Document:

<PAGE>
                                                                     Exhibit 4.5

                             CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

      THIS AGREEMENT is dated as of March 10, 2003

BETWEEN:

            THE RAVELSTON CORPORATION LIMITED, a corporation incorporated under
            the laws of Ontario

            ("Ravelston")

            - and -

            RAVELSTON MANAGEMENT INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws
            of Ontario

            ("RMI")

            - and -

            HOLLINGER INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada

            ("HI")

RECITALS:

A.    HI and RMI have entered into an indenture dated as of March 10, 2003 (the
      "Indenture") with Wachovia Trust Company, National Association, as trustee
      (the "Trustee"), which provides for the issue by HI of senior secured
      notes (the "Notes").

B.    Ravelston is the holder, directly or indirectly, of 78.2% of the issued
      and outstanding retractable common shares of HI. RMI is a wholly-owned
      direct subsidiary of Ravelston. RMI has entered into a guarantee of the
      Notes.

C.    Pursuant to the Support Agreement (as defined below), RMI has agreed to
      provide support to HI in connection with the Notes.

D.    Ravelston has borrowed U.S.$11,500,000 from HI under a promissory note
      dated March 10, 2003 made by Ravelston as borrower in favour of HI as
      lender (the "RCL Loan") used by Ravelston to repay currently outstanding
      senior bank debt of Ravelston. The amounts to be contributed by RMI to HI
      under the Support Agreement are reduced by any RCL Repayment Amounts (as
      defined in the Support Agreement) paid by Ravelston to HI in respect of
      the RCL Loan.

E.    Section 2 of the Support Agreement provides that the Annual Support Amount
      (as defined below) shall be contributed by RMI to HI as either (i)
      subscription for Qualified Capital Stock, (ii) contributions to capital in
      respect of the Capital Stock of HI already issued and without the issuance
      of additional Capital Stock of HI to RMI, or (iii) Subordinated Debt (all
      as defined in the Support Agreement), as determined by RMI and HI. RMI and
      HI may make the determination as to the manner in which

<PAGE>
                                      - 2 -

      the Annual Support Amount is contributed, and change that determination,
      from time to time in their sole discretion without approval of the
      Trustee.

F.    In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the board of directors of HI
      formed a Special Committee (as defined below) who reviewed the Notes
      offering and related transactions.

G.    This Agreement sets forth, among other things, RMI and HI's current
      agreement as to the manner in which the Annual Support Amount shall be
      contributed by RMI to HI for purposes of the Support Agreement.

    NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained
and other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.    Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement:

      "AGREEMENT" means this agreement as it may be amended, supplemented,
      restated or replaced from time to time; the expressions "hereof",
      "herein", "hereto", "hereunder", "hereby" and similar expressions refer
      to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular article, section,
      schedule or other portion hereof.

      "ANNUAL SUPPORT AMOUNT" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
      Support Agreement.

      "CAPITAL STOCK" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Indenture.

      "FLOOR AMOUNT" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Support
      Agreement.

      "LIENS" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Indenture.

      "NEGATIVE NET CASH FLOW" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
      Support Agreement.

      "OBLIGATIONS" means all of the obligations, liabilities and indebtedness
      of RMI to HI from time to time, whether present or future, absolute or
      contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, of whatsoever nature or kind, in
      any currency, under or in respect of this Agreement and the Support
      Agreement.

      "PERMITTED LIENS" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Indenture.

      "PUBLIC COMPANY" means a company whose voting, participating equity
      securities are (1) held by persons who are not affiliates of the company
      or acting jointly or in concert with an affiliate of the company and (2)
      listed on a stock exchange.

      "RCL OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE" means, at any time, the percentage of
      retractable common shares of HI owned by Ravelston and its Affiliates (as
      defined in the Indenture).

      "RMI LOAN" means the grid promissory note in favour of RMI as lender from
      HI as borrower dated the date hereof.

<PAGE>
                                      - 3 -

      "SPECIAL COMMITTEE" means a committee of the board of directors of HI
      comprised of not less than three directors, each of whom is neither an
      officer nor an employee of HI or any of its Affiliates.

      "SUPPORT AGREEMENT" means the RMI/HI support agreement between RMI and HI
      dated the date hereof.

