Exhibit 2.3
                         RECEIVER'S ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE

      This Indenture made as of the 16th day of September, 1998;

BETWEEN:

      GRANT THORNTON LIMITED, as receiver and manager of the property and assets
      of MENTOR NETWORKS INC., (the "Grantor")

                                    OF THE FIRST PART

            - and -

      ITC CANADA LIMITED, a body corporate,  having its registered office in the
      City  of  Halifax,  County  of  Halifax,  Province  of Nova  Scotia,  (the
      "Grantee)

                                    OF THE SECOND PART

      RECITALS:

A.    Mentor Networks Inc.  granted certain security to the Nova Scotia Business
      Development  Corporation,  a Crown  Corporation  of the  Province  of Nova
      Scotia ("NSBDC") comprising, inter alia, the following:

      a.    A Debenture in the original  principal  amount of  $2,500,000  dated
            April  29,  1997 and  registered  under  the  CORPORATIONS  SECURITY
            REGISTRATION  ACT on May 1, 1997 as  number  30928A  and also  filed
            under the PERSONAL  PROPERTY REGISTRY on December 23, 1997 as number
            155622;

      b.    A Mortgage  by way of  sublease of the  Mentor's  business  premises
            located in the Purdy's Wharf Tower;

      (collectively, the "Security")

B.    Default  having  occurred under the Security,  Grant Thornton  Limited was
      appointed  Receiver  of the  property,  assets and  undertaking  of Mentor
      Networks Inc. by NSBDC on July 20, 1998 by written appointment;

C.    In response to an open tendering process,  the Grantee offered to purchase
      the Receiver's right,  title and interests in the assets of the Grantor on
      August 19,  1998 which offer was  accepted  August 21,  1998,  pursuant to
      which the Grantor  agreed to assign to the Grantee and the Grantee  agreed
      to purchase from the Grantor,  inter alia,  the interest of the Grantor in
      the Lease dated 1997  between  Mentor  Networks  Inc.  and  Purdy's  Wharf
      Developments  Limited for  approximately  19,000 square feet of 1959 Upper
      Water Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, more accurately referred to as the 6th
      floor thereof defined in the Lease.




      WITNESSETH THAT:

(1)   In  consideration  of the sum of One  Dollar  ($1.00)  of lawful  money of
      Canada now paid by the Grantee to the Grantor and other good and  valuable
      consideration, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the Grantor has
      assigned  to the  Grantee  all its  interest  in and to a Lease dated 1997
      between  Mentor  Networks Inc. and Purdy's Wharf  Development  Limited for
      approximately 19,000 square feet of 1959 Upper Water Street, Halifax, Nova
      Scotia,  more  accurately  referred to as the 6th floor thereof defined in
      the Lease.

(2)   TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Lease unto and to the use of the Grantee,  and the
      Grantee's successors and assigns, FOREVER.






      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF the Grantor has caused this  indenture  to be properly
executed as of the day, month and year herein above first written.


      SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED        )
      in the presence of:                 )     GRANT THORNTON LIMITED,
                                          )     as receiver and manager of the
                                          )     property and assets of MENTOR
                                          )     NETWORKS INC.
                                          )
                                          )     By:  /s/  Ross Landers
                                          )         ---------------------------
            /s/  Robert G. MacKeigan      )
          ------------------------------  )
                                          )     NOVA SCOTIA BUSINESS
                                          )     DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,
                                          )     as attorney of Mentor
                                                Networks Inc., beneficial
                                          )     holder of the last day of
                                          )     the Lease.
                                          )
                                          )     By:  /s/  Andrew H. Hare
            /s/                           )        ---------------------------
          ------------------------------  )
                                          )
                                                    /s/
                                                   ---------------------------



                                       2



      DATED:      SEPTEMBER                                               1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      BETWEEN:

            GRANT THORNTON LIMITED,  as receiver and manager of the property and
      assets of Mentor Networks Inc.,

                                                GRANTOR


                                     - and -


            ITC CANADA LIMITED,  a body corporate,  having its registered office
      in the City of Halifax, County of Halifax, Province of Nova Scotia,

                                                GRANTEE


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


                         RECEIVER'S ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE
                                    PARCEL 4

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


                                  C. Holm, Q.C.
                                 HUESTIS o HOLM
                            Barristers and Solicitors
                    708 - 1809 Barrington Street - CIBC Building
                         Halifax - Nova Scotia - Canada
                                     B3J 3K8

                                   File #32796




                                       3



                          Cox Hanson O'Reilly Matheson
                          1100 Purdy's Wharf Tower One
                             1959 Upper Water Street
                          Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

                                 Correspondence
                           PO Box 2380 Stn Central RPO
                               Halifax NS B3J 3E5

                                                      Robert G.MacKeigan, Q.C.
                                                      Barrister and Solicitor
                                                      Phone  (902) 421-6262
                                                      Fax      (902) 421-3130
                                                      Direct  (902) 491-4121
                                                      E-Mail robbie@coxhanson.ca

                               September 17, 1998

Purdy's Wharf Development Limited
Suite 305, Xerox Building
1949 Upper Water Street
Halifax, NS  B3J3N3

Dear Sirs:

      Re:   Mentor Networks Inc.
            - Assignment of Lease by Receiver to ITC Canada Limited

      As you are  aware,  we have  been  acting  as  solicitors  to Nova  Scotia
Business Development Corporation and to Grant Thornton Limited,  receiver of the
property  and  assets of Mentor  Networks  Inc.  and of High  Performance  Group
(Canada) Inc.

      I refer to the terms of the lease entered into by you with Mentor Networks
Inc., a copy of which attached, and the terms of the Indenture agreement between
Purdy's Wharf Development Limited, Nova Scotia Business Development Corporation,
and Mentor  Networks Inc. and High  Performance  Group (Canada) Inc. dated April
29, 1997, a copy of which is attached.

      Grant  Thornton  Limited as receiver  appointed  by Nova  Scotia  Business
Development Corporation has agreed to assign the lease to ITC Canada Limited and
you have indicated that the landlord is prepared to consent to this  assignment,
provided the assignee, ITC Canada Limited,  agrees to be bound by all covenants,
terms and conditions of the attached lease.

      It would be  appreciated  if you would  confirm  your consent by signing a
copy of this  letter and  returning  it to me. I will treat your  signing of the
letter as confirmation of the approval and also confirmation of your advice that
there is no  default  under the lease and that there is no  outstanding  rental,
save for the amount of  $36,700.41  payable on September  18, 1998 in accordance
with your invoice number 980920, dated August 28, 1998, and outstanding invoices
#98065 dated July 6, 1998 for lights and #9806EX  dated July 13, 1998 for excess
electricity.



                                       4


      Thank you for your co-operation on this matter.

                                          Yours very truly,

                                          /s/  Robert G.MacKeigan

                                          Robert G. MacKeigan

RGM/cb

Agreed September 17, 1998:

Purdy's Wharf Development Limited

Per:  /s/  John W. Lindsay, Jr.
      -----------------------------



                                       5





                                    NET LEASE

                                    (TOWER 1)

                                     BETWEEN





                        PURDY'S WHARF DEVELOPMENT LIMITED





                                                as Landlord





                        AND







                              MENTOR NETWORKS INC.



                                                as Tenant









      Dated:      ___________________, 1997

      02/97






                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                          PAGE


ARTICLE 1- INTENT OF LEASE...................................................1
  1.1 General Provisions.....................................................1

ARTICLE 2- DEFINITIONS.......................................................1
  2.1........................................................................1
      (1) "lease"............................................................1
      (2) "Phase I"..........................................................1
      (3) "Phase II".........................................................1
      (4) "Future Phases"....................................................1
      (5) "Land".............................................................1
      (6) "Building".........................................................1
      (7) "Common Areas".....................................................2
      (8) "Premises".........................................................2
      (9) "Operating Year"...................................................2
      (10) "Proportion"......................................................2

ARTICLE 3- DEMISE AND POSSESSION.............................................2
  3.1 Demise.................................................................2
  3.2 Delivery of Premises...................................................3
  3.3 Notice of Defects......................................................3
  3.4 Substitution of Premises...............................................3

ARTICLE 4- TERM OF LEASE.....................................................3
  4.1 General Provisions.....................................................3
  4.2 Renewal Option.........................................................4

ARTICLE 5- MONIES PAYABLE BY TENANT..........................................4
  5.1 Rent...................................................................4
  5.2 Business Taxes & Taxes on Improvements or Rent.........................5
    5.2.1 Taxes Payable on Business and Improvements.........................5
    5.2.2 Tenant to Reimburse Landlord.......................................5
    5.2.3 Taxes Payable on Rent..............................................5
  5.3 Real Estate Taxes......................................................5
    5.3.2 Real Estate Taxes Payable..........................................6
    5.3.3 Expenses for Contestation..........................................7
    5.3.4 No Reduction in Rent...............................................7
  5.4 Operating Expenses.....................................................7
    5.4.1 Definitions........................................................7
    5.4.2 Operating Expenses Payable.........................................9
    5.4.3 Operating Expense Estimate.........................................9
    5.4.4 Operating Expense Statement.......................................10


                                       i


    5.4.5 Payment for Final Period of Lease.................................10
  5.5 Payment of Monies.....................................................10
    5.5.1 When and Where to Send Monies.....................................10
    5.5.2 For a Fraction of a Month.........................................10
    5.5.3 Adjustments Between Estimated and Actual Amounts Payable..........10
    5.5.4 Interest on Overdue Amounts.......................................10
    5.5.5 No Offsets Against Rent...........................................11
    5.5.6 On Termination of Lease...........................................11
  5.6 Utilities.............................................................11
    5.6.1 General Provisions................................................11

ARTICLE 6 - USE OF PREMISES.................................................11
  6.1   General Use.........................................................11
  6.2 Restrictions..........................................................11

ARTICLE 7 - UTILITIES AND SERVICES..........................................12
  7.1 General Provisions....................................................12
    7.1.1 Cleaning..........................................................12
    7.1.2 Elevators.........................................................12
    7.1.3 Electric Energy...................................................12
    7.1.4 Drinking Water, Towels and Toiletries.............................13
    7.1.5 Heating or Air-Conditioning.......................................13
  7.2 Services for Special Equipment........................................14
  7.3 Discontinuance of Services............................................14

ARTICLE 8 - ALTERATIONS. REPAIRS, CHANGES, ADDITIONS, IMPROVEMENTS..........15
  8.1 General Provisions....................................................15
    8.1.1 Consent of Landlord...............................................15
    8.1.2 Building Standard Air Quality Control.............................15
    8.1.3 Landlord's Prior Consent..........................................15
    8.1.4 Tenant's Contractor...............................................15
    8.1.5 Tenant Responsible for Cost of Improvements.......................16
    8.1.6 Tenant Responsible for Construction of Improvements...............16
    8.1.7 Additional Improvements...........................................16
    8.1.8 Removal of Improvements...........................................16
  8.2 No Allowance for Inconvenience........................................16
  8.3 Connections to Electrical System......................................16
  8.4 Landlord's Right to Perform...........................................16
  8.5 Installation of Necessary Equipment...................................17

ARTICLE 9 - TENANT CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY..................................17
  9.1 General Provisions....................................................17
  9.2 Proceeds of Insurance.................................................18
  9.3 Tenant's Responsibility...............................................18
  9.4 Fire, Police and Health Departments' Regulations......................18
  9.5 Fire Protection Equipment.............................................19


                                       ii


  9.6 Exhibitions, Signs or Advertisements Inside or Outside the Premises...19
  9.7 Supervision Fee for Tenant Repairs....................................19
  9.8 Privileges and Liens..................................................19

ARTICLE 10 - DESERTION AND SURRENDER........................................20
  10.1 General Provisions...................................................20

ARTICLE 11 - ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING......................................20
  11.1 General Provisions...................................................20
  11.2 Advertising the Premises for Subletting..............................20
  11.3 Conditions Precedent to Any Assignment or Subletting.................21
  11.4 Delays in Accepting Assignee or Subtenant............................21
  11.5 Transfer to Assignee or Subtenant....................................21
  11.6 New Lease with Assignee..............................................21
  11.7 Assignment to Related or Associated Companies........................21

ARTICLE 12 - FIRE AND DESTRUCTION OF PREMISES...............................22
  12.1 
      (1) Premises Wholly Unfit for Occupancy and Not Repairable Within 180
      Days..................................................................22
      (2) Premises Wholly Unfit for Occupancy and Repairable within 180 days22
      (3) Premises Partially Damaged and Repairable within 180 Days.........22
  12.2 Building Partially Destroyed or Damaged Affecting more than 20% of
  Rentable Area.............................................................22
  12.3 Insurance Proceeds...................................................23
  12.4 Repair of Alterations, Improvements or Tenant's Property.............23
  12.5 Where Tenant is at Fault.............................................23

ARTICLE 13 - NO RESPONSIBILITY OF LANDLORD..................................23
  13.1 General Provisions...................................................23
  13.2 Delay in Completion of Premises......................................24
  13.3 Tenant Indemnification...............................................24
  13.4 Special Permits......................................................24

ARTICLE 14 - RIGHT OF ENTRY.................................................25
  14.1 General Provisions...................................................25


                                       iii


  14.2 Alteration of Locks..................................................25

ARTICLE 15 - COMPLIANCE WITH LAW............................................25
  15.1 General Provisions...................................................25

ARTICLE 16 - INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.........................................25
  16.1 General Provisions...................................................25
  16.2 Comprehensive General Liability and All Risk Insurance...............26
  16.3 Failure of Tenant to Obtain Insurance................................26
  16.4 Landlord Covenants to Insure.........................................26

ARTICLE 17 - MORTGAGES AND SUBORDINATION....................................26
  17.1 General Provisions...................................................26
  17.2 Landlord's Default under any Underlying Lease; Mortgage, Hypothec or
  Deed......................................................................27
  17.3 Request from Landlord to Tenant for Written Statement................27
  17.4 Certificate from Tenant..............................................27
  17.5 Assignment by Landlord...............................................28

ARTICLE 18 - EXPROPRIATION..................................................28
  18.1 General Provisions...................................................28

ARTICLE 19 - WAIVER.........................................................28
  19.1 General Provisions...................................................28

ARTICLE 20 - NOTICE AND DEMANDS.............................................29
  20.1 By Landlord to Tenant................................................29
  20.2 Tenant's Domicile....................................................29
  20.3 By Tenant to Landlord................................................29
  20.4 Prior to Commencement Date...........................................29

ARTICLE 21 - LANDLORD AND TENANT............................................29
  21.1 Definition of Landlord...............................................29
  21.2 Tenant Partnership...................................................30
  21.3 Relationship Between Landlord and Tenant.............................30

ARTICLE 22 - BROKERAGE COMMISSION...........................................30
  22.1 General Provisions...................................................30

ARTICLE 23 - SECURITY.......................................................30
  23.1 To Secure Payment of Rent............................................30

ARTICLE 24 - EXPIRATION OF THE TERM OF THE LEASE............................30
  24.1 Tenant's Notice to Landlord..........................................30
  24.2 Tenant's Credit Rating...............................................31

ARTICLE 25 - FORCE MAJEURE..................................................31
  25.1 General Provisions...................................................31



                                       iv


ARTICLE 26 - GOVERNING LAW..................................................31
  26.1 General Provisions...................................................31

ARTICLE 27 - PRIOR AGREEMENTS...............................................31
  27.1 General Provisions...................................................31
  27.2 Amendments of Lease..................................................32

ARTICLE 28 - RULES AND REGULATIONS..........................................32
  28.1 Acts to Injure Premises or Persons...................................32
  28.2 Preservation of Good Order and Cleanliness...........................32
  28.3 Animals..............................................................32
  28.4 Canvassing...........................................................32
  28.5 Sidewalks, Entries, Passages, Elevators, etc.........................32
  28.6 Advertising..........................................................33
  28.7 Signs or Advertisements on the Building..............................33
  28.8 Selling Articles or Carrying on Business other than that specifically
  Provided for in lease.....................................................33
  28.9 Workmen for Repairs..................................................33
  28.10 Care of Premises....................................................33
  28.11 Window Shades.......................................................33
  28.12 Washrooms...........................................................33
  28.13 Apparatus Requiring Permit..........................................34
  28.14 Entering Building After Normal Office Hours.........................34
  28.15 Safes and Heavy Equipment...........................................34
  28.16 Rules and Regulations for Security of Building......................34
  28.17 Further Rules and Regulations.......................................34
  28.18 Access to Loading Area..............................................35
  28.19 Keys................................................................35
  28.20 Graphics............................................................35
  28.21 Environmental.......................................................35

ARTICLE 29 - DEFAULT BY TENANT..............................................36
  29.1 Events of Default....................................................36
  29.2 Continuance of any Event of Default..................................36
  29.3 Payment of Monies in Event of Default................................37
  29.4 The exercise of any Right of Landlord................................37
  29.5 No waiver by Landlord................................................37
  29.6 Landlord's Right to enter Premises...................................37
  29.7 No Limitation on Right to Distrain...................................38

ARTICLE 30 - MISCELLANEOUS..................................................38
  30.1 Captions.............................................................38
  30.2 No Registration......................................................38
  30.3 Tenant's Acceptance of lease.........................................38
  30.4 Successors and Assigns...............................................38
  30.5 Early Occupancy......................................................39
  30.6 Leasehold Improvements...............................................39


                                       v


  30.7 Leasehold Improvement Allowance......................................39
  30.8 Parking..............................................................39

Schedules
      A   Description of Land
      B   Plan of Premises
      C   Definition of Rentable Area Proportion Formula
      D   Building Standard Installation Schedule





                                       vi



      THIS NET LEASE entered into as of _________________, 1997

      BETWEEN:

      PURDY'S WHARF DEVELOPMENT  LIMITED,  a company duly incorporated under the
laws of Nova  Scotia  and having its Head  Office in the City of  Halifax,  Nova
Scotia,

      hereinafter called the "Landlord";

      AND:

      MENTOR NETWORKS INC., a body corporate,

      hereinafter called the "Tenant";

ARTICLE 1- INTENT OF LEASE

1.1   General Provisions

      It is the  intent of the  parties  that this Net Lease be a lease  that is
absolutely net to Landlord  except as expressly  hereinafter set out. Any amount
and any  obligation as is not expressly  declared  herein to be that of Landlord
shall be deemed to be the  obligation  of Tenant to be  performed  by and at the
expense of Tenant.

