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<TITLE>Form S-8</TITLE>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>As filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on February&nbsp;27, 2003</B>
</FONT>

<P align="right"><FONT size="2"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-________</B>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="4"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</FONT>
<BR><FONT size="3">Washington, D.C. 20549
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<P align="center"><FONT size="5"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="3">REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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<P align="center"><FONT size="6"><B>FORDING INC.</B>
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<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
</FONT></DIV>
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    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Canada</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>98-0126023</B></FONT></TD>
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    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade width="12%"></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade width="45%"></TD>
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    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Suite&nbsp;1000<BR>
205-9<SUP>th</SUP> Avenue S.E.<BR>
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 0R4</B><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)
</FONT>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Fording Canadian Coal Trust Exchange Option Plan</B><BR>
(Full title of the plans)
</FONT>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Brad R. Johnston<BR>
General Manager, NYCO Minerals, Inc.<BR>
124 Mountain View Drive<BR>
Willsboro, New York 12996-0368<BR>
(518)&nbsp;963-4262</B><BR>
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">Copy to:<BR>
<B>Jon M. Gregg, Sidley Austin Brown &#038; Wood<BR>
10 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, (312)&nbsp;853-7000</B>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
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    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>maximum offering</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed maximum</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title of securities</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount to be</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>price per option</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>aggregate offering</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount of</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>to be registered (1)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>registered (2)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>(3)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>price (3)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>registration fee</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
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    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Units, without par value (including Unit Purchase Rights)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
21,764 units
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">11.63
</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">253,116
</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">20.48</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Rights are initially carried and traded with the Units of the Registrant.
Value attributable to such rights, if any, is reflected in the market
price of the Units.</FONT></TD>
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<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">(2)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Based upon the maximum number of options that may be issued in the United
States pursuant to the Fording Canadian Coal Trust Exchange Option Plan
(the &#147;Exchange Option Plan&#148;) upon the surrender for cancellation of
presently outstanding options to acquire shares of common stock, without
par value, of Fording Inc.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">(3)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee
pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(h) on the basis of the exercise price of the options
that may be issued pursuant to the Exchange Option Plan.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>
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<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

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<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000"> EXPLANATORY NOTE</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#002">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003"> SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#004">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="o09058orexv4w3.htm">Plan of Arrangement</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="o09058orexv4w4.txt">Fording Canadian Coal Trust Declaration of Trust</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="o09058orexv4w5.htm">Fording Canadian Coal Trust Exchange Option Plan</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="o09058orexv5.htm">Opinion Of Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="o09058orexv23w2.htm">Consent of PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP</A></TD></TR>
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<!-- link1 " EXPLANATORY NOTE" -->
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>EXPLANATORY NOTE</B></FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">This registration statement has been prepared on the assumption that, among
other things, the Arrangement (as described in the Plan of Arrangement which is
filed as an exhibit to this registration statement) and the related
transactions contemplated to occur immediately prior to, contemporaneously
with, or immediately following the effective date of the Plan of Arrangement
will be consummated as contemplated by the Plan of Arrangement. No assurance
is given, however, that any or all of the transactions provided for in the Plan
of Arrangement will occur or will occur as so contemplated. The Plan of
Arrangement was approved by the securityholders of Fording Inc., a Canadian
corporation, at a special meeting of shareholders and optionholders held on
February&nbsp;19, 2003, and is expected to be effective on February&nbsp;28, 2003. Upon
such effective date, Fording Canadian Coal Trust (the &#147;Trust&#148;) will become the
successor to Fording Inc. and each outstanding option to purchase common shares
of Fording Inc. under its Key Employee Stock Option Plan or its Directors Stock
Option Plan will be converted into a option (an &#147;Exchange Option&#148;) to purchase
an equal number of units of the Trust under the Trust&#146;s Exchange
Option Plan (which is filed as an exhibit to this registration
statement).