2.    Support Amounts. The Annual Support Amount which RMI is required to
      contribute under the Support Agreement for any fiscal year shall be paid
      by HI to RMI as follows:

      (a)   if Negative Net Cash Flow in that fiscal year is greater than the
            Floor Amount, then all amounts to be contributed by RMI to HI in
            respect of that fiscal year pursuant to the Support Agreement shall
            be contributions by RMI to the capital of HI in respect of Capital
            Stock already issued and without the issuance of additional Capital
            Stock of HI to RMI;

      (b)   if Negative Net Cash Flow in that fiscal year is zero, then all
            amounts to be contributed by RMI to HI in respect of that fiscal
            year pursuant to the Support Agreement shall be contributions by way
            of advances from RMI to HI under the RMI Loan; and

      (c)   if Negative Net Cash Flow in that fiscal year is less than the Floor
            Amount, then (1) all amounts to be contributed by RMI to HI in
            respect of that fiscal year pursuant to the Support Agreement up to
            the amount of the Negative Net Cash Flow for that fiscal year shall
            be contributions by RMI to the capital of HI in respect of Capital
            Stock already issued and without the issuance of additional Capital
            Stock of HI to RMI, and (2) all amounts to be contributed by RMI to
            HI in respect of that fiscal year pursuant to the Support Agreement
            in excess of the Negative Net Cash Flow for such fiscal year shall
            be contributions by way of advances from RMI to HI under the RMI
            Loan.

3.    Payment of Support Amounts. The Annual Support Amount shall be paid by RMI
      to HI as follows:

      (a)   for the first three quarters of each fiscal year, the amount to be
            paid by RMI pursuant to section 3(a) of the Support Agreement shall
            be paid by way of contributions by RMI to the capital of HI in
            respect of Capital Stock already issued and without the issuance of
            additional Capital Stock of HI to RMI; and

      (b)   for the last quarter of each fiscal year, the amount to be paid
            pursuant to section 3(b) of the Support Agreement shall be paid by
            way of either (i) advances from RMI to HI or, if permitted by the
            Indenture, repayments from HI to RMI under the RMI Loan, (ii)
            contributions by RMI to the capital of HI in respect of Capital
            Stock already issued and without the issuance of additional Capital
            Stock of HI to RMI, and/or (iii) if permitted by the Indenture,
            returns of capital of HI to RMI, all in such amounts as shall be
            required to meet the requirements of section 2 hereof.

      For greater certainty, with respect to any period that is less than a
      fiscal quarter or a fiscal year, the Annual Support Amount to be paid by
      RMI to HI for such period shall be calculated pro rata by reference to the
      number of days in such period, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
      twelve 30-day months.

<PAGE>
                                      - 4 -

4.    Ravelston Covenants. At all times while the Obligations are outstanding,
      Ravelston covenants in favour of HI to:

      (a)   take all actions, including without limitation voting the capital
            stock of RMI, so as to cause RMI to comply with its obligations
            under (i) the covenants of RMI set out in sections 10.22(a) and
            10.23 of the Indenture, (ii) the Support Agreement, and (iii) this
            Agreement; and

      (b)   comply with the covenants of Ravelston set out in section 10.22(b)
            of the Indenture.

5.    RMI Covenants. At all times while the Obligations are outstanding, RMI
      covenants in favour of HI:

      (a)   not to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any of
            its assets or properties, other than Permitted Liens; and

      (b)   to comply with the covenants of RMI set out in section 10.22(a) and
            10.23 of the Indenture.

6.    Additional Contributions to Pay Dividends. In the event that, in any
      fiscal year (i) the board of directors of HI resolves to declare a cash
      dividend on the retractable common shares of HI which is permitted under
      the Indenture, and (ii) after giving effect to the Annual Support Payment
      paid by RMI to HI under the Support Agreement, HI does not have sufficient
      cash to pay such dividend (the "Dividend Cash Shortfall"), then RMI will
      contribute to HI an amount equal to the Dividend Cash Shortfall, as
      follows:

      (a)   an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the RCL
            Ownership Percentage immediately prior to the date for payment of
            such dividend, by (ii) the Dividend Cash Shortfall, shall be paid by
            way of contributions by RMI to the capital of HI in respect of
            Capital Stock already issued and without the issuance of additional
            Capital Stock of HI to RMI; and

      (b)   the balance of the Dividend Cash Shortfall shall be paid by way of
            advances from RMI to HI under the RMI Loan.

7.    Merger, Consolidation, Amalgamation. RMI shall not, in a single
      transaction or a series of related transactions, consolidate with,
      amalgamate or merge with or into any other person, or sell, assign,
      convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all
      of its properties and assets to any person, if such transaction or
      transactions, in the aggregate, would result in a sale, assignment,
      conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition of all or substantially all of
      the properties and assets of RMI to any other person, unless at the time
      and after giving effect thereto either (i) RMI shall be the continuing
      corporation or (b) the person (if other than RMI) formed by such
      consolidation or into which RMI is merged or amalgamated or the person
      which acquires by sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or
      disposition all or substantially all of the properties and assets of RMI
      expressly assumes all the obligations of RMI hereunder and this Agreement
      remains in full force and effect.