ARTICLE 2- DEFINITIONS

2.1   In this Net Lease Agreement:

      (1)         "lease" - any  reference  to the  "lease"  shall mean this Net
                  Lease Agreement;

      (2)         "Phase I" - means the lands and buildings known as the Purdy's
                  Wharf  Tower,   Xerox  Building  and  Purdy's  parking  garage
                  constructed  at or near  Upper  Water  Street,  Halifax,  Nova
                  Scotia;

      (3)         "Phase  II" - means the lands and  buildings  known as Purdy's
                  Wharf Tower II including  extension  to the parking  garage on
                  lands at or near Upper Water Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia;

      (4)         "Future  Phases" - means  such  future  phases of the  Purdy's
                  Wharf Development as may be constructed from time to time;

      (5)         "Land" -means the land more particularly described in Schedule
                  "A" attached hereto;

      (6)         "Building" - means the buildings, structures and improvements,
                  including  parking garage  constructed or to be constructed on
                  the Land;



                                       1


      (7)         "Common  Areas" - means all the  facilities  from time to time
                  provided  and  designated  by Landlord to serve Phase I, Phase
                  II,  Future  Phases,  the  Building  and the  Land  and  shall
                  include, where applicable,  and without limitation,  roadways,
                  walkways,  sidewalks,  parking  facilities,  landscaped areas,
                  plazas, lobbies, washrooms available for use of tenants and/or
                  public,  open or enclosed pedestrian malls,  courts,  arcades,
                  tunnels,  bridges,  truck  courts,  common  loading  areas and
                  delivery  facilities,  driveways,  customer and service ramps,
                  stairways,  escalators and elevators  available for use by the
                  public  or  by  tenants   generally,   fire  detection,   fire
                  prevention  and   communication   facilities,   common  pipes,
                  electrical,   plumbing   and  other  common   mechanical   and
                  electrical  installations,   equipment  and  services,  public
                  seating  facilities,  and all other areas and facilities  from
                  time  to  time  provided,  designated  or  made  available  by
                  Landlord for the use of Tenant and other tenants or members of
                  the  public,   Landlord  expressly   reserving  the  right  to
                  eliminate, substitute and/or rearrange any or all of the areas
                  so provided and designated  without claim by Tenant in respect
                  of any such elimination, substitution or rearrangement;

      (8)         "Premises" - means that part of the Building  which Tenant has
                  agreed to rent from  Landlord  and being  that  portion of the
                  Building substantially as outlined in red on the plan attached
                  hereto as Schedule "B";

      (9)         "Operating  Year" - means such fiscal period as Landlord shall
                  adopt for the  purposes of the  accounts  relating to the Land
                  and Building, provided that Landlord shall be permitted at any
                  time and from  time to time to  change  the  commencement  and
                  termination  dates of any  Operating  Year,  so long as Tenant
                  shall not be unduly prejudiced by any such change;

      (10)        "Proportion"  when used herein to refer to  Tenant's  share of
                  any  tax,  expense  or cost  shall  be the  percentage  of the
                  aggregate of any such tax,  expense or cost calculated as more
                  particularly set out in Schedule "C" attached hereto.

ARTICLE 3- DEMISE AND POSSESSION

3.1   Demise

      Landlord in  consideration of the rents,  covenants and agreements  herein
contained  on the part of Tenant to be paid,  kept and  performed,  does  hereby
lease to Tenant and Tenant does hereby hire and take from Landlord the Premises,
together  with a right of use,  with others  having a like right,  to the Common
Areas.



                                       2


3.2   Delivery of Premises

      It is agreed  between  the  parties  hereto  that the  Premises  are being
delivered to Tenant  completed in accordance  with Schedule "D" attached  hereto
(or with the allowance to finish) all items set forth therein being  hereinafter
sometimes  collectively  referred to as the "Alterations" which shall become the
responsibility of Tenant on and from the Commencement Date.

3.3   Notice of Defects

      Taking possession of all or any portion of the Premises by Tenant shall be
conclusive  evidence as against Tenant that the Premises or such portion thereof
are in satisfactory condition on the date of taking possession,  subject only to
latent  defects  and to  deficiencies  (if any)  listed  by  notice  in  writing
delivered  by Tenant to Landlord  not more than 30 days after the date of taking
possession.

3.4   Substitution of Premises

      At any time after the  execution  of this lease,  Landlord may (subject to
Tenant's  consent not to be unreasonably  withheld)  substitute for the Premises
other premises in the Building,  excluding the Xerox Building (the New Premises)
in which  event the New  Premises  shall be deemed  to be the  Premises  for all
purposes hereunder, provided:

      (1)   The New  Premises  shall be similar to the  Premises  in area and in
            appropriateness for use for Tenant's purposes;

      (2)   If Tenant is then  occupying  the Premises,  Landlord  shall pay the
            expense of moving  Tenant,  its  property  and  equipment to the New
            Premises,  and such  moving  shall be done at such times and in such
            manner so as to cause the least inconvenience to Tenant;

      (3)   If Tenant is then  occupying  the Premises,  Landlord  shall give to
            Tenant not less than 90 days'  notice of such  substitution,  and if
            Tenant is not occupying the Premises, Landlord shall give Tenant not
            less than 30 days' prior notice of such substitution;

      (4)   Landlord  shall,  at its sole cost,  improve the New  Premises  with
            improvements substantially similar to those located in the Premises.

ARTICLE 4- TERM OF LEASE.

4.1   General Provisions

      The term of this lease shall commence on July 1, 1997 and, unless the said
term shall sooner be terminated  under the  provisions  hereof,  shall expire at
12:00 noon on June 30, 2002.



                                       3


4.2   Renewal Option

      Provided  it is not in default  under this  lease,  and  provided it gives
notice to  Landlord  at least 9 months  prior to the expiry of the term,  Tenant
shall have the option to renew  this lease for a further  term of 5 years  under
the same terms and conditions as herein provided, except as follows:

      (1)   there shall be no right of further renewal;

      (2) the  provisions of Article 5.1 shall not apply to the renewal term and
      rental for the renewal  term shall be at the then current  market  renewal
      rental  rate for  comparable  space in the  Building,  such  rental  to be
      mutually agreed to between Landlord and Tenant and failing  agreement,  to
      be determined by reference to a single arbitrator, provided, however, that
      notwithstanding  anything  else herein  contained,  the said  renewal rent
      shall not be greater  than $10 per square foot per annum of rentable  area
      of the Premises.  If Landlord and Tenant fail to concur in the appointment
      of a single  arbitrator,  either  party may serve the other with a written
      notice to appoint an arbitrator  and such  appointment  shall be made by a
      court or a judge and the  application  of  either  party  pursuant  to the
      provisions of the Arbitration Act of Nova Scotia.  The cost of arbitration
      shall be divided  equally  between  Landlord  and Tenant.  In the event of
      arbitration  and if the  decision  of the  arbitrator  is not  given on or
      before the renewal date, Tenant shall continue to pay the rent at the rate
      payable  during the term which has just  expired,  which  payment shall be
      adjusted within 15 days following  receipt of the  arbitrator's  decision;
      and

      (3) the  provisions  of  Articles  30.5 and 30.7  shall  not  apply to the
      renewal term.

ARTICLE 5- MONIES PAYABLE BY TENANT

5.1   Rent

      Tenant covenants and agrees to pay to Landlord yearly  throughout the term
of this lease an annual rent computed at the following  rates per square foot of
rentable  area  of  the  Premises   (rentable  area  being  calculated  as  more
particularly set out in Schedule "C"), said annual rental being payable in equal
monthly  installments  in advance  without  set-off,  compensation  or reduction
whatsoever on the first day of each month during the term:

      (1) for the first year of the term at the rate of $2.75 per square foot;

      (2) for the second year of the term at the rate of $3.30 per square foot;

      (3) for the third year of the term at the rate of $3.85 per square foot;

      (4) for the fourth year of the term at the rate of $4.40 per square  foot;
      and

      (5) for the fifth year of the term at the rate of $4.95 per square foot.



                                       4


5.2   Business Taxes & Taxes on Improvements or Rent

      5.2.1 Taxes Payable on Business and Improvements

      Tenant shall pay all business taxes or other similar rates and taxes which
may be levied or imposed upon the  Premises or the business  carried on therein;
all other  rates and taxes  which are or may be  payable by Tenant as tenant and
occupants thereof;  on Tenant's fixtures,  equipment and machinery;  and any and
all taxes that may be levied upon the  Improvements  (as hereinafter  defined in
Article 8.1)

      5.2.2 Tenant to Reimburse Landlord

      If by law, regulation or otherwise,  business taxes or other similar rates
and  taxes  or  taxes  upon  Tenant's  fixtures,  equipment,  machinery  or upon
Improvements  are made payable by landlords  or  proprietors,  or if the mode of
collecting  such taxes  and/or  rates be so altered as to make  Landlord  liable
therefor instead of Tenant, Tenant shall repay to Landlord prior to the due date
but,  in any event  within 7 days after  demand upon  Tenant,  the amount of the
charge  imposed on Landlord as a result of such change,  and shall save Landlord
harmless from any cost or expense in respect thereof.

      5.2.3 Taxes Payable on Rent

      If any business  transfer tax,  value-added  tax,  multi-stage  sales tax,
sales tax, goods and services tax,  blended or harmonized sales tax, or any like
tax is imposed on Landlord by any  governmental  authority on any rent  (whether
fixed minimum rent,  percentage rent, additional rent or any other type of rent)
payable by Tenant  under this lease,  Tenant  shall  reimburse  Landlord for the
amount of such tax forthwith upon demand (or at any time designated from time to
time by Landlord) as additional rent. Landlord shall have the right if permitted
by law,  to require  Tenant to pay  directly  to any taxing  authority  or other
supplier of goods or  services  the amounts  which may  otherwise  be payable by
Landlord but chargeable to Tenant under this lease.

5.3   Real Estate Taxes

      5.3.1 Definitions

      For the purposes of this Article:

      (1)   "Real Estate Taxes" means all taxes, rates and assessments,  general
            and  special,  levied  or  imposed  with  respect  to  the  Building
            (including any accessories and improvements  therein or thereto) and
            the Land and all improvements  thereto  including where  applicable,
            all taxes, rates, assessments and impositions,  general and special,
            levied or imposed for schools,  public betterment,  general or local
            improvements.

            If the  system of real  estate  taxation  shall be altered or varied
            and/or  any  new tax or levy  shall  be  levied  or  imposed  on the
            Building  and/or  the Land  and/or  the  revenues  therefrom  and/or
            Landlord in substitution for and/or in addition to Real Estate Taxes


                                       5


            presently  levied or  imposed  on  immovables  in the city,  town or
            municipality  in which the Building  and Land are situate,  then any
            such new tax or levy shall be included  within the term "Real Estate
            Taxes" and the  provisions  of this Article 5.3 shall apply  MUTATIS
            MUTANDIS.

            The amount of the Real  Estate  Taxes  which shall be deemed to have
            been levied or imposed  with  respect to the  Building  and the Land
            shall be such  amount as the legal  authority  imposing  Real Estate
            Taxes  shall  have   attributed   to  the   Building  and  the  Land
            respectively,  or, in the absence of such  attribution,  or, if such
            legal  authority  shall  include  other  immovables  other  than the
            Building  and the Land in  imposing  such Real  Estate  Taxes,  such
            amount as Landlord  in the  exercise of  reasonable  judgment  shall
            establish.

      (2)   If in any year,  the taxing  authority  has not fully  assessed  and
            fully taxed the Building and Land as entirely completed and entirely
            occupied by tenants  having no special  exemptions  with  respect to
            Real Estate  Taxes,  then taxes shall be adjusted and  determined by
            including  therein such additional  amount as would have formed part
            of Real  Estate  Taxes if the  Building  and  Land  had  been  fully
            assessed and fully taxed as entirely completed and entirely occupied
            by tenants having no special exemptions.

      (3)   Real  Estate  Taxes shall be  determined  without  reference  to, or
            deduction  for,  any  abatement,  concession  or  reduction of taxes
            provided or granted as an  incentive to builders or  developers  and
            Real Estate  Taxes shall be adjusted  and  determined  by  including
            therein the amount of any such concession, abatement or reduction.

      5.3.2 Real Estate Taxes Payable

            The rent  payable  during  the term of this lease in respect of each
      year  shall be  increased  by an amount  equal to the  Proportion  of Real
      Estate Taxes attributable to such year. Tenant shall pay to Landlord,  not
      later than 10 days prior to the tax due date, or such other date as may be
      specified in writing to Tenant by Landlord (hereinafter referred to as the
      "Specified Date"), the amount of such increase in the annual rent.

            At the option of Landlord, Landlord may at any time and from time to
      time  estimate  the amount of  increased  rent as will  become  payable by
      Tenant by the tax due date or Specified  Date,  and bill Tenant  therefor,
      and in such event  Tenant  shall pay to  Landlord  the full amount of such
      estimate in equal  monthly  installments  commencing  with the first month
      following  such estimate and  terminating on the tax due date or Specified
      Date.  Such  monthly  amounts  when paid to  Landlord  shall be  available
      (without  interest) as a credit against  Tenant's  obligations to Landlord
      under this Article 5.3.

            Any amounts  payable by Tenant  hereunder shall be adjusted on a pro
      rata basis to reflect the actual  commencement  and  termination  dates of
      this lease having regard to the period in respect of which the calculation
      of Real Estate Taxes is made.



                                       6


            The  obligations  of the parties  hereto to adjust  pursuant to this
      Article  5.3.2  for the  final  period  of the  lease  shall  survive  the
      expiration of the term of this lease.

            Landlord shall furnish to Tenant upon the specific  written  request
      of Tenant copies of all pertinent  valuation and assessment notices and of
      all pertinent tax bills and notices received by Landlord.

      5.3.3 Expenses for Contestation

            Tenant shall pay to Landlord as  additional  rent the  Proportion of
      any expenses,  including  legal,  appraisal,  administration  and overhead
      expenses,  incurred by Landlord in  obtaining  or  attempting  to obtain a
      reduction of any Real Estate Taxes.  Real Estate Taxes which are contested
      by Landlord shall nevertheless be included for purposes of the computation
      of the liability of Tenant under Article 5.3.2 provided,  however, that in
      the event  that  Tenant  shall  have paid any  amount  of  increased  rent
      pursuant  to this  Article 5.3 and  Landlord  shall  thereafter  receive a
      refund of any portion of the Real Estate Taxes on which such payment shall
      have been based,  Landlord shall pay to Tenant the appropriate  portion of
      such refund after deduction of the aforementioned expenses.

            Landlord  shall  have no  obligation  to  contest,  object  to or to
      litigate  the  levying  or  imposition  of any Real  Estate  Taxes and may
      settle,  compromise,  consent  to,  waive or  otherwise  determine  in its
      discretion any Real Estate Taxes without notice to, consent or approval of
      Tenant.

      5.3.4 No Reduction in Rent

            Nothing contained in this Article 5.3 shall be construed at any time
      so as to reduce the monthly  installments of rent payable  hereunder below
      the amount stipulated in Article 5.1.