This registration statement covers the units issuable to holders of Exchange
Options that are residents of the United States.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">-1-</FONT>
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<!-- link1 "PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>PART I</B></FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
</FONT>

<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;1.</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2"><B>Plan Information.*</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;2.</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2"><B>Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">*</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2">This registration statement relates to units of Fording Canadian Coal
Trust, as the successor to the Registrant, to be offered pursuant to the
Fording Canadian Coal Trust Exchange Option Plan, as indicated on the
facing sheet hereof and under &#147;Explanatory Note&#148; herein. Information
required by Part I to be contained in the Section&nbsp;10(a) prospectuses
related to these plans is omitted from this registration statement in
accordance with Rule&nbsp;428 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the &#147;Securities
Act&#148;) and the Note to Part I of Form&nbsp;S-8.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>PART II</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</FONT>

<P>
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<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;3.</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2"><B>Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), are incorporated by reference in the Registrant&#146;s
registration statement:
</FONT>
<P>
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<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="5%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">1.</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="90%"><FONT size="2">The annual report on Form&nbsp;40-F of the Registrant as filed on
June&nbsp;20, 2002 and amended on July&nbsp;10, 2002.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="5%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">2.</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="90%"><FONT size="2">The reports on Form&nbsp;6-K of the Registrant (File No.&nbsp;1-15230)
dated January&nbsp;25, 2002; January&nbsp;31, 2002; April&nbsp;15, 2002; April&nbsp;16,
2002; June&nbsp;20, 2002; July&nbsp;10, 2002; July&nbsp;25, 2002; August&nbsp;7, 2002;
October&nbsp;2, 2002; October&nbsp;7, 2002; October&nbsp;22, 2002; October&nbsp;23,
2002; November&nbsp;7, 2002; November&nbsp;21; 2002; November&nbsp;26, 2002 (2
filings); December&nbsp;5, 2002; December&nbsp;9, 2002 (3 filings); December
10, 2002; December&nbsp;11, 2002; December&nbsp;13, 2002; December&nbsp;17, 2002;
December&nbsp;19, 2002; December&nbsp;20, 2002; December&nbsp;23, 2002 (2 filings
and 1 amended filing); December&nbsp;26, 2003 (2 filings); January&nbsp;3,
2003; January&nbsp;6, 2003; January&nbsp;13, 2003; January&nbsp;21, 2003; January
28, 2003; January&nbsp;29, 2003; February&nbsp;11, 2003; February&nbsp;12, 2003;
February&nbsp;20, 2003; and February&nbsp;21, 2003.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="5%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">3.</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="90%"><FONT size="2">All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant
to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to
the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference in this registration statement and to be part thereof
from the date of filing of such documents.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P>
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        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;4.</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2"><B>Description of Securities.</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2">Not Required.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;5.</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2"><B>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2">None.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">-2-</FONT>
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<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;6.</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2"><B>Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P><FONT size="2"><I>Fording Inc.</I>
</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;124 of the <I>Canada Business Corporations Act </I>(&#147;CBCA&#148;), which
governs the Registrant, provides that the Registrant may indemnify a director
or officer of the Registrant, a former director or officer of the
Registrant or another individual who acts or acted at the Registrant&#146;s request
as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of
another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount
paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the
individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or
other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of that
association with the Registrant or other entity (a &#147;Registrant Indemnified Individual&#148;).
