HIGHLIGHTS:

- Hole BT-08-05 testing the Black Thor chromite zone, yielded 96.4 metres of mineralization, including 39.4 metres of semi-massive to massive chromite

- Hole BT-08-06 testing a nickel-copper-platinum group element target intersected disseminated, heavily disseminated and net-textured pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite intermittently over 28.8 metres

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Oct. 17, 2008) - Mackenzie I. Watson, President and CEO of Freewest Resources Canada Inc. (TSX VENTURE:FWR) (the "Company") is pleased to announce additional visual results obtained from recently completed diamond drilling on the Company's 100%-owned McFaulds property (the "Property"). The Property, consisting of 4 mineral claims or 1036 hectares, comprises one of three properties in which the Company is currently exploring, on its own and in strategic joint-ventures in the emerging "Ring of Fire" metal district.

THE BLACK THOR CHROMITE ZONE:

Prior to the drilling of hole BT-08-05, the Black Thor chromite zone had been traced over an interpreted 1600-metre strike length and to a vertical depth of 200 metres, with the completion of drill holes BT-08-01 and BT-08-03 (see Freewest news release dated September 29, 2008). Both holes returned thick sections of chromite of 85 and 90 metres respectively, including semi-massive and massive zones of chromite mineralization, attaining thicknesses of up to 60 metres. The chromite is hosted within a continuous northeast to southwest-trending ultramafic sill complex consisting of variably altered dunite, peridotite and pyroxenite.

Drill hole BT-08-05 provided an undercut (deeper intersection) to mineralization obtained in BT-08-03 at a vertical depth of close to 300 metres, indicating continuity of the zone to at least that depth. The highlight of the hole is the intersection of 96.4 metres of chromite including 39.4 metres of semi-massive to massive mineralization (see Map 1). The Black Thor chromite zone remains completely open-ended along strike and to depth. The details of the intercept are as follows:

THE F2 NICKEL-COPPER TARGET:

The F2 target comprises a coincident electromagnetic anomaly (conductor) and magnetic high yielded by the VTEM airborne geophysical survey, completed earlier in the year. As such, it was interpreted to be a nickel-copper-platinum group element magmatic massive sulphide target (MMS) based on its geophysical signature and on its interpreted stratigraphic position relative to the Black Thor chromite zone. Drill hole BT-08-06 is the first hole to test this target (see Map 1).

Map 1 comprises part of this news release and is posted on the Freewest website at www.freewest.com.

Highlighting the drill hole, is the intersection of a 28.8-metre section of intermittent iron, nickel and copper sulphide mineralization clearly of magmatic origin (MMS style of mineralization). Pyrrhotite with lesser pentlandite and chalcopyrite occur as disseminations, heavy disseminations and stringers occur in a coarse-grained pyroxenite unit at a vertical depth of 200 metres. The mineralized interval stratigraphically overlies variably altered peridotite and dunite. The mineralized intercept is tabulated below.

PLANNED EXPLORATION WORK:

Diamond drilling will continue to test both the Black Thor Chromite zone and several very prospective nickel-copper-platinum group element targets including F2. Drilling is anticipated to occur right up to the Christmas break. Results will be released as they become available.

Freewest management stated: "We are very pleased to have encountered magmatic massive sulphide styles of mineralization at F2, given that we considered this to be a third-order target for nickel and copper. We look forward to continued success in drilling of our nickel-copper targets as well as at Black Thor".

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 exploring for gold and base-metals 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.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

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

or

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