5.4   Operating Expenses

      5.4.1 Definitions

            For the purposes of this  Article,  "Operating  Expenses"  means the
      aggregate  of  any  and  all  expenses   incurred  by  Landlord,   without
      duplication thereto, which are attributable to the maintenance, operation,
      repair,  supervision or  replacement of the Building and the  maintenance,
      operation and  supervision  of the Land,  provided that if the Building is
      less than 95%  occupied  during any part of an Operating  Year,  Operating
      Expenses shall mean the amount obtained by adjusting the actual  Operating
      Expenses for such Operating Year to a 95% building  occupancy level,  such
      adjustment to be made by adding to the actual  Operating  Expenses  during
      such Operating Year such additional costs that would have been incurred if
      the  Building  had been 95%  occupied.  Without  in any way  limiting  the
      generality  of  the  foregoing,   Operating  Expenses  shall  include  the
      following:

      (1)   the cost of salaries,  wages, medical,  surgical and general welfare
            benefits  (including  group life insurance) and pension payments for
            employees of Landlord engaged in the maintenance, operation, repair,


                                       7


            security or replacement of the Building, payroll taxes, workmen's or
            workers'  compensation  insurance,  electricity (except as otherwise
            payable by Tenant hereunder), steam, utility, taxes (not included in
            Articles 5.2 and 5.3),  water  (including  sewer rental),  cleaning,
            building and cleaning supplies,  uniforms and dry cleaning, cleaning
            of windows and  exterior  curtain  wall,  snow  removal,  repair and
            maintenance of grounds, service contracts,  telephone, telegraph and
            stationery;

      (2)   the cost of heating,  ventilating and air-conditioning the Building,
            including  without  limitation  the  cost of  operating,  repairing,
            maintaining,  replacing and inspecting the machinery,  equipment and
            other   facilities   required  for  the  heating,   ventilating  and
            air-conditioning of the Building and the cost of providing condenser
            water   from   cooling   towers   for   heating,   ventilating   and
            air-conditioning machinery and equipment;

      (3)   the cost of goods and  services,  supplied,  used or incurred in the
            operation,  maintenance, repair, security, supervision,  replacement
            and  management  of the  Building and Land,  or in the  provision of
            services  generally  for the benefit of tenants of the  Building and
            their staff,  the cost of providing hot and cold water,  the cost of
            maintenance  of and repairs to the  Building  or services  including
            elevators, escalators, and any equipment, machinery or apparatus and
            the cost of repair  and  replacement  of  windows  and plate  glass,
            including exterior glass;

      (4)   business and water taxes and governmental  impositions not otherwise
            charged  directly to tenants,  such  portion or portions of taxes on
            capital as Landlord  shall have  allocated to the Building and Land,
            accounting  and auditing  costs,  and the fair rental value  (having
            regard to rentals prevailing from time to time for similar space) of
            space   occupied  by  Landlord's   employees   for   administrative,
            supervisory or management  purposes relating to the Building and the
            Land and of space occupied by a party or parties providing a service
            generally for the benefit of tenants in the building and their staff
            (such  as,  by  way  of  example,  a  day  care  centre  or  fitness
            facilities):

      (5)   the cost of operating  and  maintaining  the Common Areas  including
            without  limitation  all costs and expenses of repairing,  lighting,
            cleaning, snow removal,  garbage removal,  decorating,  supervising,
            policing,  replacing,   striping,  rental  of  music  programme  and
            loudspeaker systems, and business taxes and governmental impositions
            not otherwise charged directly to tenants; the cost of operating and
            maintaining  those of the Common  Areas which serve more than one of
            Phase I, Phase II and/or any Future  Phases  shall be  allocated  as
            between  phases on a pro rata  basis  based upon the  rentable  area
            contained  in each  phase  or  such  other  basis  as  Landlord  may
            reasonably determine;

      (6)   the cost of any  modification  and additions to the Building  and/or
            the  machinery  and  equipment  therein  and  thereon  where  in the
            reasonable opinion of Landlord such expenditure may reduce Operating


                                       8


            Expenses,  or any additional  equipment or improvements  required by
            law or in landlord's reasonable opinion for the benefit or safety of
            Building users;

      (7)   the total annual  amortization  of capital (on a straight line basis
            over the useful life or such other period as  reasonably  determined
            by  Landlord),  and  interest on the  unamortized  capital at a rate
            equivalent  to the lending rate  actually  charged or  chargeable by
            Landlord's  bankers from time to time, of the cost of all machinery,
            equipment,  supplies,  repairs.   replacements,   modifications  and
            improvements   which  in  Landlord's   reasonable  opinion  have  an
            estimated  useful life  longer than one fiscal year of Landlord  and
            the cost whereof has not previously been charged to Tenant;

      (8)   the actual  costs of all  insurance as may be carried by Landlord in
            respect of, or attributable to, the Building and the Land or related
            thereto including without limitation all risk insurance against fire
            and other perils and liability  regarding  casualties,  injuries and
            damages, boiler and machinery insurance and rental income insurance;

      (9)   a  management  charge  equal  to 15% of such  total  costs  incurred
            provided,  however,  that  Landlord  shall not include in  Operating
            Expenses any  depreciation  except as  specifically  contemplated by
            sub-paragraph 5.4.1(7).

      5.4.2 Operating Expenses Payable

            During  each   Operating  Year  Tenant  shall  pay  to  Landlord  as
      additional rent the Proportion of the Operating Expenses.

      5.4.3 Operating Expense Estimate

            Prior to the  commencement  of each  Operating Year during the term,
      Landlord may at its option  estimate the amount of Operating  Expenses for
      such Operating Year or (if applicable) broken portion thereof, as the case
      may be, and notify  Tenant in writing of the amount of its  Proportion  of
      Operating  Expenses.  The amounts so  estimated  shall be payable in equal
      consecutive  monthly  installments  in advance over such Operating Year or
      (if applicable)  broken portion thereof,  such monthly  installments being
      payable on the same day as the monthly  payments of rental.  Landlord may,
      from time to time,  alter the Operating  Year,  in which case,  and in the
      case where only a broken portion of the Operating Year is included  within
      the term of this lease,  the  appropriate  adjustment in monthly  payments
      shall be made.

            From  time  to  time  during  the  Operating   Year,   Landlord  may
      re-estimate any of the foregoing on a reasonable  basis for such Operating
      Year or broken  portion  thereof,  in which event  Landlord  shall  notify
      Tenant in writing of such re-estimate and fix monthly installments for the
      then remaining  balance for such Operating Year or broken portion  thereof
      such that, after giving credit for the installments  paid by Tenant on the


                                       9


      basis of the  previous  estimate or  estimates,  the entire  amount of its
      Proportion of Operating Expenses will have been paid during such Operating
      Year or broken portion thereof.

      5.4.4 Operating Expense Statement

            As soon as practicable  after the expiration of each Operating Year,
      Landlord shall make a final  determination  of Operating  Expenses and the
      amounts  of  the  Proportion  thereof  for  such  Operating  Year,  or (if
      applicable)  broken  portion  thereof,  and provide Tenant with an audited
      statement  of  Operating  Expenses;  and  Landlord  and  Tenant  agree  to
      immediately make the appropriate readjustment and payments and repayments.
      Notices by Landlord  stating the amount of any  estimate,  re-estimate  or
      determination  of Operating  Expenses,  or the amount of the Proportion of
      Operating  Expenses,  or monthly  installments  payable,  need not include
      particulars of Operating Expenses.  Provided,  however,  that upon request
      made within a reasonable time after receipt of such notice Tenant shall be
      entitled  to  inspect  statements  disclosing  in  reasonable  detail  the
      particulars of Operating  Expenses,  and the  calculation of the amount of
      its Proportion of Operating Expenses and the books and records of Landlord
      pertaining thereto.

      5.4.5 Payment for Final Period of Lease

            The  obligations of the parties hereto to adjust pursuant to Article
      5.4.4 hereof shall  survive the  expiration of the term of the lease for a
      period not exceeding one year.

5.5   Payment of Monies

      5.5.1 When and Where to Send Monies

            All monies payable pursuant to this lease by Tenant shall be payable
      immediately when due and shall be collectible as rent and shall be paid to
      Landlord  and/or its  nominees  at the head  office of Landlord or at such
      place in Canada as shall be  designated  from time to time by  Landlord in
      writing to Tenant.

      5.5.2 For a Fraction of a Month

            If the term of this lease  begins on any day of the month other than
      the first day, then any amounts payable  hereunder for such month shall be
      pro rated and paid on a per diem basis.

      5.5.3 Adjustments Between Estimated and Actual Amounts Payable

            Upon final determination of the actual amounts payable by Tenant the
      parties shall adjust any differences between the estimated amounts so paid
      and the actual amounts payable.

      5.5.4 Interest on Overdue Amounts

            Tenant  shall pay  interest at a rate per annum,  which shall be the
      lesser of:



                                       10


      (1)   the maximum legal rate of interest  permissible  in the applicable
            jurisdiction,

                        or

      (2)   3 percentage  points above the prime lending rate  established  from
            time to time at the principal branch in the city of Landlord's bank,

      compounded  monthly on all rent  and/or all  amounts  collectible  as rent
      under the terms of this lease and not paid when due.

      5.5.5 No Offsets Against Rent

            Tenant  hereby  waives and renounces any and all existing and future
      claims,  set-off and  compensation  against any rent or other  amounts due
      hereunder and agrees to pay such rent and other amounts  regardless of any
      claim,  set-off or compensation  which may be asserted by Tenant or on its
      behalf.

      5.5.6 On Termination of Lease

            Upon any  termination  of this lease,  as a condition  precedent  to
      being  permitted  by Landlord to vacate the  Premises,  Tenant  shall,  in
      addition to all other  amounts as it is obliged to pay  hereunder,  pay to
      Landlord such amount as is estimated by Landlord to represent that portion
      of the  aggregate  amount  of Real  Estate  Taxes and  Operating  Expenses
      payable and to become  payable by Tenant in virtue of Articles 5.3 and 5.4
      hereof, as has not yet been paid.

5.6   Utilities

      5.6.1 General Provisions

            Tenant shall be solely  responsible for and promptly pay all charges
      for water, gas, electricity, and any other utility used or consumed in the
      Premises,  provided there shall be no duplication of charges to Tenant for
      utilities.

ARTICLE 6 - USE OF PREMISES

6.1     General Use

      The Premises hereby leased shall be used and occupied by Tenant solely for
the  purpose of a software  company  and  general  office  purposes  and related
activities and for no other purpose.

6.2   Restrictions

      And  in  particular  and by way of  further  restriction  to the  specific
purposes  herein  set forth  Tenant  shall not  carry on in the  Premises  (i) a
restaurant,  cafeteria  or  cocktail  lounge  business  and/or  the sale  and/or
delivery of food and/or beverages;  or (ii) any other activity restricted by the
rules and regulations hereof.



                                       11


ARTICLE 7 - UTILITIES AND SERVICES

7.1   General Provisions

      Landlord  covenants  and agrees  that,  so long as Tenant  shall not be in
default hereunder:

      7.1.1 Cleaning

            Landlord shall, 5 days per week,  except holidays,  cause the office
      portion  of the  Premises,  excluding  storage  areas,  to be  cleaned  in
      accordance with building standards.

      7.1.2 Elevators

            Landlord  will  provide  and  maintain  in working  order  automatic
      passenger  elevators for operation between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 6:00
      P.M. for each business day, except  Saturdays when the hours shall be from
      7:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon, and one such  passenger  elevator will be subject
      to call at all other time. Landlord to continue such provision.

            Freight  service  will be  provided  at such hours as  Landlord  may
      designate  from  time to  time,  and  shall  be  subject  to a  charge  as
      determined from time to time by Landlord.

            Tenant shall have the use of the elevators in common with others but
      Landlord  shall  not be liable  for any  damage  caused to Tenant  and its
      officers, agents, employees, servants, visitors or licensees by such other
      using the elevators in common.

      7.1.3 Electric Energy

      (1)   Landlord,  subject  to its  ability  to  obtain  the  same  from its
            principal  supplier  and to the needs of  Landlord  and  co-tenants,
            shall cause the Premises to be supplied  with  electric  current for
            lighting and power.  Landlord  shall permit its wires and  conduits,
            (being normal office lighting and duplex receptacles) to be used for
            such  purpose.  Tenant's use of electric  current shall never exceed
            the safe capacity of existing  electric wiring on, and supplying the
            Premises.

            Any special wires and conduits for Tenant's special  equipment shall
      be supplied and installed by Tenant at its expense.

            Tenant  agrees to  receive  power for the  purpose of  lighting  and
      normal office use from Landlord, the cost of which will be included in the
      Operating Expenses of the Building.  Should Tenant require power in excess
      of that required for a normal office  operation,  Tenant agrees to pay for
      such  additional  power and such amount shall be  collectible as rent. The
      amount shall be payable by Tenant monthly, and shall be calculated in such
      a manner that it shall not exceed the amount that would have been  payable
      for  the  said  electricity  had  Tenant  been  charged  directly  for the
      electricity  at the rate fixed by the authority  providing  the same.  The


                                       12


      charge  to  Tenant  for this  electricity  may vary  from  time to time in
      accordance  with changes in the rate  charged to  Landlord.  Any rental so
      collected  will be credited  to the total  light and power  expense of the
      Building prior to determining a Tenant's Proportion of Operating Expenses.

            The cost of any required  sub-meters  and the  installation  thereof
      shall be at Tenant's expense.

            The obligation of Landlord  hereunder  shall be subject to any rules
      or regulations to the contrary of the authority  providing  electricity or
      any other municipal or governmental authority.

            (2) Tenant agrees to pay the cost,  including  installation,  of all
      electric light bulbs,  tubes and ballasts used to replace those  installed
      in the Premises at the  commencement of the term and the cost of cleaning,
      maintenance and repair of the fluorescent  fixtures as may be from time to
      time required by Landlord in accordance with prudent  building  management
      practices  and Landlord  shall at its option have the  exclusive  right to
      provide and carry out at Tenant's expense such installations, maintenance,
      repair, relamping and destaticizing at reasonably competitive rates.

            (3) Any electrical  energy consumed in the Premises in excess of 2.3
      watts per square foot  multiplied by 60 hours per week,  multiplied by the
      rentable area of the Premises, shall be billed to and paid for by Tenant.

      7.1.4 Drinking Water, Towels and Toiletries

            Landlord will provide to Tenant, its agents, servants, employees and
      invitees  the right of access and use in common with other  tenants of the
      Building to the toilet and washroom facilities in the Building and to keep
      the same in good  working  order and  supplied  with water and to have the
      same  repaired  with all  reasonable  diligence  whenever such repairs are
      necessary,  and to furnish  soap,  towels,  toilet tissue and hot and cold
      water for lavatory, drinking and cleaning purposes, drawn through fixtures
      installed  by  Landlord,  subject to its  ability to obtain  same from its
      principal supplier.

      7.1.5 Heating or Air-Conditioning

            Landlord   will   provide,   by   operation   of  the   heating   or
      air-conditioning  system  between the hours of 7:00 A.M.  and 6:00 P.M. of
      each business day,  except  Saturdays  which shall be between the hours of
      7:00 A.M.  and 12:00 noon,  and except  Sundays and  holidays,  a constant
      supply of air that is filtered and either  heated or cooled as  conditions
      may require, subject to the following conditions and provisions:

            Landlord   shall   be   under   no   obligation   to   operate   the
      air-conditioning  system  in  excess  of  what  may  be,  in its  opinion,
      reasonable and normal in the circumstances  and, in any event, and without
      prejudice  to the  foregoing,  Landlord  shall  be  deemed  to have  fully
      satisfied  its  obligation  under this Article  7.1.5 if it shall when the
      exterior  temperature  is higher  than 90  degrees  F.  maintain a maximum
      interior  temperature 10 degrees F. less and when the exterior temperature
      is not  higher  than 90  degrees  F. and not lower  than -20  degrees  F.,


                                       13


      maintain an interior  temperature  between 70 degrees F. and 80 degrees F.
      and, when the exterior temperature is lower than -20 degrees F. maintain a
      minimum  interior  temperature  90 degrees  F.  higher  than the  exterior
      temperature,  provided  always,  however that the  obligations of Landlord
      hereunder shall be conditional upon the following:

      (1)   Tenant  keeping an exterior  windows closed at all times and keeping
            all registers free from  obstruction so as to permit the proper flow
            and circulation of air therefrom;

      (2)   the  average  amount of  electrical  energy  consumed  by lights and
            machines in the Premises not exceeding 2.3 watts per square foot;

      (3)   the  occupancy of the Premises not  exceeding one person per hundred
            square feet of useable space.

            All individual  controls required by Tenant,  except those set forth
      in the attached Schedule "D" shall be installed at Tenant's expense.

            In case  Landlord  deems it  necessary to run portions of the system
      through the Premises in order to serve other tenants,  Tenant shall permit
      Landlord  and its  agents  and  contractors  to  perform  such work in the
      Premises.

            Should Tenant require  heating and/or  air-conditioning  at any time
      other than  specified  above,  such service if  supplied,  shall be at the
      entire cost of Tenant.

7.2   Services for Special Equipment

      Nothing  contained in this lease shall be deemed to create any  obligation
of  landlord  to furnish  electricity,  heating,  air-conditioning  or any other
services to Tenant to the extent  these are  required by the use in the Premises
of special equipment such as computers or other electrical or similar equipment.

7.3   Discontinuance of Services

      Landlord shall be privileged,  without  liability or obligation to Tenant,
and without such action  constituting  an eviction of Tenant,  to discontinue or
modify any  services  required of it under this  Article 7 or  elsewhere in this
lease during such times as may be necessary,  or as Landlord may deem  advisable
by reason of accident,  or for the purpose of effecting  repairs,  replacements,
alterations or improvements.  Without limiting the foregoing, Landlord shall not
be liable to Tenant for  failure  for any reason to supply the said  services or
any of them,  Landlord  however,  undertaking  to correct any such  failure with
reasonable diligence.



                                       14


ARTICLE 8 - ALTERATIONS. REPAIRS, CHANGES, ADDITIONS, IMPROVEMENTS

8.1   General Provisions

      8.1.1 Consent of Landlord

            Landlord  and Tenant  agree that any and all  alterations,  repairs,
      changes,  additions or improvements  (hereinafter collectively referred to
      as the "Improvements") to the Premises,  including without restricting the
      generally of the foregoing,  any Improvements to the heating,  ventilating
      and  air-conditioning  systems  (HVAC  Systems)  serving the Premises must
      comply with Landlord's  Building Standard,  including without  restricting
      the generality of the foregoing  Landlord's  Building Standard Air Quality
      Control.

      8.1.2 Building Standard Air Quality Control

            Tenant  shall not,  prior to or during the term of this lease,  make
      any  Improvements  to the Premises  including the HVAC System  without the
      prior written consent of Landlord.  Any  Improvements to the Premises made
      by Tenant from time to time shall at all times  include such  Improvements
      to the HVAC  System as may be required  to  maintain  Landlord's  Building
      Standard Air Quality Control.

            For purposes of this  Article  8.1.2,  Improvements  to the Premises
      requiring  modification to the HVAC System shall include any modifications
      from time to time to the approved  office layout for the Premises to which
      the HVAC System has been  designed  by way of  partitions,  personnel  and
      equipment  changes or  otherwise,  and the HVAC System shall be altered to
      suit such modified Premises accordingly.

      8.1.3 Landlord's Prior Consent

            All plans for Improvements, including engineering designs and plans,
      including  Improvements  to the HVAC System must have prior  approval  and
      written  consent of Landlord  before the  commencement  of work.  All such
      Improvements  shall be done at  Tenant's  expense  by such  contractor  or
      contractors as Tenant may select subject to Landlord's approval.  Landlord
      shall  also  have  the  right  to have any  such  work  supervised  by its
      architects, engineers, contractors and workmen at Tenant's expense.

