12:16 EDT Wednesday, March 25, 2009

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - March 25, 2009) - Mackenzie I. Watson, President and CEO of Freewest Resources Canada Inc. (TSX VENTURE:FWR) (the "Company") is pleased to provide the following update on diamond drilling, currently ongoing on the Company's wholly-owned McFaulds property (the "Property"). The Property, consisting of 1036 hectares, comprises one of three properties in which the Company is currently exploring, on its own and in strategic joint-venture agreements in the "Ring of Fire" metal district.

BLACK THOR CHROMITE ZONE DRILL RESULTS:

Diamond drilling at Black Thor ongoing since mid-January, continues to expand the limits of chromite mineralization that currently remain open-ended along strike and to depth. Highlighting recent drilling is the intersection of 174 metres of chromite mineralization in drill hole BT-09-37, the visual details of which are tabulated below. Included within the mineralized zone are several massive sections of chromite attaining intersected widths of up to 66.2 metres.

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INTERVAL (METRES)  DESCRIPTION                            INTERSECTED WIDTH
                                                                   (METRES)
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198.1-208.0        Massive chromite mineralization                      9.9
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208.0-210.1        Semi-massive chromite mineralization                 2.1
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210.1-232.0        Massive chromite mineralization                     21.9
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232.0-236.8        Semi-massive chromite mineralization                 4.8
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236.8-252.0        Serpentinized dunite                                15.2
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252.0-318.2        Massive chromite mineralization                     66.2
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318.2-324.0        Hematized fault zone with pyrite-                       
                    pyrrhotite blebs                                    5.8
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324.0-336.4        Dunite                                              12.4
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336.4-354.9        Massive chromite mineralization                     18.5
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354.9-355.8        Serpentinized dunite                                 0.9
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355.8-368.8        Massive chromite mineralization                     13.0
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368.8-369.8        Semi-massive chromite mineralization                 1.0
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369.8-372.0        Massive chromite mineralization                      2.2
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     Total Intersected Width of Mineralized Interval (metres)         174.0
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Chromite mineralization obtained in drill-hole BT-09-37 represents the broadest zone of high-quality chromite intersected to date at Black Thor. The true width of the chromitiferous zone is estimated to be about 100 metres- wide. It comprises a northwest-dipping upper zone of mineralization that was also intersected in a shallower drill-hole, BT-09-33, completed on the same section on 2900N (see Figure 1). In hole BT-09-37, there is also a good possibility that a lower zone of chromite mineralization will be intersected as well, as demonstrated by the shallower hole completed on the section. Assays for drill holes BT-09-33 and 37 will be released as they become available. Notably, section 2900N represents the furthest section drilled to the northeast, along the trend of the Black Thor chromite zone. Residual gravity anomalies closely associated with Black Thor suggest a potential strike length of close to 3.7 kilometres for chromite mineralization.

Drilling to date has tested the Black Thor chromite zone over a 2100-metre strike length (from 800N to 2900N), largely utilizing drill sections spaced 200 metres apart (see Figure 2). The main zone of mineralization is remarkably persistent in terms of its continuity and stratigraphic position within the layered ultramafic intrusion.

Figures 1 and 2 comprise part of this news release and are posted on the Freewest website at www.freewest.com.

Chromite mineralization is hosted within a layered ultramafic intrusion consisting of variably altered dunite, peridotite and pyroxenite. Although several stacked horizons of chromite mineralization occur within the intrusion, the widest and best quality of the chromite zones, Black Thor, occurs near the top of the layered intrusion straddled by an underlying dunite/peridotite sequence and an overlying pyroxenite unit.

Since the last news release dated February 18, 2009, assay results have been received for drill holes BT-09-13, 14, 16 and 17. These results coupled with previously released results for Black Thor, are summarized in the table below.