8.    Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon (i) repayment in full of
      the Notes and termination of the Support Agreement, or (ii) HI ceasing to
      be a Public Company.

<PAGE>
                                      - 5 -

9.    Modification, Amendment and Termination. This Agreement may be modified,
      amended or terminated only by the written agreement of all parties hereto,
      and, so long as HI is a Public Company, with the approval of a Special
      Committee.

10.   Assignment. The benefits of this Agreement may not be assigned without the
      express written consent of the parties hereto.

11.   Successor and No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement will enure to
      the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties to this agreement and
      their respective successors and permitted assigns. No provision of this
      agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any person other
      than the parties to this agreement and their successors or permitted
      assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this agreement or
      any beneficial interest in this agreement or any such rights or remedies.

12.   Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
      Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein. The parties
      hereto irrevocably submit and attorn to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of
      the courts of the Province of Ontario for all matters arising out of or in
      connection with this Agreement.

      DATED as of the date first set out above.

                                       THE RAVELSTON
                                       CORPORATION LIMITED

                                       By:  /s/ Peter Y. Atkinson
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Peter Y. Atkinson
                                            Title: Executive Vice-President

                                       RAVELSTON MANAGEMENT
                                       INC.

                                       By:  /s/ Peter Y. Atkinson
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Peter Y. Atkinson
                                            Title: Executive Vice-President

                                       HOLLINGER INC.

                                       By:  /s/ Peter Y. Atkinson
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Peter Y. Atkinson
                                            Title: Executive Vice-President<PAGE>
                                                                     Exhibit 4.6

                            RMI/HI SUPPORT AGREEMENT

      THIS AGREEMENT is dated as of March 10, 2003

BETWEEN:

            RAVELSTON MANAGEMENT INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws
            of Ontario

            ("RMI")

            - and -

            HOLLINGER INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada

            ("HI")

RECITALS:

A.    HI and RMI have entered into an indenture dated as of March 10, 2003 (the
      "Indenture") with Wachovia Trust Company, National Association, as trustee
      (the "Trustee"), which provides for the issue by HI of senior secured
      notes (the "Notes").

B.    The Ravelston Corporation Limited ("Ravelston") is the holder, directly or
      indirectly, of 78.2% of the issued and outstanding retractable common
      shares of HI. RMI is a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Ravelston. RMI
      has entered into a guarantee of the Notes (the "Guarantee").

C.    RMI wishes to provide support to HI in connection with the Notes.

    NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained
and other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.    Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement:

      "AGREEMENT" means this agreement as it may be amended, supplemented,
      restated or replaced from time to time; the expressions "hereof",
      "herein", "hereto", "hereunder", "hereby" and similar expressions refer to
      this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular article, section,
      schedule or other portion hereof.

      "CAPITAL STOCK" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Indenture.

      "DIVIDEND OFFSET AMOUNT" means the excess of any Net Dividend Amount
      received by HI and NBI in the relevant fiscal year over U.S.$4,650,000.

      "FLOOR AMOUNT" means U.S.$14,000,000 in each fiscal year, less (i) the
      aggregate amount of management fees paid in cash by HII and its
      subsidiaries directly to HI or to its Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries
      in such fiscal year, and (ii) any Dividend Offset Amount in such fiscal
      year. With respect to any period that is less than a fiscal

<PAGE>
                                      - 2 -

      year, the Floor Amount shall be calculated pro rata by reference to the
      number of days in such period, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
      twelve 30-day months.

      "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in Canada,
      consistently applied, which are in effect on the date of the Indenture.

      "HII" means Hollinger International Inc.

      "NBI" means 504468 N.B. Inc.

      "NEGATIVE NET CASH FLOW" means, for any period, the amount by which:

      (a)   Net Income (Loss) plus, without duplication, (i) the amount of all
            non-cash items reducing Net Income (Loss), (ii) all amounts deducted
            in the calculation of Net Income (Loss) on account of depreciation
            and amortization, and (iii) all taxes provided for in the
            calculation of Net Income (Loss), less, without duplication, (iv)
            any non-cash items increasing Net Income (Loss), (v) all taxes paid
            in cash during such period, (vi) all capital expenditures made in
            cash during such period, and (vii) all dividends (excluding
            dividends on HI's retractable common shares) made during such
            period; all calculated in accordance with GAAP as of the last day of
            any period, is less than

      (b)   zero.

