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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated October 17, 2003)

Filed Pursuant to General
Instruction II.K. of Form F-9;
File No. 333-109297

US$250,000,000

LOGO

The Thomson Corporation
43/4% Notes due 2010

        We will pay interest on the notes (the "Notes") on May 28 and November 28 of each year, beginning on November 28, 2004. The Notes will mature on May 28, 2010. The Notes will be direct, unsecured obligations of The Thomson Corporation and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The Notes will be issued only in denominations of US$1,000 and multiples of US$1,000.

        We may redeem all or a portion of the Notes at any time at redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement. We will also have the option to redeem the Notes in whole and not in part at any time at 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes plus accrued interest to the date of redemption in the event of certain changes to Canadian withholding taxes.

        An application will be made to list the Notes on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

        Investing in the Notes involves risks that are described in some of the documents incorporated by reference herein and in the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page 5 of the accompanying short form base shelf prospectus.

 
   Per Note
   Total
Public offering price (1)   99.574%   US$248,935,000
Underwriting commission       .400%   US$1,000,000
Proceeds to Thomson (before expenses)   99.174%   US$247,935,000

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying short form base shelf prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

        We are permitted to prepare this prospectus supplement and the accompanying short form base shelf prospectus in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements, which are different from those of the United States. We prepare our financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, and they are subject to Canadian auditing and auditor independence standards. They may not be comparable to the financial statements of U.S. companies.

        Owning the securities described herein may have tax consequences both in the United States and Canada. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying short form base shelf prospectus may not describe these tax consequences fully. You should read the tax discussion contained in this prospectus supplement.

        Your ability to enforce civil liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws may be affected adversely because we are incorporated or organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, some of our officers and directors and some of the experts named in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying short form base shelf prospectus are residents of Canada, and some of our assets are located in Canada.

        The Notes will be ready for delivery in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg and Euroclear S.A./N.V. on or about May 19, 2004.

Merrill Lynch & Co.

The date of this prospectus supplement is May 12, 2004.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
   Page
Prospectus Supplement    

Important Notice About Information in this Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus
 
S-3
Documents Incorporated by Reference   S-3
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information   S-4
The Thomson Corporation   S-4
Use of Proceeds   S-5
Selected Consolidated Financial Information   S-6
Capitalization   S-7
Interest Coverage   S-8
Description of the Notes   S-9
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations   S-17
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations   S-17
European Union Directive on the Taxation of Savings Income   S-18
Underwriting   S-19
Credit Ratings   S-20
Legal Matters   S-21
General Information   S-21
Prospectus    

About This Prospectus
 
2
Where You Can Find More Information   3
Documents Incorporated by Reference   3
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements   4
Risk Factors   5
The Thomson Corporation   6
Our Business   6
Use of Proceeds   6
Interest Coverage   7
Share Capital   7
Description of Debt Securities   7
Plan of Distribution   18
Certain Income Tax Considerations   18
Legal Matters   19
Experts   19
Documents Filed As Part of The Registration Statement   19
Purchasers' Statutory Rights   19
Certificate of The Thomson Corporation   20

        You should only rely on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and accompanying short form base shelf prospectus, which we will refer to as the prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of the Notes in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date later than their respective dates.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
AND THE PROSPECTUS

        This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of the Notes. The second part, the prospectus, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to the Notes.

        If the description of the Notes varies between this prospectus supplement and the prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

        In this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms which are defined in the accompanying prospectus are used herein with the meanings defined in the prospectus and "Thomson" refers to The Thomson Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise. In this prospectus supplement, the words "we," "us," "our" and "our company" and other similar words are references to Thomson. Unless otherwise indicated, references in this prospectus supplement to "$" or "dollars" are to U.S. dollars.

        This prospectus supplement and the prospectus include particulars given in compliance with the requirements of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange for the purpose of giving information with regard to our company. We accept full responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the prospectus and confirm, having made all reasonable inquiries, that to the best of our knowledge and belief there are no other facts the omission of which would make any statement herein misleading in any material respect.

        The Luxembourg Stock Exchange takes no responsibility for the contents of this prospectus supplement or the prospectus and makes no representation as to their accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this prospectus supplement or the prospectus. We cannot guarantee that our application to list the Notes on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange will be approved, and the sale of the Notes is not conditioned on obtaining this listing.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        The following documents filed with the securities regulatory authority in each of the provinces of Canada and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (which are available free of charge in Luxembourg at the main office of Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourgeoise), are specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the prospectus:

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

        Some statements included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement constitute forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "may" and "should" and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, which include, but are not limited to:

        These factors and other risk factors described in some of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that reflect our view only as of the date of this prospectus supplement. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


THE THOMSON CORPORATION

        The Thomson Corporation was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), Canada by articles of incorporation dated December 28, 1977. We have amended our articles from time to time, most recently on December 5, 1996, and we restated our articles as amended on September 1, 1998. Our registered office is at Suite 2706, Toronto Dominion Bank Tower, P.O. Box 24, Toronto-Dominion Centre,

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Toronto, Ontario, M5K 1A1. Our principal office in the United States is Metro Center, One Station Place, Stamford, Connecticut 06902.

        We are a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. We organize our operations in four market groups that are structured on the basis of the customers they serve:


USE OF PROCEEDS

        We estimate that the net proceeds from the offering, after deducting the underwriting commission of $1,000,000 and expenses of the offering of approximately $200,000, will be approximately $247,735,000. We intend to use the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes.

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial information for our company. Except as noted below, the selected consolidated financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, our audited annual consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. The selected consolidated financial information as of and for the three month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for a full year.

 
   Three Months Ended March 31,
   Year Ended December 31,
  
 
   2004
   2003(1)
   2003(1)
   2002(1)
  
 
   (unaudited)

    
    
  
 
   (in millions, except common share data)

  
Consolidated Statement of Earnings:                          
Revenues   $ 1,718   $ 1,582   $ 7,606   $ 7,444  
Cost of sales, selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses     (1,407 )   (1,334 )   (5,542 )   (5,483 )
Depreciation     (141 )   (135 )   (591 )   (537 )
Amortization     (72 )   (72 )   (285 )   (284 )

Restructuring charges
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
(6
)
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit     98     41     1,188     1,134  
Net other income (expense)     —     56     74     (34 )
Net interest expense and other financing costs     (61 )   (65 )   (252 )   (291 )
Income taxes     6     8     (155 )   (161 )
Equity in net losses of associates, net of tax     (1 )   (4 )   (13 )   (101 )
   
 
 
 
 

Earnings from continuing operations
 
 
42
 
 
36
 
 
842
 
 
547
 
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations     (5 )   11     23     57  
   
 
 
 
 

Net earnings
 
 
37
 
 
47
 
 
865
 
 
604
 
Dividends declared on preference shares     (1 )   (5 )   (9 )   (19 )
Net gain on redemption of Series V preference shares     —     24     21     —  
   
 
 
 
 

Earnings attributable to common shares
 
$
36
 
$
66
 
$
877
 
$
585
 
   
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share:                          
  From continuing operations   $ 0.06   $ 0.08   $ 1.31   $ 0.83  
  From discontinued operations     (0.01 )   0.02     0.03     0.08  
   
 
 
 
 
    $ 0.05   $ 0.10   $ 1.34   $ 0.91  
   
 
 
 
 

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic
 
 
655,036,656
 
 
651,802,099
 
 
653,771,414
 
 
641,038,900
 
 
   As of
 
   March 31, 2004
   December 31,
2003(1)
   December 31,
2002(1)
 
   (unaudited)

    
    
 
   (in millions)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Information:                  
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 549   $ 683   $ 709
Total current assets     2,599     3,044     3,022
Total intangible assets     12,790     12,622     12,490
Total assets     18,211     18,685     18,556
Total current liabilities     2,748     3,145     3,205
Long-term debt (less current portion)     3,685     3,684     3,487
Total shareholders' equity     9,135     9,193     8,961
(1)
Amounts for the years ended and as at December 31, 2003 and 2002, as well as for the three months ended March 31, 2003, have been restated to reflect our 2004 change in accounting policy for asset retirement obligations, as discussed in the notes to our unaudited interim financial statements for the three month period ended March 31, 2004. This change resulted from our adoption of new accounting guidance on how to recognize and measure obligations associated with the retirement of property, plant and equipment. This change was applied retroactively for all periods.

