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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9


August 17th, 1998


PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Ray Silcock
1630 Kearsarge Road
La Jolla, California
92037

Dear Ray:

I am very pleased to offer you the position of Chief Financial Officer effective
September 21st, 1998. This position will report directly to myself and will be
based at the corporate offices located at 207 Queen's Quay West, Toronto,
Ontario. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved your
appointment to the role of Chief Financial Officer.

While this letter will outline some of the terms and conditions of your
employment with Cott Corporation, please note that this is not a contract of
employment or a promise of employment for any specific term.

Your starting base salary will be U.S.$275,000.00 per annum paid bi-monthly. You
will be provided with a car allowance of US$14,300 per annum, also paid
bi-monthly. Performance and salary are reviewed on an annual basis in April. You
will be provided with an initial grant of 60,000 stock options. The strike price
will be equal to the closing price of Cott Common Shares on the Toronto Stock
Exchange on the last day on which such shares are traded immediately before your
first day of employment. In addition, you will be considered for annual option
grants along with other senior executives of the Corporation.

In 1998 you are entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation pro-rated, for the
percentage of 1998 for which you will be employed by Cott, up to a maximum of 20
working days. Regular annual entitlement of four (4) weeks vacation will
commence in 1999. You are encouraged to take your vacation in the calendar year
it is earned. All earned vacation must be taken by December 31st of the year
following the one in which it is earned, otherwise it may be forfeited. If you
should leave the Company, the value of any unearned vacation time taken by you
will be deducted from your final pay.

For fiscal 1999, you will be entitled to participate in the bonus plan as it
currently exists. This plan would entitle you to a bonus of up to 40% of your
fiscal 1999 salary, dependent upon Cott's financial performance. This plan is
subject to change annually at the sole discretion of Cott. For fiscal 1999 only,
you will be guaranteed a bonus of 40% pro-rated for the percentage of this
fiscal year in


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which you will be employed by Cott. The bonus will be paid on signing of this
letter by you and the full after tax proceeds of such bonus must be used to
purchase Cott stock within 30 days of the date on which bonus is paid.


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On the first of the month following 30 days of employment, you will be eligible
for the Cott Beverages USA Benefit Program. Our Benefits Program includes
medical, dental, short term and long term disability, and life insurance
benefits. Note that there is a provision in our medical plan that limits the
amount payable for a pre-existing illness. Employee contributions are required
for our health insurance plans.

In addition, on the first day of a quarter following at least three months of
employment, you will be eligible to participate in Cott's 401 (k) Savings and
Retirement Plan.

Details on Cott's benefits will be sent to you under separate cover for your
perusal. Additional information can be provided to you as you become eligible.

To enable you to work in Canada you will require a work authorization from
Canada Immigration before entering Canada. Please contact Alison Eacock at
416-203-3898 ext. 312 so that you can begin this process immediately.

In the event that your employment is terminated by Cott for any reason other
than just cause, Cott will provide you with a severance package equal to 24
months base salary, bonus, car allowance and benefits (excluding long and short
term disability coverage and the out-of-country benefits). This payment will be
inclusive of any amounts to which you would otherwise be entitled at law and no
other compensation or payments will be made to you in such event. In addition,
the payment will be subject to you signing a release in form and content
satisfactory to Cott at such time.

Finally, upon the commencement of your employment you will be required to sign a
confidentiality and non-competition covenant in favour of the Corporation on the
terms and conditions set out in Appendix I to this letter.

Ray, I am excited about having you join us. You have a lot to contribute to our
company. I know that you can look forward to joining a dynamic and exciting
organization.

Yours very truly,

/s/  Frank E. Weise, III

Frank E. Weise, III
President and Chief Executive Officer

FEW:ae

c.c.

I accept this offer and the terms identified herein.



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/s/  Ray Silcock
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Silcock                                 Date