      8.1.4 Tenant's Contractor

            In the event that any contractor is not satisfactory to Landlord, or
      is causing, or in Landlord's reasonable opinion is likely to cause, labour
      trouble in the  Building,  Landlord  shall have the right to require  that
      such  contractor  cease or refrain from doing any work in the Premises and
      upon receipt of written  notice from  Landlord,  Tenant agrees to disallow
      such contractor  from entering the Premises.  Landlord shall also have the
      right to require  that any  contractor  carry  property  damage and public
      liability  insurance in an amount  acceptable  to Landlord and in no event
      less  than  $1,000,000  for  its  operations  in the  Building.  The  work
      necessary  to perform any  improvements  or repairs  shall be performed at
      such  times and in such a manner  as to not  unreasonably  interfere  with
      other tenants.



                                       15


      8.1.5 Tenant Responsible for Cost of Improvements

            The cost of the  Improvements  shall be the sole  responsibility  of
      Tenant and if any payment in respect thereof shall be made by Landlord the
      same shall be immediately  repayable to Landlord by Tenant and collectible
      as additional  rent.  Landlord  shall not, for any reason  whatsoever,  be
      liable for any damage  arising  from or  through  any  defects in the said
      work.

      8.1.6 Tenant Responsible for Construction of Improvements

            Except to the extent of  Landlord's  work as set out in Schedule "D"
      Tenant shall be fully  responsible for the cost of all Improvements to the
      Premises including, without restriction, the engineering cost of designing
      the electrical,  heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems for the
      Premises,  utilizing  engineers as Tenant may select subject  however,  to
      Landlord's approval.

      8.1.7 Additional Improvements

            If Tenant  constructs  Improvements  beyond those constructed at the
      time of Tenant's  initial  occupancy of the Premises,  Tenant shall pay to
      Landlord  an  amount  equal  to  Landlord's  cost,  if  any,  incurred  in
      coordination and inspection with respect to such Improvements.

      8.1.8 Removal of Improvements

            Any  Improvements  made to the Premises  shall not be removed either
      before or after the  termination  of this  lease  without  the  consent or
      request of Landlord.

8.2   No Allowance for Inconvenience

      There shall be no allowance to Tenant for  diminution  of rental value and
no  liability on the part of Landlord by reason of  inconvenience,  annoyance or
injury to business arising from Landlord,  Tenant or others making or failing to
diligently make any repairs, alterations, additions or improvements in or to any
portion of the Building or the Premises or in and to the fixtures,  equipment or
appurtenances thereof.

8.3   Connections to Electrical System

      Any  connection  of  apparatus  to  the  electrical  system  other  than a
connection to an existing base  receptacle,  any  connection of apparatus to the
plumbing  lines,  or any connection to the heating  and/or the  air-conditioning
system shall be deemed to be an  Improvement  within the meaning of this Article
8.

8.4   Landlord's Right to Perform

      In the  event  that  Tenant  should  fail to  carry  out  its  obligations
hereunder  to  the  satisfaction  of  Landlord,   Landlord  shall  perform  such
maintenance  and repairs it considers  necessary from time to time, the costs of


                                       16


which shall be the sole  responsibility  of Tenant and if any payment in respect
thereof  shall be made by Landlord  then a sum equal to the amount so paid shall
forthwith  become due and  payable  by Tenant to  Landlord  and if Tenant  shall
neglect  or refuse to pay such  amount on  demand,  any such cost or  expense to
Landlord shall be recoverable as additional rent.

8.5   Installation of Necessary Equipment

      Landlord  shall have the right to install  and  maintain  in the  Premises
whatever  is  reasonable,  useful  or  necessary  for  the  equipment,  use  and
convenience  of the  Building or other  tenant,  and Tenant  shall have no claim
against  Landlord in respect  thereof  provided the same does not interfere with
Tenant's enjoyment of the Premises.

ARTICLE 9 - TENANT CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY

9.1   General Provisions

      Except as otherwise specifically provided in this lease:

      (1)   Tenant  shall be  solely  responsible  for,  and pay the cost of all
            repairs  of  every  nature  and  kind  to the  Premises  other  than
            maintenance,  repairs and rebuilding thereof which in the reasonable
            opinion of Landlord would constitute major structural repairs to the
            Building; and

      (2)   Tenant  shall pay the cost in the  Proportion  set forth in  Article
            2.1(10)  hereof  for all  other  repairs  of every  nature  and kind
            (including major structural  repairs) to the structural  elements of
            the Building, as effected by Landlord in the following categories:

            (a)   repairs,  maintenance and replacement of every nature to the
                  Building;

            (b)   modernization and improvements to the Building,

                  (i)   where in the  reasonable  opinion of  Landlord  any such
                        expenditure may reduce the annual Operating  Expenses to
                        be paid by tenants, or

                  (ii)  additional equipment or improvements  required by law or
                        in  Landlord's  reasonable  opinion  for the  safety  of
                        Building users,

            and without  limiting the generality of the foregoing,  Tenant shall
            take  care of the  Premises  and  the  Alterations  and  improvement
            therein and, at the  expiration or other  termination of the term of
            this lease shall  surrender the Premises,  including the Alterations
            and Improvements in as good condition as reasonable use will permit.
            Tenant shall give to Landlord  immediate  verbal and prompt  written
            notice of any accident to or defect in the water pipes, steam pipes,


                                       17


            heating or air-conditioning  equipment,  electric light,  elevators,
            wires or other services of any portion of the Premises.

9.2   Proceeds of Insurance

      Landlord  shall make all  reasonable  attempts to utilize the  proceeds of
insurance as well as to exercise any and all reasonable  recourses  available to
Landlord against any contractor,  builder,  supplier or any third party in order
to  reduce   Tenant's   liability   for  repairs,   maintenance,   replacements,
modernization   and   improvements,   provided   however,   that  Tenant   shall
notwithstanding  any such proceedings advance the amounts required to be paid by
Tenant hereunder and to receive its proportion of any  reimbursement so obtained
by Landlord,  and provided  further that Tenant shall advance its  proportionate
share being the Proportion  utilized in Article 2.1(10) of costs and expenses of
any legal action as landlord may institute against any such party.

      Landlord  shall  have no  obligation  to  litigate  any such claim and may
settle,  compromise,  consent to, waive or otherwise determine in its discretion
any claim without notice to, consent or approval of Tenant.

9.3   Tenant's Responsibility

      Tenant  shall be solely  responsible  for any and all injury  and  damages
suffered by Landlord  and/or Tenant and/or  co-tenants or other occupants of the
Building and their respective officers, agents, employees,  servants,  visitors,
contractors,  subcontractors and suppliers, and for any and all injury or damage
to the  Building  and/or to the  Premises,  and/or the  Alterations,  and/or the
Improvements,  and/or the furnishings,  fixtures, partitions or any equipment or
merchandise  (including damage caused by the overflow or escape of water, steam,
gas, electricity or other substance, or the falling of any substance), caused or
occasioned by Tenant, or the officers,  agents, employees,  servants,  visitors,
contractors,  subcontractors  and  suppliers  of  Tenant,  and  whether  due  to
negligence  or  careless  operation  or  otherwise.  Any and all such injury and
damages may be repaired by landlord at the expense of Tenant.

9.4   Fire, Police and Health Departments' Regulations

      Tenant  shall  not do,  or  permit  anything  to be done on or  about  the
Premises or the  Building or the Land which may injure or obstruct the rights of
Landlord,  or of co-tenants or other occupants of the Building,  or of owners or
occupants  of  adjacent  or  contiguous  property,  or do  anything  which  is a
nuisance,  and Tenant shall not do or permit anything to be done on or about the
Premises or the  Building or the Land or bring or keep  anything  therein  which
will in any way conflict with the  regulations  of the Fire,  Police,  or Health
Departments  or with  the  rules,  regulations,  by-laws  or  ordinances  of any
governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Premises and/or the Building
and/or the Land, all of which Tenant undertakes to abide by and conform to.



                                       18


9.5   Fire Protection Equipment

      Tenant  specifically  undertakes  to install and maintain at its cost such
fire protection equipment including,  without limitation,  emergency lighting as
is deemed  reasonably  necessary or desirable by Landlord or any governmental or
insurance  body,  and if so required  by Landlord or any such body Tenant  shall
appoint a warden to coordinate with the fire protection facilities and personnel
of Landlord.

9.6   Exhibitions, Signs or Advertisements Inside or Outside the Premises

      No  activity  considered  offensive  or  improper  by  Landlord  shall  be
permitted by Tenant in or about the Premises,  the Building or the Land,  and no
sign, advertisement, notice, awning or electrical display shall be placed on any
part of the outside or inside of the  Premises  and/or the  Building  and/or the
Land, or in any area near the same, except with the written consent of Landlord.

      Landlord shall have the right in its absolute discretion to enter into the
Premises or the Building or the Land and to remove and/or eliminate anything not
in conformity herewith.

9.7   Supervision Fee for Tenant Repairs

      Should  Landlord  deem it  necessary  to  undertake  any  repairs or to do
anything  which is required to be  undertaken or done by Tenant under this lease
then Tenant  shall pay to Landlord as a fee for  supervision  or carrying out of
Tenant's obligation an amount as additional rent equal to l0% of the cost of the
obligation,  repairs or other work,  carried out by or under the  supervision of
Landlord,  which amount shall be in addition to the cost of such  obligation  or
work and shall be  collectible  by Landlord  from Tenant as if it were rental in
arrears.

9.8   Privileges and Liens

      Tenant shall require that any contractors,  prior to effecting any work on
the Premises,  and if permitted under the governing law, provide Landlord with a
waiver and release of any and all privileges or rights of privilege or hens that
may then or thereafter exist for work done/or to be done or labour  performed/or
to be performed or material  furnished/or  to be furnished under any contract or
subcontract;  or in the event such waiver and release is not permitted or is not
obtained,  furnish adequate  security  acceptable in all respects to Landlord to
guarantee the payment in full for all such work, labour or materials.

      In any event,  any mechanics' lien or privilege filed against the Premises
or the Building  for work  claimed to have been done or  materials  furnished to
Tenant  shall be  discharged  by Tenant  within l0 days  thereafter  at Tenant's
expense.  For the  purposes  hereof,  the  bonding  of such lien by a  reputable
casualty or  insurance  company  reasonably  satisfactory  to Landlord  shall be
deemed the equivalent of a discharge of any such lien.  Should any action,  suit
or proceeding be brought upon any such lien for the  enforcement  or foreclosure
of the same,  Tenant  agrees,  at its own cost and expense,  to defend  Landlord
therein, by counsel satisfactory to Landlord, and to pay any damages and satisfy
and discharge any judgment entered therein against Landlord.



                                       19


ARTICLE 10 - DESERTION AND SURRENDER

10.1  General Provisions

      Tenant shall not leave the Premises unoccupied or vacant (and surrender of
the keys  shall  not be  necessary  in order  that the  Premises  may be  deemed
unoccupied or vacant) during the term of this lease. Acceptance of the surrender
of this  lease  shall not be  effective  unless  made in  writing  and signed by
Landlord.

ARTICLE 11 - ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING

11.1  General Provisions

      Tenant shall not be entitled to assign,  transfer or encumber  this lease,
or any part thereof, or any of Tenant's title or interest therein or thereto, or
sublet the whole or any part of the  Premises or permit the Premises or any part
thereto  to be used by  another  without  conforming  to the  terms  of the next
paragraph  hereof,  and in any  event  without  the  prior  written  consent  of
Landlord,  which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  Landlord's refusal
of consent shall be deemed reasonable (without in any way restricting Landlord's
right to refuse its consent on other  reasonable  grounds) where the assignee or
sub-tenant  proposed by Tenant is then a tenant of the Building and Landlord has
or will have during the next ensuing six months  suitable  space for rent in the
Building. The consent of Landlord to any such assignment, transfer, encumbrance,
subletting  and/or use shall not constitute a waiver of this Article,  and shall
not  be  deemed  to  permit  any  further  assignment,   transfer,  encumbrance,
subletting or use by another.  Notwithstanding  any such  assignment,  transfer,
encumbrance,  subletting  and/or use, Tenant shall remain jointly and severally,
without  benefit of division or discussion,  responsible  for the payment of the
rental and the performance of the other obligations of Tenant under this lease.

      The  following  shall be deemed to be an  assignment  or sublease  for the
purpose of the lease and shall require the prior written consent of Landlord and
the prior compliance with all of the provisions of this Article 11:

      (1)   if any  person  other  than  Tenant  has or  exercises  the right to
            occupy,  manage or control the Premises or any part thereof,  or any
            of the business carried on therein, other than subject to the direct
            and full supervision and control of Tenant.

11.2  Advertising the Premises for Subletting

      Tenant  shall not  print,  publish,  post,  mail,  display,  broadcast  or
otherwise  advertise or offer the whole or any part of the Premises for purposes
of assignment,  sublet, transfer or encumbrance, and shall not permit any broker
or other party to do any of the  foregoing,  unless the complete text and format
of any notice,  advertisement  or offer for any of the aforesaid  purposes shall
have first been approved in writing by Landlord.  Without in any way restricting
or limiting Landlord's right to refuse any text and format on other grounds, any
text and format proposed by Tenant shall not contain any reference to the rental
rate for the Premises.



                                       20


11.3  Conditions Precedent to Any Assignment or Subletting

      As a condition  precedent to any assignment of this lease or subleasing of
the whole or any part of the Premises:

      (1)   Tenant  shall  indicate  to  Landlord  the  bona  fide  assignee  or
            sub-tenant  and the specific  terms and  conditions of such proposed
            assignment or sublease; and

      (2)   Tenant shall first offer to assign or sublease,  as the case may be,
            to Landlord on the same terms and conditions and for the same rental
            as provided in this lease.

11.4  Delays in Accepting Assignee or Subtenant

      Landlord  shall  have a period  of 30 days in which to  accept  the  offer
referred to in Article 11.3(2) and if not so accepted Tenant shall have a period
of 60 days  thereafter  in which to assign or  sublease on  obtaining  the prior
written  consent  of  Landlord  as  hereinabove  provided  to the  party  and in
accordance with the terms and conditions so indicated to Landlord.

11.5  Transfer to Assignee or Subtenant

      In the event that Tenant  does not so assign or sublet  within such 60 day
period, Landlord's consent to such assignment or subleasing shall be deemed null
and void and Tenant  shall not be permitted  to assign or sublet  without  again
conforming to all of the express provisions hereof.

11.6  New Lease with Assignee

      As an  alternative  to giving its consent to any sublease or assignment of
lease,  Landlord shall have the right to require the  prospective  sub-tenant or
assignee  to  execute  a new  lease  with  Landlord  under  the same  terms  and
conditions  as contained in the offer from the bona fide  assignee or subtenant,
and in such event Tenant agrees to guarantee to Landlord (on Landlord's standard
form of guarantee)  the  performance of all  obligations  of such  sub-tenant or
assignee under the new lease.  Tenant agrees to pay to Landlord reasonable costs
of administration incurred by Landlord to effect such new lease.

11.7  Assignment to Related or Associated Companies

      Notwithstanding  anything else  contained in this Article 11, Tenant shall
have the right to assign or sublet to a related or associated company (meaning a
company related or associated to the Tenant within the meaning of the Income Tax
Act  [Canada])  without  Landlord's  consent  provided  that such  assignment or
subletting shall not relieve the Tenant of its obligations under this lease.



                                       21


ARTICLE 12 - FIRE AND DESTRUCTION OF PREMISES

12.1 If the Premises  shall be  destroyed or damaged by fire or other  casualty,
insurable under fire and all risks insurance coverage, then:

      (1)   Premises Wholly Unfit for Occupancy and Not Repairable  Within 180
            Days

            If in the opinion of Landlord the damage or destruction is such that
            the  Premises  are  rendered  wholly  unfit for  occupancy  or it is
            impossible or unsafe to use and occupy them,  and if in either event
            the damage in the further  opinion of Landlord (which shall be given
            by written  notice to Tenant within 30 days of the happening of such
            damage or destruction) cannot be repaired with reasonable  diligence
            within 180 days from the  happening  of such damage or  destruction,
            either  Landlord  or Tenant  may within 5 days next  succeeding  the
            giving of Landlord's  opinion as aforesaid,  terminate this lease by
            giving to the other notice in writing of such termination,  in which
            event the term of this lease  shall cease and be at an end as of the
            date  of such  destruction  or  damage  and the  rent  and an  other
            payments  for which  Tenant is liable  under the terms of this lease
            shall  be  apportioned  and  paid  in  full  to  the  date  of  such
            destruction or damage. In the event that neither Landlord nor Tenant
            so  terminates  this  lease,  rent shall  abate from the date of the
            happening  of the damage  until the damage shall be made good to the
            extent of enabling Tenant to use and occupy the Premises;

      (2)   Premises Wholly Unfit for Occupancy and Repairable within 180 days

            If the  damage  be such  that the  Premises  are  wholly  unfit  for
            occupancy,  or if it is  impossible  or unsafe to use or occupy them
            but if in either event the damage, in the opinion of Landlord (which
            shall be given to Tenant  within 30 days from the  happening of such
            damage) can be repaired with reasonable diligence within 180 days of
            the happening of such damage,  rent shall abate from the date of the
            happening  of such damage until the damage shall be made good to the
            extent of enabling Tenant to use and occupy the Premises;

      (3)   Premises Partially Damaged and Repairable within 180 Days

            If in the  opinion  of  Landlord,  the  damage  can be made  good as
            aforesaid  within 180 days of the happening of such  destruction  or
            damage,  and the  damage is such that the  Premises  are  capable of
            being  partially used for the purposes for which leased,  until such
            damage has been repaired,  rent shall abate in the  proportion  that
            the part of the Premises  rendered unfit for occupancy  bears to the
            whole of the Premises.