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CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization at March 31, 2004, and as adjusted to reflect the net proceeds from this offering and the application of proceeds as described under "Use of Proceeds," as if this offering had occurred on March 31, 2004. The table is based on our unaudited consolidated interim financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The table should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated interim financial statements and other information included in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. For further information regarding our long-term debt, see Note 15 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 
   March 31, 2004
 
   Actual
   As adjusted
 
   (unaudited, in millions, except share data)
Short-term debt   $ 9   $ 9
Current portion of long-term debt     482     234
Long-term debt (less current portion)     3,685     3,685
Notes offered hereby     —     250
   
 
  Total debt(1)(2)(3)     4,176     4,178
   
 

Shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series II preference shares, no par value (authorized, issued and outstanding—6,000,000)     110     110
Common shares, no par value (654,712,294 issued and outstanding; authorized—unlimited)     2,462     2,462
Additional paid in capital related to stock option expense     56     56
Contributed surplus from redemption of Series V preference shares     21     21
Cumulative translation adjustment     276     276
Retained earnings     6,210     6,210
   
 
  Total shareholders' equity     9,135     9,135
   
 
    Total capitalization(4)   $ 13,311   $ 13,313
   
 
(1)
Total debt excludes the effect of related debt swaps, which are included within "Prepaid expenses and other current assets," "Other non-current assets," "Accounts payable and accruals" and "Other non-current liabilities" in the March 31, 2004 unaudited consolidated balance sheet. If this effect had been included, total debt and total capitalization on an actual and as adjusted basis at March 31, 2004 would have been reduced by $200 million.

(2)
As at March 31, 2004, we had no material contingent liabilities or guarantees in respect of any companies, other than our company and our subsidiaries, and those disclosed in Note 18 of our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003.

(3)
Substantially all of our debt is unsecured and ranks equally. Substantially all debt issued by our subsidiaries is guaranteed by our company.

(4)
Other than as reflected herein, there has been no material change to our consolidated capitalization since March 31, 2004.

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INTEREST COVERAGE

        After giving effect to the issue of the Notes and the use of the net proceeds therefrom, the pro-forma annualized interest on our total consolidated indebtedness, including the Notes and other long-term and short-term debt for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004, would amount to $248 million and $242 million, respectively, as at each such date. Our consolidated net earnings before deducting interest expense and other financing costs (including the effect of related debt swaps) and before income taxes for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 were $1,327 million which is 5.36 times the pro-forma annualized interest for that period, and for the 12 months ended March 31, 2004 were $1,281 million which is 5.29 times the pro-forma annualized interest for that period.

        Excluding the results of discontinued operations, consolidated net earnings before deducting interest expense and other financing costs (including the effect of related debt swaps) and before income taxes for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 were $1,260 million which is 5.09 times the pro-forma annualized interest for that period, and for the 12 months ended March 31, 2004 were $1,263 million which is 5.21 times the pro-forma annualized interest for that period.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

        The following description of the Notes offered hereby supplements the description of the general terms of the provisions of the Debt Securities set forth in the accompanying prospectus under "Description of Debt Securities" and should be read in conjunction with that description. The description of the Notes herein shall prevail to the extent of any inconsistency.

        The Notes will be issued under an indenture dated as of November 20, 2001, which we refer to as the Master Indenture, as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture dated November 20, 2001, a second supplemental indenture dated January 24, 2002, a third supplemental indenture dated August 8, 2003, and a fourth supplemental indenture to be dated May 19, 2004, or together, the Trust Indenture, between our company and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as the Trustee. The Trust Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). The Trust Indenture is also subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, although it is exempt from the operation of certain provisions of the Trust Indenture Act pursuant to Rule 4d-9 thereunder.

        Under this caption, capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined have the meanings given to those terms in the Trust Indenture and the terms "we," "us," "our" and "our company" refer to The Thomson Corporation, exclusive of its subsidiaries.

        The aggregate principal amount of the Notes will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The principal of, and interest on, the Notes will be paid in lawful money of the United States. Certain Canadian and United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the Notes are described below under "Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations" and "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations."

        The Notes will have the following terms:

Principal Amount
   Interest Rate
   Maturity Date
$250,000,000   4.75%   May 28, 2010

        The Notes will be repayable at 100% of the principal amount at maturity. The Notes will bear interest from May 19, 2004, payable in semi-annual installments on May 28 and November 28 in each year. Interest on the Notes will be paid to persons in whose names the Notes are registered at the close of business on the preceding May 13 or November 13, respectively. The first interest payment will be due on November 28, 2004.

        The Notes will be direct, unsecured obligations of our company and will rank equally and ratably with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The Notes will rank among themselves equally and ratably without preference or priority.

        We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the Holders, create and issue further notes ranking pari passu with the Notes in all respects (or in all respects except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of the Notes or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of the Notes) and so that such further notes may be consolidated and form a single series with the Notes and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Notes.

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        The Notes will be redeemable in whole or in part at any time, at our option, at a Redemption Price equal to the greater of:

in each case together with accrued interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

        Interest will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

        Holders of Notes to be redeemed will receive notice thereof by first-class mail at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption and, so long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, notice of redemption will be published in a daily newspaper of general circulation in Luxembourg.

        Unless we default in the payment of the Redemption Price, on or after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions thereof called for redemption.

        "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security or securities selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Notes.

        "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date.

        "Independent Investment Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers selected by the Trustee after consultation with our company or, if such firm is unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing in the United States appointed by the Trustee after consultation with our company.

        "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m. New York time on the third business day preceding such Redemption Date.

        "Reference Treasury Dealers" means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its affiliates which are primary U.S. government securities dealers, and their respective successors; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing or its affiliates shall cease to be a primary U.S. government securities dealer in The City of New York (a "Primary Treasury Dealer"), another Primary Treasury Dealer will be substituted therefor by our company.

        "Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated (on a day count basis) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that Redemption Date.

        In addition to the Events of Default provided for in respect of the Indenture Securities in the Master Indenture, subject to certain exceptions that are described in the Trust Indenture, the failure by our company or any Material Subsidiary to pay, when due, the principal of any Debt of our company or any

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Material Subsidiary (other than any Debt which is owed to our company or a Subsidiary) or to pay amounts due under any Guarantee of any Debt if the aggregate principal amount of such obligations and guaranteed obligations exceeds 3% of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity and, in any such case, the time for payment has not been effectively extended, excluding any of the above events in respect of certain Debt where the creditor can only have recourse to an action in damages and/or to specified assets or revenues, will constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Notes.

        The initial Trustee and the Paying Agent under the Trust Indenture for the Notes will be Computershare Trust Company of Canada and Computershare Trust Company Inc., respectively.

        Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourgeoise, 43, Boulevard Royal, L-2955 Luxembourg, which we refer to as the Luxembourg paying agent, will be appointed to act, if definitive Notes are issued, as paying agent in Luxembourg in relation to those Notes. If definitive Notes are issued, we will maintain a paying agent in Luxembourg for as long as any Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Payments in respect of definitive Notes may be made at the offices of the Luxembourg paying agent.

        The Notes will be issued in the form of one or more global certificates representing the Notes, which we refer to as the Global Notes. The Global Notes will be delivered on the date of closing to, and registered in the name of, The Depository Trust Company, as depository or its nominee, which we refer to as DTC. Beneficial interests in the Notes will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants. Owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will not be entitled to receive the Notes in definitive form (except in the very limited circumstances described in this section below) and will not be considered Holders of Notes under the Trust Indenture.

        Investors may elect to hold interests in the Global Notes in the United States through DTC or in Europe through Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, which is known as Clearstream, Luxembourg, or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, which is known as Euroclear, if they are participants of such systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in such systems. Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers' securities accounts in Clearstream, Luxembourg's and Euroclear's names on the books of their respective depositories, which in turn will hold such interests in customers' securities accounts in the depositories' names on the books of DTC. Computershare Trust Company, Inc. will act as depository for Clearstream, Luxembourg and for Euroclear, and we refer to Computershare in such capacities as the U.S. depository. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be held in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.

