EXHIBIT A

                                    EXHIBIT A

         This will confirm the agreement by and between the undersigned that the
Schedule 13D filed on or about this date with respect to the beneficial
ownership of the undersigned of Common Shares of Counsel Corporation, an Ontario
corporation, is being filed on behalf of each of the parties named below.

Date: December 29, 2003
                                                 /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                 ----------------------
                                                 Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx

                                                 THE XXXXXXX XXXXXXX 2000 TRUST
                                                 By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                     ----------------------
                                                 Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                 Sole Trustee

                                                 XXXXXXX HOLDINGS INC.

                                                 By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                     ----------------------
                                                          Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                          President

                                                 SHERMCO INC.

                                                 By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                     ----------------------
                                                          Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                          Chairman

                                                 SHERFAM INC.

                                                 By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                     ----------------------
                                                          Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                          Chairman

                                                 APOTEX HOLDINGS INC.

                                                 By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                     ----------------------
                                                          Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                          President

                                                 APOTEX INC.

                                                 By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                     ----------------------
                                                          Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                          Chairman

                                                 XXXXXXX FOUNDATION

                                                 By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                     ----------------------
                                                          Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
                                                          President



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