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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May&nbsp;15, 2003  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Washington, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM S-8<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF&nbsp;1933  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>THE THOMSON CORPORATION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="32%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Ontario</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>98-0176673</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
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<TD COLSPAN=5 ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B>Metro Center, One Station Place<BR>
Stamford, Connecticut 06902<BR>
United&nbsp;States</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)<BR></FONT>
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<TD COLSPAN=5 ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B>The Thomson 401(k) Savings Plan</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(Full title of the plan)<BR></FONT>
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<TD COLSPAN=5 ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B>Deirdre Stanley, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, The Thomson Corporation,<BR>
Metro Center, One Station Place, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, United&nbsp;States</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD COLSPAN=5 ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B>(203)&nbsp;969-8700</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="34%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of each class<BR>
of securities<BR>
to be registered</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount to be<BR>
registered (1)(3)</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed<BR>
maximum<BR>
offering price<BR>
per share (2)</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed<BR>
maximum<BR>
aggregate<BR>
offering price (2)</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of<BR>
registration<BR>
fee</B></FONT><BR></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="34%"><FONT SIZE=2>Common shares, no par value</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>9,000,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>$29.69</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>$267,210,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>$21,617.29</FONT></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Plus
an indeterminate number of additional shares which may be offered and issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Estimated
pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee, based on the average of the high and
low prices of the securities being registered hereby as reported on the New&nbsp;York Stock Exchange on May&nbsp;9, 2003.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(3)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Plus
an indeterminate amount of interests that may be offered or sold pursuant to The Thomson 401(k) Savings Plan. </FONT></DD></DL>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="da1605_part_i_information_requ__da102245"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_da1605_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART I<BR>  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 1. PLAN INFORMATION.*  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 2. REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION.*  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;* The documents containing the information specified in Part&nbsp;I of this registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (this "Registration
Statement") will be sent or given to participants in The Thomson 401(k) Savings Plan (the "Plan") as specified under Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"). These documents are not required to be, and are not being, filed by The Thomson Corporation, an Ontario corporation (the "Company"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424 under the Securities Act. These documents, together with the
documents incorporated by reference herein pursuant to Item&nbsp;3 of Part&nbsp;II of this Registration Statement, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section&nbsp;10(a) of
the Securities Act. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="da1605_part_ii_information_req__da102464"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_da1605_2"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II<BR>  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents, which have previously been filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), are incorporated by reference herein and shall be deemed to be a part hereof: </FONT></P>

<UL>
<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(a)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>the
Company's Annual Report on Form&nbsp;40-F for&nbsp;the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2002; and
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(b)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>the
description of the Company's common shares contained in its registration statement on Form&nbsp;F-10 filed June&nbsp;11, 2002 (File
No.&nbsp;333-87412), and&nbsp;any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
addition, all other documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered herein have been sold or which de-registers all
securities then remaining unsold, and any Form&nbsp;6-K during such period or portions thereof that are identified in such form as being incorporated into this Registration Statement,
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents (such documents, and the documents enumerated above,
being hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Incorporated Documents"). </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any
statement contained in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained
therein or in any other subsequently filed Incorporated Document modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statements so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or
superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As of the date of this Registration Statement, the partners and associates of Torys&nbsp;LLP owned beneficially, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of the
Company's outstanding securities. Certain partners and an associate of Torys&nbsp;LLP are our assistant secretaries and assistant secretaries of certain of the Company's associates and affiliates. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), the Company may indemnify a present or former director or officer or a person who acts or acted at the Company's
request as a director or officer of another corporation of which the Company is or was a shareholder or creditor, and his or her heirs and legal representatives, against all costs, charges and
expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him or her in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he or
she is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of the Company or such other corporation and provided that the director or officer acted honestly and in good faith with a
view to the best interests of the Company, and, in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, such director or officer had reasonable grounds
for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. Such indemnification may be made in connection with an action by or on behalf of the Company or such other corporation to procure a judgment in its
favor only with court approval. A director or officer is entitled to indemnification from the Company as a matter of right if he or she was substantially successful on the merits in his or her defense
of the action or proceeding and fulfilled the conditions set forth above. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
by-laws of the Company provide that the Company shall indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer or a person who acts or acted at the Company's request
as a director or officer of a body corporate of which the Company is or was a shareholder or creditor, and the heirs and legal representatives of such a person against all costs, charges, expenses and
liabilities incurred while carrying out such acts, except as prohibited by law. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
by-laws of the Company further provide that the Company may, to the extent permitted by the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), purchase and maintain insurance for the
benefit of any director or officer, a former director or officer or a person who acts or acted at the Company's request as a director or officer of a body corporate of which the Company is or was a
shareholder or creditor. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A
policy of directors' and officers' liability insurance is maintained by the Company which insures, subject to certain exclusions, directors and officers for losses as a result of
claims against the directors and officers of the </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>Company
in their capacity as directors and officers and also reimburses the Company for payments made pursuant to the indemnity provided by the Company pursuant to the Business Corporations Act
(Ontario) and the by-laws of the Company. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
addition, the Company has entered into agreements with each of its directors which indemnify them to the maximum extent permitted by law. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the
Company 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. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit No.<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="89%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Description</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Torys&nbsp;LLP.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers&nbsp;LLP.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Torys&nbsp;LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5).</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>24</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Power of Attorney (included on signature pages to this Registration Statement).</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