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The CBCA also provides that the Registrant may advance moneys to a
director, officer or other individual for the costs, charges and expenses of
such proceedings. However, the individual shall repay the moneys and the
Registrant may not indemnify an individual unless such individual (a)&nbsp;acted
honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Registrant,
or, as the case may be, to the best interests of the other entity for which the
individual acted as director or officer or in a similar capacity at the
Registrant&#146;s request; and (b)&nbsp;in the case of a criminal or administrative
action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had
reasonable grounds for believing that the individual&#146;s conduct was lawful.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant may, with the approval of a court, indemnify an individual
or advance moneys in respect of an action by or on behalf of the Registrant or
other entity to procure a judgment in its favor, to which the individual is
made a party because of the individual&#146;s association with the Registrant or
other entity against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the
individual in connection with such action, if the individual fulfils the
conditions set out in (a)&nbsp;and (b)&nbsp;above.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A Registrant Indemnified Individual is also entitled to indemnity from the
Registrant in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by
the individual in connection with the defense of any civil, criminal,
administrative, investigative or other proceeding to which the individual is
subject because of the individual&#146;s association with the Registrant or other
entity, if the individual seeking indemnity (x)&nbsp;was not judged by the court or
other competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything
that the individual ought to have done; and (y)&nbsp;fulfils the conditions set out
in (a)&nbsp;and (b)&nbsp;above.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The CBCA provides that the Registrant may purchase and maintain insurance
for the benefit of Registrant Indemnified Individuals against any liability
incurred by the individual in the individual&#146;s capacity as a director or
officer of the corporation; or in the individual&#146;s capacity as a director or
officer, or similar capacity, of another entity, if the individual acts or
acted in that capacity at the Registrant&#146;s request. The Registrant or a
Registrant Indemnified Individual may apply to a court for an order approving
an indemnity under Section&nbsp;124 of the CBCA and the court may so order and make
any further order that it sees fit.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A by-law of the Registrant provides that the Registrant shall indemnify a
director or officer of the Registrant, a former director or officer of the
Registrant or a person who acts or acted at the Registrant&#146;s request as a
director or officer of a body corporate of which the Registrant is or was a
shareholder or creditor, and the heirs and legal representatives thereof, to
the extent permitted by the CBCA or otherwise by law.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant maintains insurance for the benefit of the directors and
officers of both itself and its subsidiaries against liability incurred by them
in their capacity as directors and officers.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant has indemnification agreements with its directors and
officers whereby the Registrant agrees to indemnify such directors and officer
from losses, costs or damages incurred or sustained by them acting in the
capacity of director or officer. Pursuant to the terms of the indemnification
agreements, the Registrant has agreed to purchase and maintain, or cause to be
purchased and maintained, while directors and officers of the Registrant remain
in office and for a period of seven years thereafter, directors&#146; and officers&#146;
errors and omissions insurance for the benefit of such directors and officers
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2"><I>Fording Canadian Coal Trust</I>
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Trust was created
on February&nbsp;26, 2003. Pursuant to the
declaration of trust (the &#147;Declaration&#148;), any current or former Trustee shall
be indemnified by the Trust against all liabilities, damages, losses, debts and
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">-3-</FONT>
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<P><FONT size="2">claims whatsoever, including costs, charges and expenses in connection
therewith, sustained, incurred, brought, commenced or prosecuted against such
Trustee for or in respect of any act, deed, matter or thing whatsoever made,
done or omitted to be done in connection with the execution of duties while
acting in the capacity of Trustee and all other liabilities, damages, losses,
debts, claims, costs, charges and expenses which such Trustee sustains or
incurs in relation to the affairs of the Trust. However, the Trust is not
obliged to indemnify such Trustee unless the Trustee acted in good faith with a
view to the best interests of the Trust and the unitholders of the
Trust and, in the case of
a criminal or administrative proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty,
the Trustee had reasonable grounds for believing his or her conduct was lawful.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, the Declaration permits the Trust, to the extent permitted by
law, to indemnify, or to enter into agreements with respect to the
indemnification of, any person with whom the Trust has dealings to such extent
as the Trustees shall determine. The Trust may also arrange for insurance
contracts and policies insuring any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees
or agents of the Trust, in their capacity as such, including against any and
all claims and liabilities of any nature asserted by any person arising by
reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted to be taken by the
Trust or by the Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Trust has entered into indemnification agreements with certain
Trustees and officers of the Trust (each a &#147;Trust Indemnified Individual&#148;)
which shall become effective February&nbsp;28, 2003.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The indemnification agreements provide that the Trust and a wholly-owned
corporation of the Trust formed as part of the Arrangement (&#147;New Fording&#148;) will
jointly and severally indemnify a Trust Indemnified Individual for all costs,
changes, expenses, fees, damages, amounts paid to settle any claim or satisfy
any judgment, fines, penalties or liabilities which the individual may suffer,
sustain, incur or be required to pay arising out of or incurred in respect of
any claim, act, matter or thing done, made, permitted or omitted by the
individual arising out of, in connection with or incidental to the affairs of
the Trust or certain subsidiaries thereof or the exercise by the individual of
his or her powers or the performance of his or her duties as a Trustee,
director or officer of the Trust or its subsidiaries, as the case may be,
