JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

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                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

     The undersigned, and each of them, do hereby agree and consent to the
filing of a single statement on Schedule 13D and amendments thereto, in
accordance with the provisions of Rule 13d-1(f)(1) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.

                                    XXXXX & COMPANY INC.


DATED:  September 12, 2000          By:    /s/  Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                           -------------------------------
                                    Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                    President


                                           /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                    --------------------------------------
                                           Xxxxx X. Xxxxx


                                           /s/  Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
                                    --------------------------------------
                                           Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx


                                           /s/  Xxxxx Xxxxx
                                    --------------------------------------
                                           Xxxxx Xxxxx


                                    ESTATE OF XXXXXX X. XXXXX

                                      /s/  Xxxxx Xxxxxx-Xxxxx
                                    --------------------------------------
                                    Xxxxx Xxxxxx-Xxxxx


                                      /s/  Xxxxxx X.X. Xxxxx
                                    --------------------------------------
                                    Xxxxxx X.X. Xxxxx


                                    XXXXX XXXXX HOLDINGS, INC.

                                    By:   /s/ Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
                                          ----------------------------------
                                    Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
                                    President


                                    3287858 CANADA INC.

                                    By:   /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
                                          --------------------------------
                                    Xxxxx Xxxxx
                                    President


                                    3323986 CANADA INC.

                                    By:   /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx-Xxxxx
                                          ----------------------------------
                                    Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxx-Xxxxx
                                    Title:  President

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