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Table of Contents
Atlantic Power Corporation Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
TABLE OF CONTENTS
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 27, 2010
Registration No. 333-168856
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
British Columbia, Canada
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
4900
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
55-0886410
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
200 Clarendon St., Floor 25
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(617) 977-2400
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)
Barry E. Welch
President and Chief Executive Officer
Atlantic Power Corporation
200 Clarendon St., Floor 25
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(617) 977-2400
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
Copies to: | ||
Laura Hodges Taylor, Esq. Yoel Kranz, Esq. Goodwin Procter LLP Exchange Place Boston, Massachusetts 02109 (617) 570-1000 |
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Christopher J. Cummings, Esq. Shearman & Sterling LLP Commerce Court West, Suite 4405 Toronto, Ontario Canada M5L 1E8 (416) 360-8484 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box: o
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definition of "larger accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o |
Non-accelerated filer
ý
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company o |
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
This Registration Statement contains both a United States prospectus (the "U.S. Prospectus") and a prospectus to be used in connection with offering the securities registered hereby in Canada (the "Canadian Prospectus"). The U.S. Prospectus and the Canadian Prospectus are identical in all material respects, except for the front cover page and certain other pages, and except that the Canadian Prospectus includes a "Certificate of the Company" and a "Certificate of the Underwriter." The complete U.S. Prospectus is included herein and is followed by those pages to be used solely in the Canadian Prospectus. Each of the alternate pages for the Canadian Prospectus included herein is labeled "Alternate Page for Canadian Prospectus."
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion dated September 17, 2010
Cdn$50,000,000
% Series B Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures due
We are selling Cdn$50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our % Series B convertible unsecured subordinated debentures due (the "Debentures"), at a price of Cdn$1,000 per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of Debentures. The Debentures have a maturity date of and bear interest at an annual rate of % payable semi-annually in arrears.
Each Debenture will be convertible into our common shares at the option of the holder at any time prior to the close of business on the earlier of the maturity date and the business day immediately preceding the date specified by us for redemption of the Debentures at a conversion price of Cdn$ per common share, being a conversion rate of approximately common shares per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of Debentures, subject to adjustment in accordance with the trust indenture governing the terms of the Debentures. We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the common shares upon conversion of the Debentures.
The Debentures may not be redeemed by us on or before (except in certain limited circumstances involving a change in control). After and prior to , we may redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, provided that the volume weighted average trading price of our common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") for the 20 consecutive trading days ending five trading days preceding the date on which notice of redemption is given is not less than 125% of the conversion price. On or after and prior to the maturity date, we may redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, at a price equal to their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. See "Description of DebenturesRedemption and Purchase."
The Debentures constitute a new issue of our securities for which there is currently no public market. As of September 14, 2010, we had $395.2 million of debt outstanding that ranks equal with or senior to the Debentures, and we expect to incur additional debt in the future. The amount at September 14, 2010 is comprised of $20.0 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility, $142.3 million of outstanding convertible debentures and $232.9 million of outstanding non-recourse project-level debt. Our outstanding common shares are listed on the TSX under the symbol "ATP" and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AT." The last reported sale price of our common shares on September 14, 2010 on the TSX and the New York Stock Exchange was Cdn$13.64 and $13.27 per common share, respectively. See "Exchange Rate Information" on page 30 for information regarding the exchange rate between Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars.
Investing in the Debentures involves risks. You should read the section entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 11 of this prospectus for a discussion of certain risk factors you should consider before buying the Debentures.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Per Debenture
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Total
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Public offering price |
Cdn$1,000 | Cdn$50,000,000 | ||
Underwriting discount |
Cdn$ | Cdn$ | ||
Proceeds to us (before expenses) |
Cdn$ | Cdn$ | ||
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The underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional Cdn$7,500,000 aggregate principal amount of Debentures from us at the public offering price less the underwriting discount.
Book-entry only certificates representing the Debentures offered by this prospectus will be issued in registered form to CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. ("CDS") or its nominee as registered global securities and will be deposited with CDS on the date of issue of the Debentures, which is expected to occur on or about , 2010 or such later date as we and the underwriters may agree, but in any event no later than , 2010.
BMO Capital Markets
The date of this prospectus is , 2010.
Prospectus
You should rely only on information contained in this document or to which we have referred you. We have not, and our underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectuses we have prepared or, for purchasers in Canada, the Canadian prospectus relating to this offering. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell the securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. This document may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities.
As used in this prospectus, the terms "Atlantic Power," the "Company," "we," "our," and "us" refer to Atlantic Power Corporation, together with those entities owned or controlled by Atlantic Power Corporation, unless the context indicates otherwise. All references to "Cdn$" and "Canadian dollars" are to the lawful currency of Canada and references to "$," "US$" and "U.S. dollars" are to the lawful currency of the United States. All dollar amounts herein are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated. This prospectus includes our trademarks and other trade names identified herein. All other trademarks and trade names appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective holders.
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The following summary may not contain all the information that may be important to you or that you should consider before deciding to purchase any Debentures and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read the entire prospectus, especially the risks set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in this prospectus, as well as the financial and other information included herein, before making an investment decision.
Atlantic Power Corporation is an independent power producer, with power projects located in major markets in the United States. Our current portfolio consists of interests in 12 operational power generation projects across eight states, one wind project under construction, a 500 kilovolt 84-mile electric transmission line located in California, and six development projects in five states. Our power generation projects have an aggregate gross electric generation capacity of approximately 1,823 megawatts (or "MW") in which our ownership interest is approximately 808 MW.
The following map shows the location of our projects, including joint venture interests, across the United States:
We sell the capacity and power from our power generation projects under power purchase agreements (or "PPAs") with a variety of utilities and other parties. Under the PPAs, which have expiration dates ranging from 2010 to 2037, we receive payments for electric energy sold to our customers (known as energy payments), in addition to payments for electric generation capacity (known as capacity payments). We also sell steam and/or other forms of thermal energy from a number of our projects under energy sales agreements to industrial purchasers ("steam sales agreements"). The transmission system rights we own in our power transmission project entitle us to payments indirectly from the utilities that make use of the transmission line.
Our power generation projects generally operate pursuant to long-term supply agreements, typically accompanied by fuel transportation arrangements. In most cases, the fuel supply and transportation arrangements correspond to the term of the relevant PPAs and most of the PPAs and steam sales agreements provide for the pass-through or indexing of fuel costs to our customers.
We partner with recognized leaders in the independent power business to operate and maintain our projects, including Caithness Energy, LLC ("Caithness"), Power Plant Management Services and the Western Area Power Administration ("Western"). Under these operation, maintenance and management agreements, the operator is typically responsible for operations, maintenance and repair services.
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Atlantic Power Corporation is organized under the laws of the Province of British Columbia. Our registered office is located at 355 Burrard Street, Suite 1900, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2G8 and our headquarters are located at 200 Clarendon Street, Floor 25, Boston, Massachusetts, USA 02116. Our telephone number is (617) 977-2400. Our website address is www.atlanticpower.com. Information contained on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated into, and does not constitute a part of, this prospectus or any other report or documents we file with or furnish to the SEC.
We completed our initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange, or the TSX, in November 2004. At the time of our initial public offering, our publicly traded security was an "income participating security," or "IPS," each of which was comprised of one common share and Cdn$5.767 principal value of 11% subordinated notes due 2016. On November 27, 2009, our shareholders approved a conversion from the IPS structure to a traditional common share structure. Each IPS has been exchanged for one new common share and each old common share that did not form a part of an IPS was exchanged for approximately 0.44 of a new common share. Our shares trade on the TSX under the symbol "ATP" and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol "AT" on July 23, 2010.
We believe we distinguish ourselves from other independent power producers through the following competitive strengths:
Our Objectives and Business Strategies
Our objectives include maintaining the stability and sustainability of dividends to shareholders and to maximize the value of our company. In order to achieve these objectives, we intend to focus on enhancing the operating and financial performance of the projects and on pursuing additional acquisitions primarily in the electric power industry in the U.S. and Canada.
Organic Growth
We intend to enhance the operation and financial performance of our projects through:
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Successfully extending PPAs and fuel agreements may facilitate refinancings that provide capital to fund growth opportunities.
Extending PPAs Following Their Expiration
PPAs in our portfolio have expiration dates ranging from 2010 to 2037. In each case, we plan for expirations by evaluating various options in the market for maximizing project cash flows. New arrangements may involve responses to utility solicitations for capacity and energy, direct negotiations with the original purchasing utility for PPA extensions, arrangements with creditworthy energy trading firms for tolling agreements, full service PPAs or the use of derivatives to lock in value. We do not assume that pricing under existing PPAs will necessarily be sustained after PPA expirations, since most original PPAs included capacity payments related to return of and return on original capital invested and counterparties or evolving regional electricity markets may or may not provide similar payments under new or extended PPAs.
Acquisition and Investment Strategy
We believe that new electricity generation projects will be required in the United States and Canada over the next several years as a result of growth in electricity demand, transmission constraints and the retirement of older generation projects due to obsolescence or environmental concerns. There is also a very active secondary market for existing projects. We intend to expand our operations by making accretive acquisitions with a focus on power generation, transmission, distribution and related facilities in the United States and Canada. We may also invest in other forms of energy-related projects, utility projects and infrastructure projects, as well as additional investments in development stage projects or companies where the prospects for creating long-term predictable cash flows are attractive. Since the time of our initial public offering on the TSX in 2004, we have twice acquired the interest of another partner in one of our existing projects and will continue to look for such opportunities.
Our senior management has significant experience in the independent power industry and we believe the experience, reputation and industry relationships of our management team will provide us with enhanced access to future acquisition opportunities.
On July 2, 2010, we acquired a 27.6% equity interest in Idaho Wind Partners 1, LLC ("Idaho Wind") for approximately $40 million. Idaho Wind recently commenced construction of a 183 MW wind power project located near Twin Falls, Idaho, which is currently scheduled to be completed in late 2010 or early 2011. Idaho Wind has 20-year fixed-price PPAs with Idaho Power Company. Our investment in Idaho Wind was funded with cash on hand and a $20 million borrowing under our senior credit facility. Upon completion of construction, we expect Idaho Wind to provide after-tax cash flows to us of $4.5 million to $5.5 million for each full year of operations. Our investment in Idaho Wind will be accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
In April 2010, our majority-owned subsidiary, Rollcast Energy, Inc., entered into a construction agreement for a 53.5 MW biomass project, known as Piedmont Green Power, to be located in Barnesville, Georgia. Pursuant to the terms of our investment in Rollcast, we have the option, but not the obligation, to invest directly in biomass power plants under development by Rollcast. We currently expect to invest up to $75 million in the Piedmont Green Power project, representing substantially all of the equity interests in the project. We intend to use a sole arranger to syndicate project-level debt
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financing for the project. Construction of the project is scheduled to commence upon the closing of construction financing early in the fourth quarter of 2010. The Piedmont Green Power project has a 20-year PPA with Georgia Power Company which includes an adjustment related to the cost of biomass fuel for the plant.
Concurrently with this offering, we are also conducting a separate public offering of 4,500,000 common shares (plus up to an additional 675,000 common shares that we may issue and sell upon the exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares). This offering is not conditioned upon the successful completion of the concurrent offering of common shares and the concurrent offering of common shares is not conditioned upon the successful completion of this offering. See "Description of Concurrent Offering of Common Shares."
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The following table outlines our portfolio of power generating and transmission assets in operation and under construction as of September 14, 2010, including our interest in each facility. Management believes the portfolio is well diversified in terms of electricity and steam buyers, fuel type, regulatory jurisdictions and regional power pools, thereby partially mitigating exposure to market, regulatory or environmental conditions specific to any single region.
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An investment in the Debentures involves material risks, including those we have highlighted below. You should consider carefully the risks described below and under "Risk Factors" before purchasing any Debentures in this offering:
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Optional Payment at Maturity or Upon Redemption |
On maturity or upon redemption, provided that no event of default (as defined herein) shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company may, at its option, on not more than 60 days and not less than 40 days prior notice and subject to regulatory approval, elect to satisfy its obligation to repay the principal amount of the Debentures by issuing and delivering that number of common shares obtained by dividing the principal amount of the outstanding Debentures which are to be redeemed or have matured by 95% of the volume weighted average trading price of the common shares on the TSX for the 20 consecutive trading days ending five trading days preceding the date fixed for redemption or maturity, as the case may be. See "Description of DebenturesPayment Upon Redemption or Maturity." |
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Change of Control |
Upon the occurrence of certain change of control events involving the Company, each holder of Debentures may require the Company to purchase, on a date which is within 30 days following the giving of notice of the change of control, all or any part of such holder's Debentures at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. If 90% or more of the principal amount of the Debentures outstanding on the date of the notice of change of control have been tendered, the Company will have the right to redeem all the remaining Debentures at the offer price. See "Description of DebenturesRepurchase Upon a Change of Control." |
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Subject to regulatory approval, in the event of a change of control where 10% or more of the consideration for our common shares in the transaction or transactions constituting a change of control consists of cash, equity securities that are not traded or intended to be traded immediately following such transactions on a stock exchange, or other property that is not traded or intended to be traded immediately following such transactions on a stock exchange, holders of the Debentures may elect to convert their Debentures and receive, in addition to the number of common shares they otherwise would have been entitled to under "Conversion Privilege," an additional number of common shares as outlined in the table set forth under "Description of DebenturesCash Change of Control." |
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Ranking |
The Debentures will rank subordinate to all existing and future senior secured and senior unsecured indebtedness of the Company including all trade creditors, and will rank pari passu to any future subordinated unsecured indebtedness. See "Description of DebenturesSubordination." As of September 14, 2010, we had $395.2 million of debt outstanding that ranks equal with or senior to the Debentures, and we expect to incur additional debt in the future. The amount at September 14, 2010 is comprised of $20.0 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility, $142.3 million of outstanding convertible debentures and $232.9 million of outstanding non-recourse project-level debt. |
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Risk Factors |
Prospective purchasers should carefully review and evaluate certain risk factors relating to an investment in the Debentures, including, but not limited to trading market for Debentures, repayment of the Debentures, absence of covenant protection, redemption on a change of control, redemption prior to maturity, conversion following certain transactions, credit risk, subordination of Debentures, discretion in the use of proceeds and possibility of withheld amounts. See "Risk Factors." |
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United States and Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations |
You should consult your tax advisor with respect to the U.S. and Canadian federal income tax consequences of owning the Debentures and the common shares into which the Debentures may be converted in light of your own particular situation and with respect to any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign or other taxing jurisdiction. See "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations" and "Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations." |
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Concurrent Public Offering of Common Shares |
Concurrently with this offering, we are also conducting a separate public offering of 4,500,000 common shares (plus up to an additional 675,000 common shares that we may issue and sell upon the exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares). |
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This offering is not conditioned upon the successful completion of the concurrent offering of common shares and the concurrent offering of common shares is not conditioned upon the successful completion of this offering. |
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Use of Proceeds |
We expect to receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately Cdn$47.1 million after deducting the underwriting discount and our estimated expenses (or approximately Cdn$54.3 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional Debentures in full). We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, along with the net proceeds we receive from our concurrent offering of common shares, for (i) repayment of approximately $20 million borrowed under our revolving credit facility in June 2010 to partially fund our previously-announced acquisition of a 27.6% equity interest in Idaho Wind Partners 1, LLC, and (ii) to fund an investment of up to $75 million in the Piedmont Green Power biomass project in Barnesville, Georgia for substantially all of the equity interest in the project. Any remaining net proceeds will be used to fund additional growth opportunities and for general corporate purposes. |
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Listing |
The Debentures constitute a new issue of securities of the Company for which there is currently no public market. |
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Our outstanding common shares are listed on the TSX under the symbol "ATP" and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AT." |
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Summary Historical Financial Information
The following table presents summary consolidated financial information, which should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1 and the related notes thereto, and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" beginning on page 38. The annual historical information for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The historical information for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2010 has been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
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Year Ended December 31, |
Six months ended
June 30, |
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(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except as otherwise stated)
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2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 (a) | 2005 (a) | 2010 (a) | 2009 (a) | |||||||||||||||
Project revenue |
$ | 179,517 | $ | 173,812 | $ | 113,257 | $ | 69,374 | $ | 57,711 | $ | 95,125 | $ | 90,304 | ||||||||
Project income |
48,415 | 41,006 | 70,118 | 57,247 | 48,256 | 19,405 | 25,995 | |||||||||||||||
Net (loss) income attributable to Atlantic Power Corporation |
(38,486 | ) | 48,101 | (30,596 | ) | (2,408 | ) | (509 | ) | (4,618 | )) | (6,486 | ) | |||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share, US$ |
$ | (0.63 | ) | $ | 0.78 | $ | (0.50 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | ||
Basic earnings (loss) per share, Cdn$ (b) |
$ | (0.72 | ) | $ | 0.84 | $ | (0.53 | ) | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | ||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share, US$ (c) |
$ | (0.63 | ) | $ | 0.73 | $ | (0.50 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | ||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share, Cdn$ (b)(c) |
$ | (0.72 | ) | $ | 0.78 | $ | (0.53 | ) | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | ||
Distribution declared per IPS |
$ | 0.51 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.59 | $ | 0.57 | $ | 0.53 | $ | | $ | 0.29 | ||||||||
Dividend declared per common share |
$ | 0.46 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.37 | $ | 0.31 | $ | 0.52 | $ | 0.19 | ||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 869,576 | $ | 907,995 | $ | 880,751 | $ | 965,121 | $ | 636,138 | $ | 862,525 | $ | 873,923 | ||||||||
Total long-term liabilities |
$ | 402,212 | $ | 654,499 | $ | 715,923 | $ | 613,423 | $ | 475,533 | $ | 407,413 | $ | 675,159 |
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Investing in the Debentures involves a high degree of risk. In addition to other information contained in this prospectus you should carefully consider the risks described below in evaluating our company and our business before making a decision to invest in the Debentures. These risks are not the only ones faced by us. Additional risks not presently known or that we currently deem immaterial could also materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, business and prospects. The trading price of our common shares into which the Debentures will be convertible could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks faced by us described below and elsewhere in this prospectus. Please refer to the section entitled "Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in this prospectus.
Risks Related to Our Business and Our Projects
Our revenue may be reduced upon the expiration or termination of our power purchase agreements
Power generated by our projects, in most cases, is sold under PPAs that expire at various times. For example, PPAs at our Rumford, Badger Creek and Topsham projects expire between now and the end of 2011 and represent 52 MWs of our net generating capacity and the PPAs at our Auburndale, Lake and Gregory projects expire by the end of 2013 and represent 335 MWs of our net generating capacity. The table on page 5 contains details about all our projects' PPAs. In addition, these PPAs may be subject to termination in certain circumstances, including default by the project. When a PPA expires or is terminated, it is possible that the price received by the project for power under subsequent arrangements may be reduced significantly. It is possible that subsequent PPAs may not be available at prices that permit the operation of the project on a profitable basis. If this occurs, the affected project may temporarily or permanently cease operations.
Our projects depend on their electricity, thermal energy and transmission services customers
Each of our projects rely on one or more PPAs, steam sales agreements or other agreements with one or more utilities or other customers for a substantial portion of its revenue. The largest customers of our power generation projects, including projects recorded under equity method of accounting, are Progress Energy Florida, Inc. ("PEF"), Tampa Electric Company ("TECO"), and Atlantic City Electric ("ACE"), which purchase approximately 40%, 15% and 11%, respectively, of the net electric generation capacity of our projects. The amount of cash available to pay dividends to shareholders is highly dependent upon customers under such agreements fulfilling their contractual obligations. There is no assurance that these customers will perform their obligations or make required payments.
Certain of our projects are exposed to fluctuations in the price of electricity
Those of our projects with no PPA or PPAs based on spot market pricing will be exposed to fluctuations in the wholesale price of electricity. In addition, should any of the long-term PPAs expire or terminate, the relevant project will be required to either negotiate a new PPA or sell into the electricity wholesale market, in which case the prices for electricity will depend on market conditions at the time.
Our most significant exposure to market power prices is at the Selkirk and Chambers projects. At Selkirk, approximately 23% of the capacity of the facility is not contracted and is sold at market prices or not sold at all if market prices do not support profitable operation of that portion of the facility. At Chambers, our utility customer has the right to sell a portion of the plant's output into the spot power market if it is economical to do so and the Chambers project shares in the profits from these sales.
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Our projects may not operate as planned
The revenue generated by our power generation projects is dependent, in whole or in part, on the amount of electric energy and steam generated by them. The ability of our projects to generate the required amount of power to be sold to customers under the PPAs is a primary determinant of the amount of cash that will be distributed from the projects to us, and that will in turn be available for dividends paid to our shareholders. There is a risk of equipment failure due to wear and tear, latent defect, design error or operator error, among other things, which could adversely affect revenues and cash flow. To the extent that our projects' equipment requires more frequent and/or longer than forecast down times for maintenance and repair, or suffers disruptions of power generation for other reasons, the amount of cash available for dividends may be adversely affected.
In general, our power generation projects transmit electric power to the transmission grid for purchase under the PPAs through a single step up transformer. As a result, the transformer represents a single point of vulnerability and may exhibit no abnormal behavior in advance of a catastrophic failure that could cause a temporary shutdown of the facility until a spare transformer can be found or a replacement manufactured.
If the reason for a shutdown is outside of the control of the operator, a power generation project may be able to make a force majeure claim for temporary relief of its obligations under the project contracts such as the PPA, fuel supply, steam sales agreement, a project-level debt agreement or otherwise mitigate impacts through business interruption insurance policies. If successful, such a claim may prevent a default or reduce monetary losses under such contracts. However, a force majeure claim may be challenged by the contract counterparty and, to the extent the challenge is successful, the outage may still have a materially adverse effect on the project.
Our projects depend on suppliers under fuel supply agreements and increases in fuel costs may adversely affect the profitability of the projects
Revenues earned by our projects may be affected by the availability, or lack of availability, of a stable supply of fuel at reasonable or predictable prices. To the extent possible, the projects attempt to match fuel cost setting mechanisms in supply agreements to energy payments formulas in the PPA. To the extent that fuel costs are not matched well to PPA energy payments, increases in fuel costs may adversely affect the profitability of the projects.
The amount of energy generated at the projects is highly dependent on suppliers under certain fuel supply agreements fulfilling their contractual obligations. The loss of significant fuel supply agreements or an inability or failure by any supplier to meet its contractual commitments may adversely affect our results.
Upon the expiration or termination of existing fuel supply agreements, we or our project operators will have to renegotiate these agreements or may need to source fuel from other suppliers. Our project operators may not be able to renegotiate these agreements or enter into new agreements on similar terms. Furthermore, there can be no assurance as to availability of the supply or pricing of fuel under new arrangements and it can be very difficult to accurately predict the future prices of fuel. For example, a portion of the required natural gas at our Auburndale project and all of the natural gas required at our Lake project is purchased at market prices, but the projects' PPAs that expire in 2013 do not effectively pass through changes in natural gas prices. We have executed a hedging program to substantially mitigate this risk through 2013.
The amount of energy generated at the projects is dependent upon the availability of natural gas, coal, oil or biomass. The long-term availability of such resources may not remain unchanged.
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Our projects depend on a favorable regulatory regime
The profitability of our projects is in part dependent upon the continuation of a favorable regulatory climate with respect to the continuing operations and the future growth and development of the independent power industry. Should the regulatory regime in an applicable jurisdiction be modified in a manner which adversely affects the projects, including increases in taxes and permit fees, dividends to shareholders may be adversely affected. The failure to obtain all necessary licenses or permits, including renewals thereof or modifications thereto, may also adversely affect cash available to pay dividends.
Our operations are subject to the provisions of various energy laws and regulations
Generally, in the United States, our projects are subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or "FERC," regarding the terms and conditions of wholesale service and rates, as well as by state agencies regarding PPAs entered into by qualifying facility projects and the siting of the generation facilities. The majority of our generation is sold by qualifying facility projects under PPAs that required approval by state authorities.
In August 2005, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was enacted, which removed certain regulatory constraints on investment in utility power producers. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 also limited the requirement that electric utilities buy electricity from qualifying facilities to certain markets that lack competitive characteristics, potentially making it more difficult for our current and future projects to negotiate favorable PPAs with these utilities. Finally, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 amended and expanded the reach of the FERC's merger approval authority.
If any project that is a qualifying facility were to lose its status as a qualifying facility, then such project may no longer be entitled to exemption from provisions of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 or from provisions of the Federal Power Act and state law and regulations. Such project may be able to obtain exempt wholesale generator status to maintain its exemption from the provisions of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, however our projects may not be able to obtain such exemptions. Loss of qualifying facility status could trigger defaults under covenants to maintain qualifying facility status in the PPAs, steam sales agreements and project-level debt agreements and if not cured within allowed cure periods, could result in termination of agreements, penalties or acceleration of indebtedness under such agreements, plus interest.
Our projects would also have to file with the FERC for market-based rates or file for acceptance for filing of the rates set forth in the applicable PPA, and our projects' rates would then be subject to initial and potentially subsequent reviews by the FERC under the Federal Power Act, which could result in reductions to the rates.
Our projects require licenses, permits and approvals which can be in addition to any required environmental permits. No assurance can be provided that we will be able to obtain, comply with and renew, as required, all necessary licenses, permits and approvals for these facilities. If we cannot comply with and renew as required all applicable licenses, permits and approvals, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides incentives for various forms of electric generation technologies, which may subsidize our competitors. In addition, pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the FERC selected an electric reliability organization which imposes mandatory reliability rules and standards. Among other things, the FERC's rules implementing these provisions allow such reliability organizations to impose sanctions on generators that violate their new reliability rules.
The introductions of new laws, or other future regulatory developments, may have a material adverse impact on our business, operations or financial condition.
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Future FERC rate determinations could negatively impact Path 15's cash flows
The stability of Path 15's cash flows will continue to be subject to the risk of the FERC's adjusting the expected formulation of revenues upon its rate review every three years, and a rate review is set to commence in 2011. The cost-of-service methodology currently applied by the FERC is well established and transparent; however, certain inputs in the FERC's determination of rates are subject to its discretion, including in response to protests from interveners in such rate cases, which include return on equity and the recovery of certain extraordinary expenses. Unfavorable decisions on these matters could adversely affect the cash flow, financial position and results of operations of us and Path 15, and could adversely affect our cash available for dividends.
Noncompliance with federal reliability standards may subject us and our projects to penalties
Our operations are subject to the regulations of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation ("NERC"), a self-regulatory organization that is a non-governmental entity which has statutory responsibility to regulate bulk power system users, generation and transmission owners and operators. NERC groups the users, owners, and operators of the bulk power system into 17 categories, known as functional entitiese.g., Generator Owner, Generator Operator, Purchasing-Selling Entity, etc.according to the tasks they perform. The NERC Compliance Registry lists the entities responsible for complying with the mandatory reliability standards and the FERC, NERC, or a regional reliability organization may assess penalties against any responsible entity found to be in noncompliance. Violations may be discovered through self-certification, compliance audits, spot checking, self-reporting, compliance investigations by NERC (or a regional reliability organization) and the FERC, periodic data submittals, exception reporting, and complaints. NERC and the FERC have assigned a Violation Risk Factor of High, Medium, or Lower to each requirement of the mandatory reliability standards corresponding to the risk to the bulk power system associated with a violation of that requirement. The penalty that might be imposed for violating the requirements of the standards is a function of the Violation Risk Factor. Penalties for the most severe violations can reach as high as $1 million per violation, per day, and our projects could be exposed to these penalties if violations occur.
Our projects are subject to significant environmental and other regulations
Our projects are subject to numerous and significant federal, state and local laws, including statutes, regulations, by-laws, guidelines, policies, directives and other requirements governing or relating to, among other things: air emissions; discharges into water; ash disposal; the storage, handling, use, transportation and distribution of dangerous goods and hazardous, residual and other regulated materials, such as chemicals; the prevention of releases of hazardous materials into the environment; the prevention, presence and remediation of hazardous materials in soil and groundwater, both on and off site; land use and zoning matters; and workers' health and safety matters. As such, the operation of our projects carries an inherent risk of environmental, health and safety liabilities (including potential civil actions, compliance or remediation orders, fines and other penalties), and may result in the projects being involved from time to time in administrative and judicial proceedings relating to such matters.
The Clean Air Act and related regulations and programs of the Environmental Protection Agency extensively regulate the air emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury and other compounds emitted by power plants. Environmental laws and regulations have generally become more stringent over time, and this trend may continue. In particular, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has promulgated regulations under the federal Clean Air Interstate Rule ("CAIR") requiring additional reductions in nitrogen oxides, or "NO X, " and sulphur dioxide, or "SO 2, " emissions, beginning in 2009 and 2010 respectively, and has also promulgated regulations requiring reductions in mercury emissions from coal-fired electric generating units, beginning in 2010 with more substantial reductions in 2018.
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Moreover, certain of the states in which we operate have promulgated air pollution control regulations which are more stringent than existing and proposed federal regulations.
While CAIR was set aside by a court decision in 2008, that decision allowed the CAIR requirements to remain in place pending further rulemaking by the Environmental Protection Agency. On July 6, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed to replace CAIR by requiring 31 states and the District of Columbia to curb emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from power plants through more aggressive state-by-state emissions budgets for nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. Compliance with the proposed rule, which would take effect in 2012, may have a material adverse impact on our business, operations or financial condition.
The Environmental Protection Agency intends to propose new mercury emissions standards for power plants by March 2011 and to have new standards in place by November 2011. Meeting these new standards at our coal-fired facilities may have a material adverse impact on our business, operations or financial condition.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act has historically exempted fossil fuel combustion wastes from hazardous waste regulation. However, in June 2010 the Environmental Protection Agency proposed two alternative sets of regulations governing coal ash. One set of proposed regulations would designate coal ash as "special waste" and bring ash impoundments at coal-fired power plants under federal regulations governing hazardous solid waste under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Another set of proposed regulations would regulate coal ash as a non-hazardous solid waste. If the Environmental Protection Agency determines to regulate coal ash as a hazardous waste, our coal-fired facilities may be subject to increased compliance obligations and costs that may have a material adverse impact on our business, operations or financial condition.
Significant expenditures may be required for either capital expenditures or the purchase of allowances under any or all of these programs to keep the projects compliant with environmental laws and regulations. The projects' PPAs do not allow for the pass through of emissions allowance or emission reduction capital expenditure costs, with the exception of Pasco. If it is not economical to make those expenditures it may be necessary to retire or mothball facilities, or restrict or modify our operations to comply with more stringent standards.
Our projects have obtained environmental permits and other approvals that are required for their operations. Compliance with applicable environmental laws, regulations, permits and approvals and material future changes to them could materially impact our businesses. Although we believe the operations of the projects are currently in material compliance with applicable environmental laws, licenses, permits and other authorizations required for the operation of the projects and although there are environmental monitoring and reporting systems in place with respect to all the projects, there is no guarantee that more stringent laws will not be imposed, that there will not be more stringent enforcement of applicable laws or that such systems may not fail, which may result in material expenditures. Failure by the projects to comply with any environmental, health or safety requirements, or increases in the cost of such compliance, including as a result of unanticipated liabilities or expenditures for investigation, assessment, remediation or prevention, could result in additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions and delays in the projects' activities, the extent of which cannot be predicted.
Our projects are subject to regulation of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases
Ongoing public concerns about emissions of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases from power plants have resulted in the enactment of, and proposals for, laws and regulations at the federal, state and regional levels, some of which do or could apply to some of our project operations. For example, the multi-state CO 2 cap-and-trade program known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative applies to our fossil fuel facilities in the Northeast region. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative program went
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into effect on January 1, 2009. CO 2 allocations are now a tradeable commodity, currently averaging in the $2.05 to $3.20/ton range. The State of Florida has conducted stakeholder meetings as part of the process of developing greenhouse gas emissions regulations, the most recent of which was in January 2009. Discussions indicate favoring a program similar to that of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
California, New Mexico, Washington and other states are part of the Western Climate Initiative, which is developing a regional cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region to 15% below 2005 levels by 2020.
In 2006, the State of California passed legislation initiating two programs to control/reduce the creation of greenhouse gases. The two laws, more commonly known as AB 32 and SB 1368, are currently in the regulatory rulemaking phase which will involve public comment and negotiations over specific provisions. Development towards the implementation of these programs continues.
