressly authorized
pursuant to the terms of the Guarantee Agreements or the Security Documents)
release any Guarantor or all or any substantial part of the Collateral, without
the prior written consent of each Lender, (iv) change the provisions of any Loan
Document in a manner that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect
of payments due to Lenders holding one Class of Loans differently from the
rights in respect of payments due to Lenders holding another Class of Loans
without the prior written consent of the Required U.S. Lenders (if the U.S.
Lenders are the adversely affected Class) or the Required Canadian Lenders (if
the Canadian Lenders are the adversely affected Class), (v) amend or modify the
definition of the term "Required U.S. Lenders" or "Required Canadian Lenders"
without the prior written consent of each U.S. Lender or Canadian Lender,
respectively, or (vi) amend or modify the protections afforded to an SPC
pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.04(i) without the written consent of
such SPC; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or
otherwise affect the rights or duties of an Administrative Agent, a Collateral
Agent or an Issuing Bank hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the
prior written consent of such Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or Issuing
Bank, respectively. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if either Borrower shall
request the release of any Collateral to be sold as part of any Asset Sale
permitted under Section 6.05 and shall deliver to the Applicable Collateral
Agent a certificate to the effect that such Asset Sale and the disposition of
the proceeds thereof will comply with the terms of this Agreement, the
Applicable Collateral Agent, if satisfied that the applicable certificate is
correct, shall and is hereby authorized to, without the consent of any Lender,
execute and deliver all such instruments as may be required to effect the
release of such Collateral.

         SECTION 9.09. INTEREST RATE LIMITATION. Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan or
participation in any L/C Disbursement, together with all Fees, charges and other
amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan or participation in such L/C
Disbursement under applicable law (collectively the "Charges"), shall exceed the
maximum lawful rate (the "Maximum Rate") which may be contracted for, charged,
taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan or participation in
accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such
Loan or participation hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect
thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the
interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan or
participation but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section
9.09 shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in
respect of other Loans or participations or periods shall be

<PAGE>   104
                                                                              98


increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount,
together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate (or, in the
case of amounts denominated in Canadian dollars, the rate from time to time
determined by the Canadian Administrative Agent to represent its cost of
overnight Canadian dollars) to the date of repayment, shall have been received
by such Lender.

         SECTION 9.10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the other Loan
Documents constitute the entire contract between the parties relative to the
subject matter hereof. Any other previous agreement among the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents. Nothing in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents,
expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any person (other than the
parties hereto and thereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted
hereunder (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of
Credit) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of
each Agent, Issuing Bank and Lender) any rights, remedies, obligations or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

         SECTION 9.11. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO
THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL
BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF,
UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.
EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY
OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD
NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B)
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER
INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER
THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.11.

         SECTION 9.12. SEVERABILITY. In the event any one or more of the
provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should be
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein
shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that
the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not
in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other
jurisdiction). The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace
the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the
economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provisions.

         SECTION 9.13. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each
of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall
constitute a single contract, and shall

<PAGE>   105
                                                                              99


become effective as provided in Section 9.03. Delivery of an executed signature
page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as
delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

         SECTION 9.14. HEADINGS. Article and Section headings and the Table of
Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this
Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into
consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

         SECTION 9.15. JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS (a) Each of
the Borrowers hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its
property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of (i) any New York State court or
Federal court of the United States of America sitting in the Borough of
Manhattan in New York City and (ii) in the case of the Canadian Borrower, the
courts of the Provinces of Ontario and Alberta, and any appellate court from
any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any
judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
agrees that, to the extent permitted by law, all claims in respect of any such
action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such court. Each of the
parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding
shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the
judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall
affect any right that an Administrative Agent, a Collateral Agent, an Issuing
Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating
to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents against the Borrowers or their
respective properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

         (b) Each of the Borrowers hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any
objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit,
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other
Loan Documents in any such provincial, New York State or Federal court. Each of
the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or
proceeding in any such court.

         (c) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of
process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this
Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process
in any other manner permitted by law.

         SECTION 9.16. CONFIDENTIALITY. Each of the Administrative Agents, the
Collateral Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders agrees to maintain and to
cause their respective Related Parties to maintain, the confidentiality of the
Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to
its and its Affiliates' officers, directors, employees and agents, including
accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the
persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential
nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information
confidential), (b) to the extent

<PAGE>   106
                                                                             100


requested by any regulatory authority or quasi-regulatory authority (such as the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by
applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d)
in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under the other
Loan Documents or any suit, action or proceeding relating to the enforcement of
its rights hereunder or thereunder, (e) subject to an agreement containing
provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 9.16, to (i) any
actual or prospective assignee of or participant in any of its rights or
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or (ii) any actual
or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative
transaction relating to a Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective
obligations, (f) with the consent of the Borrowers or (g) to the extent such
Information becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of
this Section 9.16. For the purposes of this Section, "Information" shall mean
all information received from a Borrower and related to a Borrower or its
business, other than any such information that was available to an
Administrative Agent, a Collateral Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a
nonconfidential basis from a source that is not in breach of its obligations of
confidentiality to a Borrower; provided that, in the case of Information
received from a Borrower after the date hereof, such information is clearly
identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any person required to
maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 9.16
shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such person
has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such
Information as such person would accord its own confidential information.