provided that (c)&nbsp;the individual acted honestly and in good faith with a view
to the best interests of the Trust and its Unitholders, or to the best
interests of certain subsidiaries thereof, as the case may be, and (d)&nbsp;in the
in the case of a criminal or administrative proceeding that is enforced by a
monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing his or
her conduct was lawful. New Fording has entered into similar agreements with
its directors and officers.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Upon a Trust Indemnified Individual becoming directly or indirectly a
party to any action, proceeding or inquiry of any nature referred to in the
preceding paragraph, the Trust and New Fording must forthwith indemnify the
individual for all losses. If the outcome of such action, proceeding or
inquiry establishes that the conditions set out in (c)&nbsp;and (d)&nbsp;above were not
satisfied, the Trust Indemnified Individual must repay all amounts for which
there was no entitlement to indemnification.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Trust shall also indemnify a Trust Indemnified Individual or advance
moneys in respect of an action by or on behalf of the Trust or certain
subsidiaries thereof to procure a judgment in favor of such entity, to which
the individual is subject because of the association of the individual with
such entity, against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the
individual in connection with such action, provided the individual satisfies
the conditions set out in (c)&nbsp;and (d)&nbsp;above and further provided that New
Fording&#146;s obligation to so indemnify shall be contingent on approval of the
Alberta Court of Queen&#146;s Bench if required by applicable law.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A Trust Indemnified Individual is also entitled to indemnity from the
Trust and New Fording in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably
incurred by the individual in connection with the defense of any civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding to which the
individual is subject because of the individual&#146;s association with the Trust or
certain subsidiaries thereof, as the case may be, if the individual seeking
indemnity (x)&nbsp;was not judged by the court or other competent authority to have
committed any fault or omitted to do anything that the individual ought to have
done; and (y)&nbsp;fulfils the conditions set out in (c)&nbsp;and (d)&nbsp;above.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the terms of the applicable indemnification agreements, the
Trust and New Fording have agreed to purchase and maintain, or cause to be
purchased and maintained, while the Trust Indemnified Individuals remain in
office and for six years thereafter, errors and omissions insurance for the
benefit of the Trust Indemnified
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">-4-</FONT>
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<P><FONT size="2">Individuals. The Trust has obtained and will maintain insurance for the benefit of Trust Indemnified Individuals against
liability incurred by them in their capacity as Trustees, directors and
officers effective February&nbsp;28, 2003.
</FONT>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;7.</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2"><B>Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2">Not required.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;8.</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2"><B>Exhibits.</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2">See the Exhibit&nbsp;Index
accompanying this registration statement.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;9. </B></FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2"><B>Undertakings.</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(a)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2">The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="5%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="90%"><FONT size="2">to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="10%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(i)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="85%"><FONT size="2">To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="5%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(ii)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="90%"><FONT size="2">To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information
set forth in the registration statement;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="5%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(iii)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="90%"><FONT size="2">To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2">provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this
section do not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant
pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="95%"><FONT size="2">(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="2%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="90%"><FONT size="2">(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P><FONT size="2">(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s
annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act
(and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report
pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by
reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona
fide </I>offering thereof.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the
</FONT>
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<P><FONT size="2">opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">-6-</FONT>
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<!-- link1 " SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>SIGNATURES</B></FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the city of Calgary, province of Alberta, on the 26<SUP>th</SUP> day of
February, 2003.
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="60%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="37%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top" colspan="2"><FONT size="2"><B>FORDING INC.</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ JAMES F. JONES</FONT><BR>
<HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
James F. Jones<BR>
Corporate Secretary</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS </B>that each person whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints Allen R.&nbsp;Hagerman and James F.&nbsp;Jones and
each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and
in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the
registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), with respect to the registration under the Securities
Act of the offer and sale of Units, without par value, together with associated
Unit Purchase Rights, of the Fording Canadian Coal Trust, a trust incorporated
under the laws of Alberta, issuable in accordance with the Fording Canadian
Coal Trust Exchange Option Plan, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to such registration statement and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and
agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
date indicated.