Under AB 32 (the California Global Warming Act of 2006) the California Air Resources Board is required to adopt a greenhouse gas emissions cap on all major sources (not limited to the electric sector). In order to do so, it must adopt regulations for the mandatory reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions and to reduce state-wide emissions of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2020. This will most likely require that electric generating facilities reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases or pay for the right to emit by the implementation date of January 1, 2012. The program has yet to be finalized and the decision as to whether allocations will be distributed or auctioned will be determined in the rulemaking process that is currently underway. Discussion to date favors an auction-based allocation program.
SB 1368 added the requirement that the California Energy Commission, in consultation with the California Public Utilities Commission (the "CPUC") and the California Air Resources Board establish greenhouse gas emission performance standards and implement regulations for power purchase agreements that exceed five years entered into prospectively by publicly-owned electric utilities. The legislation directs the California Energy Commission to establish the performance standard as one not exceeding the rate of greenhouse gas emitted per megawatt-hour associated with combined-cycle, gas turbine baseload generation, such as our Badger Creek project. Provisions are under consideration in the rulemaking to allow facilities that have higher CO 2 emissions to be able to negotiate PPA's for up to a five-year period or sell power to entities not subject to SB 1368.
In addition to the regional initiatives, legislation for the regulation of greenhouse gases has been introduced at the federal level and if passed, may eventually override the regional efforts with a national cap and trade program. Federal bills to create both a cap-and-trade allowance system and a renewable/efficiency portfolio standard have been introduced in both the house and senate. Separately, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken several recent actions to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
The Environmental Protection Agency's recent actions include its finding of "endangerment" to public health and welfare from greenhouse gases, its issuance in September 2009 of the Final Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule which requires large sources, including power plants, to monitor and report greenhouse gas emissions to the Environmental Protection Agency annually starting in 2011, and its publication in May 2010 of its final Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule, to take effect in 2011, which requires large industrial facilities, including power plants, to obtain permits to emit, and to use best available control technology to curb emissions of, greenhouse gases.
In addition, the United States is actively participating in various international initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally that may result in further regulatory developments in the United States.
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The implementation of existing CO 2 and other greenhouse gas regulations, the introduction of new regulation, or other future regulatory developments may subject the Company to increased compliance obligations and costs that could have a material adverse impact on our business, operations or financial condition.
Increasing competition could adversely affect our performance and the performance of our projects
The power generation industry is characterized by intense competition, and our projects encounter competition from utilities, industrial companies and other independent power producers, in particular with respect to un-contracted output. In recent years, there has been increasing competition among generators for power sales agreements, and this has contributed to a reduction in electricity prices in certain markets where supply has surpassed demand plus appropriate reserve margins. In addition, many states have implemented or are considering regulatory initiatives designed to increase competition in the U.S. power industry. Increasing competition among participants in the power generation industry may adversely affect our performance and the performance of our projects.
We have limited control over management decisions at certain projects
In many cases, our projects are not wholly-owned by us or we have contracted for their operations and maintenance, and in some cases we have limited control over the operation of the projects. Although we generally prefer to acquire projects where we have control, we may make acquisitions in non-control situations to the extent that we consider it advantageous to do so and consistent with regulatory requirements and restrictions, including the Investment Company Act of 1940. Third-party operators (such as Caithness and GE) operate many of the projects. As such, we must rely on the technical and management expertise of these third-party operators, although typically we are represented on a management or operating committee if we do not own 100% of a project. To the extent that such third party operators do not fulfill their obligations to manage the operations of the projects or are not effective in doing so, the amount of cash available to pay dividends may be adversely affected.
We may face significant competition for acquisitions and may not successfully integrate acquisitions
Our business plan includes growth through identifying suitable acquisition opportunities, pursuing such opportunities, consummating acquisitions and effectively integrating them with our business. We may be unable to identify attractive acquisition candidates in the power industry in the future, and we may not be able to make acquisitions on an accretive basis or that acquisitions will be successfully integrated into our existing operations.
Although electricity demand is expected to grow, creating the need for more generation, and the U.S. power industry is continuing to undergo consolidation and may offer attractive acquisition opportunities, we are likely to confront significant competition for those opportunities and, to the extent that any opportunities are identified, we may be unable to effect acquisitions or investments.
Any acquisition or investment may involve potential risks, including an increase in indebtedness, the inability to successfully integrate operations, the potential disruption of our ongoing business, the diversion of management's attention from other business concerns and the possibility that we pay more than the acquired company or interest is worth. There may also be liabilities that we fail to discover, or are unable to discover, in our due diligence prior to the consummation of an acquisition, and we may not be indemnified for some or all these liabilities. In addition, our funding requirements associated with acquisitions and integration costs may reduce the funds available to us to make dividend payments.
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Insurance may not be sufficient to cover all losses
Our business involves significant operating hazards related to the generation of electricity. While we believe that the projects' insurance coverage addresses all material insurable risks, provides coverage that is similar to what would be maintained by a prudent owner/operator of similar facilities, and are subject to deductibles, limits and exclusions which are customary or reasonable given the cost of procuring insurance, current operating conditions and insurance market conditions, there can be no assurance that such insurance will continue to be offered on an economically feasible basis, nor that all events that could give rise to a loss or liability are insurable, nor that the amounts of insurance will at all times be sufficient to cover each and every loss or claim that may occur involving our assets or operations of our projects. Any losses in excess of those covered by insurance, which may include a significant judgment against any project or project operator, the loss of a significant permit or other approval or the imposition of a significant fine or penalty, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and future prospects and could adversely affect dividends to our shareholders.
Financing arrangements could negatively impact our business
Our current or future borrowings could increase the level of financial risk to us and, to the extent that the interest rates are not fixed and rise, or that borrowings are refinanced at higher rates, then cash available for dividends could be adversely affected. As of September 14, 2010, we had $20.0 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility, $142.3 million of outstanding convertible debentures and $232.9 million of outstanding non-recourse project-level debt. Covenants in these borrowings may also adversely affect cash available for dividends. In addition, most of the projects currently have term loan or other financing arrangements in place with various lenders. These financing arrangements are typically secured by all of the project assets and contracts as well as the equity interests in the project operator (including those owned by us). The terms of these financing arrangements generally impose many covenants and obligations on the part of the project operator and other borrowers and guarantors. For example, some agreements contain requirements to maintain specified debt service coverage ratios before cash may be distributed from the relevant project to us. In many cases, a default by any party under other project agreements (such as a PPA or a fuel supply agreement) will also constitute a default under the project's term loan or other financing arrangement. Failure to comply with the terms of these term loans or other financing arrangements, or events of default thereunder, may prevent cash distributions by the project to us and may entitle the lenders to demand repayment and/or enforce their security interests.
Our failure to refinance or repay any indebtedness when due could constitute a default under such indebtedness. Under such circumstances, it is expected that dividends to our shareholders would not be permitted until such indebtedness was refinanced or repaid and we may be required to sell assets or take other actions, including the initiation of bankruptcy proceedings or the commencement of an out-of-court debt restructuring.
Our equity interests in our projects may be subject to transfer restrictions
The partnership or other agreements governing some of the projects may limit a partner's ability to sell its interest. Specifically, these agreements may prohibit any sale, pledge, transfer, assignment or other conveyance of the interest in a project without the consent of the other partners. In some cases, other partners may have rights of first offer or rights of first refusal in the event of a proposed sale or transfer of our interest. These restrictions may limit or prevent us from managing our interests in the projects in the manner we see fit, and may have an adverse effect on our ability to sell our interests in these projects at the prices we desire.
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The projects are exposed to risks inherent in the use of derivative instruments
We and the projects may use derivative instruments, including futures, forwards, options and swaps, to manage commodity and financial market risks. In the future, the project operators could recognize financial losses on these arrangements as a result of volatility in the market values of the underlying commodities or if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract. If actively quoted market prices and pricing information from external sources are not available, the valuation of these contracts would involve judgment or use of estimates. As a result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these contracts.
Most of these contracts are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded currently in earnings, resulting in significant volatility in our income (as calculated in accordance with GAAP) that does not significantly affect current period cash flows or the underlying risk management purpose of the derivative instruments. As a result, we may be unable to accurately predict the impact that our risk management decisions may have on our quarterly and annual income (as calculated in accordance with GAAP).
If the values of these financial contracts change in a manner that we do not anticipate, or if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract, it could harm our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We have executed natural gas swaps to reduce our risks to changes in the market price of natural gas, which is the fuel consumed at many of our projects. Due to declining natural gas prices, we have incurred losses on these natural gas swaps. We execute these swaps only for the purpose of managing risks and not for speculative trading.
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Risks Related to Our Structure
We are dependent on our projects for virtually all cash available for dividends
We are dependent on the operations and assets of the projects through our indirect ownership of interests in the projects. The actual amount of cash available for dividends to our shareholders depends upon numerous factors, including profitability, changes in revenues, fluctuations in working capital, availability under existing credit facilities, capital expenditure levels, applicable laws, compliance with contracts and contractual restrictive covenants contained in any debt documentation.
Distribution of available cash may restrict our potential growth
A payout of a significant portion of substantially all of our operating cash flow will make additional capital and operating expenditures dependent on increased cash flow or additional financing in the future. Lack of these funds could limit our future growth and cash flow. In addition, we may be precluded from pursuing otherwise attractive acquisitions or investments because they may not be accretive to us on a short-term basis.
Future dividends are not guaranteed
Our board of directors may, in their discretion, amend or repeal our existing dividend policy. Future dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, the results of operations, working capital requirements, financial condition, restrictive covenants, business opportunities, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Our board of directors may decrease the level of or entirely discontinue payment of dividends.
Exchange rate fluctuations may impact our amount of cash available for dividends
Our payments to shareholders and convertible debenture holders are denominated in Canadian dollars. Conversely, all of our projects' revenues and expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars. As a result, we are exposed to currency exchange rate risks. Despite our hedges against this risk through 2013, any arrangements to mitigate this exchange rate risk may not be sufficient to fully protect against this risk. If hedging transactions do not fully protect against this risk, changes in the currency exchange rate between U.S. and Canadian dollars could adversely affect our cash available for distribution.
Our indebtedness could negatively impact our business and our projects
The degree to which we are leveraged on a consolidated basis could increase and have important consequences to our shareholders, including:
As of June 30, 2010, our consolidated long-term debt and our share of the debt of our unconsolidated affiliates represented approximately 55% of our total capitalization, comprised of debt and balance sheet equity.
Changes in our creditworthiness may affect the value of our common shares
Changes to our perceived creditworthiness may affect the market price or value and the liquidity of our common shares. The interest rate we pay on our credit facility may increase if certain credit ratios deteriorate.
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Future issuances of our common shares could result in dilution
Our articles of incorporation authorize the issuance of an unlimited number of common shares for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as are established by our board of directors without the approval of any of our shareholders. We may issue additional common shares in connection with a future financing or acquisition. The issuance of additional common shares may dilute an investor's investment in us and reduce cash available for distribution per common share.
Investment eligibility
There can be no assurance that our common shares or Debentures will continue to be qualified investments under relevant Canadian tax laws for trusts governed by registered retirement savings plans, registered retirement income funds, deferred profit sharing plans, registered education savings plans, registered disability savings plans and tax-free savings accounts.
We are subject to Canadian tax
As a Canadian corporation, we are generally subject to Canadian federal, provincial and other taxes, and dividends paid by us are generally subject to Canadian withholding tax if paid to a shareholder that is not a resident of Canada. We completed our initial public offering on the TSX in November 2004. At the time of the initial public offering, our public security was an IPS. Each IPS was comprised of one common share and Cdn$5.767 principal value of 11% subordinated notes due 2016. In the fourth quarter of 2009, we converted to a traditional common share company through a shareholder approved plan of arrangement in which each IPS was exchanged for one of our new common shares. Our new common shares were listed and posted for trading on the TSX commencing on December 2, 2009 and trade under the symbol "ATP," and the former IPSs, which traded under the symbol "ATP.UN," were delisted at that time. In connection with our conversion from an IPS structure to a traditional common share structure and the related reorganization of our organizational structure, we received a note from our primary U.S. holding company (the "Intercompany Note"). We are required to include in computing our taxable income interest on the Intercompany Note. We expect that our existing tax attributes initially will be available to offset this income inclusion such that it will not result in an immediate material increase to our liability for Canadian taxes. However, once we fully utilize our existing tax attributes (or if, for any reason, these attributes were not available to us), our Canadian tax liability would materially increase. Although we intend to explore potential opportunities in the future to preserve the tax efficiency of our structure, no assurances can be given that our Canadian tax liability will not materially increase at that time.
Withholding Tax
Effective January 1, 2008, the Tax Act was amended to generally eliminate withholding tax on interest paid or credited to non-residents of Canada with whom the payor deals at arm's length. However, Canadian withholding tax continues to apply to payments of "participating debt interest." For purposes of the Tax Act, participating debt interest is generally interest that is paid on an obligation where all or any portion of such interest is contingent or dependent on the use of or production from property in Canada or is computed by reference to revenue, profit, cash flow, commodity price or any similar criterion.
Under the Tax Act, when a debenture or other debt obligation issued by a person resident in Canada is assigned or otherwise transferred by a non-resident person to a person resident in Canada (which would include a conversion of the obligation or payment on maturity), the amount, if any, by which the price for which the obligation was assigned or transferred exceeds the price for which the obligation was issued is deemed to be a payment of interest on that obligation made by the person resident in Canada to the non-resident (an "excess"). The deeming rule does not apply in respect of
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certain "excluded obligations," although it is not clear whether a particular convertible debenture would qualify as an "excluded obligation." If a convertible debenture is not an "excluded obligation," issues that arise are whether any excess would be considered to exist, whether any such excess which is deemed to be interest is "participating debt interest," and if the excess is participating debt interest, whether that results in all interest on the obligation being considered to be participating debt interest.
The Canada Revenue Agency ("CRA") has stated that no excess, and therefore no participating debt interest, generally would arise on the conversion of a "traditional convertible debenture" and therefore, there would be no withholding tax in such circumstances (provided that the payor and payee deal at arm's length for purposes of the Tax Act). The CRA has published guidance describing certain minimum terms and conditions that a debenture should generally have to be a "traditional convertible debenture" for these purposes. The Debentures generally meet the criteria set forth in CRA's published guidance; however, the Indenture also contains additional terms which are not contemplated in the CRA's published guidance. Accordingly, the application of the CRA's published guidance is uncertain and there is a risk that amounts paid or payable by the Company to a holder of Debentures on account of interest or any "excess" amount may be subject to Canadian withholding tax at 25% (subject to any reduction in accordance with the Canadian Treaty).
The Indenture will not contain a requirement for the Company to increase the amount of interest or other payments to holders of Debentures should the Company be required to withhold amounts in respect of income or similar taxes on payments of interest or other amounts.
Other Canadian federal income tax risks
There can be no assurance that Canadian federal income tax laws and CRA administrative policies respecting the Canadian federal income tax consequences generally applicable to us, to our subsidiaries, or to a holder of common shares will not be changed in a manner which adversely affects holders of our common shares.
Our prior and current structure may be subject to additional U.S. federal income tax liability
Under our prior IPS structure, we treated the subordinated notes as debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, we deducted the interest payments on the subordinated notes and reduced our net taxable income treated as "effectively connected income" for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under our current structure, our subsidiaries that are incorporated in the United States are subject to U.S. federal income tax on their income at regular corporate rates (currently as high as 35%, plus state and local taxes), and our U.S. holding company will claim interest deductions with respect to the Intercompany Note in computing its income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent this interest expense is disallowed or is otherwise not deductible, the U.S. federal income tax liability of our U.S. holding company will increase, which could materially affect the after-tax cash available to distribute to us. While we received advice from our U.S. tax counsel, based on certain representations by us and our U.S. holding company and determinations made by our independent advisors, as applicable, that the subordinated notes and the Intercompany Note should be treated as debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it is possible that the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") could successfully challenge those positions and assert that subordinated notes or the Intercompany Note should be treated as equity rather than debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In this case, the otherwise deductible interest on the subordinated notes or the Intercompany Note would be treated as non-deductible distributions and, in the case of the Intercompany Note, would be subject to U.S. withholding tax to the extent our U.S. holding company had current or accumulated earnings and profits. The determination of whether the subordinated notes and the U.S. holding company's indebtedness to us is debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes is based on an analysis of the facts and circumstances. There is no clear statutory definition of debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and its characterization is governed by principles developed in case law, which analyzes
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numerous factors that are intended to identify the nature of the purported creditor's interest in the borrower. Furthermore, not all courts have applied this analysis in the same manner, and some courts have placed more emphasis on certain factors than other courts have. To the extent it were ultimately determined that our interest expenses on either the subordinated notes or the Intercompany Note were disallowed, our U.S. federal income tax liability for the applicable open tax years would materially increase, which could materially affect the after-tax cash available to us to distribute. Alternatively, the IRS could argue that the interest on the subordinated notes or the Intercompany Note exceeded or exceeds an arm's length rate, in which case only the portion of the interest expense that does not exceed an arm's length rate may be deductible and, in the case of the Intercompany Note, the remainder would be subject to U.S. withholding tax to the extent our U.S. holding company had current or accumulated earnings and profits. We have received advice from independent advisors that the interest rate on the subordinated notes and the Intercompany Note was and is, as applicable, commercially reasonable in the circumstances, but the advice is not binding on the IRS.
Furthermore, our U.S. holding company's deductions attributable to the interest expense on the Intercompany Note may be limited by the amount by which its net interest expense (the interest paid by our U.S. holding company on all debt, including the Intercompany Note, less its interest income) exceeds 50% of its adjusted taxable income (generally, U.S. federal taxable income before net interest expense, net operating loss carryovers, depreciation and amortization). Any disallowed interest expense may currently be carried forward to future years. Moreover, proposed legislation has been introduced, though not enacted, several times in recent years that would further limit the 50% of adjusted taxable income cap described above to 25% of adjusted taxable income, although recent proposals in the Fiscal Year Budget for 2010 would only apply the revised rules to certain foreign corporations that were expatriated. Furthermore, if our U.S. holding company does not make regular interest payments as required under the Intercompany Note, other limitations on the deductibility of interest under U.S. federal income tax laws could apply to defer and/or eliminate all or a portion of the interest deduction that our U.S. holding company would otherwise be entitled to with respect to the Intercompany Note.
Conversion of the Debentures into common shares could result in tax
Holders of the Debentures that are subject to U.S. federal income tax could potentially recognize foreign currency gain or loss upon the conversion of the Debentures into common shares.
Passive foreign investment company treatment
We do not believe that we are a passive foreign investment company, and we do not expect to become a passive foreign investment company. However, if we were a passive foreign investment company while a taxable U.S. holder held common shares, such U.S. holder could be subject to an interest charge on any deferred taxation and the treatment of gain upon the sale of our stock as ordinary income. Additionally, if we were a passive foreign investment company while a taxable U.S. holder held Debentures, the interest charge and gain recharacterization rules described in the preceding sentence could potentially apply to such U.S. holder with respect to its Debentures, or to any common shares received upon a conversion of the Debentures.
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Risks Related to the Debentures
There is no trading market for the Debentures
The Debentures constitute a new issue of securities of the Company for which there is currently no public market. Even if the Debentures are listed on a public securities exchange or market, the Debentures may trade at a discount from their offering price depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our performance and other factors. No assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop or be maintained for the Debentures. To the extent that an active trading market for the Debentures does not develop, the liquidity and trading prices for the Debentures may be adversely affected.
We may be unable to repay the Debentures
The Debentures mature on . We may not be able to refinance the principal amount of the Debentures in order to repay the principal outstanding or may not have generated enough cash from operations to meet this obligation. There is no guarantee that we will be able to repay the outstanding principal amount upon maturity of the Debentures. The Debentures will not be guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries, and any restrictions on the distribution of cash at the project level, such as due to restrictive covenants in project-level financing agreements, could materially limit our ability to pay principal and interest on the Debentures when due.
The Indenture will not have any covenant restriction protections
The trust indenture governing the Debentures does not restrict us or any of our subsidiaries from incurring additional indebtedness for borrowed money or otherwise from mortgaging, pledging or charging our real or personal property or properties to secure any indebtedness or other financing. The indenture does not contain any provisions specifically intended to protect holders of the Debentures in the event of a future leveraged transaction involving us or any of our subsidiaries.
We are obligated to redeem the Debentures on a change of control
We will be required to offer to purchase all outstanding Debentures upon the occurrence of a change of control. However, it is possible that following a change of control, we will not have sufficient funds at that time to make the required purchase of outstanding Debentures or that restrictions contained in other indebtedness will restrict those purchases. See "Description of DebenturesChange of Control."
The Debentures may be redeemed prior to maturity
The Debentures may be redeemed, at our option, subject to certain conditions, after and prior to their maturity date in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount thereof, together with any accrued and unpaid interest, as described under "Description of DebenturesRedemption and Purchase." Holders of Debentures should assume that this redemption option will be exercised if we are able to refinance at a lower interest rate or it is otherwise in our interest to redeem the Debentures.
The Debentures may become convertible into other securities, cash or property following certain transactions
In the event of certain transactions, pursuant to the terms of the indenture, each Debenture will become convertible into securities, cash or property receivable by a holder of common shares in such transactions. This change could substantially reduce or eliminate any potential future value of the conversion privilege associated with the Debentures. For example, if we were acquired in a cash merger, each Debenture would become convertible solely into cash and would no longer be convertible
24
into securities whose value would vary depending on our future prospects and other factors. See "Description of DebenturesConversion Privilege."
There is a credit risk associated with payment of the principal and interest on the Debentures
The likelihood that purchasers of the Debentures will receive payments owing to them under the terms of the Debentures will depend on our financial health and creditworthiness.
The rights and privileges of the Debenture holders are subordinate to our senior indebtedness
The Debentures are our unsecured obligations and are subordinate in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior indebtedness, including our convertible debentures issued on October 11, 2006. In the event of our insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or winding up, the assets that serve as collateral for any senior indebtedness would be made available to satisfy the obligations of the creditors of such senior indebtedness before being available to pay our obligations to Debenture holders. Accordingly, all or a substantial portion of our assets could be unavailable to satisfy the claims of the Debenture holders.
We have discretion in the use of proceeds
Management will have discretion concerning the use of proceeds of this offering and the concurrent offering of common shares, as well as the timing of their expenditures. As a result, investors will be relying on the judgment of management as to the application of the proceeds of the offerings. Management may use the net proceeds of the U.S. and Canadian offerings in ways that an investor may not consider desirable. The results and effectiveness of the application of the proceeds are uncertain. If the proceeds are not applied effectively, our results of operations may suffer.
The amount of interest or other payments will not increase upon an increase in amounts withheld for taxes on payments of interest or other amounts
The indenture does not contain a requirement for us to increase the amount of interest or other payments to holders of Debentures should we be required to withhold amounts in respect of income or similar taxes on payments of interest or other amounts.
Risks Related to the Common Shares
Market conditions and other factors may affect the value of the common shares issuable upon conversion of the Debentures
The trading price of the common shares issuable upon conversion of the Debentures will depend on many factors, which may change from time to time, including:
Accordingly, the common shares that a Debenture holder receives upon conversion of the Debentures may trade at a price lower than the conversion price.
25
The market price and trading volume of the common shares issuable upon conversion of the Debentures may be volatile
The market price of the common shares issuable upon conversion of the Debentures may be volatile, particularly given the current economic environment. In addition, the trading volume in our common shares may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. If the market price of our common shares declines significantly, you may be unable to resell your shares at or above the price at the time of conversion. The market price of our common shares may fluctuate or decline significantly in the future.
Some of the factors that could negatively affect our share price or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our common shares include:
Stock markets in general have experienced significant volatility over the past two years, and continue to experience significant price and volume volatility. As a result, the market price of our common shares may continue to be subject to similar market fluctuations that may be unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. Increased volatility could result in a decline in the market price of our common shares.
Present and future offerings of debt or equity securities, ranking senior to our common shares, may adversely affect the market price of our common shares
If we decide to issue debt or equity securities ranking senior to our common shares in the future it is likely that they will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of holders of our common shares and may result in dilution to holders of our common shares. We and, indirectly, our shareholders, will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of our common shares will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common shares and diluting the value of their share holdings in us.
26
The number of shares available for future sale could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
We cannot predict whether future issuances of our common shares or the availability of shares for resale in the open market will decrease the market price per common share. We may issue additional common shares, including securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive common shares. Sales of a substantial number of common shares in the public market or the perception that such sales might occur could materially adversely affect the market price of our common shares. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, our shareholders bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common shares and diluting their share holdings in us.
The exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional Debentures, the exercise of any options granted to directors, executive officers and other employees under our stock compensation plans, and other issuances of our common shares could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common shares, and the existence of options may materially adversely affect the terms upon which we may be able to obtain additional capital through the sale of equity securities. In addition, future sales of our common shares may be dilutive to existing shareholders.
The redemption of Debentures for or repayment of principal by issuing common shares may cause common shareholders dilution
We may determine to redeem outstanding Debentures for common shares or to repay outstanding principal amounts thereunder at maturity of the Debentures by issuing additional common shares. The issuance of additional common shares may have a dilutive effect on shareholders and an adverse impact on the price of our common shares.
Provisions of our articles of continuance could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could deter or prevent a change in control.
We are governed by the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). Our articles of continuance contain provisions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of our company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions may make it more difficult for other persons, without the approval of our board of directors, to make a tender offer or otherwise acquire a substantial number of our common shares or to launch other takeover attempts that a shareholder might consider to be in his or her best interest. These provisions could limit the price that some investors might be willing to pay in the future for our common shares.
27
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this prospectus and in any related prospectus that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. These statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, projections, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of the words "outlook," "objective," "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "plan," "potential," "estimate," "project," "continue," "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "expect," "target" or the negatives of these words and phrases or similar expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to present or historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to:
Such forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this prospectus. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to the assumption that the projects will operate and perform in accordance with our expectations. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not or the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in this prospectus. Our business is both competitive and subject to various risks.
These risks include, without limitation:
28
Other factors, such as general economic conditions, including exchange rate fluctuations, also may have an effect on the results of our 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.
Material factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making an estimate set out in the forward-looking information include third party projections of regional fuel and electric capacity and energy prices or cash flows that are based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based upon what are believed to be reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material. Therefore, investors are urged not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Certain statements included in this prospectus may be considered "financial outlook" for the purposes of applicable securities laws, and such financial outlook may not be appropriate for purposes other than this prospectus.
These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this prospectus and, except as expressly required by applicable law, we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.
29
The following table sets forth, for each period indicated, the high and low exchange rates for one U.S. dollar, expressed in Canadian dollars, the average of such exchange rates on the last day of each month during such period and the exchange rate at the end of such period, based on the noon buying rate as quoted by the Bank of Canada. On September 14, 2010, the noon buying rate was US$1.00 = Cdn$1.0222.
|
Six Months Ended
June 30 |
12 Months Ended
December 31 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 | 2009 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||
High |
Cdn$1.0778 | Cdn$1.3000 | Cdn$1.3000 | Cdn$1.2969 | ||||
Low |
Cdn$0.9961 | Cdn$1.0827 | Cdn$1.0292 | Cdn$0.9719 | ||||
Average |
Cdn$1.0338 | Cdn$1.2062 | Cdn$1.1420 | Cdn$1.0660 | ||||
Period End |
Cdn$1.0606 | Cdn$1.1625 | Cdn$1.0466 | Cdn$1.2112 |
Source: Bank of Canada
30
We expect to receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately Cdn$47.1 million after deducting the underwriting discounts and our estimated expenses of this offering (or approximately Cdn$54.3 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional Debentures in full). We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent offering of common shares as follows:
Any remaining net proceeds will be used to fund additional growth opportunities and for general corporate purposes.
This offering is not conditioned upon the successful completion of the concurrent offering of common shares and the concurrent offering of common shares is not conditioned upon the successful completion of this offering. We expect to receive net proceeds from the concurrent offering of common shares of approximately $55.9 million after deducting the underwriting discounts and our estimated expenses of the concurrent offering (or approximately $64.4 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional common shares in full).
If the concurrent offering of common shares is not successfully completed, we intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to partially fund the anticipated $75 million investment in the Piedmont Green Power biomass project and borrow from our revolving credit facility to fund any deficiency.
As of September 14, 2010, borrowings under our revolving credit facility were $20 million and were used to fund acquisitions. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of August 12, 2012. Borrowings under the credit facility accrue interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus an applicable margin between 1.50% and 3.25% that varies based on the credit statistics of one of our subsidiaries. The margin is currently 1.50%.
31
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated calculated on the basis of the U.S. GAAP financial statements included in this prospectus. For this purpose, "earnings" consists of earnings from continuing operations and distributed income of equity investees, excluding income taxes, non-controlling interests share in earnings and fixed charges, other than capitalized interest, and "fixed charges" consists of project-level interest expense and corporate level interest expense.
|
Year Ended December 31, |
Six Months
Ended June 30, |
||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
(1) | 2.24 | 1.58 | 1.92 | 2.39 | 1.67 | 1.13 |
32
On November 24, 2009, our shareholders approved our conversion to a common share structure. Subsequent to the conversion, we have continued to maintain our business strategy and our current distribution levels. Each IPS has been exchanged for one new common share. Our entire current monthly cash distribution of Cdn$0.0912 per common share is being paid as a dividend on the new common shares on the last business day of each month for holders of record on the last business day of the immediately preceding month. We expect to continue paying cash dividends in the future in amounts that are comparable to the distributions paid in 2009. Future dividends are paid at the discretion of our board of directors subject to our earnings and cash flow and are not guaranteed. The primary risk that impacts our ability to continue paying cash dividends at the current rate is the operating performance of our projects and their ability to distribute cash to us after satisfying project-level obligations.
33
MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE COMMON SHARES AND
RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The IPSs were listed and posted for trading on the TSX under the symbol ATP.UN from our initial public offering in November 2004 through November 30, 2009. Following the closing of the exchange of IPSs for common shares, our new common shares commenced trading on the TSX on December 2, 2009 under the symbol ATP. The following table sets forth the price ranges of the outstanding IPSs and common shares, as applicable, as reported by the TSX for the periods indicated.
Period
|
High
(Cdn$) |
Low
(Cdn$) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarter ended September 30, 2010 (through September 14, 2010) |
13.74 | 12.11 | |||||
Quarter ended June 30, 2010 |
12.90 | 11.20 | |||||
Quarter ended March 31, 2010 |
13.85 | 11.50 | |||||
Quarter ended December 31, 2009 |
11.90 | 9.08 | |||||
Quarter ended September 30, 2009 |
9.49 | 8.55 | |||||
Quarter ended June 30, 2009 |
9.45 | 7.71 | |||||
Quarter ended March 31, 2009 |
9.28 | 6.34 | |||||
Quarter ended December 31, 2008 |
8.53 | 4.90 | |||||
Quarter ended September 30, 2008 |
9.30 | 6.28 | |||||
Quarter ended June 30, 2008 |
10.38 | 7.37 | |||||
Quarter ended March 31, 2008 |
11.00 | 9.67 |
34
The following table shows the dividends declared for the periods indicated in Canadian dollars.
Period
|
Dividends
Declared* (Cdn$) |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
For the month ended September 30, 2010 |
0.091 | ** | ||
For the month ended August 31, 2010 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended July 31, 2010 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended June 30, 2010 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended May 31, 2010 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended April 30, 2010 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended March 31, 2010 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended February 28, 2010 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended January 31, 2010 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended December 31, 2009 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended November 30, 2009 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended October 31, 2009 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended September 30, 2009 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended August 31, 2009 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended July 31, 2009 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended June 30, 2009 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended May 31, 2009 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended April 30, 2009 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended March 31, 2009 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended February 28, 2009 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended January 31, 2009 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended December 31, 2008 |
0.091 | |||
For the month ended November 30, 2008 |
0.088 | |||
For the month ended October 31, 2008 |
0.088 | |||
For the month ended September 30, 2008 |
0.088 | |||
For the month ended August 31, 2008 |
0.088 | |||
For the month ended July 31, 2008 |
0.088 | |||
For the month ended June 30, 2008 |
0.088 | |||
For the month ended May 31, 2008 |
0.088 | |||
For the month ended April 30, 2008 |
0.088 | |||
For the month ended March 31, 2008 |
0.088 | |||
For the month ended February 29, 2008 |
0.088 | |||
For the month ended January 31, 2008 |
0.088 |
Our shares began trading on the NYSE under the symbol "AT" on July 23, 2010. The following table sets forth the price ranges of our outstanding common shares, as reported by the NYSE from the date on which our common shares were listed through September 14, 2010.