         SECTION 9.17. JUDGMENT CURRENCY. (a) The obligations of the Borrowers
and the other Loan Parties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents to make
payments in U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars (the "Obligation Currency") shall
not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any
judgment expressed in or converted into any currency other than the Obligation
Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery results in the
effective receipt by the Applicable Administrative Agent or a Lender or an
Issuing Bank of the full amount of the Obligation Currency expressed to be
payable to such Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank under this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents. If, for the purpose of obtaining or
enforcing judgment against a Borrower or any other Loan Party or in any court or
in any jurisdiction, it becomes necessary to convert into or from any currency
other than the Obligation Currency (such other currency being hereinafter
referred to as the "Judgment Currency") an amount due in the Obligation
Currency, the conversion shall be made at the Canadian Dollar Equivalent or U.S.
Dollar Equivalent, or, in the case of other currencies, the rate of exchange (as
quoted by the Administrative Agent or if the Administrative Agent does not quote
a rate of exchange on such currency, by a known dealer in such currency
designated by the Administrative Agent) determined, in each case, as of the date
immediately preceding the day on which the judgment is given (such Business Day
being hereinafter referred to as the "Judgment Currency Conversion Date").

<PAGE>   107
                                                                             101


         (b) If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the
Judgment Currency Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount
due, each Borrower covenants and agrees to pay, or cause to be paid, as a
separate obligation and notwithstanding any judgment, such additional amounts,
if any (but in any event not a lesser amount), as may be necessary to ensure
that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the rate of
exchange prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of the
Obligation Currency which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment
Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial award at the rate of exchange
prevailing on the Judgment Currency Conversion Date.

         (c) For purposes of determining the Canadian Dollar Equivalent or U.S.
Dollar Equivalent or rate of exchange for this Section, such amounts shall
include any premium and costs payable in connection with the purchase of the
Obligation Currency.

<PAGE>   108
                                                                             102


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the
day and year first above written.

                                       OIL STATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.,

                                       by   /s/ CINDY B. TAYLOR
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Cindy B. Taylor
                                            Title: Senior Vice President - CFO


                                       PTI GROUP INC.,

                                       by   /s/ SANDY SLATOR
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Mr. R.A. (Sandy) Slator
                                            Title: President and CEO


                                       CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON,
                                       individually and as Administrative Agent,

                                       by   /s/ JAMES P. MORAN
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  James P. Moran
                                            Title: Director

                                       by   /s/ JULIA P. KINGSBURY
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Julia P. Kingsbury
                                            Title: Vice President


<PAGE>   109
                                                                             103


                                       CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
                                       CANADA, individually and as Canadian
                                       Administrative Agent,

                                       by   /s/ W.M. McFARLAND
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  W.M. McFarland
                                            Title: Vice President

                                       by   /s/ PETER CHAUVIN
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Peter Chauvin
                                            Title: Vice President

                                       HIBERNIA NATIONAL BANK
                                       individual and as Co-syndication Agent,

                                       by   /s/ STEPHEN H. BIRNBAUM
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Stephen H. Birnbaum
                                            Title: Vice President

                                       ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
                                       individually and as Co-syndication Agent,

                                       by   /s/ DAVID A. McCLUSKEY
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            NAME:  David A. McCluskey
                                            Title: Manager

                                       THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
                                       as a U.S. Lender,

                                       by   /s/ F.C.H. ASHBY
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  F.C.H. Ashby
                                            Title: Senior Manager
                                                   Loan Operations

                                       THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,
                                       as a Canadian Lender

                                       by   /s/ DOUG FOSTER
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Doug Foster
                                            Title: Director

                                       by   /s/ GENE V. MERCER
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Gene V. Mercer
                                            Title: Associate Director

                                       SOUTHWEST BANK OF TEXAS

                                       by   /s/ CARMEN DUNMIRE
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Carmen Dunmire
                                            Title: Vice President

                                       THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK,
                                       as a U.S. Lender

                                       by   /s/ STEPHEN D. WANNAMAKER
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Stephen D. Wannamaker
                                            Title: Vice President,
                                                   Credit Risk Mgt.

                                       THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK,
                                       as a Canadian Lender

                                       by   /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

                                       WELLS FARGO BANK TEXAS, N.A.

                                       by   /s/ SCOTT GILDEA
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Scott Gildea
                                            Title: Relationship Manager

                                       BANK OF SCOTLAND,

                                       by   /s/ JOSEPH FRATUS
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Joseph Fratus
                                            Title: Vice President