        Clearstream, Luxembourg is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depository. Clearstream, Luxembourg holds securities for its participating organizations, or Clearstream, Luxembourg customers, and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its customers through electronic book-entry transfers in accounts of Clearstream, Luxembourg customers, eliminating the need for physical movement of Notes. Transactions may be settled in several currencies, including U.S. dollars. Clearstream, Luxembourg provides its customers with, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream, Luxembourg interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depository, Clearstream, Luxembourg is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Monetary Institute. Clearstream, Luxembourg customers are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers, dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations and may include Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. Indirect access to Clearstream, Luxembourg is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and

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trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream, Luxembourg customer, either directly or indirectly.

        Distributions with respect to the Notes held through Clearstream, Luxembourg will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream, Luxembourg customers in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depository for Clearstream, Luxembourg.

        The Euroclear system was created in 1968 to hold securities for its participants and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and the risk from lack of transfers of securities and cash that are not simultaneous. Euroclear provides various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by the Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., which we refer to as the Euroclear operator, under contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems, S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation. All operations are conducted by the Euroclear operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear operator, not the cooperative. The cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear participants. Euroclear participants include banks, including central banks, securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly.

        The Euroclear operator is the Belgian branch of a New York banking corporation which is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. As such, it is regulated and examined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the New York State Banking Department, as well as the Belgian Banking Commission.

        Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law. These terms and conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments for securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear operator acts under the terms and conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear participants.

        Distributions with respect to the Notes held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear participants in accordance with the terms and conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. depository for Euroclear.

        Euroclear has further advised that investors that acquire, hold and transfer interests in the Notes by book-entry through accounts with the Euroclear operator or any other securities intermediary are subject to the laws and contractual provisions governing their relationship with their intermediary, as well as the laws and contractual provisions governing the relationship between such an intermediary and each other intermediary, if any, standing between themselves and the Global Notes.

        The Euroclear operator has advised that under Belgian law, investors that are credited with securities on the records of the Euroclear operator have a co-property right in the fungible pool of interests in securities on deposit with the Euroclear operator in an amount equal to the amount of interests in securities credited to their accounts. In the event of the insolvency of the Euroclear operator, Euroclear participants would have a right under Belgian law to the return of the amount and type of interests in securities credited to their accounts with the Euroclear operator. If the Euroclear operator did not have a sufficient amount of interests in securities on deposit of a particular type to cover the claims of all participants credited with such interests in securities on the Euroclear operator's records, all participants having an amount of interests in securities of such type credited to their accounts with the Euroclear

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operator would have the right under Belgian law to the return of their pro rata share of the amount of interests in securities actually on deposit.

        Under Belgian law, the Euroclear operator is required to pass on the benefits of ownership in any interests in securities on deposit with it, such as dividends, voting rights and other entitlements, to any person credited with such interests in securities on its records.

        Individual certificates in respect of the Notes will not be issued in exchange for the Global Notes, except in very limited circumstances. If DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing system in connection with the Global Notes or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor clearing system is not appointed by our company within 90 days after receiving such notice from DTC or upon becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered, we will issue or cause to be issued individual certificates in registered form on registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, book-entry interests in the Notes represented by such Global Notes upon delivery of such Global Notes for cancellation. In the event that individual certificates are issued, Holders will be able to receive payments, including principal and interest, on the Notes and effect transfer of the Notes at the offices of our company's paying and transfer agent in Luxembourg, Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourgeoise.

        Title to book-entry interests in the Notes will pass by book-entry registration of the transfer within the records of Clearstream, Luxembourg, Euroclear or DTC, as the case may be, in accordance with their respective procedures. Book-entry interests in the Notes may be transferred within Clearstream, Luxembourg and within Euroclear and between Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear in accordance with procedures established for these purposes by Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear. Book-entry interests in the Notes may be transferred within DTC in accordance with procedures established for this purpose by DTC. Transfers of book-entry interests in the Notes among Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear and DTC may be effected in accordance with procedures established for this purpose by Clearstream, Luxembourg, Euroclear and DTC.

        Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC's rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System. Secondary market trading between Clearstream, Luxembourg customers and/or Euroclear participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional Eurobonds in immediately available funds.

        Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream, Luxembourg customers or Euroclear participants, on the other, will be effected in DTC in accordance with DTC's rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. depository for that system; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines, in European time. The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to the U.S. depository to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering interests in the Notes to or receiving interests in the Notes from DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream, Luxembourg customers and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions directly to DTC.

        Because of time-zone differences, credits of interest in the Notes received in Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Those credits or any transactions involving interests in such Notes settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Clearstream, Luxembourg customers or Euroclear participants on that business

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day. Cash received in Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear as a result of sales of interests in the Notes by or through a Clearstream, Luxembourg customer or a Euroclear participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

        Although DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the Notes among participants of DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be changed or discontinued at any time.

        We may also decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear (or a successor securities depository).

        According to DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear, the foregoing information with respect to DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear has been provided to the industry for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty, or contract modification of any kind.

        The information in this section concerning DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear and DTC's, Clearstream, Luxembourg's or Euroclear's system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but is subject to any changes to the arrangements between our company and DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear and any changes to such procedures that may be instituted unilaterally by DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear.

        The Notes will be redeemable, at our option, in whole and not in part at any time, on not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days prior written notice, at 100% of the aggregate principal amount, together with accrued interest thereon to the Redemption Date, in the event we have become or would become obligated to pay, on the next date on which any amount would be payable with respect to the Notes, any Additional Amounts (as defined below) as a result of a change in the laws (including any regulations promulgated thereunder) of Canada (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein), or any change in any official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change is announced or becomes effective on or after the date of this prospectus supplement.

        All payments made by our company under or with respect to the Notes will be made free and clear of, and without withholding or deduction for or on account of, any present or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other governmental charge imposed or levied by or on behalf of the Government of Canada or of any province or territory thereof or by any authority or agency therein or thereof having power to tax (collectively, "Taxes"), unless we are required to withhold or deduct Taxes by law or by the interpretation or administration thereof. If we are so required to withhold or deduct any amount for or on account of Taxes from any payment made under or with respect to the Notes and the Notes are not redeemed in accordance with the provisions described under "—Redemption for Changes in Canadian Withholding Taxes," we will pay such additional amounts ("Additional Amounts") as may be necessary so that the net amount received by each Holder (including Additional Amounts) after such withholding or deduction will not be less than the amount the Holder would have received if such Taxes had not been withheld or deducted; provided that no Additional Amounts will be payable with respect to a payment made to a Holder (an "Excluded Holder"):

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        We will also make such withholding or deduction and remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law.

        We will furnish to Holders, within 30 days after the date the payment of any Taxes is due pursuant to applicable law, certified copies of tax receipts evidencing such payment by our company. We will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder (other than an Excluded Holder) and upon written request reimburse each such Holder for the amount of:

        At least 10 days prior to each date on which any payment under or with respect to the Notes is due and payable, if we will be obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such payment, we will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating the fact that such Additional Amounts will be payable and the amounts so payable, and will set forth such other information necessary to enable the Trustee to pay such Additional Amounts to Holders (other than an Excluded Holder) on the payment date. Whenever in the Trust Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of principal (and premium, if any), interest or any other amount payable under or with respect to any Note, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof.

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        We shall not be obliged to pay any Additional Amounts in respect of any withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other governmental charge imposed or levied in respect of a payment to an individual where such withholding or deduction is required to be made pursuant to Council Directive 2003/48/EC of June 3, 2003 on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments or any other Directive otherwise implementing the conclusions of the ECOFIN Council meeting of November 26-27, 2000 or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, any such Directive.

        Any money that we deposit with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or held by us in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or any interest on any Note that remains unclaimed for two years after the date upon which the principal, premium, if any, or interest are due and payable, will be repaid to our company upon our request subject to the mandatory provisions of any applicable unclaimed property law. After that time, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of any unclaimed property law, the Holder will be able to seek any payment to which that Holder may be entitled to collect only from our company.