Period
|
High
(US$) |
Low
(US$) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
July 23, 2010 through September 14, 2010 |
$ | 13.48 | $ | 12.10 |
The following table shows the dividends declared for the periods indicated in U.S. dollars.
Period
|
Dividends
Declared (US$) |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
For the month ended August 31, 2010 |
0.087 | |||
For the month ended September 30, 2010 |
0.089 | * |
On September 14, 2010, the closing price for our common shares on the TSX was Cdn$13.64, and the closing price for our common shares on the NYSE was $13.27. See "Exchange Rate Information" on page 30 for information regarding the exchange rate between Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars. There were approximately 36,600 shareholders of record of our common shares as of September 14, 2010.
35
The following table shows our capitalization as of June 30, 2010 on a historical basis and on an as adjusted basis to give effect to:
You should read the information set forth in the table below together with our unaudited consolidated interim financial statements and the related notes for the six months ended June 30, 2010, included elsewhere in this prospectus.
|
As of June 30, 2010 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Historical | As Adjusted | ||||||
|
(unaudited)
(in thousands) |
|||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents: |
$ | 63,314 | $ | 145,231 | ||||
Debt: |
||||||||
Revolving Credit Facility(1) |
$ | 20,000 | $ | | ||||
Convertible debentures due 2014 |
56,360 | 56,360 | ||||||
Convertible debentures due 2017 |
81,016 | 81,016 | ||||||
Convertible debentures due |
| 48,914 | ||||||
Current portion of project-level debt |
18,330 | 18,330 | ||||||
Project-level debt |
214,527 | 214,527 | ||||||
Total Debt: |
390,233 | 419,147 | ||||||
Shareholder's Equity: |
||||||||
Common shares, no par value per share, unlimited authorized shares, 60,510 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 65,010 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted(2) |
544,647 | 600,516 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(194 | ) | (194 | ) | ||||
Retained deficit |
(163,299 | ) | (163,299 | ) | ||||
Non-controlling interest |
3,481 | 3,481 | ||||||
Total shareholder's equity |
384,635 | 440,504 | ||||||
Total capitalization |
$ | 774,868 | $ | 859,651 | ||||
36
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following table presents selected consolidated financial information, which should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1 and the related notes thereto, and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" beginning on page 38. The annual historical information for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The historical information for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2010 has been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
|
Year Ended December 31, |
Six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(in thousands of U.S. dollars,
except as otherwise stated) |
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 (a) | 2005 (a) | 2010 (a) | 2009 (a) | |||||||||||||||
Project revenue |
$ | 179,517 | $ | 173,812 | $ | 113,257 | $ | 69,374 | $ | 57,711 | $ | 95,125 | $ | 90,304 | ||||||||
Project income |
48,415 | 41,006 | 70,118 | 57,247 | 48,256 | 19,405 | 25,995 | |||||||||||||||
Net (loss) income attributable to Atlantic Power Corporation |
(38,486 | ) | 48,101 | (30,596 | ) | (2,408 | ) | (509 | ) | (4,618 | ) | (6,486 | ) | |||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share, US$ |
$ | (0.63 | ) | $ | 0.78 | $ | (0.50 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | ||
Basic earnings (loss) per share, Cdn$ (b) |
$ | (0.72 | ) | $ | 0.84 | $ | (0.53 | ) | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | ||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share, US$ (c) |
$ | (0.63 | ) | $ | 0.73 | $ | (0.50 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | ||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share, Cdn$ (b)(c) |
$ | (0.72 | ) | $ | 0.78 | $ | (0.53 | ) | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | ||
Distribution declared per IPS |
$ | 0.51 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.59 | $ | 0.57 | $ | 0.53 | $ | | $ | 0.29 | ||||||||
Dividend declared per common share |
$ | 0.46 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.37 | $ | 0.31 | $ | 0.52 | $ | 0.19 | ||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 869,576 | $ | 907,995 | $ | 880,751 | $ | 965,121 | $ | 636,138 | $ | 862,525 | $ | 873,923 | ||||||||
Total long-term liabilities |
$ | 402,212 | $ | 654,499 | $ | 715,923 | $ | 613,423 | $ | 475,533 | $ | 407,413 | $ | 675,159 |
37
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. All dollar amounts discussed below are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").
This report contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. Factors that could cause, or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, the factors described under "Risk Factors." In view of these uncertainties, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation, unless required by law, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Overview
Atlantic Power Corporation is an independent power producer, with power projects located in major markets in the United States. Our current portfolio consists of interests in 12 operational power generation projects across eight states, one wind project under construction in Idaho, a 500 kilovolt 84-mile electric transmission line located in California, and six development projects in five states. Our power generation projects in operation have an aggregate gross electric generation capacity of approximately 1,823 megawatts (or "MW"), in which our ownership interest is approximately 808 MW.
We sell the capacity and power from our power generation projects under power purchase agreements (or "PPAs") with a variety of utilities and other parties. Under the PPAs, which have expiration dates ranging from 2010 to 2037, we receive payments for electric energy sold to our customers (known as energy payments), in addition to payments for electric generation capacity (known as capacity payments). We also sell steam from a number of our projects under steam sales agreements to industrial purchasers. The transmission system rights we own in our power transmission project entitle us to payments indirectly from the utilities that make use of the transmission line.
Our power generation projects generally operate pursuant to long-term fuel supply agreements, typically accompanied by fuel transportation arrangements. In most cases, the fuel supply and transportation arrangements correspond to the term of the relevant PPAs, and most of the PPAs and steam sales agreements provide for the pass-through or indexing of fuel costs to our customers.
We partner with recognized leaders in the independent power business to operate and maintain our projects, including Caithness, Power Plant Management Services and Western. Under these operation, maintenance and management agreements, the operator is typically responsible for operations, maintenance and repair services.
Current Trends in Our Business
Recession-related impacts
The recession caused significant decreases in both peak electricity demand and consumption that varied by region, although as always, upcoming summer peak demand will also be greatly influenced by weather. This has the effect of delaying projected increases in capacity requirements in varying degrees by region. Historically, electricity demand has made a strong recovery to pre-recession levels along with the economic recovery and the postponement of generation capacity additions are reduced to some extent as well, depending on the pace of the recovery. The reduced electricity peak demand and
38
consumption during a recession tends to impact base load (plants that typically operate at all times) and peaking plants (those that only operate in periods of very high demand) more than mid-merit plants (those that operate to meet the historical pattern of demand during the "peak" portion of most days, but not at night or in other lower demand periods such as weekends). During recessionary periods, base load plants are called on for lower levels of off-peak generation and peaking plants may be called on less frequently as a function of their efficiency and the overall peak demand level. The actual financial impacts on particular plants depend on whether contractual provisions, such as minimum load levels and/or significant capacity payments, partially mitigate the impact of reduced demand. One other recession-related industry impact was an easing of commodity costs, whose previous escalation had greatly increased new plant construction costs. The incipient economic recovery has moved prices higher again for copper, steel and other inputs, with labor costs a function of regional power plant and general construction activity levels, which in some locations includes increased renewable project construction.
Increased renewable power projects
The combination of federal stimulus provisions, state Renewable Portfolio Standards and state or regional CO 2 /greenhouse gases reduction programs has provided powerful incentives to build new renewable power capacity. One simple impact of this trend is the offsetting reduction in new fossil-fired generation, with the following exception. Because significant renewable capacity is being built as intermittent resources (e.g., wind and solar) there will be an increased need by system operators to have more "firming resources." These are units that can be started quickly or idled at low levels in order to be available to compensate for sudden decreases in output from the solar or wind projects. These firming resources are generally natural gas-fired generators or in more limited locations, pumped storage or reservoir-based hydro resources. The second significant impact of increased renewable projects is the increased need for new transmission lines to move power from renewable resources in typically more remote locations to the more highly-populated electricity load centers. This transmission requirement will require significant capital and tends to encounter a long and risky development and siting cycle.
Increased shale gas resources
The substantial additions of economically viable shale gas reserves and increasing production levels have put strong downward pressure on natural gas prices in both the spot and forward markets. One impact of the reduced prices is that gas-fired generators have displaced some generation from base load coal plants, particularly in the southeast U.S. Lower natural gas prices also have compressed, and in some cases turned negative, the "spark spread," which is the industry term for the profit margin between fuel and power prices. Reduced spark spreads directly impact the profitability of plants selling power into the spot market with no contract, which are referred to as merchant plants.
The lower power prices have a stifling impact on development of new renewable projects whose owners are attempting to negotiate power purchase agreements at favorable levels to support the financing and construction of the projects. The sense of reduced future volatility of gas prices due to increased supply has reinforced a growing expectation of natural gas' role as a "bridging fuel," helping from a carbon policy perspective to bridge the desired U.S. transition to both cleaner fuels and more commercially viable carbon removal and sequestration technologies.
Credit markets
Weak credit markets over the past two years reduced the number of lenders providing power project financing, as well as the size and length of loans resulting in higher costs for such financing. This reduces the number of new power projects that can be feasibly financed and built. Credit market conditions for project-lending have generally improved in late 2009 and in 2010, but are still much
39
weaker than pre-recession levels. However, base lending rates such as LIBOR have stayed quite low by historical standards, somewhat compensating for the increased interest rate spreads demanded by project lenders. Corporate level credit markets have experienced similar adverse impacts, which have impeded the ability of development companies to obtain financing for new power projects.
Factors That May Influence Our Results
Our primary objective is to generate consistent levels of cash flow to support dividends to our shareholders who we believe are primarily focused on income and secondarily on capital appreciation. Because we believe that our shareholders are focused on cash flow measures of our results, we provide supplementary non-GAAP information in this MD&A and discuss our results in terms of these non-GAAP measures, in addition to analysis of our results on a GAAP basis. See "Supplementary Non-GAAP Financial Information" on page 50 of this prospectus for additional details.
The primary components of our financial results are (i) the operating performance of our projects, (ii) non-cash gains and losses associated with derivative instruments and (iii) interest expense and foreign exchange impacts on corporate-level debt. We have recorded net losses in four of the past five years, primarily as a result of non-cash losses associated with items (ii) and (iii) above, which are described in more detail in the following paragraphs.
Operating performance of our projects
The operating performance of our projects supports cash distributions that are made to us after all operating and capital expenditures and debt service requirements are satisfied at the project-level. Our projects are able to pay distributions to us because they generally receive revenues from long-term contracts that provide relatively stable cash flows. Risks to the stability of these distributions include the following:
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Non-cash gains and losses on derivatives instruments
In the ordinary course of our business, we execute natural gas swap contracts to manage our exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices, forward foreign currency contracts to manage our exposure to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and interest rate swaps to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates on variable rate project-level debt. Most of these contracts are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings, resulting in significant volatility in our income that does not significantly affect current period cash flows or the underlying risk management purpose of the derivative instruments. See "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" on page 69 for additional details about our derivative instruments.
Interest expense and other costs associated with debt
Interest expense relates to both non-recourse project-level debt and corporate-level debt. In addition, in connection with our common share conversion transaction, we recorded $16.2 million of charges to interest expense associated with the costs of the conversion and the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the subordinated notes that were retired. The conversion transaction resulted in Cdn$348 million of subordinated notes bearing interest at 11% being converted to equity and, as a result, we expect a significant decrease in our interest expense beginning in 2010.
Our convertible debentures are denominated in Canadian dollars and, prior to our common share conversion transaction, the outstanding subordinated notes were also denominated in Canadian dollars. These debt instruments are revalued at each balance sheet date based on the U.S. dollar to Canadian dollar foreign exchange rate at the balance sheet date, with changes in the value of the debt recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. The U.S. dollar to Canadian dollar foreign exchange rate has been volatile in recent years, which in turn creates volatility in our results due to the revaluation of our Canadian dollar-denominated debt.
Outlook
The discussion below expresses management's outlook and expectations with respect to the future performance of our projects and businesses. Please see "Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."
Based on year-to-date results and our projections for the remainder of the year, we expect to receive distributions from our projects in the range of $75 million to $80 million for the full year 2010, an increase from our previous guidance of $70 million to $77 million. This amount represents a decrease of approximately $20 million to $25 million compared to distributions received from the projects in 2009. Changes in project distributions have historically been included in our long-term cash flow projections when we periodically confirm our ability to continue paying dividends to shareholders at current levels. Additional details about these changes are included below.
At the corporate level, we expect a net cash tax refund in 2010 in the range of $7 million to $9 million, compared to insignificant net cash taxes in 2009. Included in 2010 corporate-level costs will
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be the $5 million payment under the terms of the management agreement termination, compared to a $6 million payment in 2009.
Looking ahead to 2011, we expect overall levels of cash flow to be improved over projected 2010 levels. Higher distributions from existing projects, initial distributions from our recent investment in Idaho Wind and a slightly lower payment under the management agreement termination are expected to be partially offset by the non-recurrence of the cash tax refunds that are anticipated in 2010. In 2012, still higher distributions from projects are expected to further increase operating cash flow compared to 2011. The most significant factor in the expected higher operating cash flow in 2012 is increased distributions from Selkirk following the final payment of its non-recourse project-level debt in 2012.
The following one-time items and contract expirations comprise the most significant of the decreases in projected 2010 project distributions compared to 2009.
In 2009, the following five projects comprised approximately 86% of project distributions received: Auburndale, Lake, Orlando, Path 15 and Pasco. For 2010, we expect these same five projects to contribute approximately 90% of total project distributions.
In addition to the items above, the following is a summary of other projections for project distributions in 2010 and beyond:
Lake
The Lake project is exposed to changes in natural gas prices from the expiration of its natural gas supply contract on June 30, 2009 through the expiration of its PPA in July 2013. We have executed a hedging strategy to mitigate this exposure by periodically entering into financial swaps that effectively fix the forward price of natural gas required at the project. We have taken advantage of the low market price of natural gas to make significant progress in our natural gas hedging strategy. These hedges are summarized below under "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk." We intend to continue, when appropriate, to evaluate opportunities to further mitigate natural gas price exposure at Lake in the 2010 to 2013 period, but do not intend to execute additional hedges at Lake for 2010 or 2012 because our natural gas exposure for those years is already substantially hedged.
The variable energy revenues in the Lake project's PPA are indexed to the price of coal consumed by a specific utility plant in Florida, PEF's Crystal River facility. The components of this coal price are proprietary to the utility, but we believe that the utility purchases coal for that plant under a combination of short to medium term contracts and spot market transactions.
Coal prices used in the electricity revenue component of the projected distributions from the Lake project incorporate a forecast of the applicable Crystal River facility coal cost provided by the utility based on their internal projections. The projected annual cash distributions change by approximately $1.0 million for every $0.25/Mmbtu change in the projected price of coal.
We expect to receive distributions from the Lake project of approximately $27 million to $29 million in 2010. In 2011 and 2012, distributions from Lake are expected to be $30 million to $34 million per year. The increases in 2011 and 2012 are primarily due to higher expected contractual capacity and energy revenue and lower natural gas prices than in 2010.
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Auburndale
Based on the current forecast, we expect distributions from Auburndale of $25 million to $27 million per year from 2010 through 2013, when the project's current PPA expires. Distributions received from Auburndale in the 2010 through 2013 period will be impacted by projected coal and gas prices in the forecast period.
The projected revenue from the Auburndale PPA contains a component related to coal costs at the utility off-taker's Crystal River facility as described above for the Lake project. Because that mechanism does not pass through changes in the project's fuel costs, Auburndale's operating margin is exposed to changes in natural gas prices for approximately 20% of its natural gas requirements through the expiration of the gas contract. The remaining 80% of the project's fuel requirements are supplied under an agreement with fixed prices through its expiration in mid-2012. We have been executing a strategy to mitigate the future exposure to changes in natural gas prices at Auburndale by periodically entering into financial swaps that effectively fix the forward price of natural gas required at the project. See "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" for additional details about hedge contracts executed as of August 9, 2010. The 2010 and 2011 natural gas price exposure at Auburndale has been substantially hedged. We intend to continue, when appropriate, to evaluate opportunities to further mitigate natural gas price exposure at Auburndale in the 2012 to 2013 period.
Chambers
As expected, we have reported a significant decrease in cash flow at the Chambers project in 2009 due to a planned major maintenance outage, changes in market power prices and expected sales volumes and the expense associated with regional carbon allowance purchases.
As previously reported, the reduced cash flows resulted in the project not meeting cash flow coverage ratio tests in its non-recourse debt, so we received no distributions from Chambers in 2009 and do not expect to receive distributions from Chambers in 2010. Based on our current projections, we expect to resume receiving distributions from the project in 2011 based on meeting the required debt service coverage ratios.
Results of Operations
The following table and discussion is a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the three years ended December 31, 2009 and the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. The results of operations by segment are discussed in further detail following this consolidated overview discussion.
|
Year ended December 31, |
Six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(in thousands of U.S. dollars,
except as otherwise stated) |
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
||||||||||||
Project revenue |
||||||||||||||||
Auburndale |
$ | 74,875 | $ | 10,003 | $ | | $ | 40,037 | $ | 37,989 | ||||||
Lake |
62,285 | 61,610 | 53,210 | 34,083 | 31,104 | |||||||||||
Pasco |
11,357 | 58,897 | | 5,632 | 5,795 | |||||||||||
Path 15 |
31,000 | 31,528 | 34,524 | 15,373 | 15,416 | |||||||||||
Chambers |
| | | | | |||||||||||
Other Project Assets |
| 11,774 | 25,523 | | | |||||||||||
|
179,517 | 173,812 | 113,257 | 95,125 | 90,304 |
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|
Year ended December 31, |
Six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(in thousands of U.S. dollars,
except as otherwise stated) |
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
||||||||||||
Project expenses |
||||||||||||||||
Auburndale |
59,435 | 7,669 | | 30,133 | 29,324 | |||||||||||
Lake |
47,005 | 39,951 | 36,429 | 24,007 | 21,049 | |||||||||||
Pasco |
11,044 | 48,098 | | 4,707 | | |||||||||||
Path 15 |
11,819 | 10,573 | 10,834 | 5,452 | 5,894 | |||||||||||
Chambers |
| | | | | |||||||||||
Other Project Assets |
(254 | ) | 41 | 3,571 | 173 | (163 | ) | |||||||||
|
129,049 | 106,332 | 50,834 | 64,472 | 60,523 | |||||||||||
Project other income (expense) |
||||||||||||||||
Auburndale |
(4,950 | ) | (225 | ) | | (5,695 | ) | (1,314 | ) | |||||||
Lake |
(5,060 | ) | 33 | (8,563 | ) | (6,220 | ) | (56 | ) | |||||||
Pasco |
25 | (4,356 | ) | 6,159 | | 67 | ||||||||||
Path 15 |
(11,682 | ) | (13,232 | ) | (12,016 | ) | (6,242 | ) | (5,215 | ) | ||||||
Chambers |
6,599 | 16,250 | 16,601 | 5,103 | 422 | |||||||||||
Other Project Assets |
13,015 | (24,944 | ) | 5,514 | 1,806 | 2,310 | ||||||||||
|
(2,053 | ) | (26,474 | ) | 7,695 | (11,248 | ) | (3,786 | ) | |||||||
Total project income (loss) |
||||||||||||||||
Auburndale |
10,490 | 2,109 | | 4,209 | 7,351 | |||||||||||
Lake |
10,220 | 21,692 | 8,218 | 3,856 | 9,999 | |||||||||||
Pasco |
338 | 6,443 | 6,159 | 925 | 1,443 | |||||||||||
Path 15 |
7,499 | 7,723 | 11,674 | 3,679 | 4,307 | |||||||||||
Chambers |
6,599 | 16,250 | 16,601 | 5,103 | 422 | |||||||||||
Other Project Assets |
13,269 | (13,211 | ) | 27,466 | 1,633 | 2,473 | ||||||||||
|
48,415 | 41,006 | 70,118 | 19,405 | 25,995 | |||||||||||
Administrative and other expenses (income) |
||||||||||||||||
Management fees and administration |
26,028 | 10,012 | 8,185 | 7,943 | 5,484 | |||||||||||
Interest, net |
55,698 | 43,275 | 44,307 | 5,312 | 20,170 | |||||||||||
Foreign exchange loss (gain) |
20,506 | (47,247 | ) | 30,142 | 2,432 | 9,506 | ||||||||||
Other expense, net |
362 | 425 | 975 | (26 | ) | (30 | ) | |||||||||
Total administrative and other expenses |
102,594 | 6,465 | 83,609 | 15,661 | 35,130 | |||||||||||
(Loss) income from operations before income taxes |
(54,179 | ) | 34,541 | (13,491 | ) | 3,744 | (9,135 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(15,693 | ) | (13,560 | ) | 17,105 | 8,491 | (2,649 | ) | ||||||||
Net (loss) income |
(38,486 | ) | 48,101 | (30,596 | ) | (4,747 | ) | (6,486 | ) | |||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to non controlling Interest |
| | | (129 | ) | | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Atlantic Power Corporation shareholders |
$ | (38,486 | ) | $ | 48,101 | $ | (30,596 | ) | $ | (4,618 | ) | $ | (6,486 | ) | ||
Consolidated Overview
We have six reportable segments: Auburndale, Chambers, Lake, Pasco, Path 15 and Other Project Assets. The results of operations are discussed below by reportable segment.
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Project income is the primary GAAP measure of our operating results and is discussed in "Project Income" below. In addition, an analysis of non-project expenses impacting our results is set out in "Administrative and Other Expenses (Income)" below.
Significant non-cash items, which are subject to potentially significant fluctuations, include: (1) the change in fair value of certain derivative financial instruments that are required by GAAP to be revalued at each balance sheet date (see "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" for additional information); (2) the non-cash impact of foreign exchange fluctuations from period to period on the U.S. dollar equivalent of our Canadian dollar-denominated obligations and (3); the related deferred income tax expense (benefit) associated with these non-cash items.
Cash available for distribution was $66.3 million, $91.0 million and $58.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Cash available for distribution was $25.3 million and $ 39.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. See "Cash Available for Distribution" on page 61 for additional information.
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $(54.2) million, $34.5 million and $(13.5) million, respectively. Income (loss) from operations before income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $3.7 million and $(9.1) million, respectively. See "Project Income" below for additional information.
Income tax benefit was $15.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to an income tax benefit of $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 and an income tax expense of $17.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Income tax expense was $8.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to an income tax benefit of $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Our 2009 effective tax rate was 29 percent compared to negative 39 percent in 2008 and negative 127 percent in 2007. Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2009 was impacted by the recognition of a future tax benefit for net operating loss carryforwards in Canada due to an anticipated increase in Canadian taxable income in future years. Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 resulted primarily from the decrease in valuation allowance attributable to the increase in the deferred tax liability associated with unrealized foreign exchange gains and the effect of other permanent differences. Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2007 was impacted by the increase in valuation allowance attributable to an increase in net operating loss carryforwards in Canada partially offset by branch profits taxes on current year earnings, the impact of foreign earnings subject to tax at lower rates and the effect of other permanent differences. Our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was impacted by a $2.0 million increase in the valuation allowance, a $3.3 million permanent difference related to the estimated percentage ownership at Selkirk based on the priority distribution computation, $0.5 million for dividend withholding taxes and $1.2 million of various other permanent differences.
Six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with six months ended June 30, 2009
Project Income
Auburndale Segment
Project income (loss) for our Auburndale segment decreased $3.2 million to $4.2 million in the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 from $7.4 million in the comparable 2009 period. The decrease in project income for the six months ended June 30, 2010 is primarily attributable to the $4.8 million non-cash change in fair value of derivative instruments associated with its natural gas swaps. These swaps were executed to financially hedge the project's exposure to the changes in market prices of natural gas. See "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" below for additional details about our derivative instruments and other financial instruments. In addition, operations and maintenance costs were lower at Auburndale in the 2010 period due to timing.
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Lake Segment
Project income for our Lake segment decreased $6.1 million to $3.9 million in the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 from $10.0 million in the comparable 2009 period. The decrease is primarily attributable to the non-cash change in fair value of derivative instruments associated with its natural gas swaps. These swaps were executed to financially hedge the project's exposure to the changes in market prices of natural gas. See "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" below for additional details about our derivative instruments and other financial instruments.
Pasco Segment
Project income for our Pasco segment decreased $0.5 million to $0.9 million in the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 from $1.4 million in the comparable 2009 period. The decrease in project income at Pasco is attributable to the timing of operation and maintenance costs during the first quarter of 2009.
Path 15 Segment
Project income for our Path 15 segment decreased $0.6 million to $3.7 million in the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 from $4.3 million in the comparable 2009 period. The decrease in project income at Path 15 is attributable to a non-recurring gain in prior year related to the settlement of disputes with landowners over right-of-way issues.
Chambers Segment
Project income for our Chambers segment, which is recorded under the equity method of accounting, increased $4.7 million to $5.1 million in the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 from $0.4 million in the comparable 2009 period. The increase in project income at Chambers is primarily attributable to the non-recurrence of the planned major maintenance outage during the second quarter of 2009.
Other Project Assets Segment
Project income for our Other Project Assets segment decreased $0.9 million, to $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to a $2.5 million income in the comparable 2009 period. While the overall change in project income for the segment was not significant, the largest components of the change are as follows:
Administrative and Other Expenses (Income)
Management fees and administration increased $2.4 million to $7.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $5.5 million in the comparable period in 2009. The increase is primarily attributable to higher employee share-based compensation plan expense in 2010. The expense associated with the plan varies, in part, with the market price of our common shares, which increased significantly during the first half of 2010 compared to the first half of 2009, resulting in higher expense in the 2010 period. In addition, we incurred expenses associated with our initial NYSE listing completed in July 2010 as well as in increase in business development costs during 2010.
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Interest expense at the corporate level in 2010 primarily relates to our convertible debentures. Interest expense decreased $14.9 million to $5.3 million in 2010 from $20.2 million in 2009. This decrease is primarily due to the extinguishment of the subordinated notes that were outstanding during 2009. In November 2009 we completed our common share conversion, which resulted in the extinguishment of Cdn$348 million principal value of 11% subordinated notes due 2016 that previously formed a part of each IPS.
Foreign exchange loss (gain) primarily reflects the unrealized impact of changes in foreign exchange rates on the U.S. dollar equivalent of our Canadian dollar-denominated obligations to holders of the convertible debentures and, through 2009, our subordinated notes. In addition, unrealized and realized gains and losses on our forward contracts for the purchase of Canadian dollars to satisfy these obligations and our dividends to shareholders are included in foreign exchange loss (gain). Foreign exchange loss decreased $7.1 million to a $2.4 million loss in 2010 compared to a $9.5 million loss in 2009. The U.S. dollar to Canadian dollar exchange rate increased by 1.3% during the six months ended June 30, 2010. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the rate decreased by 4.7%. See "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" below for additional details about our management of foreign currency risk and the components of the foreign exchange loss (gain) recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the foreign exchange loss (gain) in the comparable period of 2009.
Year ended December 31, 2009 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2008
Project Income
Auburndale Segment
Project income for our Auburndale segment increased $8.4 million to $10.5 million in 2009 from $2.1 million in 2008. The increase in project income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 was attributable to the fact that 2009 was the first full year of ownership of the project. The Auburndale project was acquired in November 2008.
Lake Segment
Project income for our Lake segment decreased $11.5 million, or 53%, to $10.2 million in 2009 from $21.7 million in 2008. The decrease was primarily attributable to higher fuel expense at Lake due to the expiration of its natural gas supply agreement as of June 30, 2009. A new gas supply agreement at higher prices was effective for the second half of 2009. In addition, non-cash losses associated with natural gas swaps were recorded in the change in fair value of derivative instruments during 2009 of $5.1 million. These swaps were executed to financially hedge the project's exposure to the changes in market prices of natural gas. See "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" below for additional details about our derivative instruments and other financial instruments.
Pasco Segment
Project income for our Pasco segment decreased $6.1 million, or 95%, to $0.3 million in 2009 from $6.4 million in 2008. The decrease in project income at Pasco was attributable to lower revenues of $47.5 million from the project's new ten-year tolling agreement effective January 1, 2009, which provides for lower rates than the power purchase agreement that expired December 31, 2008, partially offset by lower fuel expense of $26.7 million, since the new agreement requires the utility to provide the natural gas needed to generate electricity at the plant. In addition, depreciation expense decreased by $8.2 million due to the full amortization of the intangible asset associated with the project's PPA that expired on December 31, 2008. The Pasco project also recorded a $3.4 million charge in change in fair value of derivative instruments in 2008 associated with natural gas swaps that terminated at the end of 2008.
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Path 15 Segment
Project income at Path 15 for the year ended December 31, 2009 did not change significantly from 2008.
Chambers Segment
Project income for our Chambers segment, which is recorded under the equity method of accounting, decreased $9.7 million, or 59%, to $6.6 million in 2009 from $16.3 million in 2008 as a result of $9.4 million lower gross margin due to lower electricity sales volumes and prices throughout 2009 and a $4.6 million increase in operation and maintenance costs from a planned major maintenance outage in the second quarter of 2009. In addition, non-cash gains of $2.6 million associated with interest swaps were recorded in the change in fair value of derivative instruments during 2009 compared to $4.3 million of losses in 2008.
Other Project Assets Segment
Project income (loss) for our Other Project Assets segment increased $26.5 million to $13.3 million in 2009 compared to a $(13.2) million loss in 2008, primarily due to the following:
Administrative and Other Expenses (Income)
Management fees and administration expenses includes the costs of operating as a public company, as well as the fees and costs associated with our management by Atlantic Power Management, LLC (the "Manager"). Effective December 31, 2009, the Manager no longer provides management and administrative services for our company. The Manager is indirectly owned by the ArcLight Funds and received compensation in the form of an annual base fee that was indexed to inflation and an incentive fee that was equal to 25% of the cash distributions to shareholders in excess of Cdn$1.00 per year per IPS. We also reimbursed the Manager for reasonable costs incurred to manage our company. Management fees and administration increased $16 million, or 160%, to $26 million in 2009 from $10.0 million in 2008. The increase is primarily attributable to a $14.1 million charge associated with the termination of the management agreements at the end of 2009. In addition, employee and director share-based compensation plan expense increased in 2009. The expense associated with these plans varies, in part, with the market price of our common shares, which increased significantly during 2009 compared to a decrease during the twelve months of 2008, resulting in higher expense in the 2009 period.
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Interest expense primarily relates to required interest costs associated with the subordinated notes and the debentures. Interest expense increased $12.4 million, or 29%, to $55.7 million in 2009 from $43.3 million in 2008. This increase is primarily due to the write off of unamortized subordinated note deferred finance costs of $7.5 million, the write off of the unamortized subordinated note premium of $0.9 million and transaction costs of $4.7 million upon closing of our conversion to a common share structure. A charge of $3.1 million was also recorded when we redeemed the remaining subordinated notes in December 2009. This charge was comprised of a premium paid on the redemption of $1.9 million and the write-off of unamortized subordinated note deferred finance costs of $1.2 million. In addition, there were amounts outstanding on our revolving credit facility for a portion of the year ended December 31, 2009 related to the temporary financing of the acquisition of the Auburndale project in late 2008.
Foreign exchange loss (gain) primarily reflects the unrealized impact of changes in foreign exchange rates on the U.S. dollar equivalent of our Canadian dollar-denominated obligations to holders of subordinated notes and debentures. In addition, unrealized and realized gains and losses on our forward contracts for the purchase of Canadian dollars to satisfy these obligations are included in foreign exchange loss (gain). Foreign exchange loss (gain) increased $67.7 million to $20.5 million loss in 2009 compared to a $(47.2 million) gain in 2008. The U.S. dollar to Canadian dollar exchange rate decreased by 15.9% during the year ended December 31, 2009. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the rate increased by 18.6%. See "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" below for additional details about our management of foreign currency risk and the components of the foreign exchange loss (gain) recognized during the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the foreign exchange loss (gain) in 2008.