12.2  Building  Partially  Destroyed  or  Damaged  Affecting  more  than  20% of
      Rentable Area

      If the Building is  partially  destroyed or damaged so as to affect 20% or
more of the rentable area of the Building  containing  the  Premises,  or in the
opinion of Landlord  the  Building is  rendered  unsafe,  and whether or not the
Premises are affected,  and in the opinion of Landlord  (which shall be given by


                                       22


written  notice to  Tenant  within 30 days of the  happening  of such  damage or
destruction),  cannot be repaired with reasonable diligence within 180 days from
the  happening  of such damage or  destruction,  Landlord may within 5 days next
succeeding the giving of Landlord's  opinion as aforesaid,  terminate this lease
by giving to Tenant  notice in writing of such  termination,  in which event the
term  of  this  lease  shall  cease  and be at an end as of  the  date  of  such
destruction  or damage and the rent and all other  payments  for which Tenant is
liable  under the terms of this lease shall be  apportioned  and paid in full to
the date of such destruction or damage.

12.3  Insurance Proceeds

      In the event of the termination of this lease as hereinabove provided, all
insurance  proceeds  excluding those relating to Tenant's property to the extent
Tenant is not indebted to Landlord under the provisions of this lease,  shall be
and remain the absolute property of Landlord.

12.4  Repair of Alterations, Improvements or Tenant's Property

      Nothing herein  contained  shall oblige  Landlord to repair or reconstruct
any Alterations, Improvements, or property of Tenant.

12.5  Where Tenant is at Fault

      If any damage or  destruction  by fire or other  cause to the  Building or
Premises,  whether partial or not, is due to the fault or neglect of Tenant, its
officers, agents, employees,  servants, visitors or licensees, without prejudice
to any other rights and remedies of Landlord and without prejudice to the rights
of subrogation of Landlord's insurer.

      (1)   Tenant shall be liable for all costs and damages,

      (2)   the damages may be repaired by Landlord at Tenant's expense,

      (3)   Tenant shall  forfeit its right to terminate  this lease as provided
            in Article 12.1(1),

      (4)   Tenant shall  forfeit any abatement of rent provided in this Article
            12 and rent shall not abate.

ARTICLE 13 - NO RESPONSIBILITY OF LANDLORD

13.1  General Provisions

      Save as set  our in  Article  12,  there  shall  be no  abatement  from or
reduction  of the rent due  hereunder  nor shall  Tenant be entitled to damages,
costs,  losses or disbursements from Landlord  regardless of the cause or reason
therefor  (except  where  such  cause of reason is  Landlord's  direct  fault or
negligence)  on account of fire or other  casualty.  Neither  shall there be any
abatement or reduction of rent,  or recovery by Tenant from  Landlord on account
of partial or total  failure of,  damage  caused by,  lessening of supply of, or
stoppage of, heat  air-conditioning,  electric light,  power,  water,  plumbing,


                                       23


sewage, elevators, escalators or any other service, nor on account of any damage
or annoyance  occasioned by water, snow, or ice being upon or coming through the
roof, skylight,  trapdoors,  windows, or otherwise,  or by an defect or break in
any pipes,  tanks,  fixtures,  or otherwise whereby steam, water, snow, smoke or
gas,  leak,  issue or flow into the  Premises,  nor on  account of any damage or
annoyance  occasioned by the condition or  arrangements of any electric or other
wiring,  nor on  account  of any  damage  or  annoyance  arising  from any acts,
omissions, or negligence of co-tenants or other occupants of the Building, or of
owners or occupants of adjacent or  contiguous  property,  nor on account of the
making of  alterations,  repairs,  improvements,  or  structural  changes to the
Building,  or any thing or service  therein or  thereon  or  contiguous  thereto
provided the same shall be made with reasonable expedition.

      Without  restricting  the foregoing,  Landlord shall not be liable for any
other damage to or loss,  theft,  or  destruction  of property,  or death of, or
injury  to,  persons  at any  time  in or on the  Premises  or in or  about  the
Building, howsoever occurring.

      Providing that the foregoing  paragraphs of this 13.1 shall not exempt the
Landlord for liability for its own negligence.

      Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  liability  of  Landlord  shall  under no
circumstances  extend to any property other than normal office  furniture  which
term, without limiting its normal meaning, shall not include securities, specie,
papers,  typewriters,  electric  computers,  or other  machines or other similar
items.

13.2  Delay in Completion of Premises

      Landlord shall not be liable for any damages suffered by Tenant should any
delay in the  completion of the Premises in any way delay or  inconvenience  the
occupant thereof or the enjoyment of the Building or accessories or services.

13.3  Tenant Indemnification

      Tenant  covenants and agrees that it will protect,  save and keep Landlord
harmless and indemnified against any penalty or damage or charge imposed for any
violation of any laws or ordinances occasioned by Tenant or those connected with
Tenant,  and that it will protect,  indemnify,  save and keep harmless  Landlord
against  any and all  damage or expense  arising  out of any  accident  or other
occurrence  on or about the  Premises  causing  injury to any person or property
(except to the extent Landlord may be otherwise  liable  therefor),  and against
any and all  damage  or  expense  arising  out of any  failure  of Tenant in any
respect to comply with and perform all the  requirements  and provisions of this
lease.

13.4  Special Permits

      If any  equipment,  installation  or  apparatus to be used or installed by
Tenant in the Premises requires a permit from any governmental authority, Tenant
agrees to secure the required  permit before  installation at its expense and to
file a copy of such permit with Landlord.



                                       24


ARTICLE 14 - RIGHT OF ENTRY

14.1  General Provisions

      Landlord  may, at any  reasonable  time and without  liability  to Tenant,
enter the Premises to examine or to exhibit the same or to make  alterations and
repairs,  or for any purpose  which it may deem  necessary  for the operation or
maintenance  of the Building or its  equipment.  During the last 9 months of the
term of the lease or of its  renewal,  Tenant shall allow such person or persons
as may be desirous of leasing  the  Premises to visit the same on business  days
between the hours of 9 A.M. and 5 P.M.

14.2  Alteration of Locks

      Tenant  shall   install  and   maintain   Landlord's   building   standard
locking/keying system in the Premises and shall not alter any locks on any doors
of  the  Premises  without  the  prior  written  consent  of  Landlord.   In  no
circumstances  shall  the  locks  on  any  doors  alter  the  building  standard
locking/keying system to the intent that Landlord shall at all times have access
to the Premises by way of the building standard key.

ARTICLE 15 - COMPLIANCE WITH LAW

15.1  General Provisions

      Tenant shall promptly and at its expense execute and comply with all laws,
rules,  orders,  ordinances and  regulations  of the  Municipal,  Provincial and
Federal  authorities  and of any department or bureau of any of them, and of any
other  governmental  authority having  jurisdiction over the Premises,  Tenant's
occupancy of the Premises or Tenant's business conducted thereon.

ARTICLE 16 - INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

16.1  General Provisions

      Tenant  shall not do or commit any act upon the  Premises or bring into or
keep upon the Premises  any article  which will affect the fire risk or increase
the rate of fire insurance or other insurance on the Building.

      Tenant  shall  comply  with the rules and  requirements  of the  Insurers'
Advisory Organization of Canada or any successor body, and with the requirements
of all  insurance  companies  having  policies of any kind  whatsoever in effect
covering the Building,  including  policies  insuring  against tort or delictual
liability.

      In no event shall any flammable materials, except for kinds and quantities
required for ordinary office  occupancy and permitted by the insurance  policies
covering the Building, or any explosive  whatsoever,  be taken into the Premises
or retained therein.

      Should the rate of any type of  insurance  on the Building be increased by
reason of any  violation of this lease by Tenant,  Landlord,  in addition to all


                                       25


other  remedies,  may pay the  amount of such  increase,  and the amount so paid
shall become due and payable immediately by Tenant and collectible as additional
rent.

16.2  Comprehensive General Liability and All Risk Insurance

      Tenant  shall  take out and keep in force  during  the term of this  lease
comprehensive  general liability  insurance in amounts and with policies in form
satisfactory  from time to time to  Landlord  and with  insurers  acceptable  to
Landlord,  the comprehensive  general liability  insurance in no event to be for
less  than  $2,000,000   inclusive  limits  and  all  risks  insurance  covering
furniture,  fixtures and  Improvements  in an amount equal to the full insurable
value thereof. Copies of each insurance policy shall forthwith upon execution be
delivered to Landlord.  Each such policy  shall name  Landlord as an  additional
insured  as its  interest  may appear and the  comprehensive  general  liability
policy shall contain a cross liability clause.  The cost or premium for each and
every such policy shall be paid by Tenant. Tenant shall obtain from the insurers
under such policies, undertakings to notify Landlord in writing at least 10 days
prior to any cancellation thereof.

16.3  Failure of Tenant to Obtain Insurance

      Tenant  agrees  that if Tenant  fails to take our or to keep in force such
insurance  Landlord will have the right to do so and to pay the premium therefor
and in such event  Tenant  shall repay to  Landlord  the amount paid as premium,
which repayment shall be collectible as additional rent payable on the first day
of the next month following the said payment by Landlord.

16.4  Landlord Covenants to Insure

      Landlord  covenants and agrees to insure and cause the Building to be kept
insured to replacement  value against all such risks as would be customary for a
prudent owner to insure against;  provided,  however, that it is understood that
Tenant shall contribute to the cost of such insurance as provided in this lease.

ARTICLE 17 - MORTGAGES AND SUBORDINATION

17.1  General Provisions
      This  lease and all  rights  of  Tenant  hereunder  shall be  subject  and
subordinate at all times to any and all underlying leases, mortgages,  hypothecs
or deeds of trust  affecting  the  Building  and/or  the Land  which  have  been
executed  or  which  may at any  time  hereafter  be  executed,  and any and all
extensions and renewals  thereof and  substitutions  therefor.  Tenant agrees to
execute any  instrument  or  instruments  which  Landlord may deem  necessary or
desirable to evidence the subordination of this lease to any or all such leases,
mortgages,  hypothecs or deeds of trust.  Any  instrument to be signed by Tenant
pursuant to this paragraph 17.1 shall be prepared at the expense of Landlord.

17.2  Landlord's Default under any Underlying Lease; Mortgage, Hypothec or Deed

      Tenant  covenants and agrees that, if by reason of a default upon the part
of Landlord as lessee under any  underlying  lease in the  performance of any of
the terms or provisions of such underlying lease or by reason of a default under
any  mortgage,  hypothec  or deed of trust to which  this  lease is  subject  or
subordinate, Landlord's estate is terminated, it will attorn to the lessor under
such  underlying  lease or the acquirer of the  Building  pursuant to any action
taken under any such  mortgage,  hypothec or deed of trust,  and will  recognize
such lessor or such acquirer, as Tenant's Landlord under this lease.

      Tenant  waives  the  provisions  of any  statute  or  rule  of law  now or
hereafter  in  effect  which may give or  purport  to give  Tenant  any right of
election to terminate  this lease or to surrender  possession of the Premises in
the event any such  proceeding to terminate the  underlying  lease is brought be
the lessor under any such underlying lease or any such action is taken under any
such  mortgage,  hypothec  or deed of trust and agrees  this lease  shall not be
affected in any way whatsoever by any such proceedings.

17.3  Request from Landlord to Tenant for Written Statement

      Tenant  agrees to execute and deliver,  at any time and from time to time,
upon the request of Landlord or of the lessor under any such  underlying  lease,
or of the holder of any such mortgage, hypothec or deed of trust, any instrument
which may be necessary or appropriate to evidence such attornment.

      Tenant  will upon  request of  Landlord  furnish  to the lessor  under any
underlying  lease and/or to each creditor under a mortgage,  hypothec or deed of
trust a written  statement  that this lease is in full force and effect and that
Landlord has complied  with all its  obligations  under this lease and any other
reasonable written statement,  document or estoppel certificate requested by any
such creditor.  Landlord shall, at its own expense, prepare any instrument which
it wishes Tenant to sign pursuant to this paragraph 17.3.

17.4  Certificate from Tenant

      Tenant,  at any  time and from  time to time,  upon not less  than 10 days
prior written notice from  Landlord,  will execute,  acknowledge  and deliver to
Landlord and, at Landlord's  request,  addressed to any  prospective  purchaser,
ground or  underlying  lessor or mortgagee of the  Building,  a  certificate  of
Tenant saying:

      (1)   that Tenant has  accepted the  Premises,  or, if Tenant has not done
            so, that Tenant has not accepted the  Premises  and  specifying  the
            reasons therefor;

      (2)   the commencement and expiration dates of this lease;

      (3)   that this lease is  unmodified  and in full force and effect,  or if
            there  have been  modifications,  that the same is in full force and
            effect as modified, and stating the modifications;


                                       27


      (4)   whether or not there are then  existing  any  defenses  against  the
            enforcement  of any of the  obligations  of Tenant  under this lease
            and, if so, specifying the same;

      (5)   whether or not there are then  existing  any defaults by Landlord in
            the  performance of its  obligations  under this lease,  and, if so,
            specifying the same;

      (6)   the dates,  if any, to which the rent and other  charges  under this
            lease have been paid; and

      (7)   any other  information  which may reasonably be required by any such
            persons.

      It is intended that any such certificate of Tenant  delivered  pursuant to
this Article  17.4 may be relied upon by any  prospective  purchaser,  ground or
underlying lessor or mortgagee of the Building.

17.5  Assignment by Landlord

      Landlord shall have the right to assign the lease or its right to rent and
additional rent to a lending  institution as collateral security for a loan, and
in the event that such an  assignment  is given and  executed by  Landlord  this
lease shall not be cancelled or modified  for any reason  whatsoever,  except as
provided  for,  anticipated  or  permitted  by the terms of this lease or by law
without the consent in writing of such lending  institution.  Tenant agrees that
it will,  if and whenever  required by Landlord,  within 15 days of such written
request  forwarded to Tenant by registered mail consent to and become a party to
any instrument or instruments permitting a mortgage,  trust deed or charge to be
placed on the  Building  or Premises  or any part  thereof as  security  for any
indebtedness  covered by the trust deed, mortgage or charge.  Landlord is hereby
irrevocably appointed and constituted Tenant's representative for the purpose of
signing such document on behalf of Tenant.

ARTICLE 18 - EXPROPRIATION

18.1  General Provisions

      If the whole or any part of the Premises, or the whole of the Building, or
so much thereof as shall in the opinion of the Landlord,  render it commercially
undesirable to continue operation of the Building, be expropriated, condemned or
taken by any competent authority for any purpose whatsoever, Landlord shall have
the right, at its discretion,  to terminate this lease upon notice in writing to
Tenant of at least 30 days.  Tenant  shall have no claim in damages or otherwise
against   Landlord   relating  to  or  arising  out  of  the   expropriation  or
condemnation,  or  arising  out of the  cancellation  of this  lease,  nor shall
Landlord be obliged to contest any expropriation proceedings.

ARTICLE 19 - WAIVER

19.1  General Provisions

      Failure  of  Landlord  to insist  upon  strict  performance  of any of the
covenants or  conditions of this lease or to exercise any right or option herein


                                       28


contained  shall  not be  construed  as a waiver or  relinquishment  of any such
covenant,  condition,  right or option,  but the same shall remain in full force
and  effect.  Tenant  undertakes  and  agrees,  and any person  claiming to be a
subtenant or assignee  undertakes and agrees, that the acceptance by Landlord of
any  rent  from any  person  other  than  Tenant  shall  not be  construed  as a
recognition of any rights not herein expressly granted, or as a waiver of any of
Landlord's  rights, or as an admission that such person is, or as a consent that
such  person  shall be deemed to be, a  subtenant  or  assignee  of this  lease,
irrespective  of whether  Tenant or said  person  claims  that such  person is a
subtenant  or assignee of this lease.  Landlord  may accept rent from any person
occupying  the  Premises at any time  without in any way waiving any right under
this lease.

ARTICLE 20 - NOTICE AND DEMANDS

20.1  By Landlord to Tenant

      Any notice or demand  given by  Landlord  to Tenant  shall be deemed to be
duly given when served upon Tenant  personally,  or when left upon the Premises,
or when mailed,  to Tenant at the address of the Premises on the third  business
day following such mailing.

20.2  Tenant's Domicile

      Tenant  elects  Domicle at the  Premises for the purpose of service of all
notices, writs of summons or other legal documents in any suit at law, action or
proceeding which Landlord may take.

20.3  By Tenant to Landlord

      Any  notice or demand  given by Tenant to  Landlord  shall be deemed to be
duly given when served upon  Landlord  personally  or when mailed by  registered
mail to Landlord at the address  designated  by Landlord for purposes of payment
of the rent hereunder on the third business day following such mailing.

20.4  Prior to Commencement Date

      Prior to  Commencement  Date of this lease,  any notice or demand shall be
deemed to be duly given by  Landlord  to Tenant  when  delivered  personally  to
Tenant,  or when mailed to Tenant at its principal place of business in the City
of Halifax, or at its mailing address as made known by Tenant to Landlord.

ARTICLE 21 - LANDLORD AND TENANT

21.1  Definition of Landlord

      The term "Landlord",  as used in this lease,  means only the owner for the
time being of the  Building or the lessee of a lease of the whole  Building,  so
that in the event of any sale or sales or transfer or transfers of the Building,
or the  making  of any  lease  or  leases  thereof,  or the sale of sales or the
transfer or  transfers or the  assignment  or  assignments  of any such lease or


                                       29


leases,  Landlord  shall  be  and  hereby  is  relieved  of  all  covenants  and
obligations of Landlord  hereunder and its shall be deemed and construed without
further  agreement  between the parties,  or their  successors  in interest,  or
between the parties and the transferee or acquirer at any such sale, transfer or
assignment,  or lessee on the  making of any such  lease,  that the  transferee,
acquirer  or  lessee  has  assumed  and  agreed  to carry out any and all of the
covenants and obligations of Landlord hereunder to Landlord's  exoneration,  and
Tenant  shall  thereafter  be  bound to and  shall  attorn  to such  transferee,
acquirer or lessee, as the case may be, as Landlord under this lease.

