<PAGE>
                                                                 Exhibit 10.31.1


NOTIFICATION TO FORMER SENIOR MANAGERS OF
ALLIANCE FOREST PRODUCTS INC - TRANSLATION

Individual letters to MM. P. Monahan, G. Cabana, J.S. Lebel, G. Auger, P. Cote,
D. Laberge, D. Laliberte, R. Provencher and Jean-Guy Gravelle.

SUBJECT : HARMONIZATION OF METHODOLOGY TO BE USED TO QUANTIFY TERMINATION
BENEFITS PAYABLE UNDER THE DEFINED BENEFITS (DB) SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE
RETIREMENT PLAN (SERP OR (TOP HAT))

Dear (surname),

As a result of pension integration for non negotiated personnel based in Canada,
for service completed since January 1, 2003, we will harmonize the methodology
to be used, if ever applicable, to quantify termination benefits payable under
the Defined Benefits (DB) Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP).

Except for Company-triggered termination without cause, if you were to leave the
employment of the Company prior to reaching age 55, termination benefits payable
under the DB SERP would be computed by using the same discount rate as the one
used to determine the commuted value of your retirement benefits payable from
the Pension Plan offered to Non-Negotiated Employees (1995) of Bowater Canadian
Forest Products Inc. (the registered plan).

In the case of Company-triggered termination without cause prior to reaching age
55, termination benefits payable from the DB SERP would be the sum of:


    A)  for service prior to January 1, 2003, the commuted value of termination
        benefits computed by using a discount rate equal to 50% of the discount
        rate used to determine the value of termination benefits payable from
        the registered plan; and
    B)  for service since January 1, 2003, the commuted value of termination
        benefits computed by using the same discount as the one used to
        determine the termination benefits payable from the registered plan.

This administrative change has no impact if you were to elect normal or early
retirement (termination of employment after age 55). Change introduced for
service since January 1, 2003 has no impact on your termination benefits prior
to reaching age 55, except if the Company were to terminate your employment
without cause. Finally, this modification does not reduce the value of your
accrued benefits as of December 31, 2002.

I remain available to answer any question you may have.



Georges Cabana,
Vice-President, Human Resources and Public Affairs, Canada

Copies : James T. Wright
         Carol Hinton