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="33%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="46%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Signatures</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Date</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ JAMES G. GARDINER<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
James G. Gardiner</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director<BR>
(Principal Executive Officer)
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">February 26, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>


<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ ALLEN R. HAGERMAN<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Allen R. Hagerman, F.C.A.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer<BR>
(Principal Accounting Officer)
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">February 26, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>

<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ MICHAEL A. GRANDIN<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Michael A. Grandin</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">February 26, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>

<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ RICHARD F. HASKAYNE<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Richard F. Haskayne, O.C., F.C.A.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">February 26, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>

<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Jack H. Morrish</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"></FONT>
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<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="33%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="46%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Signatures</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Date</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Robert Peterson</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ ROGER PHILLIPS<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Roger Phillips, O.C.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">February 26, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ JAMES L. POPOWICH<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
James L. Popowich</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">February 26, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ HARRY G. SCHAEFER<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Harry G. Schaefer, F.C.A.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">February 26, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
John B. Zaozirny, Q.C.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of Section&nbsp;6(a) of the Securities Act, this
registration statement has been signed by the following person solely in the
capacity of the duly authorized representative in the United States of Fording
Inc., in the city of Willsboro, state of New York, on the
26<SUP>th</SUP> day of
February, 2003.
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="70%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
/s/ BRAD R. JOHNSTON<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Brad R. Johnston</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"></FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B></FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit No.</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Description</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">4.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">The Registrant&#146;s Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.1 to the Registrant&#146;s registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-8, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September&nbsp;28, 2001.</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">4.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">The Registrant&#146;s Bylaws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to the
Registrant&#146;s registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-8, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on September&nbsp;28, 2001</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">4.3</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Plan of Arrangement</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">4.4</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Fording Canadian Coal Trust Declaration of Trust</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">4.5</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Fording Canadian Coal Trust Exchange Option Plan</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">5</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Opinion of Osler, Hoskin &#038; Harcourt LLP</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Consent of Osler, Hoskin &#038; Harcourt LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5)</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants, Calgary, Alberta</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right"><FONT size="2">24</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

<TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Powers
of Attorney (included in the signature page to this registration statement)</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"></FONT>



</BODY>
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Form S-8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on February 27, 2003
Registration No. 333-________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FORDING INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
Canada
98-0126023
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
Suite 1000
205-9
th
Avenue S.E.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 0R4
(Address of principal executive offices)
Fording Canadian Coal Trust Exchange Option Plan
(Full title of the plans)
Brad R. Johnston
General Manager, NYCO Minerals, Inc.
124 Mountain View Drive
Willsboro, New York 12996-0368
(518) 963-4262
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Jon M. Gregg, Sidley Austin Brown & Wood
10 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, (312) 853-7000
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
maximum offering
Proposed maximum
Title of securities
Amount to be
price per option
aggregate offering
Amount of
to be registered (1)
registered (2)
(3)
price (3)
registration fee
Units, without par value (including Unit Purchase Rights)
21,764 units
$
11.63
$
253,116
$
20.48
(1)
Rights are initially carried and traded with the Units of the Registrant.
Value attributable to such rights, if any, is reflected in the market
price of the Units.
(2)
Based upon the maximum number of options that may be issued in the United
States pursuant to the Fording Canadian Coal Trust Exchange Option Plan
(the "Exchange Option Plan") upon the surrender for cancellation of
presently outstanding options to acquire shares of common stock, without
par value, of Fording Inc.
(3)
Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457(h) on the basis of the exercise price of the options
that may be issued pursuant to the Exchange Option Plan.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
Plan of Arrangement
Fording Canadian Coal Trust Declaration of Trust
Fording Canadian Coal Trust Exchange Option Plan
Opinion Of Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt LLP
Consent of PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP
Table of Contents
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This registration statement has been prepared on the assumption that, among
other things, the Arrangement (as described in the Plan of Arrangement which is
filed as an exhibit to this registration statement) and the related
transactions contemplated to occur immediately prior to, contemporaneously
with, or immediately following the effective date of the Plan of Arrangement
will be consummated as contemplated by the Plan of Arrangement. No assurance
is given, however, that any or all of the transactions provided for in the Plan
of Arrangement will occur or will occur as so contemplated. The Plan of
Arrangement was approved by the securityholders of Fording Inc., a Canadian
corporation, at a special meeting of shareholders and optionholders held on
February 19, 2003, and is expected to be effective on February 28, 2003. Upon
such effective date, Fording Canadian Coal Trust (the "Trust") will become the
successor to Fording Inc. and each outstanding option to purchase common shares
of Fording Inc. under its Key Employee Stock Option Plan or its Directors Stock
Option Plan will be converted into a option (an "Exchange Option") to purchase
an equal number of units of the Trust under the Trust's Exchange
Option Plan (which is filed as an exhibit to this registration
statement).
