Western Financial Group acquires Hayhurst Elias Dudek

On October 1, 2009, Western Financial Group Inc. (TSX-WES) announced the completion of the acquisition of Hayhurst Elias Dudek Inc. ("HED") and its subsidiaries, including Securican General Insurance Company. HED is one of Canada's largest independent insurance brokerages and is headquartered in Winnipeg. HED specializes in progressive and unique commercial insurance and employee benefit products specifically designed for Canadian independent businesses and Government entities that are aligned with associations or buying groups. Securican is Canada's largest and most profitable underwriter of pet health insurance. It also plays a supporting role in the placement and management of HED's commercial "Protected Self-Insurance" programs. Western Financial Group is a leader in providing insurance, financial services and banking services in over 90 communities, to more than 500,000 individuals and businesses in Western Canada through its Network locations, its affiliated insurance brokers, Western Life Assurance Company and Bank West. Western Financial Group was advised in this transaction by a team from Fasken Martineau that included Stephen Kerr and Marvin Mikhail (corporate) and Robert Elliott (regulatory) with the assistance of student-at-law Sean Yang.