Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.5

                              CONSULTING AGREEMENT

          THIS AGREEMENT MADE as of the 13th day of October, 2000.

BETWEEN:

          WESTLINKS RESOURCES LTD. a corporation with its offices in
          Calgary, Alberta and WESTLINKS INC., a corporation which
          carries on business in the United States of America
          (hereinafter collectively called "Westlinks")

                                      -and-

          WELLS GRAY RESORT & RESOURCES LTD., a corporation with
          its offices in Calgary, Alberta (hereinafter called the
          "Contractor")

WHEREAS:

A.        Westlinks wishes to engage the Contractor to provide consulting and
          other services for a term of six months until April 13, 2001.

B.        The Contractor's consulting services will include consultations
          regarding drilling, completion and equipping projects for Westlinks in
          Canada and the investigation of business opportunities for Westlinks
          Inc. in the United States.

C.        The Contractor represents that it is an independent contractor
          capable of carrying on business for itself.

          THEREFORE THE PARTIES AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:

1.        TERM OF ENGAGEMENT

          Westlinks agrees to engage the Contractor to provide services pursuant
to this Agreement for a term of six months from October 13, 2000 to April 13,
2001.

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                                       -2-

2.        INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

     a.   The Contractor represents that the Contractor is in business for
          itself and that the Contractor is an independent contractor for the
          purpose of the Income Tax Act. Nothing contained in this Agreement
          shall be regarded or construed as creating any relationship
          (employer/employee, joint venture, association, or partnership)
          between the parties other than as set forth herein.

     b.   The Contractor shall be free to devote to Contractor's consulting
          business such portion of Contractor's time, energy, efforts and skill
          as Contractor sees fit, and to perform Contractor's duties when and
          where Contractor sees fit, so long as Contractor provides the services
          set out in paragraph 3 below in a timely and professional fashion.

3.        CONTRACTOR'S SERVICES

     a.   The Contractor shall provide services and consultations (the
          "Services") in regard to drilling, completion and equipping projects
          for Westlinks Resources Ltd. and will investigate business
          opportunities for Westlinks Inc. in the United States, and such other
          incidental matters and projects as may be assigned from time to time
          by the management of Westlinks.

     b.   The Contractor shall provide the Services to the best of the
          Contractor's ability.

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                                      -3-

4.        REMUNERATION

     a.   Westlinks shall pay to the contractor the amount of $8,333.33 per
          month spent in performing the Contractor's Services pursuant to this
          Agreement.

     b.   Westlinks shall also reimburse the Contractor for any out-of-pocket
          expenses incurred by the Contractor at the request of Westlinks. Prior
          to the reimbursement of such expenses, the Contractor is to prepare a
          detailed summary of the expenses incurred and submit it to Westlinks
          together with supporting receipts and other invoices. Expenses in the
          aggregate, which total more than $200 per month must be approved in
          advance by the Chief Operating Officer of Westlinks.

     c.   The Contractor agrees to render a monthly invoice to Westlinks, in a
          form acceptable to Westlinks, for Services rendered and/or expenses
          incurred in that month. The invoice shall include GST, which is
          chargeable in respect of those Services, and include the GST number of
          the Contractor.

     d.   The Contractor is responsible for deducting the applicable taxes on
          the remuneration and remitting the same to Revenue Canada as
          prescribed by law. Taxes includes federal and provincial income taxes,
          goods and services tax, Canada Pension Plan deductions and employment
          insurance premiums.

5.        TAX INDEMNIFICATION

          In the event that Revenue Canada, for whatever reason, seeks from the
Contractor, or an employee of the Contractor, taxes on the Contractor's
remuneration, the Contractor agrees to indemnify Westlinks, or any of its
directors, officers and employees, the amount of any such taxes (including any
applicable interest and penalties on the taxes)

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                                      -4-

within 30 days of Westlinks claiming such taxes from the Contractor. The
Contractor further agrees that Westlinks may set off an equal amount of such
taxes (including any applicable interest and penalties on the taxes) from any
remuneration owed to the Contractor.

6.        TERMINATION

          In the event that the Contractor violates this Agreement, or otherwise
fails to perform the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
Westlinks may terminate this Agreement immediately and without notice for just
case.