        Our obligation to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) and interest on the Notes will cease if the Notes are not presented for payment within a period of 10 years and a claim for interest is not made within five years from the date on which such principal, premium, if any, or interest, as the case may be, becomes due and payable.

        Notices to Holders will be sent by mail to the registered Holders and will be published, whether the Notes are in global or definitive form, so long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange in a daily newspaper of general circulation in Luxembourg. It is expected that publication will be made in Luxembourg in the Luxembourg Wort. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such publication. So long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, any appointment of or change in the Luxembourg paying agent and transfer agent will be published in Luxembourg in the manner set forth above.

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CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        Under the existing laws of Canada and the current administrative practice of the Canada Revenue Agency the payment by our company of interest, principal or premium on the Notes to a holder who is a non-resident of Canada and with whom we deal at arm's length within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada), or the Act, at the time of making the payment will be exempt from Canadian withholding tax. For the purposes of the Act, related persons (as therein defined) are deemed not to deal at arm's length and it is a question of fact whether persons not related to each other deal at arm's length.

        No other tax on income (including taxable capital gains) will be payable under the Act in respect of the holding, redemption or disposition of the Notes or the receipt of interest or premium thereon by holders who are neither residents nor deemed to be residents of Canada for the purposes of the Act and who do not use or hold and are not deemed to use or hold the Notes in carrying on business in Canada for the purposes of the Act. The foregoing may not be applicable to a holder that is a non-resident insurer that carries on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere.

        This summary is of a general nature only and does not take into account tax legislation or considerations of any jurisdiction other than Canada. Purchasers of the Notes should consult their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.


CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        The following is a summary of the principal United States federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of a Note by an initial purchaser thereof that is, for United States federal income tax purposes, an individual citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, and any trust if (i) a United States court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and (ii) one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or if the trust has validly made an election to be treated as a U.S. person under the applicable Treasury regulations, which we refer to collectively as a U.S. Holder. If a partnership holds a Note, the United States federal income tax consequences will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner of a partnership that holds a Note should consult its tax advisor regarding the United States federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of a Note.

        This summary only applies to U.S. Holders that hold a Note as a "capital asset" for investment under Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). This summary is based on laws, the Code, Treasury regulations, rulings and decisions in effect on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect) and differing interpretations. This summary is intended for general information only, and does not discuss all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to the particular circumstances of a U.S. Holder or to U.S. Holders subject to special tax rules, such as banks, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities or foreign currency, or persons that hold Notes that are a hedge or that are hedged against currency risks or that are part of a straddle or conversion transaction. Prospective purchasers of the Notes should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of United States federal income tax law, as well as the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction, to their particular situations. See "Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations."

        For United States federal income tax purposes, interest (including any Canadian withholding tax or Additional Amounts, if any) on a Note generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary income at the time received or accrued, in accordance with such holder's method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. Interest paid by us on the Notes will generally constitute income from sources outside the United States and, with certain exceptions, will be "passive" or "financial services" income,

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which is treated separately from other types of income for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit allowable to a U.S. Holder.

        Upon the sale, exchange or redemption of a Note, a U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss, if any, for United States federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between the amount realized on such sale, exchange or redemption (other than amounts received that are attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will be taxable as ordinary income to the extent not previously included in gross income of the U.S. Holder) and such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note. Assuming the Note was held by a U.S. Holder as a capital asset, such gain or loss generally will constitute capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Note was held by such U.S. Holder for more than one year. Non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) can qualify for preferential rates of United States federal income taxation in respect of long-term capital gains. The deduction of capital losses is subject to limitation under the Code. Gain or loss by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange, or redemption of a Note will generally be United States source gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes, unless it is attributable to an office or other fixed place of business outside the United States and certain other conditions are met.

        In general, information reporting requirements will apply to interest and to the proceeds received on the disposition of the Notes paid within the United States (and in certain cases, outside the United States) to U.S. Holders. A 28% backup withholding tax may apply to such amounts if a U.S. Holder (i) fails to establish properly that it is entitled to an exemption, (ii) fails to furnish or certify his or her correct taxpayer identification number to the payer in the manner required, (iii) is notified by the IRS that he or she has failed to report payments of interest or dividends properly, or (iv) under certain circumstances, fails to certify that he or she is not subject to backup withholding for failure to report interest or dividend payments. The amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder's United States federal income tax liability.

        The preceding discussion of certain United States federal income tax consequences is for general information only and is not tax advice. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors as to the particular tax consequences to them of purchasing, holding and disposing of the Notes, including the applicability and effect of any federal, state, local or foreign tax laws, and of any proposed changes in applicable law.


EUROPEAN UNION DIRECTIVE ON THE TAXATION OF SAVINGS INCOME

        The European Union has adopted a Directive regarding taxation of savings income (Council Directive 2003/48/EC of June 3, 2003). Subject to a number of important conditions being met, it is proposed that countries that are members of the European Union (the "Member States") will be required from a date not earlier than January 1, 2005 to provide to the tax authorities of other Member States details of payments of interest and other similar income paid by a person to an individual in another Member State, except that Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg will instead impose a withholding system for a transitional period unless during such period they elect otherwise. It is expected that a number of third countries and territories including Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Andorra, San Marino, the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands (including Jersey and Guernsey), the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba, Anguilla, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands will adopt similar measures with effect from the same date.

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UNDERWRITING

        Subject to the terms and conditions stated in an underwriting agreement and the related terms agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as the underwriter, has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to the underwriter, all of the Notes offered hereby.

        The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriter to purchase the Notes included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriter is obligated to purchase all the Notes if they purchase any of the Notes.

        The underwriter proposes to offer some of the Notes directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. After the initial offering of the Notes to the public, the underwriter may change the public offering price of the Notes.

        In connection with this offering, the underwriter may purchase and sell the Notes in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions. Overallotment involves sales of the Notes in excess of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased by the underwriter in this offering, which creates a short position. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of the Notes made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Notes while the offering is in progress.

        Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Notes. They may also cause the price of the Notes to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriter may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriter commences any of these transactions, it may discontinue them at any time.

        We estimate that total expenses for this offering will be $200,000, exclusive of underwriting discounts and commissions.

        The underwriter has performed investment banking and advisory services for our company from time to time for which it has received customary fees and expenses. The underwriter may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for our company in the ordinary course of its business.

        We have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments the underwriter may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

        The underwriter has represented and agreed that it has not and will not offer, sell or deliver any of the Notes directly or indirectly, or distribute this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material relating to the Notes, in or from any jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations thereof and in a manner that will not impose any obligations on us, except as set forth in the underwriting agreement.

        The Notes will not be qualified for sale under the securities laws of Canada or any province or territory of Canada and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Canada or to any resident of Canada in contravention of the securities laws of any province or territory of Canada. The underwriter has represented and agreed that it will not offer, sell or deliver the Notes, directly or indirectly, in Canada or to any resident of Canada in contravention of the securities laws of any province or territory of Canada, and that any selling agreement or similar arrangement with respect to the Notes will require any dealer or other party thereto to make a representation to the same effect.

        The Notes are offered for sale in those jurisdictions in the United States and the United Kingdom and elsewhere where it is lawful to make such offers.

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        The underwriter has represented and agreed that it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, with respect to anything done by it in relation to any Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

        The underwriter has represented and agreed that offers and sales of the Notes in Germany are subject to restrictions provided in the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapier-Verkaufsprospektgesetz), in particular, the Notes may not be offered in Germany by way of public promotion.

        Although application will be made to list the Notes on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, the Notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. The sale of the Notes is not conditioned on obtaining the listing on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. No assurance can be given as to the approval of the listing application of, the liquidity of, or the trading markets for the Notes. Purchasers of the Notes may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges in accordance with the laws and practices of the country of purchase in addition to the issue prices set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. We have been advised by the underwriter that it intends to make a market in the Notes, but it is not obligated to do so and may discontinue such market-making at any time without notice.

        It is expected that the delivery of the Notes will be made against payment therefor on or about the date specified in the last paragraph of the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which will be the fifth business day following the date of pricing of the Notes. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade Notes on the date of pricing or the succeeding business day will be required, by virtue of the fact that the Notes initially will settle in T+5, to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of Notes who wish to trade Notes on the date of pricing or the succeeding business day should consult their own advisor.


