Table:
| Years ended August 31, | 2019 | 2018 (1) | Change |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| (in thousands of dollars, except percentages) | $ | $ | % |
| Cash flow from operating activities | 868,711 | 620,748 | 39.9 |
| Cash flow from investing activities | (471,078) | (2,191,666) | (78.5) |
| Cash flow from financing activities | (659,222) | 1,426,136 | — |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents denominated in a foreign currency | (439) | 1,989 | — |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations | (262,028) | (142,793) | 83.5 |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalent from discontinued operations(2) | 733,807 | 16,333 | — |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year | 84,725 | 211,185 | (59.9) |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year | 556,504 | 84,725 | — |
Paragraphs:
5. CASH FLOW ANALYSIS
(1) Fiscal 2018 was restated to comply with IFRS 15 and to reflect a change in accounting policy as well as to reclassify results from Cogeco Peer 1 as discontinued operations. For further details, please consult the "Accounting policies" and "Discontinued operations" sections.
(2) For further details on the Corporation's cash flow attributable to discontinued operations, please consult the "Discontinued operations" section.
Fiscal 2019 cash flow from operating activities increased by 39.9% compared to the prior year mainly from: • higher adjusted EBITDA; • the decreases in income taxes paid and in financial expense paid; and • the decrease in integration, restructuring and acquisitions costs.
Fiscal 2019 investing activities decreased by 78.5% compared to the prior year mainly due to the MetroCast acquisition of $1.76 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2018.
Question:
What was the percentage change in Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year from 2018 to 2019?