7.        CONTRACTOR FREE TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO OTHER PARTIES

          The Contractor is free to provide consulting and other services to the
Contractor's own clients and to other parties during the Term of this Agreement,
provided however, the Contractor shall ensure that the Contractor is able to
provide the services pursuant to this Agreement in a professional and timely
fashion. The Contractor also agrees not to perform services for the Contractor's
own clients or other parties which may create a conflict of interest or
interfere with the Contractor's duties pursuant to this Agreement.

8.        APPROVAL OF CAPITAL PROJECTS AND BUDGETS

     a.   All capital projects, together with a capital budget, must be
          submitted and approved by the Board of Directors of Westlinks prior to
          proceeding with the project. Once the project and budget is approved
          by the Board, the Contractor is responsible for executing the
          projects. The Contractor's employees will report to Ed McFeely, the
          Executive Vice-President and Chief

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                                      -5-

          Operating Officer of Westlinks who will be in charge of the
          operations, including field operations.

9.        NOTICE

     a.   Any written notice required or permitted under this Agreement shall be
          given to the other party at the following address:

          NOTICE TO WESTLINKS:

          Westlinks Resources Ltd.
          Suite 700, 703 - 6th Avenue SW
          Calgary, Alberta T2P 0T9

          Attention: Mr. Edward C. (Ted) McFeely,
                     Executive Vice-President and CEO

          Notice to Contractor:

          Wells Gray Resort and Resources Limited,
          Box 176,
          Didsbury, Alberta  TOM OWO

          Attention: Tom Jacobsen

10.       AMERICOM'S CHEYENNE RIVER PROSPECT

          The Parties acknowledge that Westlinks was advised of the opportunity
to participate in Americom's Cheyenne River Prospect project, but Westlinks has
declined this opportunity. Westlinks agrees that the Contractor, Tom Jacobsen,
or their designate, may pursue this project and this does not place the
Contractor, Tom Jacobsen, or their designate, in any conflict of interest with
Westlinks.

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                                      -6-

11.       CONFIDENTIALITY

          The Contractor acknowledges that it will acquire information about
certain matters and things which are confidential to Westlinks, and which is the
exclusive property of Westlinks, including:

     a.   information regarding Westlinks lands and projects;

     b.   information regarding capital budgets;

     c.   information regarding partners;

     d.   personnel information about employees and contractors of Westlinks;

     e.   information about suppliers and service providers.

          The Contractor acknowledges that this confidential information could
be used to the detriment of Westlinks. Therefore the Contractor undertakes to
treat confidentially all information and agrees not to disclose this information
to any third party either during the term of this agreement, except as may be
necessary in the proper discharge of the Contractor's duties under this
Agreement, or after the date of termination of this Agreement, however caused,
except with the written permission of the Chief Operating Officer or the
Chairman of the board of directors of Westlinks. Each of the Contractor's
employees will sign a confidentiality agreement in the form attached hereto as
Schedule "A".

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                                      -7-

12.       WESTLINKS PROPERTY

          All equipment, files, forms, client and supplier lists, materials,
written correspondence, communications, reports, proposals, specifications,
project proposals, drawings, blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment and any
other documents or property (whether in written or electronic form) pertaining
to the business of Westlinks which may come into the possession or control of
the Contractor, is Westlinks' property at all times. The Contractor agrees to
promptly return all of this property to Westlinks following termination or
completion of the Term of this Agreement.

13.       ARBITRATION

          In the event of any dispute between the Contractor (or the
Contractor's employees) and Westlinks the parties agree that it will be resolved
before a single arbitrator pursuant to the provisions of the Arbitration Act
(Alberta). In addition to any other appropriate remedy, the arbitrator shall
award costs (including the costs of the arbitration and reasonable solicitor and
client legal fees) to the successful party in the arbitration. The decision of
the arbitrator will be final and binding on the parties.

14.       MISCELLANEOUS

     a.   This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement between
          the parties.

     b.   This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Province of
          Alberta and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

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                                      -8-

     c.   The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this
          Agreement shall not affect any other provision thereof, and this
          Agreement shall be construed as though such invalid or
          unenforceability provision were omitted.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement with effect from the
date first written above.