CREDIT RATINGS

        Our long-term unsecured debt securities are rated A3 (stable) by Moody's and A-(stable) by S&P.

        Moody's credit ratings are on a long-term debt rating scale that ranges from Aaa to C, which represents the range from highest to lowest quality of such securities rated. According to the Moody's rating system, debt securities rated "A3 (stable)" are considered upper-medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future. Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa in its corporate bond rating system. The modifier 1 indicates that the issue ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category, the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.

        S&P's credit ratings are on a long-term debt rating scale that ranges from AAA to D, which represents the range from highest to lowest quality of such securities rated. According to the S&P rating system, an obligation rated "A-" is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligations is still strong. The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

        The credit ratings accorded to the Notes by Moody's and S&P are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell the Notes inasmuch as such ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. There is no assurance that any rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that any rating will not be revised or withdrawn entirely by either Moody's or S&P in the future if in its judgment circumstances so warrant.

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LEGAL MATTERS

        Legal matters relating to the Notes being offered hereby will be passed upon for our company by Torys LLP, New York, New York and Toronto, Ontario with respect to matters of United States and Canadian law and for the underwriter by Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York, New York, with respect to matters of United States law. As at May 12, 2004, lawyers of Torys LLP owned beneficially, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of any class of outstanding securities of our company.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Listing

        Application will be made to list the Notes on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. In connection with the listing application, the Articles of Incorporation of our company, and a legal notice relating to the issuance of the Notes have been deposited prior to listing with the Registrar of Commerce and Companies in Luxembourg ("Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés à Luxembourg"), where copies thereof will be available upon request. Copies of the above documents together with this prospectus supplement, the prospectus, the Trust Indenture and the documents listed under the heading "Documents Incorporated by Reference" as well as all future annual reports, quarterly reports and material change reports, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding and listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, will be made available free of charge at the main office of Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourgeoise. The underwriting agreement will be available for inspection at Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourgeoise. Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourgeoise will act as intermediary between our company and the holders of the Notes so long as the Notes are in global form.

        The consolidated financial statements contained in our annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2003 have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. We are not required under applicable law, do not, and do not intend in the future to, distribute any non-consolidated financial statements and accordingly none are included herein.

Authorization

        The Notes will be issued pursuant to authority granted by the board of directors of our company on May 5, 2004.

Material Change

        There has been no material adverse change in the financial position or operations of our company and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis since December 31, 2003, except as disclosed herein or in the documents incorporated by reference.

Litigation

        Neither our company nor any subsidiary is involved in any legal or arbitration proceedings, nor to our knowledge, are any legal or arbitration proceedings pending or threatened involving our company, or any subsidiary, which may have or have had during the 12 months prior to the date of this prospectus supplement a material effect on the financial position of our company and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

Identification Numbers

        The Notes have been accepted for clearance through Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg (ISIN: US884903AU90; CUSIP: 884903 AU 9).

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This short form base shelf prospectus has been filed under legislation in each of the provinces of Canada that permits certain information about these securities to be determined after this prospectus has become final and that permits the omission from this prospectus of that information. The legislation requires the delivery to purchasers of a prospectus supplement containing the omitted information within a specified period of time after agreeing to purchase any of these securities.

This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. No securities regulatory authority has expressed an opinion about these securities and it is an offence to claim otherwise.

SHORT FORM BASE SHELF PROSPECTUS

New Issue   October 17, 2003

GRAPHIC

The Thomson Corporation

US$2,000,000,000

Debt Securities
(unsecured)

We may from time to time issue one or more series of unsecured debt securities, which we refer to as Debt Securities, in an aggregate principal amount of up to US$2,000,000,000 (or the equivalent in other currencies) or, if any Debt Securities are issued at an original issue discount, such greater amount as shall result in an aggregate issue price of US$2,000,000,000 (or the equivalent in other currencies), during the 25 month period that this short form prospectus, including any amendments hereto, remains valid.

We will provide the specific terms of the Debt Securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplements carefully before you invest.

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY AND ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

We are permitted, under a multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States and Canada, to prepare this prospectus in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements, which are different from those of the United States. We prepare our financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, and our financial statements are subject to Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory auditor independence standards. Our financial statements may not be comparable to financial statements of U.S. companies.

Owning the Debt Securities may have tax consequences in both the United States and Canada. This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement may not describe these tax consequences fully. You should consult your own tax advisor with respect to your own particular circumstances and read the tax discussion in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

Your ability to enforce civil liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws may be affected adversely because we are incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, some of our officers and directors and some of the experts named in this prospectus are residents of Canada and some of our assets and some of the assets of those officers, directors and experts may be located outside of the United States.


Table of Contents

 
   Page
About This Prospectus   2
Where You Can Find More Information   3
Documents Incorporated by Reference   3
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements   4
Risk Factors   5
The Thomson Corporation   6
Our Business   6
Use of Proceeds   6
Interest Coverage   7
Share Capital   7
Description of Debt Securities   7
Plan of Distribution   18
Certain Income Tax Considerations   18
Legal Matters   19
Experts   19
Documents Filed As Part of The Registration Statement   19
Purchasers' Statutory Rights   19
Certificate of The Thomson Corporation   20


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        In this prospectus, the words "we," "us," "our" and "our company" and other similar words are references to The Thomson Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise. All references in this prospectus to "$" or "US$" are to U.S. dollars.

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form F-9 relating to the Debt Securities that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Under this "shelf" registration process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of Debt Securities in one or more offerings up to an aggregate principal amount of US$2,000,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the Debt Securities that we may offer. Each time we sell Debt Securities under the registration statement, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering of Debt Securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before you invest, you should read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information." This prospectus does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. You should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement for further information with respect to our company and the Debt Securities.

        We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, or Canadian GAAP, which differs from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. Therefore, our consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus may not be comparable to financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. You should refer to Note 25 of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002 for a discussion of the principal differences between our financial results calculated under Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP (and the

2


corresponding notes for subsequent years). Unless otherwise indicated, financial information in this prospectus has been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        Information has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus from documents filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada. Copies of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus may be obtained on request without charge from the Secretary, The Thomson Corporation, Suite 2706, Toronto Dominion Bank Tower, Toronto-Dominion Centre, Toronto, Ontario, M5K 1A1 (telephone no. (416) 360-8700). For the purpose of the Province of Québec, this simplified prospectus contains information to be completed by consulting the permanent information record. A copy of the permanent information record may be obtained from the Secretary of our company at the above-mentioned address and telephone number.

        You may also access our disclosure documents and any reports, statements or other information that we file with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada through the Internet on the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval, which is commonly known by the acronym SEDAR and which may be accessed at www.sedar.com. SEDAR is the Canadian equivalent of the SEC's Electronic Document Gathering and Retrieval System, which is commonly known by the acronym EDGAR and which may be accessed at www.sec.gov. In addition to our continuous disclosure obligations under the securities laws of the provinces of Canada, we are subject to the information requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, file reports and other information with the SEC.

        You may read any document we file with or furnish to the SEC at the SEC's public reference rooms at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at 233 Broadway, New York, New York, 10279 and at 500 West Meridian Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. You may also obtain copies of the same documents from the public reference room of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20549 by paying a fee. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or access its website at www.sec.gov for further information on the public reference rooms. Our filings are also electronically available from the SEC's EDGAR, as well as from commercial document retrieval services.

        You are invited to read and copy any reports, statements or other information that we file with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada at their respective public reference rooms. Reports and other information about us should also be available for inspection at the offices of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. Under the multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States and Canada, we are permitted to incorporate by reference in this prospectus certain information we file with the SEC and the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information incorporated by reference must be filed as exhibits to the registration statement on Form F-9 that we have filed with the SEC in connection with the Debt Securities.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        The following documents, which have been filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada and with the SEC, are specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus:

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        Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

        Any documents of the type referred to above, any material change reports (excluding confidential reports, if any), all updated interest coverage ratio information, as well as all prospectus supplements disclosing additional or updated information that we file with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the distribution shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent that any document or information incorporated by reference into this prospectus is included in a report that is filed with or furnished to the SEC on Form 40-F or 6-K (or any respective successor form), such document or information shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

        A prospectus supplement containing the specific terms of any Debt Securities will be delivered, together with this prospectus, to purchasers of such Debt Securities and will be deemed to be incorporated into this prospectus for the purposes of securities legislation as of the date of such prospectus supplement, but only for the purposes of the distribution of the Debt Securities to which such prospectus supplement pertains.

