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[STANTEC LOGO]                                                      NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STANTEC TO EXPAND INTO NORTHEAST US REGION WITH ACQUISITION OF ROCHESTER NY FIRM
SEAR-BROWN

EDMONTON AB (January 16, 2004) TSX:STN

Stantec has signed a letter of intent to acquire Rochester NY-based Sear-Brown,
a professional services firm with approximately 500 employees and 13 offices in
the US and Puerto Rico. The transaction-subject to satisfactory due diligence,
regulatory approval, and Sear-Brown shareholder approval-represents the largest
acquisition to date for Stantec and opens a new operating region in the
Northeast US. The acquisition is expected to close at the end of March 2004.

"Sear-Brown's full service offering in engineering, architecture, and planning
complements Stantec's existing services and will give our Company a strong
presence in New York State as well as an emerging presence in Pennsylvania, and
Ohio-key market areas in the US," says Tony Franceschini, Stantec President &
CEO. "The addition of Sear-Brown is an important step in Stantec's path to
become one of the top 10 global design firms by providing a solid foothold for
further growth in the Northeast US region and in the biotechnology and
pharmaceuticals sector."

Since its founding in 1955 in Rochester, Sear-Brown has grown into a premier
design firm adding six New York State offices in Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo,
Melville, Rouses Point, and Syracuse; two Colorado offices in Fort Collins and
Denver; and offices in Hillsborough, North Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; State
College, Pennsylvania; and Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Sear-Brown's 500 employees
specialize in core markets that include Advanced Manufacturing,
Biopharmaceuticals Facilities, Educational Facilities, Healthcare Facilities,
Municipal Facilities, Retail/Commercial Development, Transportation, Land
Development, and Water and Environment.

"Joining forces with Stantec represents the next chapter in Sear-Brown's
incredible 50-year history," says Sue Hartman, Chairman of the Board of
Sear-Brown. "We're very excited about the opportunities that this union provides
for our clients and our employees, including access to new markets, technical
skills, and technology."

In 2003, Sear-Brown's revenues were approximately US$50 million. Stantec
currently has 18 offices in the US including two in New York State in Lancaster
and Amherst.

For more information visit WWW.STANTEC.COM/SEARBROWN

STANTEC provides professional services in infrastructure and facilities. The
Company's comprehensive services in planning, engineering, environmental
sciences, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, and
project economics support clients at every stage, from initial concept and
financial feasibility to project completion and beyond. Services are offered
through more than 3,500 employees operating out of 40 locations in North America
and the Caribbean. Stantec trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
STN.

STANTEC CONTACT         ACQUISITION CONTACT        INVESTOR CONTACT
Tony Franceschini       Susan Hartman              Don Wilson
President & CEO         Chairman of the Board      Vice President & CFO
Stantec                 Sear-Brown                 Stantec
Tel: 780-917-7077       Tel: 585-454-1740          Tel: 780-917-7269

                                                                     STANTEC.com
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