This registration statement covers the units issuable to holders of Exchange
Options that are residents of the United States.
-1-
Table of Contents
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1.
Plan Information.*
Item 2.
Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*
*
This registration statement relates to units of Fording Canadian Coal
Trust, as the successor to the Registrant, to be offered pursuant to the
Fording Canadian Coal Trust Exchange Option Plan, as indicated on the
facing sheet hereof and under "Explanatory Note" herein. Information
required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectuses
related to these plans is omitted from this registration statement in
accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities
Act") and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), are incorporated by reference in the Registrant's
registration statement:
1.
The annual report on Form 40-F of the Registrant as filed on
June 20, 2002 and amended on July 10, 2002.
2.
The reports on Form 6-K of the Registrant (File No. 1-15230)
dated January 25, 2002; January 31, 2002; April 15, 2002; April 16,
2002; June 20, 2002; July 10, 2002; July 25, 2002; August 7, 2002;
October 2, 2002; October 7, 2002; October 22, 2002; October 23,
2002; November 7, 2002; November 21; 2002; November 26, 2002 (2
filings); December 5, 2002; December 9, 2002 (3 filings); December
10, 2002; December 11, 2002; December 13, 2002; December 17, 2002;
December 19, 2002; December 20, 2002; December 23, 2002 (2 filings
and 1 amended filing); December 26, 2003 (2 filings); January 3,
2003; January 6, 2003; January 13, 2003; January 21, 2003; January
28, 2003; January 29, 2003; February 11, 2003; February 12, 2003;
February 20, 2003; and February 21, 2003.
3.
All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant
to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to
the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference in this registration statement and to be part thereof
from the date of filing of such documents.
Item 4.
Description of Securities.
Not Required.
Item 5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
None.
-2-
Table of Contents
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Fording Inc.
Section 124 of the
Canada Business Corporations Act
("CBCA"), which
governs the Registrant, provides that the Registrant may indemnify a director
or officer of the Registrant, a former director or officer of the
Registrant or another individual who acts or acted at the Registrant's request
as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of
another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount
paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the
individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or
other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of that
association with the Registrant or other entity (a "Registrant Indemnified Individual").
The CBCA also provides that the Registrant may advance moneys to a
director, officer or other individual for the costs, charges and expenses of
such proceedings. However, the individual shall repay the moneys and the
Registrant may not indemnify an individual unless such individual (a) acted
honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Registrant,
or, as the case may be, to the best interests of the other entity for which the
individual acted as director or officer or in a similar capacity at the
Registrant's request; and (b) in the case of a criminal or administrative
action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had
reasonable grounds for believing that the individual's conduct was lawful.
The Registrant may, with the approval of a court, indemnify an individual
or advance moneys in respect of an action by or on behalf of the Registrant or
other entity to procure a judgment in its favor, to which the individual is
made a party because of the individual's association with the Registrant or
other entity against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the
individual in connection with such action, if the individual fulfils the
conditions set out in (a) and (b) above.
A Registrant Indemnified Individual is also entitled to indemnity from the
Registrant in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by
the individual in connection with the defense of any civil, criminal,
administrative, investigative or other proceeding to which the individual is
subject because of the individual's association with the Registrant or other
entity, if the individual seeking indemnity (x) was not judged by the court or
other competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything
that the individual ought to have done; and (y) fulfils the conditions set out
in (a) and (b) above.
The CBCA provides that the Registrant may purchase and maintain insurance
for the benefit of Registrant Indemnified Individuals against any liability
incurred by the individual in the individual's capacity as a director or
officer of the corporation; or in the individual's capacity as a director or
officer, or similar capacity, of another entity, if the individual acts or
acted in that capacity at the Registrant's request. The Registrant or a
Registrant Indemnified Individual may apply to a court for an order approving
an indemnity under Section 124 of the CBCA and the court may so order and make
any further order that it sees fit.