Year Ended December 31, 2008 vs. December 31, 2007
Project Income
Auburndale Segment
The Auburndale project was acquired in November 2008 and had no results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Lake Segment
Project income for our Lake segment increased $13.5 million, or 164%, to $21.7 million in 2008 from $8.2 million in 2007 primarily due to higher dispatch in 2008, a 5% increase in capacity payments under the PPA and the non-recurrence of costs associated with a planned outage for a gas turbine upgrade during the fourth quarter of 2007.
Pasco Segment
Project income for our Pasco segment increased $0.2 million to $6.4 million in 2008 from $6.2 million in 2007 due to an increase in ownership of the project from 50% in 2007 to 100% in 2008, offset by higher fuel costs related to gas swap payments and an overhaul of the steam turbine during the fourth quarter of 2008.
Path 15 Segment
Project income for our Path 15 segment decreased $4 million, or 34%, to $7.7 million in 2008 from $11.7 million in 2007 as a result of lower revenues associated with the 2008-2010 rate case and a provision for rate case refund.
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Chambers Segment
Project income for our Chambers segment decreased $0.3 million, or 2%, to $16.3 million in 2008 from $16.6 million in 2007 primarily due to timing differences of coal prices between the PPA and project fuel agreement.
Other Project Assets Segment
Project income (loss) for our Other Project Assets segment decreased $40.7 million, or 148%, to a $(13.2) million loss in 2008 compared to $27.5 million income in 2007, primarily due to the following:
Administrative and Other Expenses
Management fees and administration increased $1.8 million, or 22%, to $10.0 million in 2008 from $8.2 million in 2007. The increase is primarily attributable to costs associated with pursuing acquisitions that were not completed in 2008, as well as personnel additions and expense recognized related to awards under our long-term incentive plan that were granted in March 2008 and March 2007.
Interest expense decreased $1.0 million, or 2%, to $43.3 million in 2008 from $44.3 million in 2007. Interest expense primarily relates to required interest payments to holders of the subordinated notes and the debentures. In addition, there were amounts outstanding on the revolving credit facility during the first half of 2007 related to the temporary financing of the acquisition of the Path 15 project, as well as amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2008 on the revolving credit facility due to the acquisition of Auburndale.
Foreign exchange loss (gain) increased $77.3 million to a $(47.2 million) gain in 2008 compared to a $30.1 million loss in 2007. The increase in foreign exchange loss (gain) is due primarily to an increase in the U.S. dollar to Canadian dollar exchange rate of approximately 18.6% during the year ended December 31, 2008. The rate decreased by 17% during the year ended December 31, 2007. See "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" for additional details about our management of foreign currency risk and the components of the foreign exchange gains recognized during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the foreign exchange losses in the prior year periods.
Supplementary Non-GAAP Financial Information
The key measure we use to evaluate the results of our projects is cash available for distribution. Cash available for distribution is not a measure recognized under GAAP, does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. We believe cash available for distribution is a relevant supplemental measure of our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. A reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to cash available for distribution is set out below under "cash available for distribution." Investors are cautioned that we may calculate this measure in a manner that is different from other companies.
The primary factor influencing cash available for distribution is cash distributions received from the projects. These distributions received are generally funded from Project Adjusted EBITDA generated by the projects, reduced by project-level debt service and capital expenditures, and adjusted
50
for changes in project-level working capital and cash reserves. Project Adjusted EBITDA is defined as project income less interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (including non-cash impairment charges) and changes in fair value of derivative instruments. Project Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure recognized under GAAP and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. We use unaudited Project Adjusted EBITDA to provide comparative information about project performance without considering how projects are capitalized or whether they contain derivative contracts that are required to be recorded at fair value. Investors are cautioned that we may calculate this measure in a manner that is different from other companies.
Because Project Adjusted EBITDA and project distributions are key drivers of both the performance of our projects and cash available for distribution, please see the following supplementary unaudited non-GAAP information that summarizes Project Adjusted EBITDA by project and a reconciliation of Project Adjusted EBITDA by project to project distributions actually received by us.
51
Project Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands of U.S. dollars)
|
Year ended December 31, |
Six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(unaudited)
|
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||
Project Adjusted EBITDA by individual segment |
||||||||||||||||
Auburndale |
35,221 | 4,461 | | 19,802 | 18,547 | |||||||||||
Lake |
25,378 | 32,892 | 28,042 | 14,612 | 15,621 | |||||||||||
Pasco |
3,299 | 21,953 | 14,225 | 2,417 | 2,869 | |||||||||||
Path 15 |
27,691 | 28,872 | 31,564 | 14,115 | 13,833 | |||||||||||
Chambers |
13,595 | 27,603 | 28,028 | 10,129 | 5,024 | |||||||||||
Total |
105,184 | 115,781 | 101,859 | 61,075 | 55,894 | |||||||||||
Other Project Assets |
||||||||||||||||
Mid-Georgia |
2,509 | 4,206 | 5,587 | | 1,386 | |||||||||||
Stockton |
(675 | ) | 1,780 | 3,505 | | (1,114 | ) | |||||||||
Badger Creek |
3,245 | 3,762 | 4,109 | 1,510 | 1,732 | |||||||||||
Koma Kulshan |
822 | 912 | 1,196 | 553 | 412 | |||||||||||
Onondaga |
| 7,865 | 21,966 | | | |||||||||||
Orlando |
8,858 | 8,206 | 8,336 | 3,671 | 3,975 | |||||||||||
Topsham |
1,879 | 2,629 | 2,031 | 963 | 1,118 | |||||||||||
Delta Person |
894 | 2,012 | 2,255 | 904 | 824 | |||||||||||
Gregory |
4,482 | 5,236 | 4,428 | 2,283 | 2,271 | |||||||||||
Rumford |
2,590 | 2,395 | 2,585 | (7 | ) | 1,308 | ||||||||||
Selkirk |
15,059 | 19,104 | 24,197 | 7,056 | 7,650 | |||||||||||
Rollcast |
(234 | ) | | | (189 | ) | (95 | ) | ||||||||
Other |
(434 | ) | 801 | 3,164 | (544 | ) | (306 | ) | ||||||||
Total adjusted EBITDA from Other Project Assets segment |
38,995 | 58,908 | 83,359 | 16,200 | 19,161 | |||||||||||
Project income |
||||||||||||||||
Total adjusted EBITDA from all Projects |
144,179 | 174,689 | 185,218 | 77,275 | ||||||||||||
Amortization |
67,643 | 60,125 | 59,141 | 32,982 | 75,055 | |||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
31,511 | 30,316 | 31,678 | 11,878 | 35,005 | |||||||||||
Change in the fair value of derivative instruments |
5,047 | 29,914 | 22,440 | 12,729 | 15,613 | |||||||||||
Other (income) expense |
(8,437 | ) | 13,328 | 1,841 | 281 | (589 | ) | |||||||||
|
(969 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Project income as reported in the statement of operations |
48,415 | 41,006 | 70,118 | 19,405 | 25,995 | |||||||||||
52
Reconciliation of Project Distributions (in thousands of U.S. dollars)
For the six months ended June 30, 2010
(unaudited)
|
Project
Adjusted EBITDA |
Repayment of
long-term debt |
Interest
expense, net |
Capital
expenditures |
Change in
working capital & other items |
Project
distribution received |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reportable Segments |
||||||||||||||||||||
Auburndale |
19,802 | (4,900 | ) | (886 | ) | (8 | ) | (1,008 | ) | 13,000 | ||||||||||
Chambers |
10,129 | (6,016 | ) | (3,327 | ) | (34 | ) | (742 | ) | | ||||||||||
Lake |
14,612 | | 6 | (1,004 | ) | 748 | 14,362 | |||||||||||||
Pasco |
2,417 | | | (467 | ) | 380 | 2,330 | |||||||||||||
Path 15 |
14,115 | (3,740 | ) | (6,242 | ) | | 181 | 4,314 | ||||||||||||
Total Reportable Segments |
61,075 | (14,666 | ) | (10,449 | ) | (1,513 | ) | (441 | ) | 34,006 | ||||||||||
Other Project Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Badger Creek |
1,510 | | (7 | ) | | 138 | 1,641 | |||||||||||||
Delta Person |
904 | (1,023 | ) | (137 | ) | | 256 | | ||||||||||||
Gregory |
2,283 | (823 | ) | (112 | ) | (39 | ) | (443 | ) | 866 | ||||||||||
Koma Kulshan |
553 | | | | (206 | ) | 347 | |||||||||||||
Orlando |
3,671 | | 1 | (66 | ) | (1,706 | ) | 1,900 | ||||||||||||
Rumford |
(7 | ) | | | | 7 | | |||||||||||||
Selkirk |
7,056 | (4,657 | ) | (1,181 | ) | (309 | ) | (909 | ) | | ||||||||||
Topsham |
963 | | | | | 963 | ||||||||||||||
Other |
733 | ) | | 7 | (40 | ) | 792 | 26 | ||||||||||||
Total Other Project Assets Segment |
16,200 | (6,503 | ) | (1,429 | ) | (454 | ) | (2,071 | ) | 5,743 | ||||||||||
Total all Segments |
77,275 | (21,169 | ) | (11,878 | ) | (1,967 | ) | (2,512 | ) | 39,749 | ||||||||||
53
Reconciliation of Project Distributions (in thousands of U.S. dollars)
For the six months ended June 30, 2009
(unaudited)
|
Project
Adjusted EBITDA |
Repayment of
long-term debt |
Interest
expense, net |
Capital
expenditures |
Change in
working capital & other items |
Project
distribution received |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reportable Segments |
||||||||||||||||||||
Auburndale |
18,547 | (1,750 | ) | (1,314 | ) | (246 | ) | (2,364 | ) | 12,873 | ||||||||||
Chambers |
5,024 | (5,303 | ) | (4,029 | ) | (525 | ) | 4,833 | | |||||||||||
Lake |
15,621 | | 6 | (426 | ) | 309 | 15,510 | |||||||||||||
Pasco |
2,869 | | 43 | (46 | ) | 4,084 | 6,950 | |||||||||||||
Path 15 |
13,833 | (3,801 | ) | (6,444 | ) | | 5,194 | 8,782 | ||||||||||||
Total Reportable Segments |
55,894 | (10,854 | ) | (11,738 | ) | (1,243 | ) | 12,056 | 44,115 | |||||||||||
Other Project Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Mid-Georgia |
1,386 | (816 | ) | (1,734 | ) | | 1,164 | | ||||||||||||
Stockton |
(1,114 | ) | | (35 | ) | 96 | 1,053 | | ||||||||||||
Badger Creek |
1,732 | | (2 | ) | | (130 | ) | 1,600 | ||||||||||||
Delta Person |
824 | (541 | ) | (190 | ) | | (93 | ) | | |||||||||||
Gregory |
2,271 | (2,132 | ) | (221 | ) | (46 | ) | 728 | 600 | |||||||||||
Koma Kulshan |
412 | | | (18 | ) | (327 | ) | 67 | ||||||||||||
Orlando |
3,975 | | 6 | (189 | ) | 2,658 | 6,450 | |||||||||||||
Rumford |
1,308 | | | | (1,308 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Selkirk |
7,650 | (4,247 | ) | (1,586 | ) | (59 | ) | 1,238 | 2,996 | |||||||||||
Topsham |
1,118 | (45 | ) | (2 | ) | | | 1,071 | ||||||||||||
Other |
(401 | ) | | (111 | ) | (46 | ) | 1,091 | 533 | |||||||||||
Total Other Project Assets Segment |
19,161 | (7,781 | ) | (3,875 | ) | (262 | ) | 6,074 | 13,317 | |||||||||||
Total all Segments |
75,055 | (18,635 | ) | (15,613 | ) | (1,505 | ) | 18,130 | 57,432 | |||||||||||
54
Reconciliation of Project Distributions (in thousands of U.S. dollars)
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2009
(unaudited)
|
Project
Adjusted EBITDA |
Repayment
of long-term debt |
Interest
expense, net |
Capital
expenditures |
Change in
working capital & other items |
Project
distribution received |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reportable Segments |
||||||||||||||||||||
Auburndale |
35,221 | (3,500 | ) | (2,832 | ) | (322 | ) | 2,419 | 30,986 | |||||||||||
Chambers |
13,595 | (10,570 | ) | (7,674 | ) | (689 | ) | 5,338 | | |||||||||||
Lake |
25,378 | | 4 | (1,278 | ) | (1,405 | ) | 22,699 | ||||||||||||
Pasco |
3,299 | | | (97 | ) | 5,148 | 8,350 | |||||||||||||
Path 15 |
27,691 | (7,519 | ) | (12,912 | ) | | 3,798 | 11,058 | ||||||||||||
Total Reportable Segments |
105,184 | (21,589 | ) | (23,414 | ) | (2,386 | ) | 15,298 | 73,093 | |||||||||||
Other Project Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Mid-Georgia |
2,509 | (1,694 | ) | (3,271 | ) | 11 | 2,445 | | ||||||||||||
Stockton |
(675 | ) | | (70 | ) | (297 | ) | 1,042 | | |||||||||||
Badger Creek |
3,245 | | (17 | ) | | 447 | 3,675 | |||||||||||||
Delta Person |
894 | (1,512 | ) | (224 | ) | | 842 | | ||||||||||||
Gregory |
4,482 | (2,903 | ) | (1,792 | ) | (98 | ) | 2,551 | 2,240 | |||||||||||
Koma Kulshan |
822 | | 1 | (79 | ) | (553 | ) | 191 | ||||||||||||
Orlando |
8,858 | | 14 | (632 | ) | 4,435 | 12,675 | |||||||||||||
Rumford |
2,590 | | 2 | | 309 | 2,901 | ||||||||||||||
Selkirk |
15,059 | (8,122 | ) | (2,777 | ) | 161 | (1,325 | ) | 2,996 | |||||||||||
Topsham |
1,879 | (45 | ) | (2 | ) | | | 1,832 | ||||||||||||
Other |
(668 | ) | | 39 | (62 | ) | 1,248 | 557 | ||||||||||||
Total Other Project Assets Segment |
38,995 | (14,276 | ) | (8,097 | ) | (996 | ) | 11,441 | 27,067 | |||||||||||
Total all Segments |
144,179 | (35,865 | ) | (31,511 | ) | (3,382 | ) | 26,739 | 100,160 | |||||||||||
55
Reconciliation of Project Distributions (in thousands of U.S. dollars)
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2008
(unaudited)
|
Project
Adjusted EBITDA |
Repayment
of long-term debt |
Interest
expense, net |
Capital
expenditures |
Change in
working capital & other items |
Project
distribution received |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reportable Segments |
||||||||||||||||||||
Auburndale |
4,461 | | (225 | ) | | 1,764 | 6,000 | |||||||||||||
Chambers |
27,603 | (9,639 | ) | (8,537 | ) | (145 | ) | 1,414 | 10,696 | |||||||||||
Lake |
32,892 | | 33 | (814 | ) | (931 | ) | 31,180 | ||||||||||||
Pasco |
21,953 | (12,038 | ) | (978 | ) | (175 | ) | 10,883 | 19,645 | |||||||||||
Path 15 |
28,872 | (8,086 | ) | (13,232 | ) | | 156 | 7,710 | ||||||||||||
Total Reportable Segments |
115,781 | (29,763 | ) | (22,939 | ) | (1,134 | ) | 13,286 | 75,231 | |||||||||||
Other Project Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Mid-Georgia |
4,206 | (2,646 | ) | (3,271 | ) | 11 | 1,700 | | ||||||||||||
Stockton |
1,780 | | (9 | ) | (61 | ) | (1,460 | ) | 250 | |||||||||||
Badger Creek |
3,762 | | (3 | ) | | 441 | 4,200 | |||||||||||||
Delta Person |
2,012 | (1,027 | ) | (738 | ) | | (247 | ) | | |||||||||||
Gregory |
5,236 | (1,807 | ) | 288 | (133 | ) | 6,827 | 10,411 | ||||||||||||
Koma Kulshan |
912 | | 4 | (192 | ) | (528 | ) | 196 | ||||||||||||
Onondaga |
7,865 | | 81 | (3 | ) | 11,693 | 19,636 | |||||||||||||
Orlando |
8,206 | (3,468 | ) | 16 | (306 | ) | (1,048 | ) | 3,400 | |||||||||||
Rumford |
2,395 | | 2 | (187 | ) | 524 | 2,734 | |||||||||||||
Selkirk |
19,104 | (6,915 | ) | (3,403 | ) | (60 | ) | (695 | ) | 8,031 | ||||||||||
Topsham |
2,629 | (2,400 | ) | (193 | ) | | (36 | ) | | |||||||||||
Other |
801 | | (151 | ) | (113 | ) | (137 | ) | 400 | |||||||||||
Total Other Project Assets Segment |
58,908 | (18,263 | ) | (7,377 | ) | (1,044 | ) | 17,034 | 49,258 | |||||||||||
Total all Segments |
174,689 | (48,026 | ) | (30,316 | ) | (2,178 | ) | 30,320 | 124,489 | |||||||||||
56
Reconciliation of Project Distributions (in thousands of U.S. dollars)
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2007
(unaudited)
|
Project
Adjusted EBITDA |
Repayment
of long-term debt |
Interest
expense, net |
Capital
expenditures |
Change in
working capital & other items |
Project
distribution received |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reportable Segments |
||||||||||||||||||||
Auburndale |
| | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Chambers |
28,028 | (9,331 | ) | (11,549 | ) | (316 | ) | (264 | ) | 6,568 | ||||||||||
Lake |
28,042 | (574 | ) | 106 | (13,879 | ) | 11,755 | 25,450 | ||||||||||||
Pasco |
14,225 | (7,226 | ) | (395 | ) | (836 | ) | 6,267 | 12,035 | |||||||||||
Path 15 |
31,564 | (11,842 | ) | (11,217 | ) | | (3,213 | ) | 5,292 | |||||||||||
Total Reportable Segments |
101,859 | (28,973 | ) | (23,055 | ) | (15,031 | ) | 14,545 | 49,345 | |||||||||||
Other Project Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Mid-Georgia |
5,587 | (2,411 | ) | (3,589 | ) | | 413 | | ||||||||||||
Stockton |
3,505 | | (24 | ) | (391 | ) | 411 | 3,501 | ||||||||||||
Badger Creek |
4,109 | | 43 | (192 | ) | (310 | ) | 3,650 | ||||||||||||
Delta Person |
2,255 | (935 | ) | (991 | ) | | 762 | 1,091 | ||||||||||||
Gregory |
4,428 | (377 | ) | 364 | | (4,415 | ) | | ||||||||||||
Koma Kulshan |
1,196 | (925 | ) | (24 | ) | (271 | ) | 24 | | |||||||||||
Onondaga |
21,966 | | 54 | | (3,070 | ) | 18,950 | |||||||||||||
Orlando |
8,337 | (3,980 | ) | (122 | ) | (132 | ) | (853 | ) | 3,250 | ||||||||||
Rumford |
2,585 | | 32 | (291 | ) | 475 | 2,801 | |||||||||||||
Selkirk |
24,197 | (3,725 | ) | (3,810 | ) | | (6,312 | ) | 10,350 | |||||||||||
Topsham |
2,031 | (1,625 | ) | (338 | ) | | (68 | ) | | |||||||||||
Other |
3,163 | (813 | ) | (218 | ) | (149 | ) | 4,405 | 6,388 | |||||||||||
Total Other Project Assets Segment |
83,359 | (14,791 | ) | (8,623 | ) | (1,426 | ) | (8,538 | ) | 49,981 | ||||||||||
Total all Segments |
185,218 | (43,764 | ) | (31,678 | ) | (16,457 | ) | 6,007 | 99,326 | |||||||||||
Project Operations PerformanceSix months ended June 30, 2010 compared with six months ended June 30, 2009
Aggregate Project Adjusted EBITDA increased $2.2 million to $77.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $75.1 million in the comparable 2009 period and included the following factors:
57
Aggregate power generation for projects in operation at June 30, 2010 was 6.6% lower during the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 compared to the first half of 2009. Weighted average plant availability increased 3.9% over the same period in 2009. Generation during the first six months of 2010 compared to the prior year period was unfavorably impacted primarily by reduced dispatch at the Chambers and Selkirk projects due to lower power prices and the absence of Stockton and Mid-Georgia generation as the projects were sold in the fourth quarter of 2009, partially offset by increased generation at Lake due to favorable market conditions in the second quarter of 2009.
The project portfolio achieved a weighted average availability of 96.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to 93.0% in the 2009 period. The increase in portfolio availability in the first half of 2010 was primarily due to the planned outages at Gregory and Chambers in the second half of 2009. Each of the projects with reduced availability was nevertheless able to achieve substantially all of its respective capacity payments as a result of contract terms that provide for certain levels of planned and unplanned outages.
Project Operations PerformanceYear Ended December 31, 2009 vs. December 2008
Aggregate Project Adjusted EBITDA for the segments decreased $30.5 million, or 17%, to $144.2 million in 2009 from $174.7 million in 2008 and included the following factors:
Aggregate power generation for projects in operation at December 31, 2009 was 2.6% lower during 2009 as compared to 2008. Weighted average plant availability increased 1.1% over the same period. Generation during the twelve months of 2009 versus the prior years period was unfavorably impacted primarily by reduced dispatch at Chambers. This was due to low market prices and a planned major maintenance outage, offset by the acquisition of Auburndale in November 2008. Also contributing to the lower generation during the period was reduced generation at Pasco as a result of the expected lower dispatch under the new tolling agreement that went into effect on January 1, 2009, which was partially offset by increased generation at Orlando in 2009 due to its unscheduled outage in March 2008.
58
The project portfolio achieved a weighted average availability of 94.5% for 2009 versus 93.4% in 2008. The higher portfolio availability was primarily driven by the increased availability of Orlando versus the prior period resulting from the March 2008 unplanned outage as well as higher availability at Mid-Georgia due to a scheduled outage in April 2008, and the acquisition of Auburndale in November 2008, offset slightly by reduced availability at Chambers associated with a longer planned outage versus the prior period. Each of the projects with reduced availability was nevertheless able to achieve substantially all of its respective capacity payments as a result of contract terms that provide for certain levels of planned and unplanned outages.
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Our cash flow from the projects may vary from year to year based on, among other things, changes in prices under the PPAs, fuel supply and transportation agreements, steam sales agreements and other project contracts, changes in regulated transmission rates, compliance with the terms of non-recourse project-level financing including debt repayment schedules, the transition to market or recontracted pricing following the expiration of PPAs, fuel supply and transportation contracts, working capital requirements and the operating performance of the projects. Project cash flows may have some seasonality and the pattern and frequency of distributions to us from the projects during the year can also vary.
Working capital includes trade receivables and payables at the projects.
Cash flow from operating activities increased by $5.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 over the comparable period in 2009. The change from the prior year is primarily attributable to a significant decrease in cash interest expense as a result of our common share conversion in December 2009, which eliminated Cdn$348 million of outstanding subordinated notes. The positive change in operating cash flow attributable to the reduced interest expense was partially offset by a $4.5 million decrease in distributions from our Orlando project and no distributions in 2010 from our Selkirk project, both of which are equity method investments. The decrease in distributions from Orlando was the result of a one-time receipt of insurance proceeds in 2009 related to an unplanned outage that occurred in 2008. The Selkirk project is currently not making distributions to partners as a result of restrictions in its non-recourse project-level debt. We expect to resume receiving distributions from Selkirk in 2011. An increase in corporate general administrative expenses of $2.5 million also reduced operating cash flow in the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the first half of 2009.
Cash flow from operating activities decreased by $27.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to 2008. The changes from the prior period are consistent with and primarily attributable to the changes in Project Adjusted EBITDA described above. In addition, the $6.0 million payment in December 2009 under the terms of the management agreement termination reduced operating cash flow for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009.
Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 improved to $77.8 million compared to $58.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Our improvement in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to the addition of the Auburndale project acquired in November 2008, the acquisition of the additional 50% interest in Pasco in December 2007 as well as higher distributions from the Gregory project in 2008.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Cash flow from investing activities includes restricted cash. Restricted cash fluctuates from period to period in part because non-recourse project-level financing arrangements typically require all operating cash flow from the project to be deposited in restricted accounts and then released at the time that principal payments are made and project-level debt service coverage ratios are met. As a result, the timing of principal payments on project-level debt causes significant fluctuations in restricted
59
cash balances, which typically benefits investing cash flow in the second and fourth quarters of the year and decreases investing cash flow in the first and third quarters of the year.
Cash flows used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2010 were $1.9 million compared to $3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. We invested $3.0 million in Rollcast during the first quarter of 2009, compared to an additional $2.0 million investment in Rollcast during six months ended June 30, 2010. The cash consolidated in our balance sheet as a result of the additional investment in Rollcast was $2.5 million.
Cash flows provided by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $25.0 million compared to cash flows used in investing activities of $128.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. We sold the assets of Mid Georgia in 2009 for proceeds of $29.1 million compared to no asset sales in 2008. In addition, we acquired Auburndale in 2008 for a total purchase price of $141.7 million compared to no acquisitions in 2009.
Cash flows used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $128.6 million compared to cash flows used in investing activities of $18.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The change in cash flows from investing activities was primarily due to the acquisition of Auburndale in 2008, for a purchase price of $141.7 compared to the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in the Pasco Project from our existing partners for $23.2 million in 2007. We also sold our equity investment in the Jamaica Project in 2007 for proceeds of $6.2 million compared to no asset sales in 2008.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2010 resulted in a net outflow of $20.7 million compared to a net outflow of $21.5 million for the same period in 2009. Although the total cash used in financing activities did not change significantly in the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the same period in the prior year, the 2010 period included an increase in dividends paid of approximately $20 million. We completed our common share conversion in November 2009. As a result, Cdn$348 million of subordinated notes were extinguished and our entire monthly distribution to shareholders is now paid in the form of a dividend as opposed to the monthly distribution being split between a subordinated notes interest payment and a common share dividend during the six months ended June 30, 2009. This increase in dividends paid was offset by the proceeds of $20 million from a borrowing under our revolving credit facility that was used to partially fund our investment in Idaho Wind in July 2010.
Cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 resulted in a net outflow of $62.9 million compared to a net inflow of $38.4 million for the same period in 2008. Our significant cash flows from our 2009 and 2008 financing transactions are described below:
60
Cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 resulted in a net inflow of $38.4 million compared to a net outflow of $49.9 million for the same period in 2007. Our significant cash flows from our 2008 and 2007 financing transactions are described below:
Cash Available for Distribution
Prior to our conversion to a common share structure, holders of our IPSs received monthly cash distributions in the form of interest payments on subordinated notes and dividends on common shares. Subsequent to the conversion, holders of common shares receive monthly cash distributions in the form of dividends on the new common shares. Dividends are paid at the discretion of our board of directors based on historical and projected cash available for distribution. Cash available for distribution decreased by $30.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to 2008 due primarily to the changes in cash flow from operating activities described above. In addition, project-level debt repayments were made at Auburndale, which was acquired in late 2008.
The table below presents our calculation of cash available for distribution for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except as otherwise stated):
|
Year ended December 31, |
Six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(unaudited)
|
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities(1) |
50,449 | 77,788 | 58,088 | 35,978 | 30,524 | |||||||||||
Project-level debt repayments |
(12,744 | ) | (22,275 | ) | (20,117 | ) | (9,141 | ) | (6,414 | ) | ||||||
Interest on IPS portion of Subordinated Notes(2) |
30,639 | 36,560 | 36,235 | | 16,078 | |||||||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
(2,016 | ) | (1,102 | ) | (15,695 | ) | (1,520 | ) | (933 | ) | ||||||
Cash available for distribution(3) |
66,328 | 90,971 | 58,511 | 25,317 | 39,255 | |||||||||||
Interest on Subordinated Notes |
30,639 |
36,560 |
36,235 |
|
16,078 |
|||||||||||
Dividends on Common Shares |
27,988 | 24,692 | 24,665 | 31,714 | 11,672 | |||||||||||
Total common share distributions |
58,627 | 61,252 | 60,900 | |||||||||||||
Payout ratio |
88 |
% |
67 |
% |
104 |
% |
125 |
% |
71 |
% |
||||||
Expressed in Cdn$ |
||||||||||||||||
Cash available for distribution |
75,673 | 97,102 | 62,814 | 26,187 | 47,320 | |||||||||||
Total common share distributions |
66,325 | 65,143 | 65,181 | 33,083 | 33,234 |
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consolidated statements of operations. We have changed the classification of restricted cash because the revised presentation is more widely used by companies in our industry.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our primary source of liquidity is distributions from our projects and our revolving credit facility. A significant portion of the cash received from project distributions is used to pay dividends to our shareholders and interest on our outstanding convertible debentures. We may fund future acquisitions with a combination of cash on hand, the issuance of additional corporate debt or equity securities and the incurrence of privately-placed bank or institutional non-recourse operating level debt.
We believe that we will be able to generate sufficient amounts of cash and cash equivalents to maintain our operations and meet our obligations as they become due.
We do not expect any material unusual requirements for cash outflows in 2010 for capital expenditures or other required investments. In addition, there are no debt instruments with significant maturities or refinancing requirements in 2010. See "Outlook" above for information about changes in expected distributions from our projects in 2010.
Common Share Conversion and Dividend Policy
On November 24, 2009, our shareholders approved our conversion to a common share structure. Subsequent to the conversion, we have continued to maintain our business strategy and our current distribution levels. Each IPS has been exchanged for one new common share. Our entire current monthly cash distribution of Cdn$0.0912 per common share is being paid as a dividend on the new common shares. We expect to continue paying cash dividends in the future in amounts that are comparable to the dividends paid in 2009. Future dividends are paid at the discretion of our board of directors subject to our earnings and cash flow and are not guaranteed. The primary risk that impacts our ability to continue paying cash dividends at the current rate is the operating performance of our projects and their ability to distribute cash to us after satisfying project-level obligations.
Credit facility
We maintain a credit facility with a capacity of $100 million, $50 million of which may be utilized for letters of credit. The credit facility matures in August 2012.
In November 2008, we borrowed $55 million under the credit facility and used the proceeds to partially fund the acquisition of Auburndale. We executed an interest rate swap to fix the interest rate at 2.4% through November 2011 for the balance outstanding under this borrowing. In July 2009, $20 million of the outstanding borrowings under the credit facility was repaid with cash on hand. The remaining $35 million was repaid in November 2009 with cash proceeds from the sales of Mid-Georgia and Stockton and the interest rate swap to fix the interest at 2.4% through 2011 was terminated.
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The credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin between 1.50% and 3.25% that varies based on the credit statistics of one of our subsidiaries. As of June 30, 2010, the applicable margin was 1.50%. In November 2009, we amended the credit facility in order to facilitate the common share conversion. Under the terms of the amendment, we paid a fee of $250,000 and agreed to change the method of computing applicable margin on amounts outstanding under the credit facility.
As of June 30, 2010, $39.4 million was allocated, but not drawn, to support letters of credit for contractual credit support at seven of our projects. In June 2010, we borrowed $20 million under the credit facility and used the proceeds to partially fund the acquisition of Idaho Wind in July 2010.
We must meet certain financial covenants under the terms of the credit facility, which are generally based on the cash flow coverage ratios and also require us to report indebtedness ratios to our lenders. The facility is secured by pledges of assets and interests in certain subsidiaries. We expect to remain in compliance with the covenants of the credit facility for at least the next 12 months.
Convertible Debentures
On October 11, 2006, we issued, in a public offering, Cdn$60 million aggregate principal amount of 6.25% convertible secured debentures, which we refer to as the 2006 Debentures, for gross proceeds of $52.8 million. The 2006 Debentures pay interest semi-annually on April 30 and October 31 of each year. The 2006 Debentures initially had a maturity date of October 31, 2011. They are convertible into approximately 80.6452 common shares per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of 2006 Debentures, at any time, at the option of the holder, representing a conversion price of Cdn$12.40 per common share. The 2006 Debentures are secured by a subordinated pledge of our interest in certain subsidiaries and contain certain restrictive covenants.
In connection with our conversion to a common share structure on November 27, 2009, the holders of the 2006 Debentures approved an amendment to increase the annual interest rate from 6.25% to 6.50% and separately, an extension of the maturity date from October 2011 to October 2014.
On December 17, 2009, we issued, in a public offering, Cdn$75 million aggregate principal amount of 6.25% convertible debentures, which we refer to as the 2009 Debentures, for gross proceeds of $71.4 million. The 2009 Debentures pay interest semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year beginning September 15, 2010. The 2009 Debentures mature on March 15, 2017 and are convertible into approximately 76.9231 common shares per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of 2009 Debentures, at any time, at the option of the holder, representing a conversion price of Cdn$13.00 per common share.