21.2  Tenant Partnership

      If Tenant  shall be a  partnership  (hereafter  referred to as the "Tenant
Partnership"),  each person who is presently a member of Tenant Partnership, and
each person who becomes a member of any successor Tenant Partnership  hereafter,
shall be and continue to be liable for the full and complete performance of, and
shall be and  continue to be subject  to,  terms and  provisions  of this lease,
whether or not he ceases to be a member of such Tenant  Partnership or successor
Tenant Partnership.

21.3  Relationship Between Landlord and Tenant

      It is  understood  and agreed that nothing  contained in this lease nor in
any acts of the  parties  hereto  shall be  deemed to  create  any  relationship
between the parties hereto other than the relationship of landlord and tenant.

ARTICLE 22 - BROKERAGE COMMISSION

22.1  General Provisions

      As part  of the  consideration  for the  granting  of this  lease,  Tenant
represents  and  warrants  to Landlord  that no broker or agent  (other than any
broker  or  agent   authorized  in  writing  by  Landlord)   negotiated  or  was
instrumental in negotiating or consummating  this lease.  Any broker or agent of
Tenant shall be paid by Tenant.

ARTICLE 23 - SECURITY

23.1  To Secure Payment of Rent

      Tenant  covenants  with Landlord to furnish the Premises with and maintain
therein a sufficient quantity of furniture, fixtures and other effects to secure
the payment of 6 months' rent.

ARTICLE 24 - EXPIRATION OF THE TERM OF THE LEASE

24.1  Tenant's Notice to Landlord

      Tenant shall give Landlord 9 months'  written  notice prior to the date of
expiration of this lease of its intention to vacate the Premises,  failing which
Landlord may at its option given written notice to Tenant within a period of not
less than 30 days before the date of expiration of this lease that this lease is
renewed for a further period of 12 months from the said date of expiration under


                                       30


the same terms and  conditions  as herein set forth.  If neither of the  notices
hereinabove  described is given the present lease shall terminate IPSO FACTO and
without  or  demand  on the date  stated in  Article  4.1 of this  lease and any
continued  occupation  of the  Premises  by Tenant  shall not have the effect of
extending  the period or of renewing  the present  lease for any period of time,
the whole  notwithstanding any provisions of law and Tenant shall be presumed to
occupy the Premises against the will of Landlord who shall thereupon be entitled
to make use of any and all remedies by law provided for the  expulsion of Tenant
and for damages,  provided,  however,  that Landlord shall have the right at its
option in the event of such continued  occupation by Tenant to give to Tenant at
any time written  notice that Tenant may continue to occupy the Premises under a
tenancy from month to month in  consideration of a rental equal to that provided
in Article  5.1 hereof  plus 50%  thereof,  payable  monthly  and in advance and
otherwise under the same terms and conditions as are herein set forth.

24.2  Tenant's Credit Rating

      Landlord  shall have the right at its sole option and discretion to refuse
any renewal of this lease where  Tenant's  credit rating is not at least as good
at the time of such  renewal as it was at the  commencement  of the term of this
lease; the obligations to prove such credit rating to the entire satisfaction of
Landlord at either or both of such times, to be incumbent on Tenant.

ARTICLE 25 - FORCE MAJEURE

25.1  General Provisions

      Save for Tenant's monetary obligations,  neither Landlord nor Tenant shall
be liable for  failure  to  perform  any of its  obligations  hereunder,  or for
damages or loss to the other party if such failure,  damage or loss is caused by
Acts of God or of the Queen's enemies,  fire or other casualty,  war,  disaster,
riots,  lockouts,  FORCE MAJEURE,  CAS FORTUIT or any similar  circumstance,  or
circumstances attributable to the other party or other emergency or cause beyond
the reasonable control of either party.

ARTICLE 26 - GOVERNING LAW

26.1  General Provisions

      This lease shall be construed  and governed by the laws of the Province of
Nova Scotia.  Should any  provisions  of this lease and/or of its  conditions be
illegal or not  enforceable  under the laws of such Province it or they shall be
considered  severable and the lease and its conditions shall remain in force and
be binding upon the parties as though the said provision or provisions had never
been included.

ARTICLE 27 - PRIOR AGREEMENTS

27.1  General Provisions

      Tenant  acknowledges  that the execution of this lease shall  constitute a
conclusive  presumption  that all agreements and  representations  of every kind




                                       31


whatsoever,  written or oral,  previously  entered  into or made by the  parties
hereto or their agents, shall be solely those set forth in this date.

27.2  Amendments of Lease

      This lease may not be amended save by written  instrument duly executed by
both Landlord and Tenant and the  acceptance  by Landlord of any plan,  drawing,
specification  and/or  notice  and/or the  consent of Landlord to any such plan,
drawing,  specification and/or notice, shall not be deemed to be an amendment to
this lease without the express written  undertaking and consent of Landlord that
such acceptance and/or consent is to constitute an amendment.

ARTICLE 28 - RULES AND REGULATIONS

28.1  Acts to Injure Premises or Persons

      Tenant  shall not  perform  any acts or carry on any  practices  which may
injure the  Premises  or be a nuisance  or menace to other  tenants,  or make or
permit any improper  noises in the Building and shall  forthwith upon request by
Landlord  discontinue  all acts or  practices in  violations  of this clause and
repair any damage or injury to the Premises caused thereby.

28.2  Preservation of Good Order and Cleanliness

      Tenant shall not cause  unnecessary  labour by reason of carelessness  and
indifference  to the  preservation of good order and cleanliness in the Premises
and in the Building.

28.3  Animals

      No animals shall be brought or kept in or about the Building.

28.4  Canvassing

      Canvassing,  soliciting  and  peddling in the Building is  prohibited  and
Tenant shall co-operate to prevent the same.

28.5  Sidewalks, Entries, Passages, Elevators, etc.

      The sidewalks,  entries,  passages,  elevators and staircases shall not be
obstructed  or used by Tenant  or its  clerks,  servants,  agents,  visitors  or
licensees  for any other  purpose  than  ingress to and egress from the offices.
Nothing  shall be thrown by Tenant,  its clerk,  servants,  agents,  visitors or
licensees, out of the windows or doors, or into the entries, passages, elevators
or  staircases  of  the  Building.  Landlord  reserves  entire  control  of  the
sidewalks,  entries, elevators,  staircases, or corridors and passages which are
not expressly  included within this lease, and shall have the right to make such
repairs, replacements,  alterations, additions, decorations and improvements and
to place such signs and appliances therein,  as it may deem advisable,  provided
that ingress to and egress from the Premises is not unduly impaired thereby.


                                       32


28.6  Advertising

      Landlord shall have the right to prohibit any advertising of or by Tenant,
which in its  opinion,  tends to impair the  reputation  of the  Building or its
desirability  as a building for offices or for  financial,  insurance  and other
institutions and businesses of a like nature. Upon written notice from Landlord,
Tenant shall refrain from or discontinue such advertising.

28.7  Signs or Advertisements on the Building

      No sign, advertisement or notice shall be inscribed, painted or affixed on
any part of the outside or inside of the Building, except on the directories and
doors of offices,  and then only of such size, color and style as Landlord shall
determine and approve.

28.8  Selling  Articles or Carrying  on  Business  other than that  specifically
      Provided for in lease

      Tenant  shall  not sell or  permit  the  sale at  retail,  of  newspapers,
magazines,  periodicals,  theatre  tickets,  or such articles as are customarily
sold in tobacco  shops,  soda fountains or lunch  counters,  or any other goods,
wares or merchandise whatsoever,  in or from Premises. Tenant shall not carry on
or permit or allow any  employee  or other  person to carry on the  business  of
stenography, typewriting or any similar business in or from the Premises for the
service or  accommodation of the occupants of any other portion of the Building,
or the business of a public barber shop or a manicuring or chiropodist business,
or any business other than that specifically provided for in this lease.

28.9  Workmen for Repairs

      The workmen of Landlord must be employed by Tenant at Tenant's expense for
lettering,  interior  moving  and  other  similar  work  that may be done on the
Premises.

28.10 Care of Premises

      Tenant shall not mark,  paint,  drill into or in any way deface the walls,
ceilings,   partitions,   floors,  wood,  stone  or  iron  work,  or  any  other
appurtenance to the Premises.

28.11 Window Shades

      Tenant shall not install window shades of any color other than the typical
colors from time to time approved by Landlord. Tenant shall not install curtains
or venetian  blinds without the approval of Landlord.  Tenant shall submit plans
to  Landlord  for prior  approval  before  installing  curtains or blinds in the
Premises.

28.12 Washrooms

      The water and wash  closets  and  urinals  shall not be used for any other
purpose than the purposes for which they were respectively constructed,  and the
expense of any breakage,  stoppage or damage  resulting from a violation of this
rule by Tenant or its clerks, agents, servants,  visitors or licensees, shall be
borne by Tenant.




28.13 Apparatus Requiring Permit

      If any  apparatus  used or  installed  by  Tenant  requires  a permit as a
condition for installation, Tenant must file such permit with Landlord.

28.14 Entering Building After Normal Office Hours

      Landlord  shall have the right to  determine  the  business  hours for the
Premises.  Until such time as  Landlord  may  determine  to the  contrary,  such
business hours shall be between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. on business
days and between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 12:00 noon on Saturdays. All persons
entering  and leaving the  Building at any time other than within such  business
hours  shall  register  in the  books  kept by  Landlord  at or near  the  night
entrance.  Landlord  will have the right to prevent any person from  entering or
leaving the Building  except during such business  hours unless  provided with a
key to the  Premises to which such person seeks  entrance,  or a pass issued and
signed by Tenant upon the  letterhead of Tenant and  countersigned  by Landlord.
Any persons  found the Building at times other than such  business  ours without
such keys or passes will be subject to the  surveillance  of the  employees  and
agents of Landlord. This rule is made for the protection of Tenant, but Landlord
shall be under responsibility for failure to enforce it.

28.15 Safes and Heavy Equipment

      Landlord  shall have power to  prescribe  the weight and position of safes
and other heavy equipment,  which shall be placed and stand on such plant strips
or skids as Landlord may  prescribe,  to  distribute  the weight  properly.  All
damage  done to the  Building  by taking  in or  moving  out a safe or any other
article of Tenant's  equipment,  or due to its being on the  Premises,  shall be
repaired at the  expense of Tenant.  The moving of safes shall occur only during
such hours as Landlord may from time to time establish and upon previous  notice
to  Landlord,  and the  persons  employed  to move  the  safes in and out of the
building must be  acceptable to Landlord.  Safes will be moved through the halls
and corridors only upon steel bearing plates.  No freight or bulky matter of any
description  will be received  into the  building  or carried in the  elevators,
except during hours approved by Landlord.

28.16 Rules and Regulations for Security of Building

      Tenant agrees to observe all reasonable  rules and  regulations  regarding
the  security and  protection  of the  Building  and Tenants  thereof  including
without  limitation  the right of  Landlord  to search  the person of and/or any
article carried by any person entering or leaving the building.

28.17 Further Rules and Regulations

      Tenant  covenants that the rules and regulations  hereinabove  stipulated,
and such  other and  further  rules and  regulations  as  Landlord  may make and
communicate to Tenant,  being its judgment  needful for the reputation,  safety,
care or cleanliness of the Building and Premises, or the operation,  maintenance
or protection of the Building and its equipment,  or the comfort of the tenants,
shall be  faithfully  observed  and  performed  by  Tenant,  and by its  clerks,
servants,  agents,  visitors  and  licensees.  Landlord  shall have the right to

                                       34


change said rules and to waive in writing, or otherwise,  any or all of the said
rules  in  respect  to any  one or  more  tenants,  and  Landlord  shall  not be
responsible to Tenant for the  non-observance  or violation of any of said rules
and regulations by any other tenant or other person. The provisions of the rules
and  regulations  shall not be deemed to limit any covenant or provision of this
lease to be performed or fulfilled by Tenant.

28.18 Access to Loading Area

      Landlord shall be entitled to control access to the truck loading area.

28.19 Keys

      Landlord  shall  furnish  Tenant,  free of charge,  with two keys for each
corridor door entering the Premises,  and additional keys will be furnished at a
charge by Landlord equal to its cost,  plus 15%, on an order signed by Tenant or
Tenant's authorized  representative.  All such keys shall remain the property of
Landlord.  No  additional  locks  shall be allowed  on any door of the  Premises
without Landlord's written permission, and Tenant shall not make or permit to be
made any duplicate keys, except those furnished by Landlord. Upon termination of
this lease, or any renewal thereof,  Tenant shall surrender to Landlord all keys
for the Premises and give to Landlord the  explanation of the combination of all
locks for safes, safe cabinets and vault doors, if any, in the Premises.

28.20 Graphics

      Landlord shall provide and install,  at Tenant's  expense,  all letters or
numbers on doors to the  Premises;  all such letters and numbers shall be in the
building  standard  graphics,  and no others  shall be used or  permitted on the
Premises. In addition, Landlord shall maintain a directory board in the lobby of
the  Building  and  provide  reasonable  identification  of Tenant  at  Tenant's
expense.

28.21 Environmental

      (1)    Tenant agrees that all activities  conducted on the Premises during
             the  term  of this  lease  will  comply  with  any  and  all  laws,
             regulations and ordinances  relating to  environmental  matters and
             the  protection  of the  environment  or other  safety  and  health
             concerns including,  without  restriction,  the storage,  handling,
             disposal,  discharge  and or removal of any  hazardous,  nuclear or
             toxic waste, substance or material.  Tenant agrees to indemnify and
             hold Landlord  harmless from and against any loss, cost,  damage or
             expense  arising out of or attributable to the failure of Tenant to
             comply with its obligations under this paragraph 28.21.

      (2)    Landlord  will  have  the  right to  inspect  the  Premises  at all
             reasonable  times  to  determine   Tenant's   compliance  with  its
             obligations  under this  Article  28.21 and if Tenant fails to meet
             any of its obligations  hereunder Landlord may perform, at Tenant's
             expense, any lawful actions necessary to redress such default.


                                       35


      (3)    If, on termination of this lease Tenant is in default of any of its
             obligations  under this Article 28.21  Landlord may, at its option,
             extend  the term of this  lease  for such  period of time as may be
             reasonable  to cure such  default,  in which event this lease shall
             remain in full force and effect until such default has been cured.

      (4)    If Tenant's  business  includes in any way the  storage,  handling,
             disposal,  discharge  and/or removal of any  hazardous,  nuclear or
             toxic waste, substance or material, Tenant's liability insurance as
             provided for in Article 16.2 shall specifically  insure against its
             obligations under this Article 28.21.

ARTICLE 29 - DEFAULT BY TENANT

29.1  Events of Default

      Each of the following  events  (hereinafter  called an "Event of Default")
shall be a default hereunder by tenant and a breach of this lease:

      (1)    if Tenant shall violate any covenant or agreement providing for the
             payment of rent,  including  increased rent, or additional rent and
             such violation shall continue for 5 days;

      (2)    if Tenant shall assign,  transfer,  encumber,  sublet or permit the
             use of the Premises by others except in a manner herein permitted;

      (3)    if Tenant  shall be  adjudicated  a  bankrupt  or make any  general
             assignment  for the benefit of creditors or take or attempt to take
             the benefit of any insolvency or bankruptcy legislation;

      (4)    if a receiver or trustee  shall be  appointed  for the  property of
             Tenant or any part thereof;

      (5)    if any execution be issued pursuant to a judgment  rendered against
             Tenant;

      (6)    save where otherwise  permitted  hereunder if any person other than
             Tenant  has or  exercises  the  right  to  manage  or  control  the
             Premises,  any part  thereof,  or any of the  business  carried  on
             herein  other than subject to the direct and full  supervision  and
             control of Tenant;

      (7)    if  Tenant  shall be in  default  in  fulfilling  any of the  other
             covenants  and  conditions  of this  lease and such  default  shall
             continue for 15 days after written  notice thereof from Landlord to
             Tenant.

29.2  Continuance of any Event of Default

      During the continuance of any such Event of Default,  Landlord may, at its
option,  give to Tenant a written  notice of its  intention  to  terminate  this
lease, and the term hereof shall expire at noon upon the fifth day following the



                                       36


date upon which such notice is given as fully and completely as if that day were
the date fixed for the  expiration  of the term without the necessity of further
notice or legal process whatsoever,  provided always, however, that Tenant shall
remain  liable  to pay all  amounts  and  damages  then  due or to  become  due,
including the  liquidated  damages as hereinafter  provided.  Tenant upon such a
termination  of this lease shall  thereupon  quit and  surrender the Premises to
Landlord or if not in possession shall no longer have any right to possession of
the Premises. Landlord, its agents and servants, may immediately, or at any time
thereafter,  re-enter the Premises and dispossess Tenant, and remove any and all
persons  and any or all  property  therefrom,  either by  summary  dispossession
proceedings  or by any  suitable  action or  proceeding  at law,  or by force or
otherwise, without being liable to prosecution or damages therefor.

      Tenant specifically acknowledges that without prejudice to any other right
or remedy Landlord may, after the giving of the notice and the expiration of the
5 day notice  period  hereinabove  referred  to,  cease to furnish any  services
hereunder  and  without  limiting  the  foregoing  may  terminate  or  interrupt
electrical service to the Premises.

29.3  Payment of Monies in Event of Default

      In any of the foregoing  cases Tenant shall pay any and all monies payable
under this lease up to and  including the day of such  termination  or re-entry,
whichever shall be the later.

      In addition there shall immediately become due and payable in one lump sum
as liquidated damages and not a penalty the aggregate rental for a period of one
year,  being the estimated time required for re-leasing the Premises or, if less
than one year  remains  of the term  hereof,  the  aggregate  of rental  for the
unexpired portion of the term.

29.4  The exercise of any Right of Landlord

      The  exercise  by Landlord  of any right it may have  hereunder  or by law
shall not  preclude  the  exercise  by  Landlord  of any other right it may have
hereunder or by law.