                                         WESTLINKS RESOURCES LTD.
                                         AND WESTLINKS INC.

                                         Per: /signed/ "E.C. McFeely"
                                              ---------------------------------

                                         Per: /signed/ "Marcia L. Johnston"
                                              ----------------------------------

                                         WELLS GRAY RESORT AND
                                         RESOURCES LIMITED

                                         Per: /signed/ "Thomas J. Jacobsen"
                                              ----------------------------------

                                         Per:
                                              ----------------------------------

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                                  SCHEDULE "A"

          I, Thomas J. Jacobsen, an employee of Wells Gray Resort and Resources
Limited, am providing consulting services to Westlinks Resources Limited and
Westlinks Inc. pursuant to a Consulting Agreement between Wells Gray and
Westlinks dated October 13th, 2000. I acknowledge that I will acquire
information about certain matters and things which are confidential to
Westlinks, and which is the exclusive property of Westlinks, including:

     (a)  information regarding Westlinks lands and projects;

     (b)  information regarding capital budgets;

     (c)  information regarding partners;

     (d)  personnel information about employees and contractors of Westlinks;

     (e)  information about suppliers and service providers.

          I acknowledge that this confidential information could be used to the
detriment of Westlinks. Therefore I undertake to treat confidentially all
information and agree not to disclose this information to any third party either
during the term of this agreement, except as may be necessary in the proper
discharge of my consulting duties, or after the date of termination of my
consulting services, however caused, except with the written permission of the
Chief Operating Officer or the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Westlinks.

          All equipment, files, forms, client and supplier lists, materials,
written correspondence, communications, reports, proposals, specifications,
project proposals, drawings, blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment and any
other documents or property (whether in written or electronic form) pertaining
to the business of Westlinks which may come into my possession or control, is
Westlinks property at all times. I agree to promptly return all of this property
to Westlinks following termination or completion of the project.

/signed/ "E.C.McFeely"                             /signed/ "Thomas J. Jacobsen"
----------------------                            ------------------------------
      Witness                                                Employee

                                                        Thomas J. Jacobsen
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                           [print name]<PAGE>   1

                                                                       Exhibit 4

                               ADDENDUM NUMBER ONE
                                       TO
                           MONTHLY STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                             FOR INDEPENDENT AGENTS

         This Addendum Number One to the Monthly Stock Purchase Plan for
Independent Agents of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company and its
affiliated companies amends the section captioned Dividend Disbursements in the
"Introduction to Plan Document" and the "Plan Document," both to read as
follows:

         Dividends earned on shares in the Participant's account, as they become
         payable by the Company, will be remitted by the Bank to each
         Participant by check, or reinvested by the Bank pursuant to the
         Company's Dividend Reinvestment Plan, provided the Participant has
         enrolled in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

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                           MONTHLY STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                             FOR INDEPENDENT AGENTS

INTRODUCTION TO PLAN DOCUMENT

         The Monthly Stock Purchase Plan for Independent Agents of State
Automobile Mutual Insurance Company, and its affiliated companies (the "Plan")
offers eligible independent agents of State Auto ("Participants") the
opportunity to purchase common stock of State Auto Financial Corporation (the
"Company"), State Auto's publicly held subsidiary, through deductions from
commissions paid by State Auto or its subsidiaries. All costs and service
charges incurred in connection with the purchase of shares through the Plan will
be paid by the Company. Participation is voluntary, and Participants may enroll
in the Plan or withdraw from the Plan at any time, subject to the terms of the
Plan.

         The Plan provides you, as agents, with an opportunity to participate
financially in the future of State Auto Financial Corporation, and to do so
conveniently and without paying brokerage commissions when shares are bought for
your account. A portion of your agent commissions will be automatically deducted
for you each month under the Plan, and these funds will be used (together with
those of other Participants) by National City Bank (the "Bank") to purchase the
Company's common stock at market prices for your account.

         The relationship between each participant and the Bank is the
relationship of client and broker/agent, and neither State Auto, the Company,
nor any of their affiliates assumes any responsibility for or serves in any
capacity in this relationship. In seeking the benefits of share ownership in the
Company, each participant must also accept his or her own investment risks.