On December 24, 2009, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full to purchase an additional Cdn$11.3 million aggregate principal amount of the 2009 Debentures.
A portion of the proceeds from the 2009 Debentures was used to redeem the remaining Cdn$40.7 million principal value of subordinated notes at 105% of the principal amount.
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Project-level debt
The following table summarizes the maturities of project-level debt. The amounts represent our share of the non-recourse project-level debt balances at June 30, 2010 and exclude any purchase accounting adjustments recorded to adjust the debt to its fair value at the time the project was acquired. Certain of the projects have more than one tranche of debt outstanding with different maturities, different interest rates and/or debt containing variable interest rates. Project-level debt agreements contain covenants that restrict the amount of cash distributed by the project if certain debt service coverage ratios are not attained. As of June 30, 2010, the covenants at the Chambers, Selkirk and Delta-Person projects are temporarily preventing those projects from making cash distributions to us. We expect these projects to resume cash distributions in 2011. All project-level debt is non-recourse to us and substantially all of the principal is amortized over the life of the projects' PPAs. The non-recourse holding company ("holdco") debt relating to our investment in Chambers is held at Epsilon Power Partners, our wholly-owned subsidiary. From January 1 to July 31, 2010, we have contributed approximately $2.7 million to Epsilon Power Partners for debt service payments on the holdco debt. We expect to make further contributions to Epsilon Power Partners ranging from $0.3 million to $0.9 million during the remainder of 2010 before it is expected to begin receiving distributions from Chambers in amounts that are adequate for servicing the holdco debt.
The range of interest rates presented represents the rates in effect at June 30, 2010. The amounts listed below are in thousands of U.S. dollars, except as otherwise stated.
|
Range of
Interest Rates |
Total
Remaining Principal Repayments |
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | Thereafter | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Consolidated Projects: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Epsilon Power Partners |
8.4% | 36,982 | 500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 3,000 | 5,000 | 25,482 | ||||||||||||||||
Path 15 |
7.9% - 9.0% | 157,608 | 3,740 | 7,987 | 8,667 | 9,402 | 8,065 | 119,747 | ||||||||||||||||
Auburndale |
5.1% | 26,600 | 4,900 | 9,800 | 7,000 | 4,900 | | | ||||||||||||||||
Total Consolidated Projects |
221,190 | 9,140 | 19,287 | 17,167 | 17,302 | 13,065 | 145,229 | |||||||||||||||||
Equity Method Projects: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chambers |
0.4% - 7.2% | 80,571 | 5,526 | 11,294 | 12,176 | 10,783 | 5,780 | 35,012 | ||||||||||||||||
Delta-Person |
2.3% | 11,059 | 124 | 1,220 | 1,308 | 1,403 | 1,505 | 5,499 | ||||||||||||||||
Selkirk |
9.0% | 20,999 | 4,206 | 10,948 | 5,845 | | | | ||||||||||||||||
Gregory |
2.1% - 7.5% | 15,217 | 934 | 1,901 | 2,044 | 2,205 | 2,385 | 5,748 | ||||||||||||||||
Total Equity Method Projects |
127,846 | 10,790 | 25,363 | 21,373 | 14,391 | 9,670 | 46,259 | |||||||||||||||||
Total Project-Level Debt |
349,036 | 19,930 | 44,650 | 38,540 | 31,693 | 22,735 | 191,488 | |||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash
The projects generally have reserve requirements to support payments for major maintenance costs and project-level debt service. For projects that are consolidated, our share of these amounts is reflected as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheet. At December 31, 2009, restricted cash at the consolidated projects totaled $14.9 million.
Capital Expenditures
Routine and expected capital expenditures for the projects are generally made at the project level using project cash flows and project reserves. Therefore, the distributions that we receive from the projects are made net of capital expenditures needed at the projects. The projects in which we have investments generally consist of large capital assets that have established commercial operations.
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Ongoing capital expenditures for assets of this nature are generally not significant because most major expenditures relate to planned repairs and maintenance and are expensed when incurred. Capital expenditures in 2009 were approximately $2 million and we expect 2010 capital expenditures to also be approximately $2 million.
In 2009, several of the projects undertook planned outages to complete major maintenance work that prolonged the life and improved efficient and reliable operation of the assets. Major overhaul inspections were conducted during the period at Badger Creek, Chambers and Selkirk. The principal maintenance activity at Chambers was a major overhaul of the project's steam turbine. Selkirk conducted major overhaul inspections of two of its three gas turbines in 2009. Both Chambers and Selkirk have reserves that are funded from operating cash flow in anticipation of major maintenance expenditures. Reserve withdrawals cover a substantial portion of the actual maintenance costs. Typically, Selkirk is able to fully mitigate lost operating margin through the resale of natural gas not consumed.
Costs associated with the major gas turbine overhaul at Badger Creek are paid for by the operator of the plant based on a levelized operations and maintenance fee that the operator is paid by the project. Minor gas turbine inspections and overhauls were completed at Gregory and Auburndale. Both Gregory and Auburndale have long-term service agreements in place for their gas turbines with payments over time that cover a substantial portion of the overhaul cost. Gregory also funds a reserve over time to cover certain maintenance expenditures. Each of the projects conducts maintenance activities during periods of the year when impacts to the project's margin on energy sales and contractual availability requirements can be minimized.
In 2010, several of the projects have planned outages to complete maintenance work. The level of maintenance and capital expenditures is reduced from 2009. In the second quarter, Selkirk completed a minor inspection of one of its combustion turbines, with costs and lost margin largely covered by reserves and gas resales proceeds, respectively. Selkirk's planned major overhaul of a steam turbine has been postponed to 2011 due to maintaining a high steam quality. At Orlando, a minor gas turbine inspection was completed in May. Auburndale is scheduled to conduct a minor inspection of one of the facility's combustion turbines, which is covered by its long-term service agreement, in conjunction with other maintenance work. Chambers completed its scheduled outage to inspect and complete customary repairs on one boiler. Due to the facility's low dispatch, the planned outage of its other boiler has been postponed to 2011.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009 (in thousands of U.S. dollars).
|
Less than
1 Year |
1 - 3 Years | 3 - 5 Years | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Debt(a) |
$ | 18,280 | $ | 36,454 | $ | 87,455 | $ | 227,294 | $ | 369,483 | ||||||
Interest payment on debt |
25,820 | 48,418 | 43,049 | 83,353 | 200,640 | |||||||||||
Total operating lease obligation(b) |
919 | 1,908 | 995 | 84 | 3,906 | |||||||||||
Total purchase obligations |
15,123 | 13,928 | 8,047 | 24,221 | 61,319 | |||||||||||
Total other long term liabilities |
| 5,027 | | 719 | 5,746 | |||||||||||
Total contractual obligations |
$ | 60,142 | $ | 105,735 | $ | 139,546 | $ | 335,671 | $ | 641,094 | ||||||
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during the term of the respective revenue generating contracts of the projects. The range of interest rates on long-term consolidated project debt at December 31, 2009 was 5.1% to 9.0%.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of June 30, 2010, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Accounting standards require information in financial statements about the risks and uncertainties inherent in significant estimates, and the application of generally accepted accounting principles involves the exercise of varying degrees of judgment. Certain amounts included in or affecting our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures must be estimated, requiring us to make certain assumptions with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty at the time our financial statements are prepared. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts we report for our assets and liabilities, our revenues and expenses during the reporting period, and our disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. We routinely evaluate these estimates utilizing historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods we consider reasonable in the particular circumstances. Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from our estimates and any effects on our business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.
In preparing our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, examples of certain areas that require more judgment relative to others include our use of estimates in determining fair values of acquired assets, the useful lives and recoverability of property, plant and equipment and PPAs, the recoverability of equity investments, the recoverability of deferred tax assets and the fair value of derivatives.
For a summary of our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We believe that certain accounting policies are of more significance in our consolidated financial statement preparation process than others, which policies are discussed as follows.
Impairment of long-lived assets and equity investments
Long-lived assets, which include property, plant and equipment, transmission system rights and other intangible assets subject to depreciation and amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets by factoring in the probability weighting of different courses of action available. Generally, fair value will be determined using valuation techniques such as the present value of expected future cash flows. We discount the estimated future cash flows associated with the asset using a single interest rate representative of the risk involved with such an investment or employ an expected present value method that probability-weights a range of possible outcomes. We also consider quoted market prices in active markets to the extent they are available. In the absence of such information, we may consider prices of similar assets, consult with brokers or employ other valuation techniques. We use our best estimates in making these evaluations. However, actual results could vary from the assumptions used in our estimates and the impact of such variations could be material.
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Investments in and the operating results of 50%-or-less owned entities not required to be consolidated are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements on the basis of the equity method of accounting. We review our investments in unconsolidated entities for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investments may not be fully recoverable. Evidence of a loss in value that is other than temporary might include the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment, the inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment, failure of cash flow coverage ratio tests included in project-level, non-recourse debt or, where applicable, estimated sales proceeds which are insufficient to recover the carrying amount of the investment. Our assessment as to whether any decline in value is other than temporary is based on our ability and intent to hold the investment and whether evidence indicating the carrying value of the investment is recoverable within a reasonable period of time outweighs evidence to the contrary.
When we determine that an impairment test is required, the future projected cash flows from the equity investment are the most significant factor in determining whether impairment exists and, if so, the amount of the impairment charges. We use our best estimates of market prices of power and fuel and our knowledge of the operations of the project and our related contracts when developing these cash flow estimates. In addition, when determining fair value using discounted cash flows, the discount rate used can have a material impact on the fair value determination. Discount rates are based on our assessment of the risk of the cash flows in the estimate, including when applicable, the credit risk of the counterparty that is contractually obligated to purchase electricity or steam from the project.
We generally consider our investments in our equity method investees to be strategic long-term investments that comprise a significant portion of our core operating business. Therefore, we complete our assessments with a long-term view. If the fair value of the investment is determined to be less than the carrying value and the decline in value is considered to be other than temporary, an appropriate write-down is recorded based on the excess of the carrying value over the best estimate of fair value of the investment. The use of these methods involves the same inherent uncertainty of future cash flows as previously discussed with respect to undiscounted cash flows. Actual future market prices and project costs could vary from those used in our estimates and the impact of such variations could be material.
Fair Value of Derivatives
We utilize derivative contracts to mitigate our exposure to fluctuations in fuel commodity prices, foreign currency and to balance our exposure to variable interest rates. We believe that these derivatives are generally effective in realizing these objectives.
In determining fair value for our derivative assets and liabilities, we generally use the market approach and incorporate assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about market risk and/or the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation techniques.
A fair value hierarchy exists for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs (Level 1 or Level 2) and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs (Level 3) by requiring that the observable inputs be used when available. Our derivative instruments are classified as Level 2. The fair value measurements of these derivative assets and liabilities are based largely on quoted prices from independent brokers in active markets who regularly facilitate our transactions. An active market is considered to have transactions with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Derivative assets are discounted for credit risk using credit spreads representative of the counterparty's probability of default. For derivative liabilities, fair value measurement reflects the nonperformance risk related to that liability, which is our own credit risk. We derive our
67
nonperformance risk by applying credit spreads approximating our estimate of corporate credit rating against the respective derivative liability.
Certain derivative instruments qualify for a scope exception to fair value accounting, as they are considered normal purchases or normal sales. The availability of this exception is based upon the assumption that we have the ability and it is probable to deliver or take delivery of the underlying physical commodity. Derivatives that are considered to be normal purchases and normal sales are exempt from derivative accounting treatment and are recorded as executory contracts.
Income Taxes and Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets
In assessing the recoverability of our deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon projected future taxable income in the United States and in Canada and available tax planning strategies. As of December 31, 2009, we had recorded a valuation allowance of $67.1 million. This amount is comprised primarily of provisions against available Canadian and U.S. net operating loss carryforwards.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") approved the "FASB Accounting Standards Codification" as the single source of authoritative, nongovernmental GAAP as of July 1, 2009. The codification does not change current U.S. GAAP or how we account for our transactions or nature of related disclosures made; instead it is intended to simplify user access to all authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. All existing accounting standard documents will be superseded, and all other accounting literature not included in the codification will be considered non-authoritative. The codification is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The codification became effective for Atlantic Power beginning the quarter ending September 30, 2009 and did not have an impact in our balance sheet or results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.
In 2009, the FASB amended the consolidation guidance applied to variable interest entities ("VIEs"). This standard replaces the quantitative approach previously required to determine which entity has a controlling financial interest in a VIE with a qualitative approach. Under the new approach, the primary beneficiary of a VIE is the entity that has both (a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance, and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity, or the right to receive benefits from the entity, that could be significant to the VIE. This standard also requires ongoing reassessments of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary of a VIE and enhanced disclosures about an entity's involvement in VIEs. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2010 and it did not have a material effect upon our financial statements.
In 2010, the FASB amended the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the codification to require additional disclosures about 1) transfers of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, including the reason for transfers, 2) purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll-forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, 3) additional disaggregation to include fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities and 4) disclosure of inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll-forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2010 and it did not have a material effect upon our financial statements.
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We adopted the FASB's revised standard for business combinations on January 1, 2009. The provisions of the standard are applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs after January 1, 2009. The standard requires an acquirer to recognize and measure in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at fair value at the acquisition date. It also recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired or a gain from a bargain purchase in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of an entity's financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. In addition, transaction costs are required to be expensed as incurred. This standard was further amended and clarified with regard to application issues on initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. Our adoption of the standard did not have an impact on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
In May 2009, the FASB issued a standard that incorporates the accounting and disclosure requirements related to subsequent events found in auditing standards into GAAP, effectively making management directly responsible for subsequent events accounting and disclosures. The standard also requires disclosure of the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and shall be applied prospectively. Our adoption of the standard did not have an impact on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
In 2008, the FASB amended the disclosure requirements to improve financial reporting about derivatives and hedging activities. This standard became effective on January 1, 2009. We have adopted this standard as of January 1, 2009 and have adjusted our current disclosures accordingly.
In September 2006, the FASB issued a standard which provides enhanced guidance for using fair value measurements in financial reporting. While the standard does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstance, it has applicability to several current accounting standards that require or permit entities to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. The standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The impact of our adoption of this standard on January 1, 2008 resulted in a $25.2 million decrease to retained deficit.
In July 2006, the FASB issued an interpretation that requires a new evaluation process for all tax positions taken, recognizing tax benefits when it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The benefit from a position that has surpassed the more-likely-than-not threshold is the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement. Differences between the amounts recognized in the statement of financial position prior to the adoption of the interpretation and the amounts reported after adoption are to be accounted for as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings. Our adoption of the standard did not have an impact on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices, will affect our cash flows or the value of our holdings of financial instruments. The objective of market risk management is to minimize the impact that market risks have on our cash flows as described in the following paragraphs.
Our market risk sensitive instruments and positions have been determined to be "other than trading." Our exposure to market risk as discussed below includes forward-looking statements and represents an estimate of possible changes in fair value or future earnings that would occur assuming hypothetical future movements in fuel commodity prices, currency exchange rates or interest rates. Our views on market risk are not necessarily indicative of actual results that may occur and do not
69
represent the maximum possible gains and losses that may occur, since actual gains and losses will differ from those estimated based on actual fluctuations in fuel commodity prices, currency exchange rates or interest rates and the timing of transactions.
Fuel Commodity Market Risk
Our current and future cash flows are impacted by changes in electricity, natural gas and coal prices. The combination of long-term energy sales and fuel purchase agreements are designed to mitigate the impacts to cash flows of changes in commodity prices by generally passing through changes in fuel prices to the buyer of the energy.
The Lake project's operating margin is exposed to changes in the market price of natural gas from the expiration of its natural gas supply contract on June 30, 2009 through the expiration of its PPA on July 31, 2013. The Auburndale project purchases natural gas under a fuel supply agreement which provides approximately 80% of the project's fuel requirements at fixed prices through June 30, 2012. The remaining 20% is purchased at market prices and therefore the project is exposed to changes in natural gas prices for that portion of its gas requirements through the termination of the fuel supply agreement and 100% of its natural gas requirements from the expiration of the fuel contract in mid-2012 until the termination of its PPA in 2013.
We have executed a strategy to mitigate the future exposure to changes in natural gas prices at Lake and Auburndale by periodically entering into financial swaps that effectively fix the price of natural gas required at these projects. These natural gas swaps are derivative financial instruments and are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the natural gas swaps through June 30, 2009 were recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) as they were designated as a hedge of the risk associated with changes in market prices of natural gas. As of July 1, 2009, these natural gas swap hedges were de-designated and the changes in their fair value are recorded in change in fair value of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of operations.
For the remainder of 2010, projected cash distributions at Auburndale would change by approximately $0.3 million per $1.00/Mmbtu change in the price of natural gas based on the current level of un-hedged and uncontracted natural gas volumes at the project. In 2010, projected cash distributions at Lake would change by approximately $0.5 million per $1.00/Mmbtu change in the price of natural gas based on the current level of unhedged natural gas volumes at the project.
Coal prices used in the revenue component of the projected distributions from the Lake and Auburndale projects incorporate a forecast of the applicable Crystal River facility coal cost provided by the utility based on their internal projections. The projected annual cash distributions from Lake and Auburndale combined would change by approximately $2.4 million for every $0.25/Mmbtu change in the projected price of coal.
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The following tables summarize the hedge position related to natural gas needed to meet PPA requirements at Lake and Auburndale as of December 31, 2009 and as of September 14, 2010, including additional swaps executed during the first six months of 2010:
As of December 31, 2009
|
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Portion of gas volumes currently hedged: |
|||||||||||||||
Lake: |
|||||||||||||||
Contracted |
| | | | |||||||||||
Financially hedged |
80 | % | 65 | % | 90 | % | 65 | % | |||||||
Total |
80 | % | 65 | % | 90 | % | 65 | % | |||||||
Auburndale: |
|||||||||||||||
Contracted |
80 | % | 80 | % | 40 | % | | ||||||||
Financially hedged |
15 | % | 13 | % | 19 | % | 65 | % | |||||||
Total |
95 | % | 93 | % | 59 | % | 65 | % | |||||||
Average price of financially hedged volumes (per Mmbtu) |
|||||||||||||||
Lake |
$ | 7.11 | $ | 6.65 | $ | 6.90 | $ | 7.05 | |||||||
Auburndale |
$ | 6.30 | $ | 6.68 | $ | 6.67 | $ | 7.02 |
As of September 14, 2010
|
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Portion of gas volumes currently hedged: |
|||||||||||||||
Lake: |
|||||||||||||||
Contracted |
| | | | |||||||||||
Financially hedged |
80 | % | 78 | % | 90 | % | 65 | % | |||||||
Total |
80 | % | 78 | % | 90 | % | 65 | % | |||||||
Auburndale: |
|||||||||||||||
Contracted |
80 | % | 80 | % | 40 | % | | ||||||||
Financially hedged |
15 | % | 13 | % | 32 | % | 79 | % | |||||||
Total |
95 | % | 93 | % | 72 | % | 79 | % | |||||||
Average price of financially hedged volumes (per Mmbtu) |
|||||||||||||||
Lake |
$ | 7.11 | $ | 6.52 | $ | 6.90 | $ | 7.05 | |||||||
Auburndale |
$ | 6.30 | $ | 6.68 | $ | 6.51 | $ | 6.92 |
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
We use forward foreign currency contracts to manage our exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates as we earn our income in the United States but pay dividends to shareholders in Canadian dollars. Since our inception, we have had an established hedging strategy for the purpose of reinforcing the long-term sustainability of our dividends. We have executed this strategy by entering into forward contracts to purchase Canadian dollars at fixed rates of exchange sufficient to make monthly distributions through December 2013 at the current annual dividend level of Cdn$1.094 per common share, as well as interest payments on the 2009 Debentures. Changes in the fair value of the forward contracts partially offset foreign exchange gains or losses on the U.S. dollar equivalent of our Canadian dollar obligations.
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In addition to the forward contracts discussed above that settle on a monthly basis, we executed forward contracts to purchase Canadian dollars at fixed rates of exchange sufficient to make semi-annual payments on the 2006 Debentures. The contracts provide for the purchase of Cdn$1.9 million in April and in October of each year through 2011 at a rate of 1.1075 Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar. It is our intention to periodically consider extending the length of these forward contracts.
The foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded at estimated fair value based on quoted market prices and the estimation of the counter-party's credit risk. Changes in the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts are reflected in foreign exchange (gain) loss in the consolidated statements of operations.
The following table contains the components of recorded foreign exchange (gain) loss for the periods indicated:
|
Year ended December 31, |
Six months ended
June 30, |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||
Unrealized foreign exchange (gains) losses: |
|||||||||||||||||
Subordinated notes and convertible debentures |
$ | 55,508 | $ | (85,212 | ) | $ | 68,419 | $ | (2,505 | ) | $ | 17,635 | |||||
Forward contracts and other |
(31,138 | ) | 46,009 | (30,703 | ) | 7,704 | (8,005 | ) | |||||||||
|
24,370 | (39,203 | ) | 37,716 | 5,199 | 9,630 | |||||||||||
Realized foreign exchange gains on forward contract settlements |
(3,864 | ) | (8,044 | ) | (7,574 | ) | (2,767 | ) | (124 | ) | |||||||
|
$ | 20,506 | $ | (47,247 | ) | $ | 30,142 | $ | 2,432 | $ | 9,506 |
The following table illustrates the impact on our financial instruments of a 10% hypothetical change in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to the Canadian dollar as of June 30, 2010:
Convertible debentures |
$ | 13,738 | ||
Foreign currency forward contracts |
26,133 | |||
Interest Rate Risk
The impact of changes in interest rates do not have a significant impact on cash payments that are required on our debt instruments as approximately 90% of our debt, including our share of the project-level debt associated with equity investments in affiliates, either bears interest at fixed rates or is financially hedged through the use of interest rate swaps.
We have executed interest rate swaps on the revolving credit facility and at our consolidated Auburndale project to economically fix a portion of their respective exposure to changes in interest rates related to variable-rate debt. The interest rate swap agreements were designated as a cash flow hedge of the forecasted interest payments under the project-level Auburndale debt and the credit facility when they were executed in November 2008. The original interest rate swap expiration date for the Auburndale project-level debt was November 30, 2009. In November 2009, we executed a new interest rate swap designated as a cash flow hedge at Auburndale that expires on November 30, 2013. On November 30, 2009, we settled the interest rate swap on the revolving credit facility when the remaining outstanding balance on the credit facility was repaid. The remaining amount in accumulated other comprehensive income for this swap was recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.
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In accounting for cash flow hedges, gains and losses on the derivative contracts are reported in other comprehensive income, outside "Net Income" reported in our consolidated statements of operations, but only to the extent that the gains and losses from the change in value of the derivative contracts can later offset the loss or gain from the change in value of the hedged future cash flows during the period in which the hedged cash flows affect net income. That is, for cash flow hedges, all effective components of the derivative contracts' gains and losses are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), pending occurrence of the expected transaction. Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of those financial items that are included in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets but not included in our net income. Thus, in highly effective cash flow hedges, where there is no ineffectiveness, other comprehensive income changes by exactly as much as the derivative contracts and there is no impact on earnings until the expected transaction occurs.
After considering the impact of interest rate swaps, a hypothetical change in the average interest rate of 100 basis points would change annual interest costs, including interest at equity investments, by approximately $0.6 million.
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Overview
Atlantic Power Corporation is an independent power producer, with power projects located in major markets in the United States. Our current portfolio consists of interests in 12 operational power generation projects across eight states, one wind project under construction in Idaho, a 500 kilovolt 84-mile electric transmission line located in California, and six development projects in five states. Our power generation projects in operation have an aggregate gross electric generation capacity of approximately 1,823 megawatts (or "MW"), in which our ownership interest is approximately 808 MW.
The following map shows the location of our projects, including joint venture interests, across the United States:
We sell the capacity and power from our projects under PPAs with a variety of utilities and other parties. Under the PPAs, which have expiration dates ranging from 2010 to 2037, we receive payments for electric energy sold to our customers (known as energy payments), in addition to payments for electric generation capacity (known as capacity payments). We also sell steam from a number of our projects under steam sales agreements to industrial purchasers. The transmission system rights we own in our power transmission project entitle us to payments indirectly from the utilities that make use of the transmission line.
Our projects generally operate pursuant to long-term supply agreements, typically accompanied by fuel transportation arrangements. In most cases, the fuel supply and transportation arrangements correspond to the term of the relevant PPAs and most of the PPAs and steam sales agreements provide for the pass-through or indexing of fuel costs to our customers.
We partner with recognized leaders in the independent power business to operate and maintain our projects, including Caithness, Power Plant Management Services and Western. Under these operation, maintenance and management agreements, the operator is typically responsible for operations, maintenance and repair services.
Atlantic Power Corporation is organized under the laws of the Province of British Columbia. Our registered office is located at 355 Burrard Street, Suite 1900, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2G8 and our headquarters are located at 200 Clarendon Street, Floor 25, Boston, Massachusetts, USA 02116. Our website is atlanticpower.com. Information contained on our website is not part of this prospectus.
We completed our initial public offering on the TSX in November 2004. At the time of our initial public offering, or IPO, our publicly traded security was an IPS, each of which was comprised of one common share and Cdn$5,787 principal value of 11% subordinated notes due 2016. On November 17,
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2009, our shareholders approved a conversion from the IPS structure to a traditional common share structure. Each IPS has been exchanged for one new common share and each old common share that did not form part of an IPS was exchanged for approximately 0.44 of a new common share. Our shares trade on the TSX under the symbol "ATP" and began trading on the NYSE under the symbol "AT" on July 23, 2010.
History of Our Company
Atlantic Power Corporation is a Canadian corporation that was formed in 2004. The following timeline illustrates significant events in the development of our business since our initial public offering. Further details about these events are included below:
We used the proceeds from our IPO to acquire a 58% interest in Atlantic Power Holdings, LLC (now Atlantic Power Holdings, Inc., which we refer to herein as "Atlantic Holdings") from two private equity funds managed by ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC and from Caithness. Until December 31, 2009, we were externally managed by Atlantic Power Management, LLC, an affiliate of ArcLight. Under this external management arrangement, ArcLight provided administrative and office support services to us and was required to give us the opportunity to pursue investment opportunities that did not fit ArcLight's investment guidelines for its private equity funds. At the time of our IPO, Atlantic Holdings was granted a right of first offer related to ArcLight's interest in 11 power generating projects. Our acquisitions of a 40% interest in the Chambers project in 2005 and the Auburndale project in 2008 were completed under the terms of this right of first offer, which has since expired.
In August 2005, we acquired Epsilon Power Partners, LLC, which owns a 40% interest in the Chambers project, for approximately $63 million in cash and the assumption of $43 million in non-recourse debt.
In September 2006, we acquired 100% of the equity interests in Trans-Elect NTD Holdings Path 15, LLC (Path 15), which has since been renamed Atlantic Path 15 Holdings, LLC, which indirectly owns approximately 72% of the transmission system rights in the transmission line upgrade along the
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Path 15 transmission corridor located in central California. The purchase price was approximately $78.4 million.
In December 2006, we completed a private placement of 8,600,000 IPSs and Cdn$3.0 million principal amount of separate subordinated notes to three institutional investors. In February 2007, we used the net proceeds of the private placement to increase our ownership in Atlantic Holdings to 100%.
In December 2007, we increased our ownership interest in the Pasco project from 50% to 100%.
In November 2008, we acquired a 100% ownership interest in Auburndale Power Partners, L.P, which owns the Auburndale project for a purchase price of $139.9 million, subject to customary adjustments for working capital. The acquisition was funded with cash on hand, a $55 million borrowing under our credit facility and non-recourse acquisition debt of $35 million. The non-recourse acquisition debt associated with this transaction amortizes fully over the remaining term of the project's power purchase agreement.
In the first quarter of 2009, we transferred our remaining net interest in Onondaga Cogeneration Limited Partnership, at net book value, into a 50% owned joint venture, Onondaga Renewables, LLC, which is engaged in the redevelopment of the Onondaga project into a 40 MW biomass power plant.
In March 2009, we acquired a 40% equity interest in Rollcast Energy, Inc., a North Carolina corporation. Rollcast is a developer of biomass power plants in the southeastern U.S. with five, 50 MW projects in various stages of development. In March 2010, we agreed to invest $2.0 million to increase our ownership interest in Rollcast to 60%. Under the terms of the agreement, $1.2 million of the investment was made in March 2010 and the remaining $0.8 million was made in April 2010. As a result of this additional investment, we began to consolidate our investment in Rollcast beginning March 1, 2010. Pursuant to the terms of our investment in Rollcast, we have the option, but not the obligation, to invest directly in biomass power plants under development by Rollcast.
In October 2009, we agreed to pay ArcLight an aggregate of $15 million to terminate its management agreements with us, satisfied by a payment of $6 million on the termination date of December 31, 2009, and additional payments of $5 million, $3 million and $1 million on the respective first, second and third anniversaries of the termination date. In connection with the termination of the management agreements, we hired all of the then-current employees of Atlantic Power Management and entered into employment agreements with its officers.
In April 2010, Rollcast entered into a construction agreement for a 53.5 MW biomass project, known as Piedmont Green Power, to be located in Barnesville, Georgia. We currently expect to invest up to $75 million in the Piedmont Green Power project, representing substantially all of the equity interests in the project. We intend to use a sole arranger to syndicate project-level debt financing for Piedmont. Construction of the project is scheduled to commence upon the closing of construction financing early in the fourth quarter of 2010. The Piedmont Green Power project has a 20-year PPA with Georgia Power Company which includes an adjustment related to the cost of biomass fuel for the plant.
On July 2, 2010, we acquired a 27.6% equity interest in Idaho Wind Partners 1, LLC ("Idaho Wind") for approximately $40 million. Idaho Wind recently commenced construction of a 183 MW wind power project located near Twin Falls, Idaho, which is currently scheduled to be completed in late 2010 or early 2011. Idaho Wind has 20-year fixed-price PPAs with Idaho Power Company. Our investment in Idaho Wind was funded with cash on hand and a $20 million borrowing under our senior credit facility. Our investment in Idaho Wind will be accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
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Our Competitive Strengths
Our power transmission project, known as the Path 15 project, is an 84-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line built in order to alleviate north-south transmission congestion in California. It is a traditional rate-base asset whose revenues are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") and is operated by Western, a U.S. Federal power agency.
Our Objectives and Business Strategy
Our objectives include maintaining the stability and sustainability of dividends to shareholders and to maximize the value of our company. In order to achieve these objectives, we intend to focus on enhancing the operating and financial performance of the projects and on pursuing additional acquisitions primarily in the electric power industry in the U.S. and Canada.
Organic Growth
We intend to enhance the operation and financial performance of our projects through:
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Successfully extending PPAs and fuel agreements may facilitate refinancings that provide capital to fund growth opportunities.
Extending PPAs Following Their Expiration
PPAs in our portfolio have expiration dates ranging from 2010 to 2037. In each case, we plan for expirations by evaluating various options in the market for maximizing project cash flows. New arrangements may involve responses to utility solicitations for capacity and energy, direct negotiations with the original purchasing utility for PPA extensions, arrangements with creditworthy energy trading firms for tolling agreements, full service PPAs or the use of derivatives to lock in value. We do not assume that pricing under existing PPAs will necessarily be sustained after PPA expirations, since most original PPAs included capacity payments related to return of and return on original capital invested and counterparties or evolving regional electricity markets may or may not provide similar payments under new or extended PPAs.
Acquisition and Investment Strategy
We believe that new electricity generation projects will be required in the United States and Canada over the next several years as a result of growth in electricity demand, transmission constraints and the retirement of older generation projects due to obsolescence or environmental concerns. There is also a very active secondary market for existing projects. We intend to expand our operations by making accretive acquisitions with a focus on power generation, transmission, distribution and related facilities in the United States and Canada. We may also invest in other forms of energy-related projects, utility projects and infrastructure projects, as well as additional investments in development stage projects or companies where the prospects for creating long-term predictable cash flows are attractive. Since the time of our initial public offering on the TSX in 2004, we have twice acquired the interest of another partner in one of our existing projects and will continue to look for such opportunities.