29.5  No waiver by Landlord

      Failure of  Landlord  to insist upon the  performance  of any  covenant or
condition  of this lease or to exercise  any right or option  contained  in this
lease shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any such covenant,
condition,  right or option.  No  violation of any covenant or condition of this
lease shall be valid unless in writing and signed by duly authorized  persons on
behalf  of  Landlord.  The  acceptance  of rent from or the  performance  of any
obligation  by a person other than Tenant shall not be construed as an admission
by  Landlord  or any right,  title or  interest  of such  person as  sub-tenant,
assignee, transferee or otherwise in the place of Tenant.

29.6  Landlord's Right to enter Premises

      Tenant further covenants and agrees that, on Landlord becoming entitled to
re-enter upon the Premises under any of the provisions in this lease,  Landlord,
in addition to all other  rights,  shall have the right to enter the Premises as
agent of Tenant, either by force or otherwise,  without being liable for damages


                                       37


or loss  therefore  and to relet the  Premises  as the agent of  Tenant,  and to
receive the rent therefor and, as the agent of Tenant, to take possession of any
furniture  or other  property on the  Premises and to sell the same at public or
private sale without  notice and to apply the proceeds of such sale and any rent
derived form  reletting  the Premises  upon account of the rent under this lease
and Tenant shall be liable to Landlord for the deficiency, if any.

29.7  No Limitation on Right to Distrain

      Tenant waives and  renounces the benefit of any present or future  statute
taking away or limiting  Landlord's  right to distress and  covenants and agrees
that  notwithstanding  any such statute none of the goods and chattels of Tenant
on the  Premises  at any time  during  the term  shall be  exempt  from  levy by
distress for rent or any other charges; all goods and chattels brought by Tenant
onto the Premises  shall be the  unencumbered  property of Tenant and they shall
not be  subjected  to any claim or other  encumbrance  at any time  without  the
written consent of Landlord. If Tenant shall leave the Premises leaving any rent
or other  amounts owing under this lease  unpaid,  Landlord,  in addition to any
other available  remedy,  may seize and sell the goods and chattels of Tenant at
any place to which  Tenant or other  person may have  removed  them in t he same
manner as if such goods and chattels have remained and been  distrained upon the
Premises. Notwithstanding the provision of this paragraph 29.1 (7) and paragraph
23.1,  Tenant  shall have the right to grant the  charges on its  furniture  and
equipment which have priority over the Landlord's  right to distrain as security
for financing to lenders who are at arms' length with the Tenant.

ARTICLE 30 - MISCELLANEOUS

30.1  Captions

      The captions and headings  appearing in this lease have been inserted as a
matter of  convenience  and for reference  only and, in no way define,  limit or
enlarge the scope of meaning of this lease, nor of any provision hereof.

30.2  No Registration

      Tenant  covenants  that it will not  register  this  lease  or any  notice
thereof except in a form which shall be acceptable to the Landlord.

30.3  Tenant's Acceptance of lease

      Tenant  hereby  accepts this lease of the above  described  Premises to be
held by it as Tenant subject tot he covenants, conditions and restrictions above
and in the Schedules attached hereto set forth.

30.4  Successors and Assigns

      AND IT IS AGREED,  that the  provisions  hereof  shall be binding upon and
enure to the benefit of the successors, legal representatives and assigns of the
parties,  except as may be hereinabove otherwise provided,  and if there is more
than one tenant,  the covenants  herein contained on the part of Tenant shall be
construed as being several as well as joint, and where  necessary,  the singular


                                       38


number  shall be taken to include the  plural,  and the  neuter,  the  masculine
and/or the feminine gender.

30.5  Early Occupancy

      Notwithstanding  the provisions of Articles 4.1 and 5.1, Tenant may occupy
the Premises prior to the Commencement Date subject to the following provisions:

      (1)   For the period from the  commencement  of  occupancy to December 31,
            1996,  Tenant  shall not be required to pay rent under  Article 5.1,
            Real Estate  Taxes under  Article 5.3 or  Operating  Expenses  under
            Article 5.4 other than actual cost of  electricity  and cleaning for
            the Premises  which  Tenant shall pay and Tenant shall  otherwise be
            subject to the terms of this lease; and

      (2)   For the period from January 1, 1997 to the Commencement Date, Tenant
            shall pay to Landlord  the amount of $11,000  per month,  payable in
            advance on the first day of each month without set-off, compensation
            or  reduction  whatsoever,  which  amount shall be inclusive of rent
            under Article 5.1, Real Estate Taxes under Article 5.3 and Operating
            Expenses under Article 5.4 and Tenant shall  otherwise be subject to
            the terms of this lease.

30.6  Leasehold Improvements

      The parties  agree that the  Premises  are being  delivered by Landlord to
Tenant  in  their  condition  "as is" on the  Commencement  Date of the term and
Tenant shall be responsible for all leasehold  improvements which shall include,
without limitation,  all of construction costs,  construction  management costs,
engineering  costs,  all  design/specification/plan  preparation  costs  and all
telephone  and data  cabling  costs.  Landlord and Tenant agree that any and all
alternations, repairs, changes, additions or improvements to the Premises beyond
those specified in Schedule "D" shall at all items constitute Tenant improvement
for which Tenant shall assume full responsibility.

30.7  Leasehold Improvement Allowance

      Landlord  agrees  to pay  to  Tenant  a  leasehold  improvement  allowance
computed at the rate of $8.00 per square foot or rentable  area of the  Premises
payable on the due execution of this lease by Tenant.

30.8  Parking

      Landlord  agrees to make  available  to Tenant  during the initial term of
this lease up to 6 parking  spaces in the  parking  garage  forming  part of the
Building at the monthly  rate of $70 per parking  space and up to 20  additional
parking spaces at the monthly rental rate in the parking Garage  prevailing from
time to time.  Landlord  agrees to make  available to Tenant  during the renewal
term up to 26 parking  spaces in the parking garage forming part of the Building
at the monthly rental rate in the parking garage prevailing from time to time.


                                       39


      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Landlord  and Tenant have duly  executed  and signed
these presents as of the day and year first above written.

      SIGNED, SEALED & DELIVERED
      in the presence of:

                                              PURDY'S WHARF DEVELOPMENT LIMITED

      /s/ Martha Zimmerman                    Per: /s/ Marilyn Brownell
      --------------------------------            ------------------------------
      Witness

                                              Per: /s/ John W. Lindsay, Jr.
                                                  ------------------------------


      /s/ Richard K. Jones                    MENTOR NETWORKS INC.
      ---------------------------------
      Witness
                                              Per: /s/ William Ring
                                                  ------------------------------



                                              Per: /s/ Phillip Read
                                                  ------------------------------



                                       40



                                  SCHEDULE "A"

BLOCK 1A

ALL that  certain  block of land and land  covered by water on the  northeastern
side of Upper Water Street in the City of Halifax, Province of Nova Scotia shown
as Block - 1A on a plan (Servant,  Dunbrack,  McKenzie & MacDonald  Limited Plan
Number  14-309-0) of survey of Blocks 1A, 2A, 4A and 5,  Resubdivision of Blocks
1, 2 and 4 and Lot P, Lands and Lands Covered by Water Conveyed to Purdy's Wharf
Development  Limited,  City of Halifax and The Great-West Life Assurance Company
signed by Terrance R. Doogue, N.S.L.S.
dated April 27th, 1987 and described as follows:

BEGINNING on the  northeastern  official  street line of Upper Water Street at a
point  distant  1,211.55  feet on a bearing of N 19(degree)  16' 15" W from Nova
Scotia Coordinate Monument Number 4819;

THENCE N  49(degree)  46' 23" W,  109.26  feet along the  northeastern  official
street line of Upper Water Street to a southern corner of Block - 2A;

THENCE N  43(degree)  07' 13" E,  190.36 feet along a  southeastern  boundary of
BlocK - 2A to an eastern corner thereof;

THENCE N 46(degree) 52' 47" W, 83.33 feet along a northeastern boundary of Block
- - 2A to an angle therein;

THENCE N  43(degree)  07' 13" E,  130.44 feet along a  southeastern  boundary of
BlocK - 2A to an angle therein;

THENCE N 88(degree)  07' 13" E, 52.84 feet along a southern  boundary of Block -
2A to an angle therein;

THENCE S 46(degree)  52' 47" - E, 137.21 feet along a  southwestern  boundary of
BloCK - 2A to its intersection with the northwestern boundary of Block S;

THENCE S 48(degree)  14' 10" W, 109.76 feet along the  northwestern  boundary of
BloCK S to an angle therein;

THENCE S  41(degree)  42' 49" E, 49.46 feet along the  southwestern  boundary of
BlocK S to an angle therein;

THENCE S 48(degree)  17' 06" W, 239.85 feet along the  northwestern  boundary of
BloCK S to the place of beginning.

CONTAINING 52,142 square feet.




ALL  bearings are Nova Scotia  Coordinate  Survey  System Grid  Bearings and are
referred to Central Meridian, 64(degree) 30' West.

A  southeastern  portion  of the  above  described  Lot 1A as shown on the above
referred to plan being subject to View Plane No. 2  restrictions,  as defined by
the Zoning By-law of the City of Halifax.

SUBJECT  also to  Easement  P lying  across  the  southern  portion of the above
described Block 1A as shown and mathematically  delineated on the above referred
to plan and  containing an area of 1,119 square feet.  Said Easement P being the
subject of an Agreement  recorded at the Registry of Deeds Office for the County
of Halifax in Book 4043 at Page 151.

EXCEPTING  and  reserving  out of the  foregoing  Block 1A that portion  thereof
described as Parcel C and more particularly described as follows:





                                       2



ALL that certain parcel of land on the  northeastern  side of Upper Water Street
in the City of Halifax,  Province  of Nova Scotia  Shown as Parcel - C on a plan
(Servant,  Dunbrack,  McKenzie & MacDonald Ltd. Plan No.  14-453-0) of survey of
Blocks 2B and 2C and Parcels - A, B and C,  Subdivision of Block 2A and Portions
of Blocks 1A & 3, Lands  Conveyed to The Great-West  Life Assurance  Company and
123715 Canada Limited  signed by Terrance R. Doogue,  N.S.L.S.  dated  September
1st, 1989 and described as follow:

BEGINNING on the  northeastern  official  street line of Upper Water Street at a
southern corner of Parcel - B;

THENCE N  43(degree)  07' 13" E, 10.00 feet along the  southeastern  boundary of
Parcel - B to a  western  corner  of  Remaining  Portion  of Block - 1A lands as
conveyed to The Great-West  Life Assurance  Company and 123715 Canada Limited by
Indenture  recorded  at the  Registry of Deeds for the County of Halifax in Book
3706 at Page 762 (Portion thereof);

THENCE S  03(degree)  19' 50" E,  13.78  feet  along  the  western  boundary  of
Remaining  Portion  of  Block - 1A to its  intersection  with  the  northeastern
boundary of Upper Water Street;

THENCE N  49(degree)  46' 23" W, 10.00 feet along the  northeastern  boundary of
UppeR Water Street to the place of beginning.

CONTAINING 50 square feet.

ALL  bearings are Nova Scotia  Coordinate  Survey  System Grid  Bearings and are
referred to Central Meridian, 64(degree) 30' West.

THE  above  described  Parcel - C being  part of Block 1A as shown on the  above
referred to plan.


BLOCK 3 AND SPATIAL ELEMENT SE-3A

ALL that certain block of land on the northeastern side of a Service Road of the
Cogswell  Street  Interchange  in the City of Halifax,  Province of Nova Scotia,
shown as Block 3 on a plan (Servant, Dunbrack, McKenzie & MacDonald Limited Plan
Number  12-131-A)  of survey of Blocks 1 to 4  inclusive,  Lot C-l and  Parcel S
Lands and Lands Covered by Water, Acquired by Purdy Brothers Limited and City of
Halifax,  signed  by Roy A.  Dunbrack,  N.S.L.S.  dated  November  10,  1982 and
described as follows:

BEGINNING on the official city street line  (confirmed  by City Council  October
14, 1982) of the Service Road at the most southern corner of Lot C-l,

THENCE N 43(degree)  07' 13" E, 300.72 feet along the  southeastern  boundary of
Lot C-l to the most western corner of Block 4;



                                       3


THENCE S  46(degree)  52' 47" E, 158.0 feet along the  southwestern  boundary of
BlocK 4 to an angle therein;

THENCE S 01(degree) 52' 47" E, 35.83 feet along the western  boundary of Block 4
tO A northwestern boundary of Block 2;

THENCE S  43(degree)  07' 13" W, 295. 24 feet along said  boundary of Block 2 to
the curved  official  city street line  (confirmed  by City Council  October 14,
1982) of the Service Road;

THENCE  northwesterly on a curve to the right which as a radius of 1,189.77 feet
for a distance of 88.45 feet along said  official city street line to a point of
curvature thereon;

THENCE N 39(degree) 40' 45" W, 96.01 feet along the aforementioned official city
street line to the place of beginning".

CONTAINING a total area of 56,837  square feet,  comprised of 37,657 square feet
more or less of land area and 19,180 square feet more or less of land covered by
water.

ALL  bearings are Nova Scotia  Coordinate  Survey  System Grid  Bearings and are
referred to Central Meridian, 64(degree) 30' West.

ALL that certain volume of space, overlying Block 3, on the northeastern side of
a  Service  Road of the  Cogswell  Street  Interchange  in the City of  Halifax,
Province of Nova  Scotia,  designated  as Spatial  Element  SE-3A.  Said Spatial
Element SE-3A being bounded,  by horizontal planes having geodetic elevations of
146.50 feet and 196.50 feet and by vertical planes which are coincident with the
boundaries  of Block 3 as said  Block 3 is shown on a plan  (Servant,  Dunbrack,
McKenzie & MacDonald  Limited  Plan Number  12-131-A) of survey of Blocks 1 to 4
inclusive,  Lot C-l and Parcel S Lands and Lands  Covered by Water,  Acquired by
Purdy Brothers Limited and City of Halifax, signed by Roy A. Dunbrack,  N.S.L.S.
dated November 10, 1982 and described as follows:

BEGINNING on the official city street line  (confirmed  by City Council  October
14, 1982) of the Service Road at the most southern corner of Lot C-l;

THENCE N 43(degree)  07' 13" E, 300.72 feet along the  southeastern  boundary of
Lot C-l to the most western corner of Block 4;

THENCE S  46(degree)  52' 47" E, 158.0 feet along the  southwestern  boundary of
BlocK 4 to an angle therein;

THENCE S 01(degree) 52' 47" E, 35.83 feet along the western  boundary of Block 4
tO A northwestern boundary of Block 2;

THENCE 5 43(degree) 07' 13" W, 295.24 feet along said boundary of Block 2 to the
curved official city street line (confirmed by City Council October 14, 1982) of
the  Service  Road;


                                        4


THENCE northwesterly on a curve to the right which has a radius of 1,189.77 feet
for a distance of 88.45 feet along said  official city street line to a point of
curvature thereon;

THENCE N 39(degree) 40' 45" W, 96.01 feet along the aforementioned official city
street line to the place of beginning.

SAID Block 3 containing a total area of 56,837 square feet,  comprised of 37,657
square  feet more or less of land area and  19,180  square  feet more or less of
land covered by water.

ALL  bearings are Nova Scotia  Coordinate  Survey  System Grid  Bearings and are
referred to Central Meridian, 64(degree) 30' West.

ALL elevations are geodetic  elevations plus 100 feet, derived from monuments of
the Nova Scotia Coordinate Survey System.

EXCEPTING and reserving out of the foregoing  Block 3 and Spatial  Element SE-3A
that portion thereof  described as Parcel A and more  particularly  described as
follows:

ALL that certain parcel of land on the  northeastern  side of Upper Water Street
in the City of Halifax,  Province  of Nova Scotia  shown as Parcel - A on a plan
(Servant,  Dunbrack,  McKenzie & MacDonald Ltd. Plan No.  14-453-0) of survey of
Blocks 2B and 2C and Parcels - A, B and C,  Subdivision of Block 2A and Portions
of Blocks 1A & 3, Lands  Conveyed to The Great-West  Life ASSURANCE  Company and
123715 Canada Limited  signed by Terrance R. Doogue,  N.S.L.S.  dated  September
1st, 1989 and described as follows:

BEGINNING on the curved northeastern  official street line of Upper Water Street
at a western  corner  of Parcel - B lands as  conveyed  to The  Great-West  Life
Assurance Company by indenture  recorded at the Registry of Deeds for the County
of Halifax in Book 3833 at Page 621;

THENCE northwesterly on a curve to the right which has a radius of 1,189.77 feet
for a distance of 10.00 feet along the curved northeastern  official street line
of Upper Water  Street to the  southern  corner  Remaining  Portion of Block - 3
lands as conveyed to The Great-West Life Assurance Company by Indenture recorded
at the Registry of Deeds for the County of Halifax in Book 3833 at Page 621;

THENCE N 89 42' 40" E, 13.74  feet  along the  southern  boundary  of  Remaining
Portion of Block - 3 to its intersection  with the northwestern  boundary of the
aforementioned Parcel - B;

THENCE S 43 07' 13" W, 10.00 feet along the  northwestern  boundary of Block - B
to the place of beginning.

CONTAINING 50 square feet.

ALL  bearings are Nova Scotia  Coordinate  Survey  System Grid  Bearings and are
referred to Central Meridian, 64 30' West.


                                       5


THE above  described  Parcel - A being part of Block 3 and Spatial Element SE-3A
as shown on the above referred to plan.










                                       6



                                  SCHEDULE "B"

                            PURDY'S WHARF DEVELOPMENT
                              HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA



                                      GRAPH




                             TOWER 1 6th FLOOR PLAN





                                  SCHEDULE "C"

      The  method of  measuring  office  building  rentable  area  shall be that
      developed by the Building  Owners and Managers  Association  International
      and published in their booklet  "Standard  Method for Measuring Floor area
      in Office Building" reprinted May 1981.

