28 March 2007
Calgary-based team to invest in oil & gas and other energy-related companies with acquisition and organic growth opportunities

TORONTO, March 28 /CNW/ - EdgeStone Capital Partners, L.P. ("EdgeStone"), a subsidiary of GMP Capital Trust (TSX: GMP.UN) and one of Canada's leading independent private capital managers, announced today the launch of EdgeStone Capital Energy Fund, L.P. ("EdgeStone Energy Fund").

The EdgeStone Energy Fund's target is to raise $75 million to $100 million and make equity and equity-related investments in Canadian oil and gas and other energy-related companies with acquisition and organic growth opportunities.

The dedicated EdgeStone Energy Fund team will be based in Calgary, Alberta. "The EdgeStone Energy Fund team will follow the same disciplined investing approach that has successfully been utilized in other EdgeStone funds and that has delivered EdgeStone's outstanding track record to our investors," said Samuel L. Duboc, President and Managing Partner of EdgeStone. "We are excited about the quantity and quality of opportunities in the Canadian energy market and believe that we are providing investors with a compelling opportunity to invest in this growing market."

"We believe we are creating a world-class and industry-leading investing entity through the unique combination of EdgeStone's private equity capabilities and team, and GMP's expertise and relationships. We are also forming an Advisory Committee that will be comprised of industry-leading experts," said Kevin Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of GMP Capital Trust. "This collaboration of human capital is an example of our strategy to integrate each of our businesses to further develop and enhance the products and services we offer to our corporate and private clients and investors."

The EdgeStone Energy Fund will capitalize on the robust fundamentals in the global energy market, and Canada's strong position to supply growing demand in the oil and gas markets. Though Canada has the second largest oil reserves and third largest natural gas reserves in the world, significant investment is required to fund the exploration and production activity required to realize these reserves. "There are a tremendous number of private investment opportunities to back high-quality management teams in the Canadian energy space and the EdgeStone Energy Fund is well positioned to capture the high demand for funding from these companies," said Tom Tucker, Partner responsible for energy investing at EdgeStone. Tom has over 12 years of energy, private equity, and corporate finance experience.

Marketing of the EdgeStone Energy Funds begins today in Calgary, followed by meetings in Vancouver on Thursday, March 29 and Toronto on Friday, March 30, with further meetings to follow in the coming weeks.

ABOUT GMP CAPITAL TRUST
GMP Capital Trust carries on business through the following entities: GMP Securities L.P., Griffiths McBurney Corp., GMP Securities Europe LLP, GMP Private Client L.P. and EdgeStone Capital Partners, L.P. GMP Securities L.P. is a leading independent Canadian investment dealer focused on investment banking and institutional equities for corporate clients and institutional investors. GMP Securities L.P. can be found on the web at gmpsecurities.com. Griffiths McBurney Corp. services institutional clients in the United States while GMP Securities Europe LLP provides investment banking and institutional equity services to clients located in Europe. GMP Private Client L.P. is a full-service investment firm focused on high-net-worth private investors that provides wealth preservation, income and growth strategies delivered by seasoned investment advisors. GMP Private Client L.P. can be found on the web at gmpprivateclient.com. EdgeStone Capital Partners, L.P. is one of Canada's leading independent private equity firms, providing capital, strategic direction and business and financial advice to help promising mid-market and early stage companies achieve their full potential. EdgeStone Capital Partners, L.P. can be found on the web at edgestone.com. GMP Capital Trust is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol GMP.UN. The website is gmpcapitaltrust.com. GMP Capital Trust has offices in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, Geneva, Switzerland and London, England.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" (as defined under applicable securities laws) concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts but instead represent our beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those described in GMP Capital Trust's regulatory filings, which are available on our website at gmpcapitaltrust.com and on SEDAR at sedar.com. The primary business activities of GMP Capital Trust and its consolidated operations (the "Fund Group"), by their nature, are both competitive and subject to various risks. These risks include market, credit, liquidity, operational and regulatory risks and other risk factors including, without limitation, variations in the value of securities, the volatility and liquidity of equity trading markets, the volume of new financings and mergers and acquisitions, competition in the marketplace for suitable investments, sustainability of fees, nature and type of portfolio company investments, ability to realize carried interest entitlements and dependence on key personnel. Other factors, such as general economic conditions also may have an impact on the Fund Group's results of operations. Many of these risks and uncertainties can affect our actual results and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information:
Samuel L. Duboc, EdgeStone Capital Partners Inc.
130 King Street West, Suite 600, P.O. Box 187, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1A6
Tel: (416) 860-3740, Fax: (416) 860-9838
info@edgestone.com

GMP Capital Trust, Investor Relations
145 King Street West, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 1J8
Tel: (416) 367-8600, Fax: (416) 941-0839
investorrelations@gmpcapitaltrust.com