Our senior management has significant experience in the independent power industry and we believe the experience, reputation and industry relationships of our management team will provide us with enhanced access to future acquisition opportunities.
Acquisition Guidelines
We use the following general guidelines when reviewing and evaluating possible acquisitions:
Power Industry Overview
Historically, the North American electricity industry was characterized by vertically-integrated monopolies. During the late 1980s, several jurisdictions began a process of restructuring by moving away from vertically integrated monopolies toward more competitive market models. Rapid growth in electricity demand, environmental concerns, increasing electricity rates, technological advances and
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other concerns prompted government policies to encourage the supply of electricity from independent power producers.
In the independent power generation sector, electricity is generated from a number of sources, including natural gas, coal, water, waste products such as biomass (e.g., wood, wood waste, agricultural waste), landfill gas, geothermal, solar and wind. According to the North American Electric Reliability Council's Long-Term Reliability Assessment, published in December 2009, summer peak demand within the United States in the ten-year period from 2009 through 2018 is projected to increase 14.8%, while winter peak demand in Canada is projected to increase 8.8%.
The Non-Utility Power Generation Industry
Our 12 power generation projects are non-utility electric generating facilities that operate in the U.S. electric power generation industry. The electric power industry is one of the largest industries in the United States, generating retail electricity sales of approximately $365 billion in 2008, based on information published by the Energy Information Administration. A growing portion of the power produced in the United States is generated by non-utility generators. According to the Energy Information Administration, there were approximately 8,287 non-utility generators representing approximately 471 gigawatts of capacity in 2008, the most recent year for which data is available, (equal to 47% of total generating plants and 43% of nameplate capacity). Non-utility generators sell the electricity that they generate to electric utilities and other load-serving entities (such as municipalities and electric cooperatives) by way of bilateral contracts or open power exchanges. The electric utilities and other load-serving entities, in turn, generally sell this electricity to industrial, commercial and residential customers.
Based on our experience in the acquisition market since our IPO, as well as transactions we are currently evaluating for potential investment, we believe that an active secondary market for power generation projects will continue to provide us with meaningful acquisition and growth opportunities.
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Our Power Projects
The following table outlines our portfolio of power generating and transmission assets in operation and under construction as of September 14, 2010, including our interest in each facility. Management believes the portfolio is well diversified in terms of electricity and steam buyers, fuel type, regulatory jurisdictions and regional power pools, thereby partially mitigating exposure to market, regulatory or environmental conditions specific to any single region.
A corporate organizational chart, which includes all our operating and development projects, is included on the following page.
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The following corporate organization chart includes all of our operating and development projects:
Our projects are organized into the following six business segments:
Auburndale |
Chambers |
|
Lake |
Path 15 |
|
Pasco |
Other Project Assets |
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Auburndale Segment
General Description
The Auburndale Segment consists of a 155 MW dual-fired (natural gas and oil), combined-cycle, cogeneration plant located in Polk County, Florida, which commenced operations in July 1994. We own 100% of the Auburndale project, which is a "qualifying facility" (or "QF") under the rules promulgated by FERC. We acquired Auburndale from ArcLight Energy Partners Fund I, L.P. and Calpine Corporation in a transaction that was completed on November 21, 2008.
Auburndale is located on an 11-acre site in the City of Auburndale, Florida. Capacity and energy from the project is sold to PEF under three PPAs expiring at the end of 2013. Auburndale typically operates as a mid-merit generator, which means that it is called upon by PEF to run during periods of peak electricity demand on most weekdays and occasionally during periods of lower electricity demand. Steam is supplied to Florida Distillers Company and Cutrale Citrus Juices USA, Inc. The Florida Distillers steam agreement is renewed annually, and the Cutrale Citrus Juices steam agreement expires in 2013.
Auburndale has non-recourse debt outstanding of $26.6 million as of June 30, 2010 which is required to be fully amortized over the term of its PPAs expiring in 2013. See "Project-Level Debt" on page 64 of this prospectus for additional details. Atlantic Power has provided letters of credit in the total amount of $13.4 million to support certain Auburndale obligations: $5.5 million to support its debt service reserve, $4.4 million to support its PPAs, and $3.5 million to support its fuel supply agreement.
Power Purchase Agreement
Auburndale sells electricity to PEF under three PPAs each of which expires on December 31, 2013. Under the largest of the PPAs, Auburndale sells 114 MW of capacity and energy. An additional 17 MW of committed capacity is sold under two identical 8.5 MW agreements with PEF. Revenue from the sale of electricity under the three PPAs consists of capacity payments based on a fixed schedule of prices, and energy payments. Capacity payments under the largest PPA are dependent on the plant maintaining a minimum on-peak capacity factor of 92 percent on a rolling twelve-month average basis. On-peak capacity factor refers to the ratio of actual electricity generated during periods of peak demand to the capacity rating of the plant during such periods. The project has achieved the minimum on-peak capacity factor continuously since commercial operation. Capacity payments under the smaller two agreements are dependent on the project maintaining a minimum on-peak capacity factor of 70 percent. Energy payments under the largest PPA are comprised of a fuel component based on the delivered cost of coal at two PEF-owned coal-fired generating stations and a component intended to recover operating and maintenance costs. Energy payments under the smaller two agreements are based on the lesser of PEF's actual avoided energy cost or an energy price index based on the delivered fuel cost at a specific coal-fired power plant owned by TECO.
Steam Sales Agreement
Auburndale provides steam to Florida Distillers and Cutrale Citrus Juices under two separate steam purchase agreements. The Florida Distillers agreement automatically extends on an annual basis, and can be terminated by either party with 90 days notice. The Cutrale Citrus Juices agreement terminates on December 31, 2013 and contains automatic two-year renewal terms.
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Fuel Supply Arrangements
Auburndale receives the majority of its required natural gas through a gas supply agreement with El Paso Merchant Energy, L.P. that expires on June 30, 2012. Under the agreement, El Paso provides a fixed amount of gas on a daily basis. The gas price is based on a fixed schedule of prices that escalate annually and is below current market prices. At historic utilization rates, the gas supplied under the El Paso contract has accounted for approximately 80% of the gas required by the project under its PPA commitments and the remaining required fuel is purchased at spot prices.
The required natural gas for the project is delivered through firm gas transportation agreements with Central Florida Gas Company ("Florida Gas") and Florida Gas Transmission Company and is transported through the gas distribution system owned by Peoples Gas Transmission, Inc. ("Peoples Gas"). The gas transportation agreements are co-terminus with the PPAs, expiring on December 31, 2013.
Operations & Maintenance
The Auburndale project is operated and maintained by an affiliate of Caithness. In 2006, Auburndale entered into a maintenance agreement with Siemens Energy, Inc. for the long-term supply of certain parts, repair services and outage services related to the gas turbine. The term of the maintenance agreement is dependent on the timing of completion of a certain number of maintenance inspections and is expected to expire in late 2012.
Auburndale entered into an agreement with TECO to transmit electric energy from the project to PEF. The agreement expires in 2024, unless extended as provided for in the agreement. Auburndale's cost for these services is based on a contractual formula derived from TECO's cost of providing such services.
Factors Influencing Project Results
Auburndale derives a significant portion of its revenue through capacity payments received under the PPAs with PEF. In the event the project's on-peak capacity factor falls below a specified level, capacity payments will be adjusted downward or terminated altogether. Since it began commercial operation, the project has received full capacity payments.
During the term of the gas supply agreement, approximately 80% of the natural gas required to fulfill the project's PPAs is purchased at fixed prices. The remainder of the natural gas is purchased on the spot market. As a result, the project's operating margin is exposed to changes in spot market natural gas prices because the PPAs do not pass through those price changes to PEF. In order to mitigate this risk, Auburndale has entered into a series of financial swaps that effectively fix the price of natural gas to be purchased.
The following table summarizes the hedge position related to natural gas requirements to satisfy Auburndale's PPAs as of September 14, 2010:
|
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amount of gas volumes currently hedged: |
||||||||||||||
Contracted at fixed prices |
80 | % | 80 | % | 40 | % | 0 | % | ||||||
Financially hedged with swaps |
15 | % | 13 | % | 32 | % | 79 | % | ||||||
Total |
95 | % | 93 | % | 72 | % | 79 | % | ||||||
Average price of financially hedged volumes (per Mmbtu)(US$) |
$ |
6.30 |
$ |
6.68 |
$ |
6.51 |
$ |
6.92 |
We will continue to periodically analyze whether to execute further hedge transactions intended to mitigate natural gas price exposure at Auburndale through the expiration of the PPAs with PEF.
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The energy portion of Auburndale's revenue under the largest PPA with PEF is impacted by changes in the price of coal purchased by two power plants in Florida owned by PEF. Because these power plants purchase a significant portion of their coal through contracts of varying lengths, the price of coal burned at those plants is not directly correlated with changes in spot coal prices. Accordingly, changes in the price of coal procured by these two power plants will impact Auburndale's energy revenue.
Lake Segment
General Description
The Lake Segment consists of a 121 MW dual-fuel, combined-cycle QF cogeneration plant located in Florida, which began commercial operation in July 1993. We own 100% of the Lake project. In late 2007, the existing combustion turbines at the facility were upgraded to increase their efficiency by approximately 4% and output from 110 MW to 121 MW.
The Lake project is located on a 16-acre site at a citrus processing facility in Umatilla, Florida. Lake sells all of its capacity and electric energy to PEF under the terms of a PPA expiring in July 2013. The project is operated as a mid-merit facility typically running during 11 peak hours daily. Steam is sold to Citrus World, Inc. for use at its citrus processing facility and is also used to make distilled water in distillation units.
The Lake project does not have any debt outstanding. Atlantic Power has provided a $4.3 million letter of credit in favor of PEF to support the Lake project's obligations under its PPA.
Power Purchase Agreement
Electricity is sold to PEF pursuant to a PPA that expires on July 31, 2013. Revenues from the sale of electricity consist of a fixed capacity payment and an energy payment. Capacity payments are subject to the project maintaining a capacity factor of at least 90% during on-peak hours (11 hours daily), on a 12-month rolling average basis. Lake is subject to reductions in its capacity payment should it not achieve the 90% on-peak capacity factor. The project generally has achieved the minimum on-peak capacity factor continuously since commercial operation. Energy payments are comprised of a fuel component based on the cost of coal consumed at two PEF-owned coal-fired generating stations, a component intended to recover operations and maintenance costs, a voltage adjustment and an hourly performance adjustment. During off-peak hours, energy payments are made in accordance with a prescribed formula based on the price of natural gas, although Lake usually does not operate during off-peak hours.
Steam Sales Agreement
The Lake project provides steam to Citrus World under a steam purchase agreement that expires in 2013. The project also supplies steam to an affiliate that uses steam to make distilled water, which is sold to unaffiliated third parties.
Fuel Supply Arrangements
The natural gas requirements for the facility are provided by Iberdrola Renewables, Inc. and TECO Gas Services, Inc. ("TGS"). Both the Iberdrola and TGS agreements contain market index based prices, commenced on July 1, 2009 and expire on July 31, 2013.
Natural gas is transported to the project from supply points in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi to Florida under contracts with Peoples Gas System, Inc.
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Operations & Maintenance
The Lake project is operated and maintained by an affiliate of Caithness.
Lake also has a contractual services agreement and a lease engine agreement in place with General Electric (or "GE"). The contractual services agreement provides for planned and unplanned maintenance on the two gas turbines at the plant. The lease engine agreement provides temporary replacement gas turbines to Lake to support operations when the Lake turbines require significant maintenance.
Factors Influencing Project Results
The Lake project derives a significant portion of its operating margin through capacity revenues received under the PPA with PEF. In the event the facility's on-peak capacity factor falls below a specified level, capacity payments will be adjusted downward, although the project has rarely experienced such reductions. During the term of the current gas supply agreement, effective July 1, 2009, Lake's operating margins are exposed to changes in natural gas prices through the end of the PEF PPA in 2013. As a result, we have entered into a series of financial swaps that effectively fix the price of natural gas supplied to Lake thereby reducing fuel price risk.
The following table summarizes the volumes hedged relative to natural gas requirements under Lake's PPA as of September 14, 2010:
|
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amount of gas volumes currently hedged: |
||||||||||||||
Contracted at fixed prices |
0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % | ||||||
Financially hedged with swaps |
80 | % | 78 | % | 90 | % | 65 | % | ||||||
Total |
80 | % | 78 | % | 90 | % | 65 | % | ||||||
Average price of financially hedged volumes (per Mmbtu)(US$) |
$ |
7.11 |
$ |
6.52 |
$ |
6.90 |
$ |
7.05 |
We will continue to analyze whether to execute further hedge transactions to mitigate natural gas price exposure at Lake through expiration of the PPA with PEF.
The energy portion of Lake's revenue under the PPA with PEF is impacted by changes in the price of coal used by two of their power plants in Florida. Because these power plants secure a significant portion of their coal through contracts of varying lengths, the price of coal burned at those plants does not move in tandem with changes in spot coal prices.
The energy payment under the PPA includes a performance adjustment. For energy deliveries in excess of contracted capacity to PEF during on-peak periods in which the system price for energy exceeds the PPA energy rate, the project receives the then as-available energy rate, determined according to regulatory methodology. Conversely, when the project is not available and is dispatched by PEF, the project incurs negative performance adjustment charges corresponding to the difference between the then as-available energy rate and the PPA energy rate.
Pasco Segment
General Description
The Pasco Segment consists of the 100% owned Pasco project, a 121 MW dual fuel, combined-cycle, cogeneration plant located in Dade City, Florida, which began commercial operations in 1993 as a QF. With the expiration of the original PPA with PEF in 2008, and the commencement of the tolling agreement with TECO in 2009, Pasco self-certified with the FERC as an exempt wholesale generator
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and was no longer required to maintain QF status. The project owns the 2.7 acre site approximately 45 miles north of Tampa, Florida.
Power Purchase Agreement
Electricity is sold to TECO pursuant to a tolling agreement that commenced on January 1, 2009 and expires on December 31, 2018. Under the tolling agreement, TECO purchases the project's capacity and conversion services. Pasco converts fuel supplied by a TECO affiliate into electricity. Revenues consist of capacity payments, start-up charges, variable payments based on the amount of electricity generated and heat rate bonus payments based on the actual efficiency of the plant versus the contract efficiency. Atlantic Power has provided a $10 million letter of credit in favor of TECO to support the project's obligations under the tolling agreement.
In exchange for obtaining the right to sell any potential excess emissions allowances from the plant, TECO accepted financial responsibility for any costs associated with additional allowances required and changes to environmental laws, including state or federal carbon legislation.
Fuel Supply Arrangements
Under the terms of the tolling agreement, TECO is responsible for the fuel supply and is financially responsible for fuel transportation to the project.
Operations & Maintenance
The Pasco project is operated and maintained by an affiliate of Caithness.
Pasco also has a services agreement and a lease engine agreement in place with GE. The services agreement provides for discounts for planned and unplanned maintenance on the project's two natural gas turbines, and commits the project to use GE for gas turbine maintenance activities. Under the lease engine agreement, GE rapidly provides temporary replacement natural gas turbines to the project to support operations when the project's turbines are removed from the site for significant maintenance.
Factors Influencing Project Results
The Pasco project derives the majority of its revenues under the tolling agreement with TECO through capacity payments. In the event the project does not maintain certain levels of availability, the capacity payments will be reduced. Based on historical performance, we expect the project to continue to exceed the availability requirement of 93% in the summer and 90% in the winter. A portion of the project's operating margin is based on three variable payments from TECO, consisting of a variable operation and maintenance charge, a start charge and a heat rate bonus. As a result, the project achieves a variable margin during periods of operation; and as a result, the level of variable margin is impacted by how often the plant is called on to produce electricity.
Chambers Segment
General Description
The Chambers Segment consists of our 40% equity investment in the Chambers project, a 262 MW pulverized coal-fired cogeneration facility located at the E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company Chambers Works chemical complex near Carney's Point, New Jersey, which began commercial operation in March 1994 as a QF. Affiliates of Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Energy Investors Funds, an established private equity fund manager that invests in the U.S. energy and electric power sector, in the aggregate hold 60% of the general partner interests. Chambers sells electricity to ACE under two separate power purchase agreements, a "Base PPA" and a power sales agreement. Historically, the project has operated as a baseload plant, however, during periods of low energy
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market pricing, the facility has run at partial or minimum load. Steam and electricity are sold to DuPont pursuant to an energy services agreement. The project site is leased from DuPont. Under the terms of the ground lease, DuPont has a right to purchase the project within 60 days of the lease expiration in 2024, or upon earlier termination of the lease, at fair market value.
Chambers financed the construction of the project with a combination of term debt due March 31, 2014 and New Jersey Economic Development Authority bonds due July 1, 2021. The term loan is expected to amortize over its remaining term, while the bonds are repayable at maturity. Both are non-recourse to Atlantic Power. Our 40% share of the total debt outstanding at the Chambers project as of June 30, 2010 is $80.6 million. See "Project-Level Debt" on page 64 of this prospectus for additional details.
Epsilon Power Partners, L.P., our wholly-owned subsidiary, directly owns our interest in Chambers. Epsilon has outstanding debt of $37.0 million as of June 30, 2010 which fully amortizes by its final maturity in 2019 and is non-recourse to Atlantic Power. See "Project-Level Debt" on page 64 of this prospectus for additional details.
Power Purchase Agreements
Base PPA
The 30-year term of the Base PPA with ACE expires in 2024. ACE has agreed to purchase 184 MW of capacity and has dispatch rights for energy of up to 187.6 MW during the summer season (May 1 to October 31) and 173.2 MW during the winter season (November 1 to April 30). The project must be available to deliver power to ACE at 90% of the average availability rate of a specific group of mid-Atlantic generating stations. Capacity prices are determined using a fixed price with a capacity factor adjustment. The energy payment under the Base PPA is divided between on-peak and off-peak periods and linked to a coal index that is identical to the project's coal supply contract escalation provisions. Chambers is guaranteed a minimum energy payment equivalent to 3,500 hours of operation per contract year, whether or not it has dispatched that many hours, provided the project is available for energy production for at least 3,500 hours during the course of the contract year.
DuPont Energy Services Agreement
DuPont purchases all its electrical needs for its Chambers Works chemical complex from the Chambers project, subject to a peak requirement of 40 MW, under the energy services agreement. The initial term of the agreement expires in 2024 but will continue thereafter unless terminated by at least 36 months prior written notice. The electricity sold under the agreement contains a fixed price, which is adjusted quarterly by the lesser of either: (i) the price of coal delivered to the facility; and (ii) the change in ACE's average retail rate.
In December 2008, Chambers filed suit against DuPont for breach of the energy services agreement related to unpaid amounts associated with disputed price change calculations for electricity. DuPont subsequently filed a counterclaim for an unspecified level of damages. In the event the dispute cannot be resolved through settlement, a trial is expected in the second half of 2010. We do not believe that the outcome of this litigation will have a material impact on Atlantic Power.
Power Sales Agreement
Energy generated at the Chambers project in excess of amounts delivered to ACE under the Base PPA and to DuPont is sold to ACE under a separate power sales agreement. Under this agreement, energy that ACE does not find economically attractive at the Base PPA's energy rate, but which may be cost effective to sell into the spot market ("Undispatched Energy"), may be self-scheduled by the project to capture additional profits. Margins on Undispatched Energy sales are shared between
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ACE (40%) and the project (60%). Energy not committed to ACE under the Base PPA and not called upon by DuPont under the energy services agreement may also be sold into the market under a similar margin sharing arrangement with ACE (30% to ACE and 70% to Chambers). The agreement also provides for the sale by Chambers into the market of capacity not contracted under the Base PPA pursuant to the same margin sharing arrangement with ACE (30% to ACE and 70% to Chambers).
The power sales agreement expired in July 2010 and we entered into an extension that expires on September 30, 2010 in order to negotiate the terms of a new power sales agreement.
Steam Sales Agreement
Some of the steam generated at the Chambers project is sold to DuPont under the energy services agreement, which expires in 2024, but will continue in effect thereafter unless terminated by either party on at least 36 months prior notice. The agreement requires steam to be provided to DuPont up to the peak steam requirement levels that vary throughout the year. DuPont may purchase steam in excess of the peak steam requirement from any third party, subject to Chambers' right of first refusal to provide steam at the same price. Subject to certain conditions, DuPont has the option to construct and operate its own steam generation facility after 2014. DuPont is required to purchase a minimum quantity of steam necessary for the project to maintain its status as a QF. The steam price is subject to quarterly adjustments based on the price of coal delivered to the project. DuPont has the option in certain circumstances to take over operation of the steam facility in the event of prolonged failure to deliver steam.
Fuel Supply Arrangements
Coal is supplied to the Chambers project pursuant to a coal purchase agreement with Consol Energy Inc. ("Consol"), which expires in 2014 and is subject to a five to ten-year renewal based on good faith negotiations. The agreement governs the sale of coal (including transportation) to the project and the disposal of related ash. Consol is obligated to supply the entire coal requirements for the project, which may include stockpiling. The price escalator under the Base PPA with ACE uses the same index as the coal supply agreement (average coal cost of 25 mid-Atlantic region coal power plants), effectively passing through changes in coal prices to ACE.
Operations & Maintenance
Operations and maintenance of the Chambers project is performed pursuant to an agreement with Cogentrix Energy, Inc. ("Cogentrix"), which expires in April 2014. Thereafter, the agreement will be automatically renewed for periods of five years until terminated by either party on six months notice. Cogentrix is paid a base annual fee in addition to cost reimbursement. Cogentrix is also eligible for performance fees based on facility net availability, efficiency and excess energy optimization, and is eligible for an additional management performance bonus. The majority owner of the project transferred management services from Cogentrix to Power Plant Management Services in August 2010.
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
With New Jersey's implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative on January 1, 2009, the Chambers project was required to obtain carbon dioxide ("CO 2 ") allowances in an amount corresponding to the CO 2 emissions of the facility. Previously in 2008, the State of New Jersey passed legislation that provided for the sale of CO 2 allowances at the price of $2.00 per allowance to certain generating facilities which were certified by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ("NJDEP"). Chambers received this certification from the NJDEP in late 2009. Earlier in 2009, the project purchased approximately 480,000 allowances through the quarterly Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auctions and broker purchases. In December 2009, Chambers purchased 2.1 million
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allowances from the NJDEP at the price of $2 per allowance. A portion of the NJDEP purchase, in combination with the previously purchased allowances, satisfies the project's Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative compliance requirements for 2009. The remainder of the 2009 NJDEP allowance purchase will be used to meet the 2010 requirements along with 2010 NJDEP allowance purchases.
Factors Influencing Project Results
The Chambers project derives a significant portion of its operating margin through capacity revenues received under the Base PPA. In the event the facility does not maintain a minimum level of availability under the Base PPA, the project's capacity payments from ACE would be reduced or eliminated, although it has never experienced such a reduction. Energy sales under the Base PPA are expected to generate positive margins due to the effective hedging of energy prices and coal costs through the use of identical indexing in the energy payment under the Base PPA and the coal prices under the coal supply contract. While the indexing is identical, adjustments to the energy price under the Base PPA occur annually, whereas coal price adjustments occur quarterly.
During periods of low spot market electricity prices, energy sales margins may be negatively impacted due to the pricing structure under the Base PPA and power sales agreement. ACE will reduce purchases under the Base PPA to the minimum requirement when the spot electricity price is below the price under the Base PPA. When spot market prices drop below the Base PPA price, but exceed the project's variable production cost, ACE pays for energy based on the power sales agreement, under which a portion of the margin above the project's production cost is shared with ACE. In the unusual situation when the spot electricity price is in excess of the Base PPA but less than the project's variable production cost (which may occur during off-peak periods), Chambers is required to sell energy to ACE at below its production cost. In some cases, the project is further negatively impacted by the facility's reduced fuel efficiency while operating at partial load to minimize operating at a negative margin.
The debt at our wholly-owned Epsilon holding company includes restrictions on the upstream distribution of our share of partner distributions from Chambers. Cash flow from Chambers may be held in a reserve account by Epsilon's lender to the extent certain debt service coverage ratios are not achieved. Upon meeting the coverage ratio requirements, funds are distributed to us.
Path 15 Segment
General Description
The Path 15 Segment consists of our ownership of 72% of the transmission system rights in the Path 15 project, an 84-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line built along an existing transmission corridor in central California. The Path 15 project commenced commercial operations in 2004. The Path 15 project facilitates the movement of power from the Pacific Northwest to southern California in the summer months and from generators in southern California to northern California in the winter months. The transmission system rights entitle us to receive an annual revenue requirement that is regulated by the FERC The annual revenue requirement is collected from California utilities and remitted to owners of transmission system rights by the California Independent System Operator.
The Path 15 project and right of way is owned and operated by the Western Area Power Administration, a U.S. Federal power agency that operates and maintains approximately 17,000 miles of transmission lines. The operation of the Path 15 project consists entirely of the transmission of electric power, which is not subject to the same operating risks of a power plant or the volatility that may arise from changes in the price of electricity or fuel.
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The California Independent System Operator is a not-for-profit corporation that acts as a clearinghouse to settle third-party transactions involving the purchase and sale of power in California. Owners of transmission assets must place their assets under the operational control of the California Independent System Operator by entering into a standard transmission control agreement with them. In general, the California Independent System Operator coordinates the dispatch of power generation and manages the reliability of, and provides open access to, the transmission grid.
Three of our wholly-owned subsidiaries have incurred non-recourse debt relating to our interest in the Path 15 project. Total debt outstanding at the Path 15 project as of June 30, 2010 is $157.6 million, which is required to fully amortize over their remaining term ending 2028. See "Project-Level Debt" on page 61 of this prospectus for additional details. We have provided letters of credit totaling $8.4 million to support these debt service obligations.
Annual Revenue RequirementFERC Rate Case
The revenue collected by Path 15 is regulated by the FERC on a cost-of-service rate base methodology. Path 15 files a rate case with the FERC every three years to establish its revenue requirement for the next three year period. The revenue requirement includes all prudently incurred operating costs, depreciation and amortization, taxes, and a return on capital.
In December 2007, we filed a rate application with the FERC to establish Path 15's revenue requirement through 2010. In January 2008, several parties filed protests and interventions to become parties to the proceeding. In February 2008, the FERC issued an order summarily approving the requested return on equity and, allowing the requested rates to go into effect as of February 20, 2008, subject to refund. California Public Utilities Commission and Southern California Edison filed requests for rehearing of that order. In February 2009, we filed an unopposed motion requesting suspension of the trial schedule to allow the parties to the rate case to finalize a settlement. In March 2009, we filed a settlement offer with the FERC. The settlement was supported by all parties to the proceeding. In August 2009, the FERC issued an order approving the settlement offer. We believe that the settlement was reasonable and has not significantly impacted the expected cash flow from the project. On October 30, 2009, the Path 15 project issued refunds reflecting the difference between the rates collected as of February 2008 pursuant to the December 2007 filing and the rates provided for under the settlement.
Factors Influencing Project Results
The primary factor influencing the Path 15 project results is its FERC-regulated revenue requirement. Under the FERC's cost of service methodology, all prudently incurred expenses are permitted to be recovered in the revenue requirement including costs of the rate case itself every three years. Cash distributions to us could be adversely impacted by factors such as which year is used to establish the revenue requirement for the next three years and whether the FERC approves a return on equity less than 13.5% in future rate cases.
Other Project Assets
Orlando Project
General Description
The Orlando project, a 129 MW natural gas-fired combined-cycle cogeneration facility located in an industrial park near Orlando in Orange County, Florida, commenced commercial operation in 1993 as a QF. We own a 50% interest in the project and Northern Star Generation, LLC ("Northern Star") owns the remaining 50% interest. The project is situated on a four acre site located adjacent to an air separation facility owned by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. ("Air Products and Chemicals"), which
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serves as the project's steam customer. Orlando sells all of its electricity to PEF and Reedy Creek Improvement District ("Reedy Creek") under long-term PPAs, and also sells chilled water produced using steam from the project to Air Products and Chemicals. The Orlando project typically operates as a baseload plant. Both we and Northern Star have provided letters of credit in the amount of $1.6 million each in support of the project's obligations under the PEF PPA.
Power Purchase Agreements
Progress Energy Florida
Orlando sells electrical capacity and energy to PEF under a PPA that expires on December 31, 2023. The project is obligated to sell and deliver a committed capacity of 79.2 MW and has committed to a 93% on-peak capacity factor. Orlando receives a monthly capacity payment based on achieving the on-peak capacity factor and a monthly energy payment based on the total amount of electric energy actually delivered to PEF. The capacity payment escalates at 5.1% annually and is reduced if the facility's on-peak capacity factor is below 93%, on a 12-month rolling average basis. Energy payments are comprised of a fuel component based on the cost of coal purchased at two PEF-owned coal-fired generating stations, an operations and maintenance component, a voltage adjustment and an hourly performance adjustment. Off-peak energy prices are based on the on-peak spot market energy price discounted by 10%.
On August 4, 2009, PEF provided notice to Orlando that the committed capacity under its PPA would be increased to 115 MW upon expiration of the Reedy Creek PPA in 2013, upon meeting certain conditions.
Reedy Creek Improvement District
Orlando sells electrical capacity and energy to the Reedy Creek, a municipal district serving the Walt Disney World complex, under a PPA that expires in 2013. Orlando is obligated to sell and deliver 35 MW of electricity and has committed to a 93% average capacity factor. Orlando receives a monthly capacity payment based on the actual average capacity factor and a monthly energy payment based on the total amount of electric energy actually delivered to Reedy Creek. The PPA may be extended for an additional ten-year term upon the consent of both parties. The capacity payment is fixed at a rate that escalates at 4.5% annually and is based upon achieving a 93% average capacity factor, calculated on a three-year rolling average basis. The agreement provides both incentive and penalty provisions for performance above and below a 93% average capacity factor, respectively. Reedy Creek also reimburses Orlando for a portion of the reservation charges associated with the project's firm gas transportation agreement with Florida Gas. In 2005, Orlando executed an agreement with Reedy Creek for periodic sales of up to 15 MW of non-firm available energy at firm rates.
Excess Energy Sales
In 2006, Orlando executed a master purchase and sale agreement with Rainbow Energy Marketing Corporation ("Rainbow"). Under the agreement, Rainbow markets up to 15 MW of non-firm energy at spot market rates subject to the profitability of such sales. The arrangements with Rainbow can be terminated by either party upon 30 days notice.
Steam Sales Agreement
Orlando entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of Air Products and Chemicals to supply chilled water produced using steam from the project to its cryogenic air separation facility. Orlando does not have any minimum steam delivery requirements beyond the thermal and efficiency requirements required to maintain its QF status. Orlando is required to purchase its nitrogen requirements from Air Products and Chemicals, but does not have a minimum purchase requirement.
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Both the purchase price of nitrogen and the sales price of chilled water are at fixed prices that adjust based on the percentage increase/decrease in the producer price index.
Because of reduced demand for chilled water at Air Products and Chemicals during certain periods, and to ensure continued compliance with QF requirements, Orlando procured and installed water distiller units in 2009, and entered into contracts to provide the distilled water to unaffiliated third parties in the local area.
Fuel Supply Arrangements
Orlando buys natural gas from Orlando Power Holdings, LLC, which is indirectly owned by Northern Star, under an agreement expiring on December 31, 2013. Orlando Power has a back-to-back agreement for the purchase and supply of natural gas from Vastar Gas Marketing, Inc. ("Vastar"), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BP Energy Company. Under the agreement, which expires on December 31, 2013, Vastar is obligated to provide Orlando Power with its entire daily natural gas requirement. Orlando's purchase price is tied to the same coal-based and fixed escalators used for calculating the energy payments under the PPAs. Orlando also has a gas supply agreement with TGS, but is not currently purchasing any natural gas under this agreement.
Peoples Gas has entered into co-terminus back-to-back agreements with Florida Gas for the delivery of natural gas to the project. Orlando has a contractual right to extend these agreements. Transportation costs under the agreements are determined by Florida Gas' rate schedule as filed with the FERC. These agreements provide for the transportation of up to 23,600 Mmbtu per day to the project.
Operations & Maintenance
The Orlando project is operated and maintained by an affiliate of Northern Star under an operations and administrative services agreement expiring on December 31, 2023. The operator is compensated on a cost-reimbursement basis plus a fixed general and administrative charge. In addition, the operator is entitled to receive an incentive fee equal to a percentage of the excess of Orlando's operating cash flow after deducting originally anticipated maintenance capital and anticipated debt service. In 1997, Orlando also entered into a maintenance agreement with Alstom Power Inc. for the long-term supply of hot gas path gas turbine parts, under which Alstom receives a monthly fee from the partnership and additional fees in certain circumstances.