      Rentable  area is a measure of the tenants pro rata  portion of the entire
      office floor,  excluding elements of the building that penetrate the floor
      to area below.  The rentable  area of a floor is fixed for the life of the
      building   and  is  not   affected  by  changes  in   corridor   sizes  or
      configurations.

      The  rentable  area of a floor is  computed  by  measuring  to the  inside
      finished  surface of the dominant  portion of the permanent outer building
      walls  excluding any major  penetrations  of the floor.  No deductions are
      made of  columns  and  projections  necessary  to the  building.  Dominant
      portion means that portion of the inside finished surface of the permanent
      outer building wall which is 50% or more of the vertical  floor-to-ceiling
      dimension measured at the dominant portion. If the dominant portion is not
      vertical, the measurement for area shall be to the inside finished surface
      of the permanent  outer  building  wall where it  intersects  the finished
      floor. In the subject  building the dominant portion is the inside surface
      of the exterior windows.

      PROPORTION FORMULA

                              A     =     net rentable area of tenant

                              B     =     net rentable area of
                                          Tower 1 and Xerox Building

                             Proportion is    A  
                                          ---------
                                            95% of B





                                  SCHEDULE "D"

                      BUILDING STANDARD INSTALLATION SCHEDULE

1.    LIGHTING

      One 20" x 60" recessed  fluorescent light fixture is provided at as per an
      8 foot  centre  line  spacing  located on a  standard  ceiling  grid.  Any
      installation of the light fixtures shall be at the Lessee's expense.

2.    HEATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING SERVICES

      Each floor is  air-conditioned  by a separate  recirculation type variable
      air volume unit located in the core area.  The air is  introduced  through
      lighting  troffers.  Perimeter and interior  areas are divided into zones,
      each with automatic controls.

      The  perimeter  of each  floor is  heated  by hot  water  radiation,  with
      continuous cabinets. One thermostat is provided on average for each bay to
      automatically  control  perimeter  space  conditions.  Interior  space  is
      provided with one thermostat for each 2,000 square feet of area to control
      the variable air volume boxes and maintain proper temperature.

      The  installation of interior  heating,  ventilation and  air-conditioning
      services and any  relocation  of exterior wall  heating,  ventilation  and
      air-conditioning  services to accommodate lessee's partition  requirements
      or any special  requirement  such as exhaust for  printing  machines,  air
      circulation for boardrooms, computer rooms, or reception areas shall be at
      lessee's expense.

3.    SPRINKLER SYSTEM

      The  Building is fully  sprinklered  according  to  standards  of the Nova
      Scotia  Fire  Marshall  and the Fire  Department  of the City of  Halifax.
      Should  changes be required  to the  Building  Standard  system due to the
      Lessee's partition layout,  then the changes and/or additional  sprinklers
      shall be at the Lessee's expense.

4.    ELECTRICAL SERVICE

      Electrical power is provided or Lessee's  electrical service  requirements
      at junction boxes within the suspended ceiling on each floor.

5.    TELEPHONE SERVICE

      Conduit to receive  telephone  circuits  will be provided from each bay to
      the central core of each floor.




6.    TOILET ROOMS

      One Men's and one Women's  toilet room are  provided on each floor,  fully
      furnished and fixtured  according to Building  Standards.  Any  additional
      plumbing shall be at the Lessee's expense.

7.    DEMISING WALLS AND ENTRANCE DOORS

      Demising  Walls and  Partitions are not provided on a single tenant floor.
      On multiple  tenant  floors,  demising  walls and corridor walls are to be
      provided in Building  Standard  drywall  and steel stud  construction,  to
      underside of slab with sound  baffle.  A Building  Standard,  full height,
      wood grain, solid core entrance door plus hardware is provided.

8.    FLOORING

      Smooth finish concrete floor.






                                       2



THIS INDENTURE made as of the 29th day of  April , 1997

AMONG:

                    MENTOR NETWORKS INCORPORATED,
                    a body corporate, incorporated under the
                    laws of Canada ("Mentor") and its wholly
                    owned subsidiary
                    HIGH  PERFORMANCE  GROUP (CANADA)  
                    INCORPORATED,  
                    a body corporate  continued  under the laws 
                    of the  Province of Nova Scotia ("HPG"),
                    together, the "Companies"

                                           OF THE FIRST PART

                    - and -

                    NOVA SCOTIA BUSINESS
                    DEVELOPMENT
                    CORPORATION, A Crown Corporation
                    of the Province of Nova Scotia
                    ("NSBDC")

                                          OF THE SECOND PART

                        - and -

                     PURDY'S WHARF DEVELOPMENT 
                     LIMITED, a body corporate under the
                     laws of the province of nova scotia
                     ("NSBDC")

                                           OF THE THIRD PART


WHEREAS:

A     NSBDC has  entered  into  financing  agreements  with the  Companies  (the
      "Financing  Agreements") under the terms of which NSBDC agreed, subject to
      certain conditions, to advance loans to the Companies ("NSBDC Loans");

B     The Companies have agreed to execute this Indenture as additional security
      for the payment of the NSBDC Loans;




C     By a Lease made between the  Landlord  and Mentor as tenant (the  "Lease")
      the  Landlord  leased to  Mentor  the 6th  floor of its  building  know as
      Purdy's  Wharf Tower I located at 1959 Upper Water Street,  Halifax,  Nova
      Scotia  which is outlined in red on Schedule "B" annexed to the Lease (the
      Premises");

D     HPG is also utilizing the Premises through arrangements with Mentor;

E     It was a  condition  of the  advance by NSBDC of the NSBDC  Loans that the
      Lease be on terms  satisfactory  to NSBDC  and,  that  this  Indenture  be
      executed and delivered to NSBDC.

      NOW THEREFORE THIS INDENTURE  WITNESSETH that for and in  consideration of
the foregoing,  and also in  consideration  of the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) now
paid by  NSBDC  to each of the  Companies  and the  Landlord,  the  receipt  and
sufficiency  whereof  is  hereby  acknowledged  by  each  of the  Companies  and
Landlord, the parties hereto agree, each with the other, as follows:

I.    SUBLEASE

1.1   The Companies hereby demise and sublet to NSBDC all of their right,  title
      and  interest in and to the  Premises,  and in and to the Lease,  save and
      except only the last day of the Lease, PROVIDED ALWAYS, that this sublease
      shall be null and void if the  Companies pay or cause to be paid all sums,
      whether for  principal,  interest or otherwise  due and owing on the NSBDC
      Loans.

II.   COMPANIES' COVENANTS

2.1   The Companies covenant with NSBDC as follows:

      (a)   they have the right to convey their  interest in and to the Premises
            and the Lease, as conveyed herein, to NSBDC;

      (b)   they have a good leasehold title to the Premises;

      (c)   they shall have quiet possession of the Premises but if:

            (i)  either of the Companies  defaults in payment of the NSBDC Loans
                 in accordance with their terms; or

            (ii) either of the Companies  fails to observe or perform any of its
                 covenants in favor of NSBDC,  however arising,

            then, on the happening of either one of the foregoing events,  NSBDC
            shall  have  quiet  possession  of  the  Premises,   free  from  all
            encumbrances, subject only to the terms, covenants and conditions of
            the Lease;


                                       2


      (d)   they will execute such further assurances of the Premises and of the
            Lease as NSBDC may reasonably  require;

      (e)   they have done no act to encumber the Premises or their  interest in
            the Lease;

      (f)   they  will not,  while any  amounts  remain  unpaid  under the NSBDC
            Loans,  assign the Lease;

      (g)   the Lease is a valid and subsisting  Lease and they have done no act
            or  omitted  to do any act  whereby  the Lease has become in any way
            impaired  or invalid;

      (h)   they  will  comply  with  all  covenants,  provisos  and  conditions
            contained  in the  Lease,  including  payment  of the rent  reserved
            thereunder,  and will do no act or be  guilty of any  default  which
            shall or may cause the Lease to be  forfeited or  terminated;

      (i)   NSBDC,  upon  becoming  aware  that  either of the  Companies  is in
            default  under the Lease,  may pay any monies for rent or  otherwise
            that may be due  under the  Lease,  and may  perform  or cause to be
            performed any covenant thereunder or otherwise rectify and make good
            any default  committed  by the  Companies  under the Lease,  and any
            monies so paid or costs,  charges  or  expenses  sustained  by NSBDC
            pursuant  thereto,  shall bear interest at the rate of 15% per annum
            until  paid;

      (j)   they will promptly pay, as and when due, all taxes,  rates,  levies,
            charges and other  impositions  that may be rated or charged against
            their  interest in the Premises as a tenant  under the Lease;

      (k)   they shall stand  possessed of the last day of the term of the Lease
            upon trust for NSBDC,  to assign  and  dispose  thereof as NSBDC may
            direct,  and upon any sale or sales of the interest of the Companies
            under the Lease, NSBDC may, for the purposes of vesting the said day
            or any  such  term  or any  renewal  thereof  in  any  purchaser  or
            purchasers thereof entitled,  by deed in writing convey the interest
            of the Companies as tenant under the Lease,  including the said last
            day of the term, and the Companies hereby irrevocably  appoint NSBDC
            as their attorney to do so.

III.  Landlord's Consent

3.1   The Landlord  acknowledges  and consents to the  execution and delivery of
      this  Indenture by the  Companies and covenants and agrees with NSBDC that
      it will,  at the same  time it gives a  written  notice  to  either of the
      Companies pursuant to Section 29.2 of the Lease, give a copy of the notice
      to NSBDC and, if NSBDC  remedies the default  giving rise to the giving of


                                       3


      such notice prior to the effective time of  termination of the Lease,  the
      Lease shall not terminate and at NSBDC's option,  either the Companies may
      remain in possession of the Premises or NSBDC and/or its receiver may take
      possession  of the Premises  under the terms of the Lease and the Landlord
      will not, subject to compliance with the requirements of Article 11 of the
      Lease, unreasonably withhold its consent to the assignment of the Lease to
      a third party by NSBDC  and/or its  receiver in  realizing on its security
      including the security constituted by this Agreement.

3.2   The Landlord agrees that except for NSBDC's right to remedy any default in
      accordance  with  paragraph  3.1 hereof and to realize  upon the  security
      constituted  hereby  that NSBDC shall not be liable for any failure of the
      Companies to comply with any covenant or obligation herein contained.

3.3   Nothing  contained in this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver by the
      Landlord of any of the Landlord's rights under the Lease.

IV.   GENERAL

4.1   This Indenture shall enure to the benefit of and be binding on each of the
      Companies,  NSBDC and the Landlord  and their  respective  successors  and
      assigns.

4.2   Time shall be the essence of this Indenture.

4.3   This  Indenture  shall be  governed  by the laws of the  Province  of Nova
      Scotia.

      IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF  the  parties  hereto  have  properly  executed  this
Indenture on the day and year first above written.

SIGNED SEALED AND DELIVERED             MENTOR NETWORKS
in the presence:                        INCORPORATED


/s/ Phillip Read                        Per: /s/ William Ring
Witness
                                        HIGH PERFORMANCE GROUP
                                        (CANADA) INCORPORATED


/s/ Phillip Read                        Per: /s/ William Ring
Witness                                    
                                        PURDY'S WHARF DEVELOPMENT
                                        LIMITED


/s/ Martha Zimmerman                    PER: /s/ John R. Lindsay Jr.
Witness
                                        NOVA SCOTIA BUSINESS
                                        DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION


/s/ Zandra Worthen                      PER: /s/ Donald A. Leaf
Witness                                      /s/ Douglas Giannon





                                       5





CANADA
PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA

      On this 29th day of April, A.D. 1997, before me, the subscriber personally
came  and  appeared  Phillip  Read,  a  subscribing  witness  to  the  foregoing
Indenture,  who,  having  been by me duly  sworn,  made  oath and said that High
Performance Group (Canada) Incorporated,  one of the parties thereto, caused the
same to be executed in its name and on its behalf and its  corporate  seal to be
thereunto affixed by its proper officers in his presence. ~



       /s/ Richard K. Jones
       A Commissioner of the
       Court of Nova Scotia

CANADA
PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA

      On this 23rd day of June, A.D. 1997, before me, the subscriber  personally
came and appeared  Martha  Zimmerman,  a  subscribing  witness to the  foregoing
Indenture,  who,  having been by me duly sworn,  made oath and said that Purdy's
Wharf  Development  Limited,  one of the parties thereto,  caused the same to be
executed in its name and on its behalf and its  corporate  seal to be  thereunto
affixed by its proper officers in her presence. ~



       /s/ George A. Caines
       A Commissioner of the
       Court of Nova Scotia

CANADA
PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA

       On this  29th  day of  April,  A.D.  1997,  before  me,  the  subscriber
personally  came  and  appeared  Phillip  Read,  a  subscribing  witness  to the
foregoing Indenture,  who, having been by me duly sworn, made oath and said that
Mentor Networks Incorporated,  one of the parties thereto, caused the same to be
executed in its name and on its behalf and its  corporate  seal to be  thereunto
affixed by its proper officers in his presence.

       /s/ Richard K. Jones
       A Commissioner of the
       Court of Nova Scotia



                                       6


CANADA
PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA

      On this 4th day of June, A.D. 1997,  before me, the subscriber  personally
came and  appeared  Zandra  Worthen,  a  subscribing  witness  to the  foregoing
Indenture,  who,  having  been by me duly  sworn,  made  oath and said that Nova
Scotia Business Development Corporation,  one of the parties thereto, caused the
same to be executed in its name and on its behalf and its  corporate  seal to be
thereunto affixed by its proper officers in her presence. ~



       /s/ Diana E. Saxby
       A Commissioner of the
       Court of Nova Scotia








PURDYS WHARF
DEVELOPMENT LIMITED
PHASE I

                                     INVOICE

   HST REGISTRATION NUMBER                                       AUGUST 28, 1998
   R137130340
                                                                 INVOICE #980920
MENTOR NETWORKS INC.
600 - 1959 UPPER WATER STREET
HALIFAX, NS B3J 3N2

ATTENTION: PHIL READ

                               1998/99 REALTY TAX

YOUR  PROPORTIONATE  SHARE OF REALTY TAXES FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 1, 1998 TO MARCH
31, 1999 AS PER ATTACHED TAX  ASSESSMENT  PREPARED BY CHARLES  HARDY  APPRAISALS
(NOVA SCOTIA) LIMITED.

TOTAL 1998/99 REALTY TAXES                                        $987,324.05

**TENANT PROPORTIONATE SHARE                                           6.241%

TOTAL REALTY TAXES DUE                                           $  61,618.66
LESS: TAXES PREVIOUSLY BILLED                                      {29,705.26}
                                                                    ---------
SUBTOTAL BEFORE HST                                              $  31,913.40
  5% HST                                                             4,787.01
                                                                    ---------

1998/99 REALTY TAXES DUE                                         $  36,700.41
                                                                 ============

                         PAYMENT DUE SEPTEMBER 18, 1998

**BASED ON SQUARE FOOTAGE OCCUPIED 19,365/310,288 S.F.

       PLEASE DIRECT ANY INQUIRIES TO ALISON MACKINNON 902-496-3038



Suite 305, Xerox Building,  1949 Upper Water Street Halifax Nova Scotia, B3J 3N3
Tel: (902) 421-1122 Fax: 423-1894






PURDY'S WHARF
DEVELOPMENT LIMITED
PHASE I

                                     INVOICE
July 6, 1998

                                                               HST #: R137130340

                                                               INVOICE #: 980656
MENTOR NETWORKS
600 - 1959 UPPER WATER STREET
HALIFAX, NS B3J 3N2




WORK ORDER #   DATE        REQUEST                LIGHTS   MATERIAL   UNIT COST  COST

                                                               
98-06-13554   01/04/98  RPLC LIGHTS - RECEPTION   2        F40CW/SS   $1.60     $3.20
                      
                                                                      Total     $3.20
                                                                      HST       $0.48
                                                                                -----
                                                            INVOICE TOTAL       $3.68
                                                                                -----
















                                DUE UPON RECEIPT

      ANY INQUIRIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO ALISON MACKINNON 421-1122

Suite 305, Xerox Building,  1949 Upper Water Street Halifax Nova Scotia, B3J 3N3
Tel: (902) 421-1122 Fax: 423-1894







PURDY'S WHARF
DEVELOPMENT LIMITED
PHASE I

                                     INVOICE

   HST REGISTRATION NUMBER                                       INVOICE #9806EX
   R137130340
                                                                   JULY 13, 1998
MENTOR NETWORKS INC.
600 - 1959 UPPER WATER STREET
HALIFAX, NS B3J 3N2

For electricity  consumed in excess of the allowable  consumption for the period
March 31, 1998 - June 30, 1998 as per Section 7.1.3(A) of the standard lease.

                 Allowable    Allowable      Actual       Actual
                   Demand    Consumption     Demand    Consumption
PERIOD              K.W.        K.W.H.        K.W.        K.W.H.       COST
- ------           ---------   -----------     ------    -----------     ----

Mar 31 - Apr 30     44.6        11,490        41.4        14,400      $  119.12
Apr 30 - May 29     44.6        11,107        39.6        14,040          99.45
May 29 - Jun 30     44.6        12,256        39.6        15,210         100.58
                                                                         ------
                                          Pretax                      $  319.15
                                          Invoice
                                          15% H.S.T.                      47.87
                                                                         -------
                                          TOTAL                       $  367.02
                                          INVOICE                     ==========



Allowable Kilowatt consumption per sq. ft. = 19,365 x 2.3/1,000 + 44.6
Allowable Kilowatt consumption per day = 44.6 x 60 hrs./7 days = 383

                                DUE UPON RECEIPT

       PLEASE DIRECT ANY INQUIRIES TO ALISON MACKINNON 496-3038



Suite 305, Xerox Building,  1949 Upper Water Street Halifax Nova Scotia, B3J 3N3
Tel: (902) 421-1122 Fax: 423-1894