        When we file a new annual information form and the related audited comparative consolidated financial statements with, and where required, they are accepted by, the applicable securities regulatory authorities during the time that this prospectus is valid, the previous annual information form, the previous audited comparative consolidated financial statements and all unaudited comparative consolidated financial statements, material change reports and information circulars filed prior to the commencement of our financial year in which the new annual information form is filed will be deemed no longer to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of Debt Securities under this prospectus.

        You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement and on the other information included in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. We are not making an offer of Debt Securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted by law. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the applicable prospectus supplement.


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Some statements included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "may" and "should" and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, which include, but are not limited to:

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        These factors and other risk factors described in some of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that reflect our view only as of the date of this prospectus. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


RISK FACTORS

        Investing in the Debt Securities is subject to certain risks. Before purchasing Debt Securities, you should consider carefully the risk factors set forth below and those under the heading "Risk Factors" in our annual information form, which is contained in our annual report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2002 (and our annual information forms for subsequent years), as well as the other information contained in and incorporated by reference in this prospectus (including subsequently filed documents incorporated by reference) and, if applicable, those described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any event arising from these risks occurs, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

Fluctuations in exchange rates could give rise to foreign currency exposure.

        Debt Securities denominated or payable in foreign currencies may entail significant risks, and the extent and nature of such risks change continuously. These risks include, without limitation, the possibility of significant fluctuations in the foreign currency market, the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls and potential illiquidity in the secondary market. These risks will vary depending on the currency or currencies involved. Prospective purchasers should consult their own financial and legal advisors as to the risks entailed in an investment in Debt Securities denominated in currencies other than the local currency. Debt Securities are not an appropriate investment for investors who are unsophisticated with respect to foreign currency transactions.

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Credit ratings assigned to Debt Securities may change.

        We cannot assure you that any credit rating, if any, assigned to Debt Securities issued hereunder will remain in effect for any given period of time or that any rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by the relevant rating agency. A lowering or withdrawal of such rating may have an adverse effect on the market value of the Debt Securities.

There may not be a trading market for the Debt Securities.

        There is currently no market through which the Debt Securities may be sold. We cannot assure you that a secondary market for trading in the Debt Securities will develop or that any secondary market which does develop will continue.

The Debt Securities will be subordinated to creditors of our subsidiaries.

        We conduct our operations through a number of subsidiaries and to the extent any such subsidiary has or incurs indebtedness with a third party, the holders of the Debt Securities will effectively be subordinated to the claims of the holders of such third party indebtedness, including in the event of liquidation or upon a realization of the assets of any such subsidiary.


THE THOMSON CORPORATION

        The Thomson Corporation was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), Canada by articles of incorporation dated December 28, 1977. We have amended our articles from time to time, most recently on December 5, 1996, and we restated our articles as amended on September 1, 1998. Our registered office is at Suite 2706, Toronto Dominion Bank Tower, P.O. Box 24, Toronto-Dominion Centre, Toronto, Ontario, M5K 1A1. Our principal office in the United States is Metro Center, One Station Place, Stamford, Connecticut 06902.


OUR BUSINESS

        We are a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. We organize our operations in four market groups that are structured on the basis of the customers they serve:


USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement that accompanies this prospectus, the net proceeds from the sale of the Debt Securities will be added to our general funds and we will use them for general corporate purposes including to repay existing indebtedness. We may from time to time issue debt securities and incur additional indebtedness other than through an offering under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplements.

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INTEREST COVERAGE

        After giving effect to our issuance on August 5, 2003 of US$200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.25% notes due 2009 and US$250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.25% notes due 2013 and the use of the net proceeds from that offering, as if such offering occurred at the beginning of each period, the pro-forma interest, including these new notes and other long-term and short-term debt for the 12 months ended December 31, 2002 and June 30, 2003, would amount to US$261 million and US$242 million, respectively, for each such period. Our consolidated net earnings before deducting interest expense and other financing costs (including the effect of related debt swaps) and before income taxes for the 12 months ended December 31, 2002 were US$1,093 million, which is 4.19 times the pro-forma interest for that period, and for the 12 months ended June 30, 2003 were US$1,196 million, which is 4.93 times the pro-forma interest for that period.

        Excluding the results of discontinued operations, consolidated net earnings before deducting interest expense and other financing costs (including the effect of related debt swaps) and before income taxes for the 12 months ended December 31, 2002 were US$1,015 million, which is 3.89 times the pro-forma interest for that period, and for the 12 months ended June 30, 2003 were US$1,127 million, which is 4.65 times the pro-forma interest for that period.

        These coverage ratios do not give effect to the issuance of Debt Securities that may be issued pursuant to this prospectus.


SHARE CAPITAL

        Our authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares and an unlimited number of preference shares without par value issuable in series. As of September 30, 2003, 654,471,459 common shares and 6,000,000 Series II cumulative redeemable floating rate preference shares were outstanding.


DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        This section describes certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities. We will provide the particular terms and provisions of a series of Debt Securities and a description of how the general terms and provisions described below apply to that series in a prospectus supplement. Thus, for a description of the terms of a particular series of Debt Securities, you must refer to both the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series and the description of the Debt Securities contained in this prospectus. In this section, the words "we," "us," "our" and "our company" refer only to The Thomson Corporation and not to any of our consolidated subsidiaries.

        Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the Debt Securities will be issued under a trust indenture dated November 20, 2001, as amended and supplemented from time to time, between our company and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, which we refer to below as the Trustee. The trust indenture is subject to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and the provisions of the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, although it is exempt from the operation of certain provisions of the Trust Indenture Act pursuant to Rule 4d-9 thereunder. We filed a copy of the form of trust indenture on November 8, 2001 with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and as an exhibit to a registration statement that we filed with the SEC.

        This summary information does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Debt Securities and the trust indenture, including the definition of certain terms in the trust indenture. It is the trust indenture, and not this summary, that governs the rights of holders of Debt Securities. Capitalized terms that are used below and not defined have the meanings assigned to them in the trust indenture. We have defined selected terms at the end of this section. Section references below are to sections of the trust indenture.

        The trust indenture does not limit the amount of Debt Securities that may be issued under the trust indenture. The trust indenture provides that Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series and may be denominated and payable in U.S. dollars or any other currency. We may offer no more than

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US$2,000,000,000 (or the equivalent in non-U.S. Currency) aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities pursuant to this prospectus. The specific terms of any series of Debt Securities will be established at the time of issuance and will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. These terms may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:

        The trust indenture also provides that there may be more than one Trustee under the trust indenture, each with respect to one or more different series of Debt Securities. See "—Resignation of Trustee" below for more information. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the trust indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee as described in this prospectus shall extend only to the one or more series of Debt Securities for which it is trustee. If more than one trustee is acting under the trust indenture, then the Debt Securities (whether of one or more than one series) for which each trustee is acting shall in effect be treated as if issued under separate trust indentures. At a time when two or more trustees are acting, each with respect to only a certain series, the term "Debt Securities" as used in this prospectus shall mean the one or more series with respect to which each respective Trustee is acting.

        Some or all of the Debt Securities may be issued under the trust indenture as Original Issue Discount Securities (bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates) to be issued at prices below their stated principal amounts.

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        The general provisions of the trust indenture do not contain any provisions that would limit the ability of our company to incur indebtedness or that would afford Holders protection in the event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving our company.

        Under the trust indenture, we will have the ability, in addition to the ability to issue Debt Securities with terms different from those of other Debt Securities previously issued, without the consent of the Holders, to reopen a previous issue of a series of Debt Securities and issue additional Debt Securities of such series. (Section 301)

        The Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of our company and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of our company.