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Market values are subject to fluctuations caused by any number of factors, both
internal and external. Therefore, under the Plan, there is no guarantee against
financial loss.

         Shares are purchased at market prices current at the time of purchase
through individual Monthly stock Purchase Plan accounts opened by Participants
at National City Bank. To open a Monthly Stock Purchase Plan account
("account"), fill out the enclosed Commission Deduction Authorization and
Purchase Order forms and return them to the Company in the return envelope
provided. If you have any questions, please contact the Corporate Trust
Department of National City Bank either by telephone (216/575-2658) or by mail
at the address contained in this folder.

ELIGIBILITY

         All principals of active agencies entitled to commissions from State
Auto and its property casualty insurance subsidiaries are eligible to
participate.

HOW THE PLAN WORKS

         Subject to the Monthly Stock Purchase Plan and the Agency Engagement,
National City Bank (the "Bank") will open and maintain accounts in the names of
Participants who so request and will make purchases and sales of shares of
Company common stock for the account of such Participants.

         Funds received by the Bank from (1) commission deductions and (2)
additional voluntary payments up to a maximum of $10,000 per month will be
commingled with those of other Participants in the Plan and used to purchase
shares of Company common stock on a monthly basis. Such shares, including
fractional shares carried to three decimal places, will be credited to each
Participant's account.

         The Company will pay the service charges and brokerage commissions for
purchases of stock. The brokerage commissions and service charges due to the
Bank in connection with the subsequent sale of any shares will be payable by the
Participant.

         Each time shares are purchased for a participant's account, the
Participant will receive from the Bank a detailed statement of the account
showing funds invested from commission deductions and cash payments received,
shares purchased, price per share and total shares held for the Participant. The
statement will include a detachable form to be used to give the Bank notice of a
change of address, instructions for the sale or withdrawal of shares, or to
deposit cash payments. (A check or money order should be made payable to
National City Bank.)

         Commission deductions and cash payment held by the Bank will be used to
purchase shares on the 10th day of that month or the next business day
immediately following if the 10th is not a business day. Timing of cash payments
should be made accordingly. No interest will be paid on cash in the account.

         The shares purchased will be held in safekeeping by the Bank until
termination of a Participant's participation in the Plan. This convenience
provides protection against any loss,

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theft or destruction of share certificates. However, upon a Participant's
written request, the Participant may obtain a certificate for any full shares in
the account.

         Each Participant in the Plan will direct the voting of all full and
fractional shares in the account and will receive all literature sent to the
Company's shareholders.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

         To participate in the Plan, the Participant must complete and sign both
the Commission Deduction Authorization and the Purchase Order form and mail them
to State Auto in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope. State Auto will
submit the Commission Deduction Authorization and Purchase Order to the Bank
which will open the Participant's account.

COMMISSION DEDUCTION AUTHORIZATIONS

         In the Commission Deduction Authorization, specify the amount to be
withheld from commission disbursements. The minimum amount a Participant can
have withheld is $50 per month. The commission deduction will remain in effect
until revised or terminated. Changing the amount deducted or terminating the
deduction is done by submitting a written request to State Auto on a form that
will be provided by State Auto on request. Enrollment, or termination of
deductions will become effective as soon as practicable after a request is
received by State Auto. The request must be made using the State Auto form.

         The amounts deducted from commission checks pursuant to the Commission
Deduction Authorization will be commingled and forwarded monthly by State Auto
to the Bank with a list of the amounts deducted for each Participant's account.
State Auto has reserved the right to terminate the Plan and to discontinue use
of its commission deduction facilities for this purpose at any time.

DIVIDEND DISBURSEMENTS

         Dividends earned on shares in the Participant's account, as they become
payable by the Company, will be remitted by the Bank to each Participant by
check.

TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION

         A Participant may terminate his or her account at any time by notifying
the Bank, in writing, at the following address: National City Bank, P.O. Box
92301, Cleveland, Ohio 44193-0900, providing a copy to State Auto.

         Any questions or correspondence about the Plan should be addressed to:
National City Bank at the same address shown above. The telephone number of
National City Bank is (216) 575-2658 or 1-800-622-8100 (extension 2658).

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