<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated statement of earnings, consolidated balance sheet and consolidated
statement of cash flows included in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended April 30, 1998, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> CANADIAN DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                 0.7116
<CASH>                                         499,278
<SECURITIES>                                    31,814
<RECEIVABLES>                                  441,594
<ALLOWANCES>                                    13,067
<INVENTORY>                                    196,285
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,201,690
<PP&E>                                         881,560
<DEPRECIATION>                                 430,825
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,966,825
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          255,798
<BONDS>                                        383,311
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       456,510
<OTHER-SE>                                     777,110
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,966,825
<SALES>                                      1,620,620
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,620,620
<CGS>                                          625,065
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,612,579
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,448
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,820
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 55,314
<INCOME-TAX>                                    73,001
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (18,318)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (18,318)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.10)