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HOLE NO.            GRID     DIP     FROM (METRES)       TO INTERVAL %CR2O3
             COORDINATES                           (METRES) (METRES)
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BT-08-01    L1100N, 175W     -50             236.2    337.0    100.8   30.1
                         degrees    includes 277.8    337.0     59.2   37.1
                                     that includes
                                             289.0    335.3     46.3   40.4
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BT-08-03    L2700N, 229W     -50             226.0    335.7    109.7   21.4
                         degrees    includes 227.0    236.8      9.0   39.1
                                 and also includes
                                             242.5    253.8     11.3   23.4
                                 and also includes
                                             285.6    335.7     50.1   30.4
                                     that includes
                                             313.6    335.7     22.1   40.0
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BT-08-05    L2700N, 339W     -50             386.0    474.8     92.4   21.3
                         degrees    includes 386.0    409.3     23.3   30.7
                                 and also includes
                                             453.1    478.4     25.3   27.5
                                     that includes
                                             461.1    478.4     17.3   30.0
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BT-08-10    L1100N, 100W     -50             124.7    174.2     49.5   24.3
                         degrees    includes 124.7    146.9     22.2   24.7
                                 and also includes
                                             153.7    174.2     20.5   30.0
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BT-08-11    L1000N, 100W     -45             150.5    210.0     59.5   25.8
                         degrees    includes 150.5    178.5     28.0   24.2
                                 and also includes
                                             183.0    210.0     27.0   31.7
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BT-08-12    L1000N, 100W     -65             220.5    367.0    146.5   28.1
                         degrees    includes 243.0    367.0    124.0   30.0
                                     that includes
                                             306.0    358.0     52.0   40.1
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BT-09-13(1) L1200N, 100W     -45             128.0    162.0     34.0   24.0
                         degrees     that includes
                                             150.0    162.0     12.0   38.4
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BT-09-14(1) L1400N, 150W     -45              99.0    132.0     33.0   21.8
                         degrees    includes 100.0    121.0     21.0   25.6
                                    and then 143.0    182.0     39.0   30.0
                                     that includes
                                             161.0    178.0     17.0   38.3
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BT-08-15    L1200N, 200W     -50             253.0    314.7     61.7   30.7
                         degrees     that includes
                                             279.0    309.0     30.0   40.3
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BT-09-16(1) L1400N, 150W     -60             120.0    159.0     39.0   30.0
                         degrees    and then 183.0    213.0     30.0   30.1
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BT-09-17(1) L1800N, 175W     -45              57.0     78.0     21.0   24.3
                         degrees    and then 148.0    153.0      5.0   24.0
                                    and then 171.0    181.0     10.0   24.0
                                    and then 268.0    289.0     21.0   33.4
                                    and then 319.0    338.0     19.0   31.1
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BT-09-13(1)       New assay results reported in this news release

Drill-holes BT-09-18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 also intersected robust
zones of chromite mineralization comprising the Black Thor zone. Assays
will be released for these holes as they become available.

THE BLACK LABEL CHROMITE ZONE:

As announced in the Freewest news release of February 18th, 2009, an additional zone of chromite mineralization known as the Black Label zone was discovered by diamond drilling. Black Label is situated stratigraphically below, or deeper in the footwall of the ultramafic intrusion in relation to the Black Thor chromite zone. The discovery hole, BT-08-08, returned 3 significant chromite intercepts the best of which yielded 32.4% Cr2O3 over 37.2 metres. Since then, an additional 8 holes (BT-09-25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34) have tested the Black Label trend over an intermittent strike length of 1100 metres, from section 1800N to 2900N (see Figure 2). With the exception of 1 drill-hole, all of the holes intersected economically significant widths of heavily disseminated, semi-massive and massive styles of chromite mineralization. Currently all of the assays from these drill holes are pending and will be released as they become available.

A residual gravity anomaly trend closely associated with Black Label chromite mineralization is suggestive of a potential strike length of 2.7 kilometres for chromite mineralization. Additional diamond drilling is clearly warranted to define the limits of Black Label mineralization.