        Debt Securities of a series may be issuable solely as registered Debt Securities issuable in denominations of US$1,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 or in such other denominations as may be provided for by the terms of the Debt Securities of any particular series. The trust indenture also provides that Debt Securities of a series may be issuable in global form, which we refer to as Global Securities. Debt Securities of any series will be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. (Section 305)

        The Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as described above, and Debt Securities may be presented for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer), at the corporate trust office of the Trustee or at the office of any transfer agent designated by our company for such purpose with respect to any series of Debt Securities. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. We may at any time designate one or more successor or additional transfer agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities and may from time to time rescind any such designation. (Section 305) We will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for such series. (Section 1002)

        So long as required by the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), we shall cause to be kept, by our company or a trust corporation registered in Ontario, a central securities register that complies with the requirements of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). Additionally, we will cause to be recorded promptly in the central securities register maintained pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), the particulars of each issue, exchange or transfer of Debt Securities. Unless otherwise provided for in the case of any series of Debt Securities, the Trustee shall maintain at its corporate trust office a branch register containing the same information with respect to each entry contained therein as contained in the central register. In the event of a conflict between the information contained in the central register and the information contained in a branch register, the information contained in the central register shall prevail. (Section 305)

        We shall not be required to:

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        The trust indenture provides, with respect to any series of Outstanding Debt Securities thereunder, that the following shall constitute Events of Default:

        No Event of Default provided with respect to a particular series of Debt Securities necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of Debt Securities. (Section 501) We are required to file with the Trustee, annually, an Officer's Certificate as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the trust indenture. (Section 1004) The trust indenture provides that the Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders of Debt Securities of any default (except payment defaults on the Debt Securities) if it considers it in the best interest of the Holders of Debt Securities to do so. (Section 502)

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        If an Event of Default listed in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (vi) of the second preceding paragraph with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may declare the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default listed in clause (v) of the preceding paragraph occurs and is continuing, then the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all Debt Securities then Outstanding may declare the principal amount of all of the Outstanding Debt Securities to be due and payable immediately. However, in either case the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series, or of all Outstanding Debt Securities, as the case may be, by written notice to us and the Trustee, may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such declaration. (Section 503)

        Subject to the provisions relating to the duties of the Trustee, in case an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any or all series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the trust indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of such Debt Securities, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request. (Section 508) Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series (with respect to any remedy, trust or power relating to or arising under an Event of Default described in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (vi) above) or the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Debt Securities (with respect to any other remedy, trust or power), as the case may be, shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee under the trust indenture, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. (Section 513)

        The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of such series waive any past default described in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (vi) above (or, in the case of a default described in clause (v) above, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Debt Securities may waive any such past default) and its consequences, except a default (a) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or any interest on any Debt Security, or (b) in respect of a covenant or provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series affected thereby. (Section 514)

        The trust indenture will provide that, so long as any Debt Securities are Outstanding, we will not:

        without at the same time or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter according to the Holders of Debt Securities a ratable and pari passu interest in the same Security Interest or Guarantee, as applicable, but this covenant will not apply to, or operate to prevent:

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        Modification and amendment of the trust indenture may be made by our company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Debt Securities that are affected by such modification or amendment; provided that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, among other things;

        The Holders of a majority in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities affected thereby have the right to waive compliance by our company with certain covenants. (Section 1008)

        Our company and the Trustee may modify and amend the trust indenture without the consent of any Holder, for any of the following purposes:

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        The trust indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Debt Securities of a series then Outstanding have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver thereunder:

        The trust indenture provides that our company may not amalgamate or consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer, sale or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

        In addition, no such amalgamation, consolidation, merger or transfer may be made if, as a result thereof, any property or assets of our company would become subject to any mortgage or other encumbrance securing Debt, unless such mortgage or other encumbrance could be created pursuant to the provisions described under "—Negative Pledge" above without equally and ratably securing the Debt Securities or unless the Debt Securities are secured equally and ratably with, or prior to, the Debt secured by such mortgage or other encumbrance. (Section 803)

        We may discharge certain obligations to Holders of any series of Debt Securities issued under the trust indenture which have not already been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and which have either become due and payable or are by their terms due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with the Trustee trust funds in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on such Debt Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (if such Debt Securities have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be. (Section 401)

        We may, at our option and at any time, elect to have our obligations discharged with respect to the Outstanding Debt Securities of or within any series, which we refer to as defeasance. Defeasance means that we

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shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Debt Securities and to have satisfied our other obligations under the trust indenture with respect to such Debt Securities, except for:


        We may, at our option and at any time, elect to be released from our obligations with respect to certain covenants that are described in the trust indenture (including those described under "—Negative Pledge" and "—Merger, Consolidation or Amalgamation" above), and we refer to this as "covenant defeasance," and any omission to comply with such obligations thereafter shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default with respect to such Debt Securities. (Sections 1401, 1402 and 1403)

        In order to exercise either defeasance or covenant defeasance:

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        If, after we have deposited funds and/or Government Obligations to effect defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to any Debt Securities:

        All payments of principal of (and premium, if any), and interest, if any, on any Debt Security that is payable in a Currency other than U.S. dollars that ceases to be used by its government of issuance shall be made in U.S. dollars. (Section 312)

        Unless otherwise specified in Section 301 of the trust indenture, principal (premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Debt Securities will be payable at an office or agency maintained by our company in New York, New York, except that at our option, interest, if any, may be paid by

        Payment of any installment of interest on Debt Securities will be made to the Person in whose name such Debt Security is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. (Section 307)

        Any Paying Agent outside the United States and any other Paying Agent in the United States initially designated by our company for the Debt Securities may be established for each series of Debt Securities. We may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for such series. (Section 1002)

        The Trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series. (Section 608) In the event that two or more persons are acting as Trustee with respect to different series of Debt Securities, each such Trustee shall be a Trustee of a trust under the trust indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other such Trustee (Section 609), and any action described herein to be taken by the "Trustee" may then be taken by each such Trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more series of Debt Securities for which it is Trustee.

        The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary for a series of Debt Securities. Global Securities may be issued in either temporary or permanent form. Unless otherwise provided for a series of Debt Securities, Debt Securities that are represented by a Global Security will be issued in denominations of

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US$1,000 and any integral multiple thereof or in such other denominations as may be provided for by the terms of the Debt Securities of any particular series, and will be issued in registered form only, without coupons. Payments of principal of (premium, if any) and interest on Debt Securities represented by a Global Security will be made by the Trustee to the depositary or its nominee.

        The trust indenture and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. The trust indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Legislation and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions. (Section 111)

        The trust indenture provides that we have designated Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19805-1297, as our authorized agent for service of process in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the trust indenture and the Debt Securities that may be instituted in any federal or state court located in the Borough of Manhattan, in The City of New York, or brought under United States federal or state securities laws or brought by the Trustee, and has irrevocably submitted to the jurisdiction of such courts. (Section 113)

        Since some of our assets are outside the United States, any judgment obtained in the United States against us, including any judgment with respect to the payment of interest and principal on the Debt Securities, may not be collectible within the United States.

        We have been informed by our counsel, Torys LLP, that a court of competent jurisdiction in the Province of Ontario would enforce a final and conclusive judgment in personam of a court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, New York, which we refer to as a New York court, that is subsisting and unsatisfied respecting the enforcement of the trust indenture and the Debt Securities that is not impeachable as void or voidable under the internal laws of the State of New York for a sum certain if:

        We have been advised by such counsel that there is some doubt as to the enforceability in Canada, against our company or against any of our respective directors, officers and experts who are not residents of the United States, by a court in original actions, or in actions to enforce judgments of United States courts, of civil liabilities predicated solely upon the United States federal securities laws.

Definitions

        Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the trust indenture. Reference is made to the trust indenture for the full definition of all such terms, as well as any other terms used herein for which no definition is provided. (Section 101)

        "Business Day", when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other location referred to in the trust indenture, expressly or impliedly, which shall include Toronto, Ontario, New York, New York and London,

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England, hereunder, or in the Debt Securities, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Debt Securities pursuant to Section 301, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other such location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

        "Consolidated Shareholders' Equity" means the aggregate of the stated capital accounts for all outstanding shares of our company and the amount of consolidated surplus of our company and our Subsidiaries, whether paid in, earned, or otherwise, as such consolidated surplus is shown on the then most recent audited consolidated balance sheet of our company, determined in accordance with GAAP.

