Leeward Funds acquire common shares of Systems Xcellence Inc.

Date: Tuesday, May 18, 2004

Leeward Hedge Funds Inc. ("Leeward") announced today that it has acquired, on behalf of accounts fully managed by it including Leeward Bull & Bear Fund L.P., Leeward Offshore Bull & Bear Fund and Leeward Offshore Bull & Bear Fund (U.S.) (collectively, the "Leeward Funds"), an aggregate of 1,843,700 common shares ("Shares") of Systems Xcellence Inc.
("Systems Xcellence"), representing 3.93% of the outstanding common shares of Systems Xcellence.

The Shares were acquired through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange. As a result of the acquisition, the Funds hold an aggregate total of 8,399,100 Shares, representing 17.9% of the outstanding common shares of Systems Xcellence.
 The purchases on behalf of the Leeward Funds were effected for investment purposes only and the Leeward Funds may, either alone or together with joint actors, depending on market and other conditions, increase or decrease its beneficial ownership, control or direction over common shares or other securities of Systems Xcellence, through market transactions, private agreements or otherwise.