registrant has submitted the Plan and all amendments thereto to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in a timely manner and has made all changes required by the IRS in order to
qualify the Plan. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.  </B></FONT></P>

<UL>
<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(a)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
<BR><BR></FONT>
<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
<BR><BR></FONT>
<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(i)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>To
include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(ii)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this 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 this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; and
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(iii)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in this Registration Statement; </FONT></DD></DL>
</DD></DL>
</DD></DL>
<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><U>provided</U>,
<U>however</U>, that paragraphs&nbsp;(a)(1)(i) and&nbsp;(a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on
Form&nbsp;S-3, Form&nbsp;S-8 or Form&nbsp;F-3, and&nbsp;the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement. </FONT></P>

<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=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; and
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(3)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>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.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>
<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(b)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant'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's Annual Report pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act)
that is incorporated by reference in this 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.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(c)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>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 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></DD></DL>
</UL>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="dc1605_signatures"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_dc1605_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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&nbsp;has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of Stamford, State of Connecticut, on this 15th day of May&nbsp;2003. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2><B>THE THOMSON CORPORATION</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Deirdre Stanley</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Name: Deirdre Stanley<BR>
Title: Senior Vice President and General Counsel</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="dc1605_power_of_attorney"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_dc1605_2"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on May&nbsp;15, 2003. Each person whose individual signature appears below hereby authorizes Deirdre Stanley and Stephane Bello, or either of them, to execute in the name and on
behalf of each such person and to file any amendment to this Registration Statement, and appoints Deirdre Stanley and Stephane Bello, or either of them, as attorney-in-fact to
sign on his or her behalf individually and in each capacity stated below, and to file any amendments to this Registration Statement, including any and all post-effective amendments. </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Name</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="49%"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/ Richard J. Harrington</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Richard J. Harrington</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%"><FONT SIZE=2>President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="49%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Robert D. Daleo</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Robert D. Daleo</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Director (principal financial and accounting officer)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ David K.R. Thomson</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> David K.R. Thomson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ W. Geoffrey Beattie</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> W. Geoffrey Beattie</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Ron D. Barbaro</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Ron D. Barbaro</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ V. Maureen Kempston Darkes</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> V. Maureen Kempston Darkes</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Steven A. Denning</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Steven A. Denning</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ John F. Fraser</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> John F. Fraser</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Roger L. Martin</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Roger L. Martin</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Vance K. Opperman</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Vance K. Opperman</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ David H. Shaffer</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> David H. Shaffer</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ John M. Thompson</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> John M. Thompson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Kenneth R. Thomson</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Kenneth R. Thomson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Richard M. Thomson</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Richard M. Thomson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ Peter J. Thomson</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Peter J. Thomson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/ John A. Tory</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> John A. Tory</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de1605_exhibit_index"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de1605_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT INDEX    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit No.<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="89%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Description</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Opinion of Torys&nbsp;LLP.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers&nbsp;LLP.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Torys&nbsp;LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Power of Attorney (included on signature pages to this Registration Statement).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P><br><A NAME="03TOR1605_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_da1605_1">PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_da1605_2">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></FONT><BR>

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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_dc1605_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_dc1605_2">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1605_1">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></FONT><BR>
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2003
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
THE THOMSON CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ontario
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
98-0176673
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
Metro Center, One Station Place
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
United States
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
The Thomson 401(k) Savings Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Deirdre Stanley, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, The Thomson Corporation,
Metro Center, One Station Place, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, United States
(Name and address of agent for service)
(203) 969-8700
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of each class
of securities
to be registered
Amount to be
registered (1)(3)
Proposed
maximum
offering price
per share (2)
Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering price (2)
Amount of
registration
fee
Common shares, no par value
9,000,000
$29.69
$267,210,000
$21,617.29
(1)
Plus
an indeterminate number of additional shares which may be offered and issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(2)
Estimated
pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee, based on the average of the high and
low prices of the securities being registered hereby as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on May 9, 2003.
(3)
Plus
an indeterminate amount of interests that may be offered or sold pursuant to The Thomson 401(k) Savings Plan.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
ITEM 1. PLAN INFORMATION.*
ITEM 2. REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION.*
* The documents containing the information specified in Part I of this registration statement on Form S-8 (this "Registration
Statement") will be sent or given to participants in The Thomson 401(k) Savings Plan (the "Plan") as specified under Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"). These documents are not required to be, and are not being, filed by The Thomson Corporation, an Ontario corporation (the "Company"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. These documents, together with the
documents incorporated by reference herein pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of
the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
The following documents, which have previously been filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), are incorporated by reference herein and shall be deemed to be a part hereof:
(a)
the
Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002; and
(b)
the
description of the Company's common shares contained in its registration statement on Form F-10 filed June 11, 2002 (File
No. 333-87412), and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.