Factors Influencing Project Results
The Orlando project receives a significant portion of its revenues through capacity payments received under the PPA with PEF. In the event the facility's on-peak capacity factor falls below a specified level, capacity payments will be adjusted downward or eliminated. The energy payment under the PEF PPA largely consists of an energy component, which is adjusted based on the same coal index as used in the gas supply pricing.
The energy payment under the PPA with PEF includes a performance adjustment. During on-peak periods in which the market price for energy exceeds the PPA energy rate, for energy deliveries in excess of PEF scheduled capacity, the project receives the then as-available energy rate, determined according to regulatory methodology. Conversely, during on-peak periods when the project delivers less than the scheduled capacity, the project incurs negative performance adjustment charges corresponding to the difference between the then as-available energy rate and the PPA energy rate.
The Reedy Creek PPA also contains incentive and penalty provisions for performance above and below a specified capacity factor.
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Selkirk Project
General Description
The Selkirk project is a 345 MW dual-fuel, combined-cycle cogeneration plant located in the Town of Bethlehem in Albany County, New York, and commenced commercial operation in 1994 as a QF. The project includes two units: Unit I (80 MW) sells electricity into the New York merchant market and Unit II (265 MW) sells electricity to Consolidated Edison, Inc. (or "Con Ed"). The Selkirk project is typically operated as a mid-merit plant. The other partners include affiliates of Cogentrix, Energy Investors Funds, The McNair Group, and Fort Point Power LLC (an affiliate of Osaka Gas Energy America Corporation). Each of the partners has an interest in cash distributions by the project which changes when certain partners achieve a specified return on their equity contributions as set forth in the partnership agreement. We own: (i) 13.62% interest in the priority distributions up to a fixed semi-annual amount as described below; (ii) 19.94% interest on any distributions in excess of the priority distributions; and (iii) 17.7% of all distributions made after the last priority distribution is made, estimated to occur in 2012. If priority distributions are not made at the maximum amount, the unpaid amounts accumulate and are paid when funds are available in subsequent periods. As of December 31, 2009, our 13.62% share of unpaid priority distributions was $0.5 million. In addition to this accumulated amount, our share of the maximum semi-annual priority distributions in 2010, 2011 and 2012 is approximately $1.2 million, $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The 15.7 acre project site is situated adjacent to a Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation (or "SABIC") plastics manufacturing plant, which also purchases steam from the project. Selkirk leases the project site under a long-term lease from SABIC.
The Selkirk project has 8.98% first mortgage bonds outstanding. Our share of the outstanding amount of these bonds was $15.2 million as of June 30, 2010, which fully amortizes over the remaining term ending in 2012. See "Project-Level Debt" on page 64 of this prospectus for additional details.
Power Purchase Agreements
Since the expiration of Selkirk's agreement to sell 80 MW of capacity and energy from Unit I to National Grid in July 2008, Selkirk has been selling energy from Unit 1 into the New York merchant market. 265 MW of capacity and energy from Unit II is sold to Con Ed under a PPA that expires on September 1, 2014, subject to a ten-year extension at the option of Con Ed under certain conditions. It is not known whether Con Ed intends to exercise this option. The Unit II PPA provides for a capacity payment, a fuel payment, an operations and maintenance payment and a payment for transmission from the project to Con Ed. The capacity payment, a portion of the fuel payment, a portion of the operations and maintenance payment and the transmission payment are fixed charges to be paid on the basis of plant availability.
Steam Sales Agreement
Selkirk sells steam generated at the project to the SABIC plastics manufacturing plant under an agreement that expires on September 1, 2014. Under the agreement, SABIC is not charged for steam in an amount up to the annual equivalent of 160,000 lbs/hr during each hour in which the SABIC plant is in production. SABIC pays the project a variable price for steam in excess of this amount. SABIC is required to purchase the minimum thermal output necessary for Selkirk to maintain its QF status.
Fuel Supply Arrangements
Selkirk buys natural gas for Unit I at spot market prices under a contract with Coral Energy Canada Inc. expiring on October 31, 2012. Selkirk has gas supply agreements for Unit II with Imperial Oil Resources Limited, EnCana Corporation and Canadian Forest Oil Ltd., which expire on October 31, 2014.
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The project also has long-term contracts for the transportation of Units I and II natural gas volume on a firm 365-day per year basis in place with TransCanada Pipelines Limited, Iroquois Gas Transmission System LP and Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company. The Unit I and Unit II gas transportation contracts expire on November 1, 2012 and November 1, 2014, respectively.
Natural gas that is not used by Selkirk to generate power under its gas supply arrangements may be remarketed. Under certain market conditions, additional income is generated from such re-sales of natural gas. Units I and II have the capability to operate on fuel oil subject to certain limitations under the project's air permit and are able to switch fuel sources from natural gas to fuel oil and back without interrupting the generation of electricity.
Operations & Maintenance
GE operates the Selkirk project under an agreement expiring on December 31, 2012. The agreement provides for a fixed fee, capital parts discounts, a pass-through of management costs and a performance bonus. Management services for Selkirk are provided by Cogentrix under an administrative services agreement that expires in September 2014. Cogentrix is entitled to compensation under the agreement which is subject to renegotiation every four years and provides for the full recovery of its actual costs and properly allocated overhead plus a reasonable fee which must be approved by all of the Selkirk partners. The majority owner of the project transferred management services from Cogentrix to Power Plant Management Services in August 2010.
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
In 2009, in order to comply with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the project commenced purchasing CO 2 allowances in the quarterly Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auctions. At year-end, the project had purchased adequate allowances to cover the amount needed for Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative compliance in 2009, except for approximately 184,000 allowances. Under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative rules, a compliance period consists of three years, during which time the emitter is required to obtain allowances corresponding to its CO 2 emissions during the same period. New York State allocates a limited number of free allowances to generators that have long-term contracts. A portion of the project's 2009 requirement will be met with these free allowances. The project expects to purchase additional allowances in 2010 in order to satisfy its 2009 requirement. In resolution of a lawsuit brought by an unaffiliated owner of another New York power plant in 2009 challenging New York's Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative rules, a consent decree is being finalized under which ConEd will reimburse the Selkirk project for the cost of additional allowances needed in excess of the free allowances allocated by New York.
Factors Influencing Project Results
Energy produced by Unit I (80 MW) is sold at market prices based on the project's bid into the spot market. The project is therefore exposed to fluctuations in market energy prices which may impact Unit I energy sales margins. Under the PPA with Con Ed, the Project receives significant capacity revenues based on meeting availability requirements and also receives an energy payment whenever Con Ed calls on Unit II (265 MW) to generate electricity. The energy payment is primarily dependent on the fuel price component, indexed predominantly to natural gas prices, but also has a small component based on oil prices.
In periods when Unit I or Unit II is not generating electricity, substantial volumes of natural gas are available to be re-sold. Depending on market prices when reselling compared to contract prices when the gas was nominated at the beginning of each month, the excess gas has been resold at significant positive margins and occasionally at a loss.
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Gregory Project
General Description
The Gregory project is a 400 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle cogeneration QF located near Corpus Christi, Texas that commenced commercial operation in 2000. The Gregory project is owned by Gregory Power Partners, LP, a Texas limited partnership, and our ownership interest in Gregory Power is approximately 17%. The other owners are affiliates of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and John Hancock Life Insurance Company. Gregory currently sells approximately 345 MW of its capacity to Fortis Energy Marketing and Trading GP and sells up to 33 MW of electric energy and capacity to Sherwin Alumina Company, which is owned by Glencore International AG, with the remainder sold in the spot market. While not strictly a baseload facility, Gregory typically is operated at a high capacity factor. The project is located on a site adjacent to Sherwin Alumina's production facility, which also serves as the project's steam customer. Gregory leases the land on which the project is located from Sherwin under an operating lease which expires in August 2035.
The Gregory project was financed by ING Capital Corporation ("ING") and a consortium of other lenders. The loan matures in 2017 and is required to be amortized over its remaining term. Our share of the total debt outstanding at the Gregory project as of June 30, 2010 was $15.2 million. See "Project-Level Debt" on page 64 of this prospectus for additional details.
In November 2008, Gregory's managing partner, discovered that the state authorization of the project's Prevention of Significant Deterioration Air Permit had lapsed due to a discrepancy in the representation of the renewal date of the state authorization by a consultant in 2002. The issue was self-reported to the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (or "TCEQ"). During the first quarter of 2009, Gregory submitted its initial draft permit application to the TCEQ, which deemed it administratively complete, and completed the technical aspects of the permitting process. In December 2009, the TCEQ provided Gregory Power a draft of a new permit, and on March 15, 2010, the TCEQ issued the new permit. We believe the new permit limits are achievable by the project and will not require the installation of additional emissions control equipment.
Power Purchase Agreements
Gregory sells 345 MW of its output to Fortis under a PPA that began on January 1, 2009 and expires December 31, 2013. Under the terms of the Fortis agreement, Fortis pays a fixed capacity payment and an energy payment that is based on the price of natural gas at Houston Ship Channel and a contract heat rate. (Heat rate refers to the amount of energy that is required to generate one kilowatt hour of electricity.) Energy sales to Fortis consist of two tranches; a 234 MW "must-run" block and a 111 MW "dispatchable" block. The must-run block corresponds to the project's minimum energy output while satisfying Sherwin's electricity and steam requirements without the use of Gregory's auxiliary boilers. The dispatchable block is the portion of Gregory's output that can be scheduled at the option of Fortis as either energy, ancillary services or balancing energy. Credit support for the PPA consists of a $10 million letter of credit issued by ING which is backed by letters of credit from the project's partners, including a $1.7 million letter of credit provided by Atlantic Power.
Steam Sales Agreement
Gregory sells steam to Sherwin under an agreement that expires in 2020. Under the terms of the agreement, Gregory is the exclusive source of steam to Sherwin's alumina plant, up to a maximum of 1,500,000 lbs/hr.
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Fuel Supply Arrangements
Gregory purchases natural gas under various short-term and long-term agreements. Gregory has the option of procuring 100% of its natural gas requirements from Kinder Morgan Tejas Pipeline, L.P., under a market-based gas supply agreement that expires in August 2012.
In March and June 2008, the project entered into pay fixed, receive floating, natural gas swap agreements with Sempra Energy Trading Corp. for the period January 2009 through December 2010. While Gregory has structured its power and steam sales agreements to mitigate the price risk between its fuel supply and electricity sales agreements, the project has some residual exposure to natural gas price risk due to the difference between the project's actual heat rate and the contractually guaranteed heat rate under the Fortis PPA. The swap agreements partially mitigate this natural gas price risk.
Operations & Maintenance
An affiliate of Babcock and Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc. ("Babcock and Wilcox") is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Gregory project under an agreement that terminates in July 14, 2015. The operator receives a fee for management of the facility (subject to escalation) on a quarterly basis and reimbursement of certain costs.
Energy Management Services
Tenaska Power Services, Co. ("Tenaska") provides Gregory with energy management services such as marketing excess power from the Project through the end of 2011. Tenaska optimizes Gregory's assets in the ancillary services market of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, purchases natural gas for operations, provides scheduling services, provides back-office support and serves as Gregory's retail energy provider and qualified scheduling entity.
Factors Influencing Project Results
The Gregory project derives a significant portion of its operating margin through energy revenues under its PPA with Fortis. Energy revenues are dependent on the price of natural gas at Houston Ship Channel and a contract heat rate. The project achieves a margin on its energy revenue due to the facility's actual heat rate being lower than the contractually guaranteed heat rate.
Gregory also receives a capacity payment under the Fortis PPA which is dependent on maintaining certain minimum performance requirements. The project's capacity payments are subject to reduction or elimination if it fails to meet these requirements. Due to a forced outage in 2009, the project only received 98% of the full capacity revenue. However, historically the project has met all of the performance standards under the Fortis PPA.
Topsham Project
General Description
The Topsham project is a 14 MW hydroelectric facility located on the Androscoggin River at the Pejepscot dam near Topsham, Maine and began commercial operation in 1987 as a QF. A 100% undivided interest in the Topsham project and a 100% undivided interest in the Topsham project site are owned by a financial institution, in its capacity as owner trustee for the benefit of Atlantic Power (50%) and DaimlerChrysler Services North America LLC (50%) as owner participants. Electricity is sold to the Central Maine Power Company (or "CMP") under a PPA that expires in 2011.
The Topsham project is leased and operated by Topsham Hydro Partners Limited Partnership ("THP"), a Minnesota limited partnership. Pursuant to a sale and lease back transaction, THP leases both our interests in the project and in the project site until November 17, 2011. At the end of the lease term, THP has the option to renew the lease or acquire our share of the project and the project site. Lease payments made by THP are based on project's operating cash flows.
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Power Purchase Agreement
Electrical output from the Topsham project is sold to CMP under a PPA that contains a fixed price schedule and terminates on December 31, 2011.
Operations & Maintenance
THP operates the project and provides all general and administrative services for the project under an agreement in effect until the earlier of December 31, 2027 or upon THP becoming the owner of 100% of the project and the project site.
Badger Creek Project
General Description
The Badger Creek project is a 46 MW simple-cycle, cogeneration facility located near Bakersfield, California which began commercial operation in 1991 as a QF. The Badger Creek project is owned by Badger Creek Limited, L.P. ("Badger"), a Texas limited partnership in which we own a 50% partnership interest. Juniper Generation, LLC, which is indirectly owned by affiliates of ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC, owns the other 50% partnership interest. Electricity is sold to Pacific Gas & Electric Corporation ("PG&E") under a PPA expiring in 2011. The project typically operates in a baseload configuration. Steam is sold to OXY USA Inc. ("OXY"), an affiliate of Occidental Petroleum Corporation, under an agreement that expires in 2011. Badger leases the approximately 3.5 acre site for the Badger Creek project under a ground lease. The term of the lease expires in July 2021 and the parties may extend for up to 10 additional one-year periods.
Power Purchase Agreement
Electricity generated by the Badger Creek project is purchased by PG&E under a PPA that expires in 2011. The PPA provides for monthly capacity and energy payments, and Badger is entitled to receive a performance bonus if the average on-peak capacity factor exceeds 85%. The energy price received under the PPA is linked to PG&E's interim "short-run avoided cost," as discussed below.
Steam Sales Agreement
Steam from the Badger Creek project is sold to OXY under an agreement which expires in 2011. The agreement provides for successive renewal terms of one year unless either party gives advance notice of termination. OXY utilizes the steam in its enhanced oil recovery operations to allow for more effective and efficient extraction of heavy crude oil. Subject to certain conditions, OXY has an obligation to buy steam under this agreement in an amount not less than the minimum requirements necessary to maintain the project's status as a QF. Although OXY is not currently purchasing any power from the project, the steam agreement allows for up to 1 MW of electricity to be sold to OXY.
Fuel Supply Arrangements
Natural gas is delivered to Badger Creek via a private pipeline that connects with the Kern River-Mojave Pipeline. The pipeline was constructed by a joint venture in which the project owns approximately 21%. An affiliate of Juniper operates the pipeline. In October 2006, Badger entered into a gas supply agreement, including transportation, with Sempra Energy Trading Corporation. In March 2008, the gas agreement was extended to cover fuel procurements through April 30, 2011.
Operations & Maintenance
Operations and maintenance for the Badger Creek project is performed by an affiliate of Juniper Generation, LLC under a fixed price operations and maintenance agreement. The agreement expires in
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2011, but is terminable by either party upon six months' notice. The operator receives a base monthly fee, which is adjusted annually. In addition, the agreement provides for incentive fees and penalties based on the project's availability.
An affiliate of Juniper also provides all day-to-day management services required by the project and is paid a semi-annual fee for such management services based on a percentage of gross cash receipts of the project.
Factors Influencing Project Results
The Badger Creek Project derives a portion of its operating margin through energy revenues under the PG&E PPA. Energy revenues are dependent on PG&E's short-run avoided costs ("SRAC"), which is generally defined as the cost of electricity that a utility avoids incurring by purchasing the power from an independent power producer versus constructing and operating additional generating resources on its own. PG&E's SRAC is determined by the CPUC in conjunction with input from independent power producers, investor owned utilities and consumer groups through the state utility regulatory process. SRAC has been, and continues to be, a highly contested issue resulting in numerous CPUC proceedings and litigation. Until August 2009, SRAC was based on an administratively determined formula. In August 2009, the CPUC implemented a new SRAC methodology called the market index formula ("MIF"), which includes both a market-based component and an administratively determined component. Ultimately, the CPUC is moving toward a 100% market-based SRAC.
In April 2009, California's Market Reform and Technology Update energy market ("MRTU") commenced operation. The MRTU is expected to provide a robustly traded day-ahead market for energy that reflects the avoided marginal energy costs of California's utilities. Upon the determination by the CPUC that the MRTU is functioning properly, MIF will no longer include the administratively determined component, which is expected to lower MIF pricing and create larger differences between peak and off-peak prices. Such a determination has not been made by the CPUC.
Badger is a party to settlement negotiations among other QF facilities, California's major investor-owned utilities, and numerous consumer and independent power producer groups on a new energy pricing formula and possible extensions of firm capacity payments for project with existing contracts that will resolve many outstanding issues between the parties. Many of the SRAC and MIF related CPUC proceedings and litigation have been held in abeyance pending the outcome of the settlement negotiations.
It is expected that the CPUC regulations applicable to Badger will be in a state of transition for the foreseeable future, and there can be no assurance that decisions by the CPUC will not have an adverse impact on Badger.
Rumford Project
General Description
The Rumford Project is a 85 MW multi-fuel (coal, wood waste and tire-derived fuel) circulating fluidized bed boiler cogeneration facility located in the town of Rumford, Maine, which began commercial operation in 1990 as a QF. The Rumford project is owned by Rumford Cogeneration Company Limited Partnership, a Maine limited partnership ("Rumford LP"), in which we own an approximate 26% limited partnership interest. The project was constructed for the dual purpose of supplying steam and electricity to an adjacent paper mill, the Rumford Paper Company, owned by a subsidiary of NewPage Corporation ("NewPage") and electricity to the local utility. The project is situated on a site leased from the adjacent NewPage paper mill. The lease expires on December 31, 2020.
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Power Purchase Agreement
In February 2007, Rumford LP executed an Interim Financial Obligation Consolidation Agreement with Rumford Paper Company. The agreement consolidated the payment obligations of the various prior agreements between Rumford LP and Rumford Paper Company into a single payment obligation effective January 1, 2007. The effect of the agreement is similar to a lease wherein Rumford Paper Company assumes the risk of fuel and power price volatility as well as most operating costs. Payments under the agreement have been made quarterly to Rumford LP over a three year term ended December 31, 2009. During 2009, as a result of a dispute between NewPage and the limited partners regarding the making of the 2009 distributions and the economic viability of the project following the expiration of the agreement with Rumford Paper Company at the end of 2009, a settlement agreement was entered into which provided for the payment of the 2009 distributions to the partners. The settlement agreement further provided for the purchase by NewPage of the partners' interests in Rumford LP under certain conditions. If NewPage does purchase the partners' interests in Rumford LP, our share of the proceeds is expected to be approximately $2.5 million.
Koma Kulshan Project
General Description
The Koma Kulshan project is a 13.3 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric generation facility located on the slopes of Mount Baker, approximately 80 miles north of Seattle, Washington, and began commercial operation in 1990 as a QF. The Koma Kulshan project is owned by Koma Kulshan Associates, a California limited partnership in which we own a 49.75% economic interest, Mt. Baker Corporation owns a 0.25% economic interest and Covanta Energy Corporation ("Covanta") owns the remaining 50%. The Koma Kulshan project was issued a 50-year hydro license from the FERC which expires in 2037. The project and its electrical output is sold to Puget Sound Energy, Inc. under a PPA expiring in 2037.
Our and Mt. Baker Corporation's interests in the project are held through Concrete Hydro Partners, L.P. Under the Concrete partnership agreement, Mt. Baker Corporation is entitled to reimbursement of certain deferred costs associated with the original development of the project from a portion of the distributions from the project. The full repayment of these deferred costs is expected in 2010, following which distributions are projected to be made ratably to us and Mt. Baker Corporation.
Power Purchase Agreement
Energy generated by the Koma Kulshan project is sold to Puget Sound Energy pursuant to a long-term PPA expiring in 2037. Power is sold at a per kilowatt hour rate that is adjusted annually. The term of the PPA is coterminous with the FERC license. Puget Sound Energy has the right to renew the PPA for a term equivalent to the term of any subsequent license or annual license granted by the FERC for the project.
Operations & Maintenance
Covanta performs the operations and maintenance of the facility pursuant to an operations and maintenance agreement which expires December 31, 2010. In addition to being reimbursed for actual costs incurred, Covanta receives an annual fee adjusted for inflation.
Delta-Person Project
General Description
The Delta-Person Project, a 132 MW natural gas-fired peaking facility located near Albuquerque, New Mexico, is an exempt wholesale generator that commenced commercial operation in 2000. We own
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a 40% interest in Delta-Person and affiliates of Olympus Power, LLC and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company own the remaining interests. The Delta-Person Project is situated on PNM's (formerly Public Service of New Mexico) retired Delta Generating Station site under a lease agreement which is co-terminus with the project's PPA. The project operates as a peaking facility, which means that it is called upon to generate electricity only during unusually high periods of demand. The Delta-Person project sells all of its electrical output to PNM under a long-term PPA that expires in 2020.
Construction of the Delta-Person project was financed through a $59.7 million construction loan that was converted to permanent project financing once commercial operation was achieved. The permanent project financing was divided into two term loans: (i) Tranche A due March 31, 2017; and (ii) Tranche B due March 31, 2019, both of which amortize over their remaining terms. Our share of the total debt outstanding at the Delta-Person project as of June 30, 2010 was $11.1 million. See "Project-Level Debt" on page 64 of this prospectus for additional details.
Power Purchase Agreement
Electrical power generated by the Delta-Person project is purchased by PNM under a PPA that will expire in 2020. PNM has the unilateral right to extend the PPA for five years by giving written notice of such extension no later than two years prior to the end of the original term of the PPA. Subject to adjustments provided for in the PPA, PNM will purchase and accept the entire output of the project when PNM calls upon the capacity. Payments consist of: (i) the energy purchase price multiplied by the kilowatt hours delivered; (ii) the capacity purchase price multiplied by the dependable capacity; (iii) the project's cost of purchasing electric service from PNM for the operations and maintenance of the facility; and (iv) any other applicable charges. In order to earn full capacity payments, the project must maintain availability of at least 97%, which the project has historically achieved.
Fuel Supply Arrangements
The project purchases fuel from PNM Gas Services, a division of PNM, with fuel costs passed through to PNM under the PPA. The project has access to an interruptible gas supply and transportation like other standard industrial customers on PNM Gas Services' system.
Operations & Maintenance
As a simple cycle peaking facility, the project operations do not require extensive staffing and technical resources. Olympus Power provides asset management services, which include operational and contractual oversight of the facility, budget setting and environmental compliance.
Factors Influencing Project Results
The Delta-Person project derives a significant portion of its operating margin through capacity payments under the PPA with PNM. The capacity payment is based on two components which adjust annually with changes in inflation and interest rates. The capacity payment may be reduced on a monthly basis if the project's availability falls below 97%. The project has rarely experienced such adjustment. Energy payments are based on a variable operations and maintenance component, a fuel component and an availability incentive. The fuel component consists of the actual price the project pays for fuel and a contract heat rate. The contractually guaranteed heat rate is slightly higher than the project's average operating heat rate which generates additional energy revenue, because the contractually guaranteed heat rate represents the price that PNM pays for power that it purchases from Delta-Person. PNM will normally choose to purchase power from higher efficiency plants during periods of reduced demand. Reduced overall economic activity and related lower demand for electricity in the past two years has resulted in lower dispatch of Delta-Person by PNM.
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Biomass Development Projects
Biomass-derived power is a well-established, conventional technology. In biomass power plants, the fuel is burned in a boiler to create steam that turns a turbine to generate electricity. In general, biomass power plants are designed to be operated as baseload units. While biomass encompasses a broad range of potential fuels, our activities are focused on "wood-residue" biomass. This feedstock includes virgin wood (from forests, wood processing facilities, etc.), agricultural residues, industrial and commercial waste, etc. Our facilities are eligible for renewable energy credits and may also qualify for certain federal tax benefits, depending on their construction schedule. We are pursuing six biomass projects with partners who bring specific skills to their development, as more fully described below.
Rollcast Energy, Inc.
Rollcast Energy, Inc. ("Rollcast") develops, owns and operates renewable power plants that use wood or biomass fuel. Rollcast, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has five 50 MW biomass power plants in various stages of development in the southeastern U.S. In March 2009, we acquired a 40% equity interest in Rollcast for $3.0 million. In March 2010, we acquired an additional 15% interest for $1.2 million and in April 2010, we invested an additional $0.8 million to bring our total ownership interest to 60%. The terms of our investment in Rollcast provide us the option, but not the obligation, to invest directly in biomass power plants under development by Rollcast. Two of the development projects have obtained 20-year PPAs with terms that allow for the pass-through of fuel costs to the utility customer. In April 2010, Rollcast entered into a construction agreement for a 53.5 MW biomass project, known as Piedmont Green Power, to be located in Barnesville, Georgia. We currently expect to invest up to $75 million in the Piedmont Green Power project, representing substantially all of the equity interests in the project. We intend to use a sole arranger to syndicate project-level debt financing for Piedmont.
Onondaga Renewables, LLC
Onondaga Renewables, LLC is a 50/50 joint venture between us and Catalyst Renewables LLC formed in December 2008 to repower our decommissioned 91 MW gas-fired cogeneration facility located in Geddes, New York. Utilizing locally acquired biomass fuel, the proposed facility is expected to have a capacity of approximately 45 MW. Onondaga is currently in the process of obtaining a PPA for the full output of the facility.
Asset Management
Our asset management strategy is to partner with recognized leaders in the independent power business. Most of our projects are managed by Caithness; Power Plant Management Services; and, in the case of Path 15, Western, a U.S. Federal power agency. On a case-by-case basis, Caithness, Power Plant Management Services, and Western may provide: (i) day-to-day project-level management, such as operations and maintenance and asset management activities; (ii) partnership level management tasks, such as insurance renewals; and (iii) passive partnership level management, such as acting as limited partner. In some cases these project managers or the project partnerships may subcontract with other firms experienced in project operations, such as GE, to provide for day-to-day plant operations. In addition, employees of Atlantic Power Corporation with significant experience managing similar assets are involved in most decisions with the objective to choose value-creating transactions such as contract restructurings, asset-level refinancing, acquisitions and divestitures.
Caithness is one of the largest privately-held independent power producers in the United States. For over 25 years in the independent power business, Caithness, has been actively engaged in the development, acquisition and management of independent power facilities for its own account as well as in venture arrangements with other entities. Caithness operates our Auburndale, Lake and Pasco
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projects and provides other asset management services for our Orlando, Selkirk and Badger Creek projects.
Power Plant Management Services is a general and administrative management services company focused on providing senior level energy industry expertise to the independent power market. Founded in 2006, Power Plant Management provides management services to a large portfolio of solid fuel and gas-fired generating stations. Previously, Cogentrix provided these services to our Selkirk and Chambers facilities. In August 2010, Energy Investors Funds, which holds the controlling interest in a portfolio of 13 power generating projects (of which Chambers and Selkirk are a part), terminated its management services agreement with Cogentrix and entered into a new agreement with Power Plant Management Services.
Western markets and delivers hydroelectric power and related services within a 15-state region of the central and western United States. Western is one of four power marketing administrations within the U.S. Department of Energy whose role is to market and transmit electricity from multi-use water projects. Western's transmission system carries electricity from 57 power plants operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the International Boundary and Water Commission. Together, these plants have an operating capacity of approximately 8,785 MW. Western owns and operates the Path 15 transmission line.
Industry Regulation
Overview
In the United States, the trend towards restructuring the electric power industry and the introduction of competition in electricity generation began with the passage and implementation of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, as amended ("PURPA"). Among other things, PURPA, as implemented by the FERC, generally required that vertically integrated electric utilities purchase power from QFs at their avoided cost. The FERC defines avoided cost as the incremental cost to a utility of energy or capacity which, but for the purchase from QFs, the utility would itself generate or purchase from another source. This requirement was modified in 2005, as discussed below.
Electric transmission assets, such as our Path 15 project, are regulated by the FERC on a traditional cost-of-service rate base methodology. This approach allows a transmission company to establish a revenue requirement which provides an opportunity to recover operating costs, depreciation and amortization, and a return on capital. The revenue requirement and calculation methodology is reviewed by the FERC in periodic rate cases. As determined by the FERC, all prudently incurred operating and maintenance costs, capital expenditures, debt costs and a return on equity may be collected in rates charged.
Carbon Emissions
In the United States, government policy addressing carbon emissions has continued to gain momentum over the last two years. Beginning in 2009, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative was established in ten Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states as the first cap-and-trade program in the United States for CO 2 emissions. These states have varied implementation plans and schedules. Two of these states, New York and New Jersey, also provide cost mitigation for independent power projects with certain types of power contracts. Other states and regions in the United Sates are developing similar regulations and it is expected that federal climate legislation will be established in the future.
Federal bills to create both a cap-and-trade allowance system and a renewable/efficiency portfolio standard have been introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate. Separately, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken several recent actions to regulate CO 2 emissions.
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Additionally, more than half of the U.S. states and most Canadian provinces have set mandates requiring certain levels of renewable energy production and/or energy efficiency during target timeframes. This includes generation from wind, solar and biomass. In order to meet CO 2 reduction goals, changes in the generation fuel mix are forecasted to include a reduction in existing coal resources, higher reliance on nuclear, natural gas, and renewable energy resources and an increase in demand-side resources. Investments in new or upgraded transmission lines will be required to move increasing renewable generation from more remote locations to load centers.
RegulationGenerating Projects
Ten of our power generating projects are qualifying facilities under PURPA and related FERC regulations. The Delta-Person and Pasco projects are not QFs but are both exempt wholesale generators under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, as amended ("PUHCA"). The generating projects with QF status and which are currently party to a power purchase agreement with a utility or have been granted authority to charge market-based rates are exempt from FERC rate-making authority. The FERC has granted seven of the projects the authority to charge market-based rates based primarily on a finding that the project lacks market power. These projects are thus not subject to FERC rate-making. The generating projects are exempt from regulation under PUHCA and the projects with QF status are also exempt from state regulation respecting the rates of electric utilities and the financial or organizational regulation of electric utilities.
A QF falls into one or both of two primary classes, both of which would facilitate more efficient use of fossil fuels to generate electricity than typical utility plants. The first class of QFs includes energy producers that generate power using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, biomass or waste fuels. The second class of QFs includes cogeneration facilities, which must meet specific fossil fuel efficiency requirements by producing both electricity and steam versus electricity only. With the exception of QFs, generation, transmission and distribution of electricity remained largely owned by vertically integrated electric utilities until the enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (the "EP Act of 1992") and subsequent orders in 1996, along with electric industry restructuring initiated at the state level. Among other things, the EP Act of 1992 enhanced the FERC's power to order open access to power transmission systems, contributing to significant growth in the independent power generation industry.
In August 2005, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (the "EP Act of 2005") was enacted, which removed certain regulatory constraints on investment in utility power producers. The EP Act of 2005 also limited the requirement from PURPA that electric utilities buy electricity from QFs to certain markets that lack competitive characteristics. Finally, the EP Act of 2005 amended and expanded the reach of the FERC's corporate merger approval authority under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act.
All of our projects are subject to reliability standards developed and enforced by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation ("NERC"). NERC is a self-regulatory organization that is a non-governmental entity which has statutory responsibility to regulate bulk power system users, generation and transmission owners and operators through the adoption and enforcement of standards for fair, ethical and efficient practices.
In March 2007, the FERC issued an order approving mandatory reliability standards proposed by NERC in response to the August 2003 northeastern U.S. blackouts. As a result, users, owners and operators of the bulk power system can be penalized significantly for failing to comply with the FERC-approved reliability standards. We have designated our Senior Director for Asset Management as our FERC Compliance Officer responsible for meeting the FERC and NERC requirements and an outside law firm specializing in this area advises us on FERC and NERC compliance, including annual compliance training for relevant employees.