A by-law of the Registrant provides that the Registrant shall indemnify a
director or officer of the Registrant, a former director or officer of the
Registrant or a person who acts or acted at the Registrant's request as a
director or officer of a body corporate of which the Registrant is or was a
shareholder or creditor, and the heirs and legal representatives thereof, to
the extent permitted by the CBCA or otherwise by law.
The Registrant maintains insurance for the benefit of the directors and
officers of both itself and its subsidiaries against liability incurred by them
in their capacity as directors and officers.
The Registrant has indemnification agreements with its directors and
officers whereby the Registrant agrees to indemnify such directors and officer
from losses, costs or damages incurred or sustained by them acting in the
capacity of director or officer. Pursuant to the terms of the indemnification
agreements, the Registrant has agreed to purchase and maintain, or cause to be
purchased and maintained, while directors and officers of the Registrant remain
in office and for a period of seven years thereafter, directors' and officers'
errors and omissions insurance for the benefit of such directors and officers
Fording Canadian Coal Trust
The Trust was created
on February 26, 2003. Pursuant to the
declaration of trust (the "Declaration"), any current or former Trustee shall
be indemnified by the Trust against all liabilities, damages, losses, debts and
-3-
Table of Contents
claims whatsoever, including costs, charges and expenses in connection
therewith, sustained, incurred, brought, commenced or prosecuted against such
Trustee for or in respect of any act, deed, matter or thing whatsoever made,
done or omitted to be done in connection with the execution of duties while
acting in the capacity of Trustee and all other liabilities, damages, losses,
debts, claims, costs, charges and expenses which such Trustee sustains or
incurs in relation to the affairs of the Trust. However, the Trust is not
obliged to indemnify such Trustee unless the Trustee acted in good faith with a
view to the best interests of the Trust and the unitholders of the
Trust and, in the case of
a criminal or administrative proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty,
the Trustee had reasonable grounds for believing his or her conduct was lawful.
In addition, the Declaration permits the Trust, to the extent permitted by
law, to indemnify, or to enter into agreements with respect to the
indemnification of, any person with whom the Trust has dealings to such extent
as the Trustees shall determine. The Trust may also arrange for insurance
contracts and policies insuring any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees
or agents of the Trust, in their capacity as such, including against any and
all claims and liabilities of any nature asserted by any person arising by
reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted to be taken by the
Trust or by the Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust.
The Trust has entered into indemnification agreements with certain
Trustees and officers of the Trust (each a "Trust Indemnified Individual")
which shall become effective February 28, 2003.
The indemnification agreements provide that the Trust and a wholly-owned
corporation of the Trust formed as part of the Arrangement ("New Fording") will
jointly and severally indemnify a Trust Indemnified Individual for all costs,
changes, expenses, fees, damages, amounts paid to settle any claim or satisfy
any judgment, fines, penalties or liabilities which the individual may suffer,
sustain, incur or be required to pay arising out of or incurred in respect of
any claim, act, matter or thing done, made, permitted or omitted by the
individual arising out of, in connection with or incidental to the affairs of
the Trust or certain subsidiaries thereof or the exercise by the individual of
his or her powers or the performance of his or her duties as a Trustee,
director or officer of the Trust or its subsidiaries, as the case may be,
provided that (c) the individual acted honestly and in good faith with a view
to the best interests of the Trust and its Unitholders, or to the best
interests of certain subsidiaries thereof, as the case may be, and (d) in the
in the case of a criminal or administrative proceeding that is enforced by a
monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing his or
her conduct was lawful. New Fording has entered into similar agreements with
its directors and officers.
Upon a Trust Indemnified Individual becoming directly or indirectly a
party to any action, proceeding or inquiry of any nature referred to in the
preceding paragraph, the Trust and New Fording must forthwith indemnify the
individual for all losses. If the outcome of such action, proceeding or
inquiry establishes that the conditions set out in (c) and (d) above were not
satisfied, the Trust Indemnified Individual must repay all amounts for which
there was no entitlement to indemnification.