F2 SULPHIDE ZONE:

In the fall of 2008, four drill holes tested geophysical targets (coincident conductors and magnetic highs) thought to be favorable for nickel-copper-platinum group element mineralization within the ultramafic intrusion. Relatively narrow zones (up to 8 metres) of remobilized pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite occur in magmatic breccias in all 4 of the drill-holes (BT-08-6, 7, 8 & 9). The best assay interval from such mineralization yielded 3.60% nickel, 0.42% copper, 0.21 g/t platinum and 3.24 g/t palladium over 0.4 metres in hole BT-08-09 (see Freewest News Release dated February 5, 2009).

An additional drill-hole testing the F2 sulphide zone (BT-09-32) was recently completed in this locale, situated approximately 170 metres to the northwest of hole BT-08-08 (see Figure 2). BT-09-32 returned 2 significant zones of remobilized sulphides comprising intermittent pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite and pyrite within ultramafic rocks, over intersected widths of 23 metres and 37 metres, respectively. Within these 2 zones, appreciable to moderate amounts of nickel-copper sulphide mineralization occurring as blebs, bands, net-textures and heavy disseminations are locally present. The robust widths of remobilized nickel-copper sulphide mineralization seen in BT-09-32 are suggestive of proximity to a primary sulphide source such as the Eagle One deposit of Noront Resources Ltd. A down-hole Pulse EM survey with subsequent diamond drilling will be completed shortly, to test this theory.

Assays from these mineralized intervals are pending and will be released as they become available.

PLANNED EXPLORATION WORK:

Freewest will continue to employ 3 diamond drill rigs for the duration of the winter season right up to the spring break-up. One of the rigs will continue to test several prospective nickel-copper-PGE targets in the vicinity of the F2 sulphide zone and elsewhere along the favorable footwall contact of the ultramafic intrusion. Two of the drill rigs will continue testing the Black Thor and Black Label chromite zones in efforts to define the limits of mineralization of both occurrences.

The Company plans to curtail drilling activities during the break-up period enabling it consolidate, compile and interpret all assay, geophysical, geochemical and geological data generated to date. A follow-up 10,000-metre diamond drilling program is anticipated for the late spring field season, largely focusing on tighter definition drilling of the chromite zones (100-metre drill centres) and continued testing of nickel-copper-PGE targets. Additionally, preliminary mineralogical and metallurgical work will be completed on Black Thor and Black Label chromite mineralization.

INDEPENDENT QUALITY CONTROL AND ANALYTICAL PROTOCOL:

A thorough quality control program has been implemented for the McFaulds project including grouping samples into batches of 35 into which are added 2 certified reference material standards, 2 field blanks composed of barren drill core and a field duplicate. Coarse reject and pulp duplicates also from part of the Quality Control program. The Company is confident that all assays reported in this news release have passed rigorous control guidelines as set out by Freewest's independent Quality Assurance/Quality Control person.

All samples were submitted to Activation Labs (Actlabs) of Ancaster, Ontario for analyses. The samples were analyzed for multi-elements using a 4-acid digestion followed by ICP analyses. Gold, platinum and palladium were assayed by the Fire Assay method on 30 grams of prepared sample. For higher grade chromium analyses (greater than 1%), the samples are analyzed by the Neutron Activation method wherein they are irradiated prior to final reading. This method yields analyses in percent for elemental chromium, Cr2O3 and elemental iron. Additional information on the analytical techniques employed can be accessed on the Actlabs website at www.actlabsint.com.

Donald Hoy, P. Geo. (Ontario),Vice President of Exploration and a Director of Freewest Resources Canada Inc. is the Qualified Person (under National Instrument 43-101) on the McFaulds project and is responsible for the preparation of this news release.

Freewest is a well-financed mineral exploration corporation with over C$6.0 million in working capital. It is actively exploring for gold, base-metals and chromite within eastern Canada. Corporate information can be accessed on the Internet at www.freewest.com. Freewest's shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol FWR.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Freewest Resources Canada Inc.
Mackenzie I. Watson
President and CEO
(514) 878-3551 or 1-888-878-3551
(514) 878-4427 (FAX)
info@freewest.com
www.freewest.com

Bay Street Connect
Michael D'Amico
Investor Relations
(647) 500-6023

AGORACOM
Investor Relations



FWR@Agoracom.com
http://agoracom.com/ir/freewest

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