In
addition, all other documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered herein have been sold or which de-registers all
securities then remaining unsold, and any Form 6-K during such period or portions thereof that are identified in such form as being incorporated into this Registration Statement,
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents (such documents, and the documents enumerated above,
being hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Incorporated Documents").
Any
statement contained in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained
therein or in any other subsequently filed Incorporated Document modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statements so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or
superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
As of the date of this Registration Statement, the partners and associates of Torys LLP owned beneficially, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of the
Company's outstanding securities. Certain partners and an associate of Torys LLP are our assistant secretaries and assistant secretaries of certain of the Company's associates and affiliates.
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), the Company may indemnify a present or former director or officer or a person who acts or acted at the Company's
request as a director or officer of another corporation of which the Company is or was a shareholder or creditor, and his or her heirs and legal representatives, against all costs, charges and
expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him or her in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he or
she is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of the Company or such other corporation and provided that the director or officer acted honestly and in good faith with a
view to the best interests of the Company, and, in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, such director or officer had reasonable grounds
for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. Such indemnification may be made in connection with an action by or on behalf of the Company or such other corporation to procure a judgment in its
favor only with court approval. A director or officer is entitled to indemnification from the Company as a matter of right if he or she was substantially successful on the merits in his or her defense
of the action or proceeding and fulfilled the conditions set forth above.
The
by-laws of the Company provide that the Company shall indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer or a person who acts or acted at the Company's request
as a director or officer of a body corporate of which the Company is or was a shareholder or creditor, and the heirs and legal representatives of such a person against all costs, charges, expenses and
liabilities incurred while carrying out such acts, except as prohibited by law.
The
by-laws of the Company further provide that the Company may, to the extent permitted by the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), purchase and maintain insurance for the
benefit of any director or officer, a former director or officer or a person who acts or acted at the Company's request as a director or officer of a body corporate of which the Company is or was a
shareholder or creditor.
A
policy of directors' and officers' liability insurance is maintained by the Company which insures, subject to certain exclusions, directors and officers for losses as a result of
claims against the directors and officers of the
Company
in their capacity as directors and officers and also reimburses the Company for payments made pursuant to the indemnity provided by the Company pursuant to the Business Corporations Act
(Ontario) and the by-laws of the Company.
In
addition, the Company has entered into agreements with each of its directors which indemnify them to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the
Company 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.
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.
Exhibit No.
Description
5
Opinion of Torys LLP.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2
Consent of Torys LLP (included in Exhibit 5).
24
Power of Attorney (included on signature pages to this Registration Statement).
The
registrant has submitted the Plan and all amendments thereto to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in a timely manner and has made all changes required by the IRS in order to
qualify the Plan.
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 this 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 this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; and
(iii)
To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in this Registration Statement;
provided
,
however
, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on
Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this 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; and
(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 any 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 this 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 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.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 Stamford, State of Connecticut, on this 15th day of May 2003.
THE THOMSON CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Deirdre Stanley
Name: Deirdre Stanley
Title: Senior Vice President and General Counsel
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on May 15, 2003. Each person whose individual signature appears below hereby authorizes Deirdre Stanley and Stephane Bello, or either of them, to execute in the name and on
behalf of each such person and to file any amendment to this Registration Statement, and appoints Deirdre Stanley and Stephane Bello, or either of them, as attorney-in-fact to
sign on his or her behalf individually and in each capacity stated below, and to file any amendments to this Registration Statement, including any and all post-effective amendments.
Name
Title
/s/ Richard J. Harrington
Richard J. Harrington
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer)
/s/ Robert D. Daleo
Robert D. Daleo
Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Director (principal financial and accounting officer)
/s/ David K.R. Thomson
David K.R. Thomson
Director
/s/ W. Geoffrey Beattie
W. Geoffrey Beattie
Director
/s/ Ron D. Barbaro
Ron D. Barbaro
Director
/s/ V. Maureen Kempston Darkes
V. Maureen Kempston Darkes
Director
/s/ Steven A. Denning
Steven A. Denning
Director
/s/ John F. Fraser
John F. Fraser
Director
/s/ Roger L. Martin
Roger L. Martin
Director
/s/ Vance K. Opperman
Vance K. Opperman
Director
/s/ David H. Shaffer
David H. Shaffer
Director
/s/ John M. Thompson
John M. Thompson
Director
/s/ Kenneth R. Thomson
Kenneth R. Thomson
Director
/s/ Richard M. Thomson
Richard M. Thomson
Director
/s/ Peter J. Thomson
Peter J. Thomson
Director
/s/ John A. Tory
John A. Tory
Director
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
5
Opinion of Torys LLP.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2
Consent of Torys LLP (included in Exhibit 5).
24
Power of Attorney (included on signature pages to this Registration Statement).
QuickLinks
PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT INDEX