Press Releases

New direct broadcast satellite is fully contracted to Telesat’s longstanding customer, Bell TV, for 15 years

Baikonur Space Center, Kazakhstan, May 18, 2012 – Telesat, a leading global fixed satellite services operator, has successfully launched its Nimiq 6 direct broadcast satellite. Nimiq 6 will be located at 91.1 degrees West providing a broad range of video services across Canada.

The newest addition to Telesat’s global fleet, Nimiq 6 carries 32 high powered Ku-band transponders that are fully contracted to Bell TV for 15 years. Bell TV is Canada’s largest provider of satellite direct-to-home television services.

“The state-of-the-art capabilities of Nimiq 6 reflect Telesat’s commitment to bring the most advanced satellite services to our customers,” said Dan Goldberg, President and CEO of Telesat. “Nimiq 6 will contribute to Telesat’s revenue and EBITDA in 2012 and for years to come. We look forward to delivering outstanding quality and reliability to Bell TV over the life of Nimiq 6.”

Nimiq 6 was launched on a Proton Breeze M rocket from the Baikonur Space Center in the Republic of Kazakhstan today at 1:12 a.m. local time. The satellite separated from the upper stage of the rocket and its signal was acquired by Telesat’s tracking station in Gnangara, Australia (near Perth) shortly after spacecraft separation, about nine hours after liftoff.

The Proton Breeze M was built by Russia’s Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and International Launch Services provided mission management.

Nimiq 6 was manufactured by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) and is based on SS/L’s highly reliable 1300 platform. The satellite has a mass of approximately 4500 kg and an expected 15 year mission life. Nimiq 6 will enter into commercial service after it has successfully completed orbit raising and comprehensive in-orbit testing.

About Telesat (www.telesat.com)

Telesat is a leading global fixed satellite services operator providing reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions worldwide to broadcast, telecom, corporate and government customers. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with offices and facilities around the world, the company’s state-of-the-art fleet consists of 13 satellites and the Canadian Ka-band payload on ViaSat-1, plus one satellite under construction. Telesat also manages the operations of additional satellites for third parties. Privately held, Telesat’s principal shareholders are Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Loral Space & Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: LORL).

Forward-Looking Statements Safe Harbor

This news release contains statements that are not based on historical fact and are ‘‘forward-looking statements’’ within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words “expect”, “will”, “look forward to” or other variations of these words or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Detailed information about some of the known risks and uncertainties is included in the “Risk Factors” section of Telesat Canada’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 22,2012, as well as Telesat’s quarterly reports on Form 6-K and other filings with the SEC. These filings can be obtained on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Known risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired satellite performance, volatility in exchange rates and risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. The information contained in this news release reflects Telesat’s beliefs, assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, Telesat disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information herein.

For further information:

Gerry Nagler, Telesat +1 908 698-4907 (gnagler@telesat.com)