EXHIBIT 2.10


                           DEBENTURE PLEDGE AGREEMENT

      DESCRIPTION OF DEBENTURE

      PRINCIPAL AMOUNT                       $3,600,000

      DATE                                   SEPTEMBER 18, 1998

      INTEREST RATE                          8% PER ANNUM

      FOR  VALUABLE  CONSIDERATION,  the  receipt  and  sufficiency  whereof  is
acknowledged  by  the  undersigned,   ITC  CANADA  LIMITED,  a  body  corporate,
incorporated  under the laws of Nova Scotia (the "Company"),  hereby assigns to,
deposits  with and  pledges  to NOVA  SCOTIA  BUSINESS  DEVELOPMENT  CORPORATION
("NSBDC") the debenture created by the Company and described above together with
all renewals thereof,  amendments thereto or substitutions  therefore,  interest
thereon and proceeds  thereof (the  "Debenture')  to be held by NSBDC as general
and  continuing  collateral  security  for the payment of all present and future
indebtedness and liability of the Company to NSBDC (the "Indebtedness").

      In the event of any  default by the  Company in payment of any part of the
Indebtedness  or in the  performance  of any other  obligation of the Company to
NSBDC,  NSBDC may at any time during the continuance of any such default realize
upon the  Debenture by sale,  transfer or delivery,  or exercise and enforce all
rights and remedies of a holder of the Debenture as if NSBDC were absolute owner
thereof, without notice to or control by the Company, and any such remedy may be
exercised  separately or in  combination  and shall be in addition to and not in
substitution for any other rights of NSBDC however created,  provided that NSBDC
shall not be bound to exercise any such right or remedy.

      The proceeds of the  Debenture  may be applied by NSBDC on account of such
part of the  Indebtedness as it chooses without  prejudice to NSBDC's claim upon
the Company for any deficiency.

      NSBDC may grant extensions of time or other indulgences,  take and give up
securities,  accept  compositions,  grant  releases and discharges and otherwise
deal with the Company and with other  parties,  sureties or  securities as NSBDC
may see fit without  prejudice to the liability of the Company or NSBDC's rights
in respect of the Debenture.

      PROVIDED HOWEVER as follows:

      (a)   notwithstanding  that the  Debenture is in the  principal  amount of
            Cdn.  $3,600,000 the liability of the Company under the Debenture at
            any time shall be limited to the amount of the Indebtedness;

      (b)   notwithstanding  that the  Debenture  is  expressed to be payable on
            demand, payment may only be demanded upon the occurrence of an event
            of default under any instrument representing the Indebtedness or the
            Debenture;


      (c)   payment  to NSBDC of  interest  for any  period  in  respect  of the
            Indebtedness,  whether before or after default,  in accordance  with
            the  terms  of  the   Indebtedness   shall  be  deemed   payment  in
            satisfaction  of the interest  payment for the same period under the
            Debenture.

      The  Debenture  shall  not  operate  by  way  of  merger  of  any  of  the
Indebtedness  and no judgment  recovered by NSBDC shall operate by way of merger
of or in any way affect the  security of the  Debenture  which is in addition to
and not in substitution for any other security now or hereafter held by NSBDC.

      This Debenture  Pledge  Agreement  shall be interpreted in accordance with
and governed by the laws of the Province of Nova Scotia and, for such  purposes,
the Company  hereby  irrevocably  consents  and  submits,  both as to person and
subject  matter,  to the  jurisdiction  of the courts of Nova  Scotia and to the
entry of any judgment rendered in any proceedings therein.

      The  provisions  hereof  shall be  binding  upon and  shall  ensure to the
benefit of the Company and NSBDC and their respective successors and assigns.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has duly executed this instrument as of
the 18th day of September, 1998.


SIGNED, SEALED & DELIVERED               ITC CANADA LIMITED
in the presence of:


/s/  Robert G. MacKeigan                 Per: /s/  Wendy G. Berney
- ------------------------                 -------------------------

                                              /s/  Phillip Read
                                         -------------------------    



                                       2








               Date:  September 18, 1998


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                               ITC CANADA LIMITED

                                       and

                              NOVA SCOTIA BUSINESS
                             DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION




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                           DEBENTURE PLEDGE AGREEMENT



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                 Robert G. MacKeigan  
                 Cox Hanson O'Reilly  Matheson  
                 Barristers and Solicitors  
                 Suite 1100,  Purdy's Wharf Tower One
                 1959 Upper Water Streest 
                 PO Box 2380, Stn Central RPO 
                 Halifax NS B3J 3E5