        "Debt" means notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of indebtedness for money borrowed.

        "Funded Obligation" means any Debt, the principal amount of which by its terms is not payable on demand and the due date of payment of which, after giving effect to any right of extension or renewal exercisable unilaterally on the part of the obligor, is more than 18 months from the date of the creation, issue or incurring of the same.

        "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles which are in effect from time to time in Canada (or, if we hereafter determine to prepare our principal consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles which are in effect from time to time in the United States, such principles).

        "Guarantee" means any guarantee, indemnity or similar obligation.

        "Material Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of our company the sales of which for the 12 months ending at the end of the most recently completed fiscal year of such Subsidiary represent 5% or more of the sales of our company and its consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole for the 12 months ending at the end of the most recently completed fiscal year of our company, or the gross assets of which as at the end of the most recently completed fiscal year of such Subsidiary represent 5% or more of the gross assets of our company and its consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole as at the end of the most recently completed fiscal year of our company, calculated in each case in accordance with GAAP.

        "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which at the time of determination our company, directly and/or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries, owns more than 50% of the shares of Voting Stock of such corporation.

        "Trust Indenture Act" or "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended as in force at the date as of which a trust indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 905 of the trust indenture.

        "Trust Indenture Legislation" means, at any time, statutory provisions relating to trust indentures and the rights, duties, and obligations of trustees under the trust indentures and of corporations issuing debt obligations under trust indentures to the extent that such provisions are at such time in force and applicable to the trust indenture, and at the date of a trust indenture means (i) the applicable provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and the regulations thereunder as amended or re-enacted from time to time, and (ii) the Trust Indenture Act and regulations thereunder, but only to the extent applicable under Rule 4d-9 under the Trust Indenture Act.

        "Voting Stock" means stock of the class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of a corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency). (Section 101)

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the Debt Securities:

        We may sell Debt Securities at fixed prices or at non-fixed prices, such as prices determined by reference to the prevailing price of the specified securities in a specified market, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices to be negotiated with purchasers, which prices may vary as between purchasers and during the period of distribution of the securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of the Debt Securities, including the name or names of any underwriters, the purchase price of such Debt Securities and the proceeds to our company from such sale, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters' compensation, any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. Only underwriters so named in the prospectus supplement are deemed to be underwriters in connection with the Debt Securities offered thereby.

        If underwriters are used in the sale, the Debt Securities may be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase such Debt Securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the Debt Securities of the series offered through the applicable prospectus supplement if any of such Debt Securities are purchased. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

        We may also sell Debt Securities directly at such prices and upon such terms as agreed to by our company and the purchaser or through agents designated by our company from time to time. Any agent involved in the offering and sale of the Debt Securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by our company to such agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent is acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

        We may agree to pay the underwriters a commission for various services relating to the issue and sale of the Debt Securities offered hereby.

        In connection with any offering of the Debt Securities, the underwriters or agents may over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Debt Securities offered at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. Underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the Debt Securities may be entitled under agreements to be entered into with our company to indemnification by our company against certain liabilities, including liabilities under securities legislation, or to contribution with respect to payments which such underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect thereof. These underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for our company in the ordinary course of business.


CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        A prospectus supplement will describe the material Canadian federal income tax consequences to an investor who is not a resident of Canada (for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) of acquiring Debt Securities, including whether payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest will be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax.

        A prospectus supplement will also describe any material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Debt Securities by an initial investor who is a U.S. person (within the meaning of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code), including any such consequences relating to Debt Securities

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payable in a currency other than U.S. dollars, issued at an original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes or containing any early redemption provisions or other special terms.


LEGAL MATTERS

        Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, certain matters relating to the Debt Securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon on behalf of the Corporation by Torys LLP. As of October 17, 2003, the partners and associates of Torys LLP beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of our outstanding common shares. Certain partners of Torys LLP are assistant secretaries of our company and certain of our associates and affiliates.


EXPERTS

        Our consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2002 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent auditors, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The address of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is Suite 3000, P.O. Box 82, Royal Trust Tower, Toronto-Dominion Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5K 1G8.


DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

        The following documents have been filed with the SEC as part of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part:


PURCHASERS' STATUTORY RIGHTS

        Securities legislation in certain of the provinces of Canada provides purchasers with the right to withdraw from an agreement to purchase securities. This right may be exercised within two business days after receipt or deemed receipt of a prospectus and any amendment. In several of the provinces, the securities legislation further provides a purchaser with remedies for rescission or, in some jurisdictions, damages if the prospectus and any amendment contains a misrepresentation or is not delivered to the purchaser, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province. A purchaser of Debt Securities should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province for the particulars of these rights or consult with a legal adviser. Rights and remedies may be available to purchasers under U.S. law; purchasers may wish to consult with a U.S. lawyer for particulars of these rights.

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CERTIFICATE OF THE THOMSON CORPORATION

Date: October 17, 2003

        This short form prospectus, together with the documents incorporated in this prospectus by reference, will, as of the date of the last supplement to this prospectus relating to the securities offered by this prospectus and the supplement(s), constitute full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to the securities offered by this prospectus and the supplement(s) as required by the securities legislation of all of the provinces of Canada. For the purpose of the Province of Québec, this simplified prospectus, as supplemented by the permanent information record, contains no misrepresentation that is likely to affect the value or the market price of the securities to be distributed.


(Signed) RICHARD J. HARRINGTON
President and
Chief Executive Officer
 
(Signed) ROBERT D. DALEO
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

On behalf of the Board of Directors

(Signed) W.G. BEATTIE
Director
 
(Signed) J.A. TORY
Director

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PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE THOMSON CORPORATION
Metro Center, One Station Place
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
United States


TRUSTEE AND PRINCIPAL PAYING AGENT
Computershare Trust Company of Canada
100 University Avenue, 8th floor
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5J 2Y1


LUXEMBOURG PAYING AGENT & TRANSFER AGENT
Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourg
Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourgeoise
43, Boulevard Royal
L-2955 Luxembourg


LEGAL ADVISORS

To The Thomson Corporation
as to matters of United States law and
Canadian law		   To the Underwriter
as to matters of United States law

TORYS LLP
237 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10017-3142
 
SHEARMAN & STERLING LLP
599 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York
10022-6069

Suite 3000
79 Wellington Street West
Box 270, Toronto-Dominion Centre
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5K 1N2
 
 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Suite 3000, Box 82
Royal Trust Tower
Toronto-Dominion Centre
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5K 1G8

LISTING AGENT
Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourg
Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourgeoise
43, Boulevard Royal
L-2955 Luxembourg

US$250,000,000

LOGO

The Thomson Corporation

43/4% Notes due 2010


P R O S P E C T U S    S U P P L E M E N T


Merrill Lynch & Co.

May 12, 2004



QuickLinks

TABLE OF CONTENTS
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
THE THOMSON CORPORATION
USE OF PROCEEDS
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAPITALIZATION
INTEREST COVERAGE
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
EUROPEAN UNION DIRECTIVE ON THE TAXATION OF SAVINGS INCOME
UNDERWRITING
CREDIT RATINGS
LEGAL MATTERS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Table of Contents
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
RISK FACTORS
THE THOMSON CORPORATION
OUR BUSINESS
USE OF PROCEEDS
INTEREST COVERAGE
SHARE CAPITAL
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
LEGAL MATTERS
EXPERTS
DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
PURCHASERS' STATUTORY RIGHTS
CERTIFICATE OF THE THOMSON CORPORATION
PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE THOMSON CORPORATION Metro Center, One Station Place Stamford, Connecticut 06902 United States
TRUSTEE AND PRINCIPAL PAYING AGENT Computershare Trust Company of Canada 100 University Avenue, 8th floor Toronto, Ontario Canada M5J 2Y1
LUXEMBOURG PAYING AGENT & TRANSFER AGENT Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourg Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourgeoise 43, Boulevard Royal L-2955 Luxembourg
LEGAL ADVISORS