You have some questions about Gaz Métro's credit policy and guidelines for commercial customers? This is the answers to the key questions you may have regarding Gaz Métro's credit requirements and accepted types of guarantees.

Clientele addressed

If you find yourself in one of the following situations,
Gaz Métro's credit policy concerns you:

• you sign a contract to receive natural gas supply service;
• you move to an address already supplied by natural gas;

Gaz Métro's criteria for decisions regarding credit evaluation

The first criterion Gaz Métro uses in its credit evaluation process is the number of years you have been in business under the same legal entity. Here is a table summarizing Gaz Métro's evaluation process.

Number of years in business under the same legal entity	Three years or less	More than three years
Gaz Métro's evaluation	Gaz Métro has based its risk evaluation on a study by the ministère de l'Industrie et du Commerce1	Gaz Métro requires authorization to conduct a banking verification for credit evaluation purposes. In certain cases, financial statements may also be required.   Gaz Métro evaluates credit according to generally accepted practices concerning credit: the quality of banking references and financial statements, the payment history with Gaz Métro at your other addresses supplied by natural gas (if applicable), the business sector and degree of risk.
Decision	Gaz Métro will require a guarantee	Gaz Métro may or may not require a guarantee following this evaluation.

¹ Taux de survie des entreprises au Québec et taux de passage, ministère de l'Industrie et du Commerce, Direction de l'analyse économique, March 2001  

Accepted types of guarantee

The guarantee required by Gaz Métro may take the following forms: a financial deposit, a letter or guarantee emitted by a financial institution and irrevocable for a three-year period or a security subject to Gaz Métro approval.

The amount of the guarantee

The amount of the guarantee represents an estimate of the total for the two highest consecutive months of consumption over a twelve-month period.

Payment of the guarantee

Payment of the guarantee must be made before natural gas service commences. In the event that the address is already supplied with natural gas, payment is required at the closing date indicated on the invoice to ensure continuity of service.

What happens to a financial deposit?

Gaz Métro holds your deposit in a trust account. If applicable, simple annual interest on the amount of your deposit will be credited to your invoice before January 30 of each year. The interest will appear as a credit on your invoice. The interest rate is calculated each year by January 1st based on a formula approved by the Régie de l'Énergie.

Do you have any questions?

We invite you to get in touch with our Account management department, who will answer any questions you may have concerning Gaz Métro's credit policy and guidelines for commercial customers.

Gaz Métro

Account Receivables Department
1717, rue du Havre
Montréal (Québec) H2K 2X3
Telephone : 514 719-8222, outside Montréal  1 888 598-3117
Fax : 514 719-8137
Email : credit@gazmetro.com

You may, if you wish, refer to Régie de l'énergie Order D-93-51 (available in French only) regarding the deposits required by the gas distributors. It should be noted, however, that the Orders issued by the Régie de l'énergie are only available in French.