CN Board of Directors recognizes outgoing President and CEO, E. Hunter Harrison

MONTREAL, Dec. 23, 2009 — David G. A. McLean, chairman of the board of directors of CN (TSX: CNR)(NYSE: CNI), today acknowledged the remarkable career of CN’s outgoing president and chief executive officer E. Hunter Harrison.

“On behalf of CN’s board of directors, I would like to thank Hunter for the outstanding leadership and service that he has provided to this company. His innovative Precision Railroading model and tireless dedication has led to the creation of a great North American railroad and will leave this company well positioned for future success,” said McLean. “As Hunter prepares to step down from the company and from its board of directors, we extend our profound gratitude for what he has accomplished, and our best wishes for the future.”

Harrison, 65, became CN’s president and chief executive on Jan. 1, 2003. Prior to that he served as CN’s executive vice-president and chief operating officer. Harrison has received numerous accolades, including 2009 International Business Leader of the Year, from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Railroader of the Year by Railway Age magazine and Canada’s CEO of the Year by Report on Business magazine.

On April 21, 2009, CN’s board of directors selected Claude Mongeau to succeed Harrison as president and chief executive officer effective Jan. 1, 2010.

CN – Canadian National Railway Company and its operating railway subsidiaries – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key metropolitan areas of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For more information on CN, visit the company’s website at HYPERLINK http://www.cn.ca www.cn.ca

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