1 EXHIBIT A JOINT FILING AGREEMENT Each of the undersigned persons hereby agrees and consents to this joint filing of Schedule 13G on their behalf pursuant to Section 13(d) and (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules...

   1
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

         Each of the undersigned persons hereby agrees and consents to this
joint filing of Schedule 13G on their behalf pursuant to Section 13(d) and (g)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules promulgated
thereunder. Each of these persons is not responsible for the completeness or
accuracy of the information concerning the other persons making this filing,
unless such person knows or has reason to believe that such information is
inaccurate.

Dated:    February 12, 2001
                                        THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK


                                        By:    /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
                                        Name:  Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
                                        Title: Executive Vice President, General
                                               Counsel and Secretary



                                        TD WATERHOUSE HOLDINGS, INC.


                                        By:    /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                        Name:  Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                        Title: Executive Vice President, General
                                               Counsel and Secretary



                                        TD SECURITIES INC./VALEURS MOBILIERES TD
                                         INC.


                                        By:    /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
                                        Name:  Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
                                        Title: Director