      "NET DIVIDEND AMOUNT" means the net cash dividend amount received by HI
      and NBI in the relevant fiscal year on the Class A common shares and Class
      B common shares of HII held by them (including, without limitation, any
      such shares pledged as security for the Notes), after deducting (i) any
      withholding taxes or income taxes paid or payable in cash by HI or NBI in
      respect of such dividends, and (ii) any dividends received by HI or NBI on
      such number of shares of HII held by HI or NBI that corresponds to the
      number of Class A common shares of HII into which the Series II preferred
      shares of HI are exchangeable.

      "NET INCOME (LOSS)" of the Company means, for any period, the
      unconsolidated net income (or loss (and treating a loss as a negative
      number)) of the Company for such period, adjusted by excluding, without
      duplication, to the extent included in calculating such net income (or
      loss), (i) all extraordinary gains and losses, (ii) the net income (or
      loss) of any Person acquired during the specified period attributable to
      any period prior to the date of such acquisition, (iii) any gain or loss
      realized upon the termination of any employee pension benefit plan, (iv)
      aggregate gains and losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto)
      in respect of dispositions of assets other than in the ordinary course of
      business (provided that any sale of Capital Stock of HII for cash would be
      considered a disposition in the ordinary course of business), (v) any gain
      from the collection of proceeds of life insurance policies, and (vi) any
      gain or loss arising from the acquisition of any securities of the
      Company, or the extinguishment, under GAAP, of any Indebtedness of the
      Company.

      "QUALIFIED CAPITAL STOCK" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
      Indenture.

      "RCL REPAYMENT AMOUNT" means, for any period, any permanent repayment in
      cash of the principal amount of debt owing by Ravelston under the
      promissory note made by

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                                      - 3 -

      Ravelston as borrower in favour of HI as lender dated March 10, 2003
      received by HI during such period.

      "SUBORDINATED DEBT" means unsecured debt expressly subordinated in right
      of payment to the Notes.

      "WHOLLY-OWNED RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES" has the meaning attributed to such
      term in the Indenture.

2.    Annual Support Amount. Each fiscal year, RMI will contribute to HI an
      amount (the "Annual Support Amount") equal to (i) the greater of (A)
      Negative Net Cash Flow for that fiscal year and (B) the Floor Amount, less
      (ii) any RCL Repayment Amount made during that fiscal year. The Annual
      Support Amount shall be contributed by RMI to HI as either (i)
      subscription for Qualified Capital Stock, (ii) contributions to capital in
      respect of Capital Stock of HI already issued and without the issuance of
      additional Capital Stock of HI to RMI, or (iii) Subordinated Debt, as
      determined by RMI and HI.

3.    Payment of Annual Support Amount. The Annual Support Amount shall be paid
      by RMI to HI as follows:

      (a)   for the first three quarters of each fiscal year, an amount equal to
            (i) the Negative Net Cash Flow for the preceding quarter, less (ii)
            any RCL Repayment Amount for that preceding quarter, shall be paid
            by RMI to HI within 45 days of the end of each such quarter; and

      (b)   for the last quarter of each fiscal year, an amount equal to

            (i)   the greater of (A) the Negative Net Cash Flow for the fiscal
                  year and (B) the Floor Amount,

            (ii)  less any RCL Repayment Amount made during the fiscal year,

            (iii) less the aggregate amount paid during the fiscal year pursuant
                  to section 3(a) hereof,

            shall be paid by RMI to HI (or, if negative, paid by HI to RMI, if
            permitted by the Indenture) no later than 90 days after the end of
            such fiscal year.

      For greater certainty, partial payments of the Annual Support Amount may
      be made by RMI from time to time before the dates specified in this
      section. Such partial payments shall be credited towards the amounts due
      in this section. With respect to any period that is less than a fiscal
      quarter or a fiscal year, the Annual Support Amount to be paid by RMI to
      HI for such period shall be calculated pro rata by reference to the number
      of days in such period, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
      30-day months.

