Of the almost 2,600 firms assessed, only five Canadian companies received the highest score of 10.0: Agrium Inc., BCE Inc, Nexen Inc., Suncor Energy Inc. and TransCanada Corporation. Only 25 North American companies received this rating.

GMI's rating system incorporates hundreds of data points across six broad categories of analysis: board accountability, financial disclosure and internal controls, executive compensation, shareholder rights, ownership base and takeover provisions, plus corporate behavior and social responsibility.

GMI believes that when measured across a number of variables over a multi-year period, good corporate governance practices show a correlation with portfolio returns.

“Agrium can take great pride in our tradition of excellent corporate governance practices,” says Mike Wilson, President and CEO. “We are committed to corporate governance practices of the highest standards and integrity, and will continue to be vigilant and develop our corporate governance practices to ensure that they meet or exceed the requirements and recommendations of regulatory authorities, institutional shareholders and interested stakeholders.”

About Agrium's Corporate Governance Practices
Agrium's Board believes that best corporate governance practices provide an important framework for a timely response to situations that may directly affect shareholder value. Click to learn more about Agrium's Corporate Governance Practices or visit http://www.agrium.com/.

About GMI
GovernanceMetrics International is the world's first global corporate governance ratings agency. Subscribers to GMI are able to view a company's overall rating, section ratings and several pages of written analysis. GMI clients include leading pension funds, investment managers, regulatory agencies, insurance companies, professional service firms and companies. http://www.gmiratings.com/