EXHIBIT 5(a)

                                STIKEMAN ELLIOTT
                             Barristers & Solicitors
                    1155 Rene-Levesque Blvd. West, 40th Floor
                        Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3B 3V2
                     Tel: (514) 397-3000 Fax: (514) 397-3222
                                www.stikeman.com


July 31, 2002

INTERTAPE POLYMER GROUP INC.
110 E. Montee De Liesse
St. Laurent, Quebec
Canada H4T IN4

Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel for Intertape Polymer Group Inc., a
corporation organized under the Canada Business Corporation Act (the "Company"),
in connection with the proposed issuance of common shares, no par value, of the
Company to the Intertape Polymer Group Inc. USA Employees' Stock Ownership and
Retirement Savings Plan (the "Plan"). The Company intends to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), with respect to the common shares to be issued by the
Company to the Plan. In connection with the foregoing, we have examined,
considered and relied upon copies of the following documents (collectively, the
"Documents"): (i) the constating documents of the Company which include its
articles of incorporation, various articles of amendment, articles of
amalgamation, and bylaws; (ii) resolutions of the Company's Board of Directors
authorizing the issuance of the common shares to the Plan; (iii) the
Registration Statement and schedules and exhibits thereto; and (iv) such other
documents and instruments that we have deemed necessary for the expression of
the opinions herein contained. In making the foregoing examinations, we have
assumed without investigation, the genuineness of all signatures and the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to
authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies, and the
veracity of the Documents.

         Based upon the foregoing examination, and subject to the qualifications
set forth below, we are of the opinion that the common shares to be issued by
the Company to the Plan have been duly and validly authorized, and when issued
and fully paid, will be validly issued, fully paid and non- assessable.

         We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the
laws of the Province of Quebec and the federal laws of Canada applicable
therein. The opinions expressed herein concern






only the effect of the laws (excluding the principles of conflict of laws) of
the Province of Quebec and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein as
currently in effect. This opinion letter is limited to the matters stated herein
and no opinions may be implied or inferred beyond the matters expressly stated
herein. The opinions expressed herein are given as of this date, and we assume
no obligation to update or supplement our opinions to reflect any facts or
circumstances that may come to our attention, or any change in law that may
occur or become effective at a later date.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we
are included within the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                                                     Sincerely,


                                                     /s/ Stikeman Elliott