The Trust shall also indemnify a Trust Indemnified Individual or advance
moneys in respect of an action by or on behalf of the Trust or certain
subsidiaries thereof to procure a judgment in favor of such entity, to which
the individual is subject because of the association of the individual with
such entity, against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the
individual in connection with such action, provided the individual satisfies
the conditions set out in (c) and (d) above and further provided that New
Fording's obligation to so indemnify shall be contingent on approval of the
Alberta Court of Queen's Bench if required by applicable law.
A Trust Indemnified Individual is also entitled to indemnity from the
Trust and New Fording in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably
incurred by the individual in connection with the defense of any civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding to which the
individual is subject because of the individual's association with the Trust or
certain subsidiaries thereof, as the case may be, if the individual seeking
indemnity (x) was not judged by the court or other competent authority to have
committed any fault or omitted to do anything that the individual ought to have
done; and (y) fulfils the conditions set out in (c) and (d) above.
Pursuant to the terms of the applicable indemnification agreements, the
Trust and New Fording have agreed to purchase and maintain, or cause to be
purchased and maintained, while the Trust Indemnified Individuals remain in
office and for six years thereafter, errors and omissions insurance for the
benefit of the Trust Indemnified
-4-
Table of Contents
Individuals. The Trust has obtained and will maintain insurance for the benefit of Trust Indemnified Individuals against
liability incurred by them in their capacity as Trustees, directors and
officers effective February 28, 2003.
Item 7.
Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not required.
Item 8.
Exhibits.
See the Exhibit Index
accompanying this registration statement.
Item 9.
Undertakings.
(a)
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information
set forth in the registration statement;
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this
section do not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b)       
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act
(and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report
pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by
reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona
fide
offering thereof.
(c)       Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the
-5-
Table of Contents
opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.
-6-
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the city of Calgary, province of Alberta, on the 26
th
day of
February, 2003.
FORDING INC.
By:
/s/ JAMES F. JONES
James F. Jones
Corporate Secretary
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS
that each person whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints Allen R. Hagerman and James F. Jones and
each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and
in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the
registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), with respect to the registration under the Securities
Act of the offer and sale of Units, without par value, together with associated
Unit Purchase Rights, of the Fording Canadian Coal Trust, a trust incorporated
under the laws of Alberta, issuable in accordance with the Fording Canadian
Coal Trust Exchange Option Plan, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to such registration statement and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and
agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
date indicated.
Signatures
Title
Date
/s/ JAMES G. GARDINER
James G. Gardiner
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
February 26, 2003
/s/ ALLEN R. HAGERMAN
Allen R. Hagerman, F.C.A.
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
February 26, 2003
/s/ MICHAEL A. GRANDIN
Michael A. Grandin
Director
February 26, 2003
/s/ RICHARD F. HASKAYNE
Richard F. Haskayne, O.C., F.C.A.
Director
February 26, 2003
Jack H. Morrish
Director
Table of Contents
Signatures
Title
Date
Robert Peterson
Director
/s/ ROGER PHILLIPS
Roger Phillips, O.C.
Director
February 26, 2003
/s/ JAMES L. POPOWICH
James L. Popowich
Director
February 26, 2003
/s/ HARRY G. SCHAEFER
Harry G. Schaefer, F.C.A.
Director
February 26, 2003
John B. Zaozirny, Q.C.
Director
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6(a) of the Securities Act, this
registration statement has been signed by the following person solely in the
capacity of the duly authorized representative in the United States of Fording
Inc., in the city of Willsboro, state of New York, on the
26
th
day of
February, 2003.
By:
/s/ BRAD R. JOHNSTON
Brad R. Johnston
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1
The Registrant's Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-8, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2001.
4.2
The Registrant's Bylaws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registrant's registration statement on Form S-8, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on September 28, 2001
4.3
Plan of Arrangement
4.4
Fording Canadian Coal Trust Declaration of Trust
4.5
Fording Canadian Coal Trust Exchange Option Plan
5
Opinion of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
23.1
Consent of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (included in Exhibit 5)
23.2
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants, Calgary, Alberta
24
Powers
of Attorney (included in the signature page to this registration statement)