4.    Reports.

      (a)   HI shall:

            (i)   for each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year,
                  calculate the Net Income (Loss), the Negative Net Cash Flow
                  and the amounts to be paid

<PAGE>
                                      - 4 -

                  by RMI pursuant to section 3(a) hereof for the preceding
                  fiscal quarter and, within 45 days after the end of such
                  quarter, deliver to RMI and the Trustee (A) a report for such
                  quarter setting out these amounts, and (B) a review on such
                  report by HI's independent auditors; and

            (ii)  for the last quarter of each fiscal year, calculate the Net
                  Income (Loss), the Negative Net Cash Flow and the amount to be
                  paid by RMI pursuant to section 3(b) hereof for the preceding
                  fiscal year and, within 90 days after the end of such quarter,
                  deliver to RMI and the Trustee (A) a report for such fiscal
                  year setting out these amounts, and (B) an audit of such
                  report by HI's independent auditors,

            (each such report, a "Delivered Report"). The amounts set out in
            each Delivered Report will be deemed to be the settled amounts for
            purposes of the payments required hereby until such time as
            determined otherwise pursuant to section 4(c) or (d). Any payments
            or adjustments to payments previously made required by a resolution
            under section 4(c) or an award or determination of an Auditor under
            section 4(d) will be made forthwith after the resolution, award or
            determination (as applicable).

      (b)   For each Delivered Report, if RMI notifies HI that it agrees with
            the Delivered Report within 10 days after receiving it or fails to
            deliver notice to HI of its disagreement with the Delivered Report
            within that 10-day period, the Delivered Report will be conclusive
            and binding on HI and RMI will be deemed to have agreed to it, in
            the first case, on the date HI receives the notice and, in the
            second case, on that 10th day.

      (c)   If RMI notifies HI of RMI's disagreement with a Delivered Report
            within the 10-day period provided for in section 4(b), then HI and
            RMI will attempt, in good faith, to resolve their differences with
            respect to it within 20 days after delivery of the Delivered Report
            to RMI. Any disagreement over a Delivered Report not resolved by HI
            and RMI within that 20-day period will be resolved as set out in
            section 4(d). HI shall provide the Trustee with a copy of any notice
            of disagreement received from RMI.

      (d)   Any dispute relating to a Delivered Report not resolved within 20
            days after delivery of the Delivered Report to RMI will be
            determined by arbitration under the Arbitration Act, 1991 (Ontario)
            (the "ARBITRATION ACT") by a partner of a major accounting firm in
            Ontario (the "AUDITOR") who is independent of HI and RMI and agreed
            to by HI and RMI or appointed by a judge of the Superior Court of
            Justice of Ontario, on application of HI or RMI, on notice to the
            other. The application of section 7(2) of the Arbitration Act is
            expressly excluded. Subject to section 44 of the Arbitration Act,
            any award or determination of the Auditor will be final and binding
            on the parties and there will be no appeal on any ground. Any
            hearing in the course of the determination will be held in Toronto,
            Ontario in the English language. All matters relating to the
            arbitration will be kept confidential to the full extent permitted
            by law. Despite section 28(1) of the Arbitration Act, the Auditor
            will not, without the written consent of HI and RMI, retain any
            expert. The Auditor shall have power to award costs of the
            arbitration (including fees of the Auditor) to the losing party on a
            substantial indemnity basis.

<PAGE>
                                      - 5 -

5.    Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon repayment in full of the
      Notes and termination or release of the Guarantee.

6.    Waiver. RMI hereby waives any failure or delay on the part of another
      party in asserting or enforcing any rights or in making any claims or
      demands hereunder.

7.    Modification, Amendment and Termination. This Agreement may be modified,
      amended or terminated only by the written agreement of all parties hereto.

8.    Third Party Beneficiary. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that the
      Trustee is a third party beneficiary of this Agreement (except for the
      second sentence of section 2 hereof) and is entering into the Indenture in
      reliance, among other things, upon this Agreement. The Trustee shall be
      entitled to enforce against any party hereto any term or provision of this
      Agreement (except the second sentence of section 2 hereof).

9.    Successor. The Agreement herein set forth shall be binding upon, and enure
      to the benefit of RMI and HI and their respective successors and permitted
      assigns.

10.   Assignment. The benefits of this Agreement may not be assigned without the
      express written consent of RMI and HI, other than a pledge of this
      Agreement by HI in favour of the Trustee as security for HI's obligations
      under the Indenture. In the event that (i) an Event of Default (as defined
      in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, and (ii) the Trustee has
      given prior written notice to RMI and HI, RMI shall pay all amounts
      payable by RMI to HI hereunder directly to the Trustee for the benefit of
      the holders of the Notes for such time as such Event of Default shall
      continue.

11.   GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE
      OF NEW YORK.

      DATED as of the date first set out above.

                                       RAVELSTON MANAGEMENT
                                       INC.

                                       By:  /s/ Peter Y. Atkinson
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Peter Y. Atkinson
                                            Title:

                                       HOLLINGER INC.

                                       By:  /s/ Peter Y. Atkinson
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Peter Y. Atkinson
                                            Title:

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