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RegulationTransmission Project
The revenues received by the Path 15 project are regulated by the FERC through a rate review process every three years that sets an annual revenue requirement. Under terms of the initial rate case settlement, the project must go through the FERC review every three years.
The Path 15 project's initial three-year rate period's revenue requirement expired at the end of 2007. On December 21, 2007, the Project submitted to the FERC its revenue requirement for the 2008 through 2010 period. In an order issued February 2008, the FERC allowed the rates as filed in December 2007 to go into effect subject to refund pending the outcome of the regulatory proceedings. The FERC also accepted several of the project's key methodological approaches, including use of a 13.5% return on equity. A number of parties requested rehearing on such issues. On March 23, 2009, the Path 15 project filed an uncontested settlement offer with the FERC, for rehearing in the Path 15 project's rate case proceeding. We believe that the settlement was reasonable and will not significantly impact the expected cash flow from the project. On August 3, 2009, the FERC issued an order approving the settlement. Thereafter, on October 30, 2009 the Path 15 project issued refunds reflecting the difference between the rates collected as of February 2008 pursuant to the December 2007 filing and the rates provided for under the settlement. Since May 2009, the Path 15 project has been receiving revenues based on the revenue requirement established by the settlement. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement, Path 15 is required to submit its revenue requirement for the 2011 through 2013 rate period to the FERC in February 2011. The preparation of this new rate filing will commence in the third quarter of 2010.
Competition
The power generation industry is characterized by intense competition, and our projects compete against utilities, industrial companies and other independent power producers. In recent years, there has been increasing competition among generators in an effort to obtain power sales agreements, and this competition has contributed to a reduction in electricity prices in certain markets where supply has surpassed demand plus appropriate reserve margins. In addition, many states are implementing or considering regulatory initiatives designed to increase competition in the U.S. power industry.
The U.S. power industry is continuing to undergo consolidation and may offer attractive acquisition and investment opportunities, although we believe that we will continue to confront significant competition for those opportunities and, to the extent that any opportunities are identified, we may be unable to effect acquisitions or investments on attractive terms. We compete for acquisition opportunities with numerous private equity funds, Canadian and U.S. independent power firms, utility genco subsidiaries and other strategic and financial players. Our competitive advantages include our diversified projects, strong customer base, leading third-party managers and stability of project cash flow. We have similar strength in asset management and optimization.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, Atlantic Power, its subsidiaries and the projects are parties to disputes and litigation that arise in the normal course of business. We assess our exposure to these matters and record estimated loss contingencies when a loss is likely and can be reasonably estimated. There are no matters pending as of September 14, 2010 which we expect to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Employees
As of September 14, 2010, we had 13 full-time employees. None of our employees is represented by any collective bargaining unit or a party to any collective bargaining agreement.
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Description of Property
We have included descriptions of the locations and general character of our principal physical operating properties, including an identification of the segments that use such properties, in "Business," which is incorporated herein by reference. A significant portion of our equity interests in the entities owning these properties are pledged as collateral under our senior credit facility or under non-recourse operating level debt arrangements. See Note 9 in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our operating properties.
Our principal executive office is located at 200 Clarendon Street, Floor 25, Boston, Massachusetts under a lease that expires in 2015.
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The following table sets forth the names, ages and positions of each of our directors and executive officers:
Name
|
Age | Position | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Irving Gerstein |
69 | Director, Board Chairman, Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman | ||
Ken Hartwick |
48 | Director, Audit Committee Chairman, Compensation Committee Chairman | ||
John McNeil |
68 | Director | ||
Richard Foster Duncan |
56 | Director | ||
Holli Nichols |
40 | Director | ||
Barry Welch |
53 | Director, President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Patrick Welch |
43 | Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary | ||
Paul Rapisarda |
56 | Managing Director, Acquisitions and Asset Management | ||
William Daniels |
51 | Senior Director, Asset Management | ||
John J. Hulburt |
43 | Corporate Controller |
Irving R. Gerstein, C.M., O.Ont The Honourable Irving R. Gerstein has been a director of Atlantic Power since October 2004. Senator Gerstein is a Member of the Order of Canada and a Member of the Order of Ontario, and was appointed to the Senate of Canada in December 2008. He is a retired executive, and is currently a director of Medical Facilities Corporation, Student Transportation of America, Ltd., and Economic Investment Trust Limited, and previously served as a director of other public companies, including CTV Inc., Traders Group Limited, Guaranty Trust Company of Canada, Confederation Life Insurance Company and Scott's Hospitality Inc., and as an officer and director of Peoples Jewellers Limited. Senator Gerstein is an honorary director of Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto), having previously served as Chairman of the Board, Chairman Emeritus and a director over a period of twenty-five years, and is currently a member of its Research Committee. Senator Gerstein earned his BSc in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School of Finance and Commerce).
Mr. Gerstein's substantial experience on the boards of numerous other public companies and his prior experience as an executive of a substantial public company make him a valued advisor and highly qualified to serve as chairman of our board of directors and as chairman of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Ken Hartwick, C.A. has been a director of Atlantic Power since October 2004. Ken Hartwick has over 13 years of management experience in the energy sector, and 20 years experience in the financial sector. Mr. Hartwick's experience in the energy industry spans several markets having played an integral role as an executive officer for Just Energy since April 2004, helping launch their businesses in Alberta, British Columbia, Indiana, and Texas as well as growing the businesses already established in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Illinois and New York. He currently serves as the President and CEO for, and is a director on the board of Just Energy, an integrated retailer of commodity products. Mr. Hartwick has served as President and CEO for Just Energy since June 2008, as President from 2006 until June 2008, and as Chief Financial Officer from April 2004 to 2006. Mr. Hartwick understands the issues facing the electricity industry through his previous role as Chief Financial Officer of one of the largest distribution companies in North America, Hydro One Inc., where he gained increasing executive-level responsibility throughout his career, and provided strategic direction as Ontario transitions towards a competitive energy marketplace. Mr. Hartwick earned his Honours of Business Administration from Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario.
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Mr. Hartwick's substantial experience in the energy industry and financial sector make him a valued advisor and highly qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors and as chairman of our Audit and Compensation Committees.
John McNeil has been a director of Atlantic Power since October 2004. Mr. McNeil is President of BDR NorthAmerica Inc., an energy consulting company based in Toronto, Ontario. Prior to his appointment at BDR NorthAmerica Inc. in 2000, Mr. McNeil was Managing Director Investment Banking with Scotia Capital Inc. from 1996 to 1999. Previously, he was a Senior Vice-President and Director of ScotiaMcLeod Inc. from 1991 to 1995. Mr. McNeil has extensive expertise in the areas of asset management models, capitalization, mergers and acquisitions, business and enterprise valuations, capital markets and market ratings and has worked extensively throughout North America and Europe. Mr. McNeil specializes in the electric power sector and his major focus in recent years has been in the field of corporate and enterprise unbundling and reconstitution resulting from the restructuring of the electricity sector in North America. Mr. McNeil earned a B.A. (Honors) from Queens University, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto and a Master of Business Administration from the University of British Columbia.
Mr. McNeil's extensive experience in the financial and capital markets sectors, as well as his expertise in the electric power sector, make him a valued advisor and highly qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors.
Richard Foster Duncan was elected as a director of Atlantic Power at our annual general meeting of shareholders held on June 29, 2010. Mr. Duncan has more than 30 years of senior corporate, investment banking, and private equity experience. He joined Advantage Capital Partners in April 2009 as Managing Director with senior management responsibility for the firm's energy related portfolio and energy initiatives. From 2005 through April 2009, Mr. Duncan was managing member of KD Capital L.L.C., an affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. ("KKR"), which he and KKR formed in 2005. He worked with KKR and its portfolio companies in connection with creating value and identifying and investing in the energy, utility, natural resources, and infrastructure sectors. From 2001 through 2005 he was with Cinergy Corporation. Mr. Duncan joined Cinergy Corporation as Executive Vice President and CFO of Cinergy Corporation with overall corporate financial responsibility for all financial functions and also served as CEO and President of Cinergy's Commercial Business Unit in part of 2004 and 2005. While at Cinergy, he was responsible for Cinergy's energy merchant operations and regulated generation, including a portfolio of more than 19,000 megawatts. He was responsible for Cinergy's wholesale electric, natural gas and coal marketing, and international operations. Mr. Duncan is active with the Edison Electric Institute, serves as a member of the Wall Street Advisory Group, and is the past Chairman of the Finance Executive Advisory Committee. Earlier in his career, he has also held senior management positions at LG&E Energy Corp., a subsidiary of E.ON AG, and Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold and Howard, Weil, Labouisse, Friedrichs Inc. Mr. Duncan is on the board of directors of North American Energy Alliance, LLC in Iselin, NJ and SensorTran Inc. in Austin, TX and also serves on the Board of Advisors of GridPoint, Inc. in Arlington, VA. He is active in a number of civic organizations including the board of directors of the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital Foundation in New Orleans, the Board of Trustees of Cincinnati Country Day School and in Charlottesville, Virginia the National Advisory Board of the University of Virginia Jefferson Scholars Program. Mr. Duncan graduated with Distinction from the University of Virginia and later received his MBA degree from the A. B. Freeman Graduate School of Business at Tulane University.
Mr. Duncan's extensive experience as a senior executive in the electric utility industry, as well as his experience in the private equity sector make him a valued advisor and highly qualified to serve on our board of directors.
Holli Nichols was elected as a director of Atlantic Power at our annual general meeting of shareholders held on June 29, 2010. Ms. Nichols has over 10 years of experience in financial roles at
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Dynegy, Inc., a large independent power company listed on the NYSE, and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is currently Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Dynegy and has been in that role since December 2005. From May 2004 to December 2005, she was Senior Vice President and Treasurer. From June 2003 to May 2004, she was Senior Vice President and Controller and held other financial roles at the company from May 2000 through May 2004. Prior to joining Dynegy, Ms. Nichols was a Senior Audit Manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers. She also serves on the board of His Grace Foundation, which supports children who undergo bone marrow transplants. Ms. Nichols earned a bachelor's of science degree from Baylor University and a Masters of Business Administration from Rice University.
Ms. Nichols' extensive experience as a senior executive in the independent power industry, as well as her financial and accounting background make her a valued advisor and highly qualified to serve on our board of directors.
Barry Welch has been our President and Chief Executive Officer since October 2004 (until December 31, 2009, through the Manager) and a Director since June 2007. Prior to joining Atlantic Power Corporation, Mr. Welch was the Senior Vice President and co-head of the Bond & Corporate Finance Group of John Hancock Financial Services ("John Hancock"), Boston, Massachusetts, from 2000 to 2004. Mr. Welch served on several committees at John Hancock, including its Pension Investment Advisory Committee and Investment Operating Committee. Mr. Welch was Chairman of John Hancock's Bond Investment Committee and reported monthly on investment portfolio, strategy and activity to the Committee of Finance of John Hancock's board of directors. Mr. Welch also led the development and approval of John Hancock's involvement with ArcLight Capital Partners and served as a member of ArcLight Energy Partners Fund I's Investment Committee. During his time at John Hancock, Mr. Welch headed the Bond and Corporate Finance Group's Power and Energy investment team. From 1989 to 2004, he was involved directly or oversaw $25 billion of investments in more than 1,000 utility, project finance and oil and gas transactions. Prior to joining John Hancock, Mr. Welch spent more than three years as a developer of power projects at Thermo Electron Corporation's Energy Systems Division (later known as Thermo Ecotek). There, he was involved in greenfield development of natural gas, wood and waste-to-energy projects, as well as asset management roles for operating plants. Mr. Welch earned a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Boston College. Mr. Welch serves on the board of directors of the Walker Home and School in Needham, Massachusetts.
Mr. Welch's extensive experience in energy investment and related activities in the financial sector, as well as his in-depth knowledge of our company through his position as President and Chief Executive Officer, make him highly qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors.
Patrick Welch , who is not related to Barry Welch, has been our Chief Financial Officer since May 2006 (until December 31, 2009, through the Manager). He has an extensive background in the energy and independent power industries. Before joining Atlantic Power, from January 2004 to May 2006, Mr. Welch was Vice President and Controller of DCP Midstream, ("DCP") and DCP Midstream Partners, LP ("DCPLP") headquartered in Denver, Colorado. DCP is a private midstream natural gas company owned by Spectra Energy and ConocoPhillips and DCPLP is a public master limited partnership sponsored by DCP. In these roles, Mr. Welch was responsible for all accounting, budgeting, SEC and financial reporting and compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for DCP and DCPLP. Prior to that he held various positions at Dynegy Inc. in Houston, Texas, including Vice President and Controller for Dynegy Generation, and Assistant Corporate Controller. Prior to Dynegy, Mr. Welch was a Senior Audit Manager in the Energy, Utilities and Mining Practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, predominantly in Houston, Texas, where he served several major energy clients. He earned his bachelors degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and is a Certified Public Accountant.
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Paul Rapisarda has 25 years of experience in energy, utility and independent power investment banking. Mr. Rapisarda is currently Managing Director of Acquisitions and Asset Management at Atlantic Power. From 2001 to early 2008 he was a Principal with Compass Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm in New York, where he was involved in numerous strategic advisory, restructuring and principal transactions in the energy and power sectors. Prior to Compass Advisors, Mr. Rapisarda held senior positions with the energy and utilities investment banking teams at Schroders, Merrill Lynch and BT Securities. Prior to that he was a Managing Director and Co-Head, Utilities and Structured Finance, at Drexel Burnham Lambert. While at Drexel, he also worked with the firm's chief financial officer in making direct tax-oriented investments on the firm's behalf. Over the course of his career, Mr. Rapisarda has worked on a broad range of capital markets and advisory transactions including substantial experience in cross-border and emerging markets. He earned his Bachelors degree from Amherst College and his MBA from Harvard Business School.
William Daniels has been with Atlantic Power since March 2007. He is currently Senior Director of Asset Management. Mr. Daniels has 26 years of experience in oil and gas exploration, independent power development, project finance and asset management. Prior to joining Atlantic Power, from January 2006 to February 2007, Mr. Daniels was Director, Asset Management at American National Power. He has held various positions in asset management and project finance at Calpine Corp. (March 2001 to January 2006), Edison Mission Energy, Citizens Power and the Toronto-Dominion Bank. Prior to receiving his MBA, he worked with Mitchell Energy Corp. as an exploration geologist. Mr. Daniels earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Rochester, a Master of Science in Geology from the Ohio State University, and an MBA from Columbia University Business School.
John J. Hulburt has been the Corporate Controller of Atlantic Power since June 2008. Mr. Hulburt has 14 years of experience in the accounting industry. Before joining Atlantic Power, from February 2007 to June 2008, Mr. Hulburt was Controller of GreatPoint Energy, Inc. headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. GreatPoint Energy is a technology-driven natural resources company and the developer of a proprietary, highly-efficient catalytic process, known as hydromethanation. Mr. Hulburt was responsible for all accounting, budgeting and financial reporting for GreatPoint Energy. Prior to that he was the Chief Financial Officer at Datawatch Corporation (December 2004 to January 2007) in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and the Chief Financial Officer at Bruker Daltonics in Billerica, Massachusetts (April 2000 to June 2004). Datawatch and Bruker Daltonics were publicly listed Companies on the NASDAQ Exchange. He was responsible for all accounting, budgeting, SEC and financial reporting for Datawatch and Bruker Daltonics. Prior to Bruker Daltonics, Mr. Hulburt was an Audit Manager in the Hi-Technology and Manufacturing Practice of Ernst & Young LLP, where he served several major Hi-Tech and Manufacturing clients. He earned his bachelors degree from the Merrimack College and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Composition of our board of directors
Our directors are elected by our shareholders at our annual meeting, which is generally held in June of each year. Directors hold office for one year or until their successors are chosen. At our annual general and special meeting of shareholders on June 29, 2010, shareholders approved increasing the size of the board from five to six directors and approved changes to our Articles of Continuance reducing the minimum Canadian residency requirement for directors from 50% to 25%.
Our board of directors has evaluated the independence of each director within the meaning of the requirements of the NYSE and has determined that each of Messrs. Gerstein, Hartwick, McNeil and Duncan and Ms. Nichols is an "independent director" under our independence standards and under the NYSE corporate governance rules. These five directors comprise a majority of our six-member board of directors.
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Compensation of Directors
Director Fees
Each independent director is entitled to receive an annual retainer of $40,000 and $1,500 per meeting attended in person or $500 per meeting attended by phone. The chair of the board of directors' Audit Committee and Compensation Committee receive an additional $10,000 per year. Directors are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses for attending meetings. Our directors also participate in the insurance and indemnification arrangements described below.
Equity Ownership Guideline
On April 24, 2007, the board of directors adopted an equity ownership guideline for independent directors. The guideline provides that by April 24, 2010 (for existing independent directors) or within three years of their initial election (for new independent directors), each independent director should own equity securities of Atlantic Power (which will include notional shares issued under the deferred share unit plan described below), representing an investment by each independent director of three times their current annual retainer.
Deferred Share Unit Plan
On April 24, 2007, our board of directors established a deferred share unit plan ("DSU Plan") for directors. Under the DSU Plan, each non-management director is entitled to elect to have fees paid to them by Atlantic Power for their services as directors contributed to the DSU Plan. All fees contributed to the DSU Plan shall be credited to such director in the form of notional shares representing the estimated fair value, as determined by Atlantic Power, of the common share component of the IPSs at the time of contribution. For so long as the participant continues to serve on the board of directors, dividends will accrue on the notional shares consistent with amounts declared by the board of directors on our common shares and additional notional shares representing the dividends will be credited to the participant's notional share account. Notional shares credited to the participant's notional share account may be redeemed only when a participant no longer serves on the board of directors for any reason or upon a reorganization of Atlantic Power.
The following table describes director compensation for non-management directors for the year ended December 31, 2009. Directors who are also officers of Atlantic Power are not entitled to any compensation for their services as a director.
Name
|
Fees earned or
Paid in Cash (US$) |
Total Compensation
(US$) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Irving R. Gerstein |
107,000 | 107,000 | |||||
Kenneth M. Hartwick(1) |
100,500 | 100,500 | |||||
John A. McNeil |
90,500 | 90,500 | |||||
William E. Whitman(2) |
91,000 | 91,000 |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of the members of the compensation committee of our board of directors is an officer or employee of Atlantic Power. No named executive officer of Atlantic Power serves as a member of the
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board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more named executive officers serving on our compensation committee.
During 2009, Barry Welch, our President and Chief Executive Officer presented recommendations in connection with deliberations of our board of directors concerning executive officer compensation.
During the last year, none of our executive officers served as: (i) a member of the compensation committee (or other committee of the board of directors performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our compensation committee; (ii) a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our board of directors; or (iii) a member of the compensation committee (or other committee of the board of directors performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our board of directors.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Introduction
Until December 31, 2009, we were managed through a management services agreement with Atlantic Power Management, LLC, which we refer to herein as the "Manager," which is owned by two private equity funds managed by ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC. As such, we did not have any executive officers or other employees and all of the persons listed in this prospectus as "named executive officers" were employed by the Manager. Effective December 31, 2009, the management agreement was terminated and all of the employees of the Manager became our employees. In addition, Barry Welch, Patrick Welch and Paul Rapisarda entered into executive employment agreements with us in connection with the termination of the management agreement.
Compensation Objectives
Compensation plays an important role in achieving short and long-term business objectives that ultimately drives business success in alignment with long-term shareholder goals. The objectives of our compensation program are to:
Our compensation program is designed to provide adequate reward for services and incentive for our senior management team to implement both short-term and long-term strategies aimed at increasing shareholder value, and aligning the interests of senior management with those of our shareholders.
Our compensation program has been established in order to compete with remuneration practices of companies similar to us and those which represent potential competition for our executive officers and other employees. In this respect, we identify remuneration practices and remuneration levels of public companies that are likely to compete for our employees. In designing the compensation program, our board of directors focuses on remaining competitive in the market with respect to total compensation for each of our executive officers. However, our board of directors does review each
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element of compensation for market competitiveness and it may weigh a particular element more heavily based on the executive officer's role.
The following table lists our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, our third senior officer and our two other most highly compensated non-officer employees, collectively referred to as named executive officers:
Barry E. Welch | President and CEO | |
Patrick J. Welch | CFO and Corporate Secretary | |
Paul H. Rapisarda | Managing Director, Asset Management and Acquisitions | |
William B. Daniels | Senior Director, Asset Management | |
John J. Hulburt | Corporate Controller |
Elements of Compensation
The compensation of each named executive officer includes a base salary, cash bonus and eligibility for awards under the long-term incentive plan. All compensation decisions are made by the Compensation Committee of our board of directors.
Base Salary
The base salaries for our named executive officers for 2009 were established by the Manager, but reviewed by our board of directors as part of the annual approval of the Manager's budget. This review is based on the level of responsibility, the experience level attained by the relevant named executive officer and his or her personal contribution to our financial performance with a goal to ensure that the base salaries are appropriate and competitive.
Annual Cash Bonus (Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation)
Possible annual cash bonus awards are generally based on whether or not duties have been performed well based on the relevant named executive officer's success in contributing to our operating and financial performance, including achieving annual goals and objectives approved by the Compensation Committee. The annual goals and objectives are established at the company level and are broadly based on (i) company growth strategy through acquisitions and organic growth; (ii) operating performance of existing assets; (iii) investor relations; and (iv) risk management and administrative functions.
In the case of Barry Welch, Patrick Welch and Paul Rapisarda, for each of the three years 2009 through 2011 per the terms of their respective employment contracts there are three components: (i) a portion of the annual cash bonus, identified as "Bonus" in the Summary Compensation Table on page 117, is fixed based on the average amount in 2007 and 2008 of the portion of their bonuses that were paid by the Manager and not reimbursed by Atlantic Power; (ii) a second component is based on our total shareholder return compared to a group of our peer companies. For this portion, which is included in the column identified as "Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation" in the Summary Compensation Table on page 117, a scale establishes a minimum of zero and a maximum of 110% of a target amount equal to $300,000, $130,000 and $130,000 for Barry Welch, Patrick Welch and Paul Rapisarda, respectively. Relative performance at greater than the 10 th percentile of the peer group is required to earn the minimum award and at greater than the 85 th percentile of the peer group in order to earn the maximum award; and (iii) a component from zero to a maximum of 20% of the target in (ii) above, which is also included in the column identified as "Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation" in the Summary Compensation Table on page 117, is based on our board of directors' assessment of the senior officers' performance in contributing to achievement of the Company's approved goals and objectives. Specifically in 2009, the directors based these assessments on (i) for Barry Welch, his contributions to the achievement of goals related to our growth strategy, risk
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management and investor relations, (ii) for Patrick Welch, his contributions to the achievement of goals related to our growth strategy, risk management and investor relations, and (iii) for Paul Rapisarda, his contributions to the achievement of goals related to our growth strategy and operating performance of existing assets.
Total shareholder return refers to the rate of return that a shareholder would earn on an investment in our common shares (or, prior to the conversion of our IPSs to common shares, our IPSs) assuming the investment was held for the entire year and that monthly dividends were reinvested. Our Compensation Committee includes the following companies in the peer group for the purpose of determining our relative total shareholder return performance:
In 2009, our total shareholder performance return was at the 89% percentile of our peer group, as calculated by Hugessen Consulting Group ("Hugessen"). For non-officer executives, the non-equity incentive plan compensation is determined based on the process of (i) the CEO discussing their performance with their respective managers together as the officers group, and (ii) the review and discussion by the CEO with the Compensation Committee and their approval. The percentages of salaries for awards range from 0% to maximum levels that vary for each individual based on an overall assessment of their contributions to achieving the Company's approved goals and objectives.
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Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP")
In 2006, our board of directors retained Mercer Human Resource Consulting ("Mercer") to assist in its review of the compensation of the employees of the Manager. The two primary roles of Mercer were (i) to provide a compensation benchmarking review, and (ii) to provide a review of LTIP alternatives and assist our board of directors in the design of the LTIP that was ultimately approved by the board of directors and by our shareholders. The compensation benchmarking review provided the board of directors with an objective review of each component of compensation relative to the same components within a competitive peer group and identified the appropriateness and desirability of implementing the LTIP to further align the interests of employees of the Manager with those of Atlantic Power and holders of IPSs, and to adequately assist with attracting and retaining qualified employees in the relevant U.S. labor pool. The competitive peer group included the Canadian energy trusts, U.S. oil and gas master limited partnerships and U.S. real estate investment trusts listed in the following table, as compiled from their respective publicly-filed proxy information. Mercer also generally considered the overall compensation results shown in the 2005 Financial Services Survey SuitePrivate Equity Firms Compensation Survey. Mercer's review concluded that the overall compensation plan, including the LTIP plan and each other component, was reasonable and appropriate.
US REITs | Canadian Energy Trusts | US Oil & Gas MLPs | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Developers Diversified Rlty | Just Energy Income Fund | Crosstex Energy Lp | ||
Mack-Cali Realty Corp | Altagas Income Trust | Amerigas Partners Lp | ||
Reckson Assocs Rlty Corp | ARC Energy Trust | Ferrellgas Partners Lp | ||
Weingarten Realty Investment | Enerplus Res Fund | Inergy Lp | ||
New Plan Excel Realty Tr | Fort Chicago Energy Ptnr | Genesis Energy Lp | ||
SL Green Realty Corp | Bonavista Energy Trust | Magellan Midstream Prtnrs Lp | ||
Carramerica Realty Corp | Acclaim Energy Trust | Northern Borders Partners Lp | ||
Health Care Pptys Invest Inc. | PrimeWest Energy Trust | Pacific Energy Partners Lp | ||
Arden Realty Inc. | Baytex Energy Trust | Markwest Energy Partners Lp | ||
Federal Realty Invs Trust | Vermillion Energy Trust | Valero Lp | ||
Regency Centers Corp | Pembina Pipeline Income Fund | K-Sea Transportation Lp | ||
Equity Lifestyles Properties | Esprit Eng. Trust (fmr Cdn 88 Energy) | Atlas Pipeline Partner Lp | ||
Glimcher Realty Trust | Paramount Energy Trust | |||
Heritage Ppty Investment Tr | Advantage Energy Income Fund | |||
Pan Pac Retail Pptys Inc. | Algonquin Power Income Fund | |||
Equity One Inc. | Trinidad Drilling Ltd. | |||
Affordable Residential Comm | Focus Energy Trust | |||
Boykin Lodging Corp. | Total Energy Svcs Ltd. | |||
Sun Communities Inc. | ||||
Parkway Properties | ||||
Tanger Factory Outlets Ctrs | ||||
Associated Estates Realty Corp |
The named executive officers and other employees of the Company are eligible to participate in the LTIP as determined by our board of directors. The purpose of the LTIP is to align the interests of named executive officers with those of our shareholders and to assist in attracting, retaining and motivating key employees of the Manager by making a significant portion of their incentive compensation directly dependent upon the achievement of critical strategic, financial and operational objectives that are critical to ongoing growth and increasing the long-term value of Atlantic Power, as well as providing an opportunity to increase their share ownership over time. The LTIP is designed to help achieve short-term compensation objectives by setting yearly performance targets that trigger various levels of grants and also to achieve longer term objectives and assist in retention through the
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use of both a three-year vesting period and possible forfeiture of awards if certain levels of performance are not achieved during each grant's vesting period.
The following description applies to our initial LTIP, approved by shareholders in June 2006 and amended in June 2008. For each performance period (being, generally, a period of one calendar year commencing on January 1 of each year), for officers, the board of directors establishes LTIP award percentages that will determine the amount (based on a percentage of base salary) that each officer is entitled to receive under the LTIP if certain levels of target project cash flow for the performance period are achieved. For non-officers, a target range based on percentages of salaries is established by the officers and approved by the Compensation Committee, but the range is not directly tied to specific cash flow performance levels. Individual LTIP awards are proposed by the officers based on their evaluation of both the cash flow level achieved by the Company and the individual's contribution to that performance, and approved by the Compensation Committee. Project cash flow is based on cash flows generated by our projects less management fees, administrative expenses, corporate interest, taxes and any other adjustments determined by our board of directors, which discretion is exercised narrowly and may reflect either increases or decreases to project cash flow performance. LTIP awards for each performance period are determined by the board of directors based on our actual cash flow. In making this determination, the board of directors has discretion to consider other factors, related to our performance. If certain levels of target project cash flow are achieved as determined by our board of directors, the named executive officer will be eligible to receive a number of notional units (including fractional units) to be calculated by dividing an incentive amount (based on the LTIP award percentages and the named executive officer's base salary) by the market price per IPS. The market price per IPS or common share is defined in the LTIP as the weighted average closing price of IPSs or common shares on the TSX for the five days immediately preceding the applicable day. Notional units are meant to track the investment performance of IPSs or common shares, under the amended LTIP, including share prices and dividends. Any notional units granted to a participant in respect of a performance period will be credited to a notional unit account for each participant on the determination date for such performance period. Each notional unit is entitled to receive distributions equal to the distributions on an IPS, to be credited in the form of additional notional units immediately following any distribution on the IPSs. Subsequent to our conversion to a common share structure, all references to "IPS" in the LTIP were changed to "Common Shares" and all references to distributions on IPSs were changed to dividends on common shares.
For grants under the LTIP, one-third of the notional units in a participant's notional unit account for a performance period vest on the 13-month anniversary following the determination date for such performance period, 50% of the notional units remaining in a participant's notional unit account for a performance period vest on the second anniversary date of the determination date for such performance period, and all remaining notional units in a participant's notional unit account for a performance period vest on the third anniversary of the determination date for such performance period.
On the applicable vesting date for notional units held in a participant's notional unit account, we redeem such vested notional units as follows: (i) one-third by lump sum cash payment (generally intended to be withheld toward payment of taxes that will be owed due to the vesting), and (ii) the remaining two-thirds by an exchange for common shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a named executive officer may elect to redeem such notional units for 100% common shares upon prior written notice of such election. All issuances of common shares on redemption of notional units under the LTIP are subject to compliance with applicable securities laws. In addition, the board of directors has the discretion to redeem notional units 100% with cash and has exercised this discretion for all notional units vested since the inception of the LTIP, except for those that have vested in the notional unit accounts of our senior officers.
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If the net cash flows (as determined by our board of directors) achieved in a performance period are less than 80% of the target project cash flow previously approved by our board of directors for that performance period, all notional units having a vesting date in the next performance period will be cancelled, will no longer be redeemable for common shares and the executive officers will forfeit all rights, title and interest with respect to such notional units, unless otherwise expressly determined by our board of directors, as administrators of the LTIP.
Pursuant to each senior executive's employment agreement, each senior executive is eligible for an annual award under the LTIP up to a maximum of 150% of their annual base salary. The same percentages versus target cash flow levels are used for all of the officers. In 2009, achieving a minimum of $69.0 million of project cash flow was required to obtain the first tier of 50% of salaries for officers, and their maximum 150% award could be achieved only if the we achieved at least $90.9 million of project cash flow. Named executive officers other than senior executives are eligible for an annual award under the LTIP ranging from 0% to 80% of their annual base salary. For William Daniels and John Hulburt, the minimum award is 0% of their salary and the maximum award is 80% of their salary.
In 2009, Hugessen was retained to assist the Board in assessing our existing LTIP and proposing several design changes. The purpose of the LTIP changes is to further align the interests of our officers and employees with shareholders and to assist in attracting, retaining and motivating our key employees.
In early 2010, our board of directors approved amendments to the LTIP. The amendments do not impact grants for the 2009 performance year or unvested notional units related to grants made prior to the amendments. The amended LTIP will be effective for grants beginning with the 2010 performance year and was approved by the shareholders at our annual general meeting held on June 29, 2010.
Under the amended LTIP, the notional units granted to plan participants will have the same characteristics as the notional units under the old LTIP. However, the number of notional units granted will be based, in part, on our total shareholder return compared to a group of peer companies in Canada. In addition, vesting of notional units for senior executives will occur on a three-year cliff basis as opposed to ratable vesting over three years under the old LTIP.
401(k) Matching Contributions
We also make annual matching contributions to each named executive officer's 401(k) plan account based upon a predetermined formula. The purpose of the matching contributions is to supplement the named executive officer's personal savings toward future retirement as we have no pension plan. The matching formula for all employees, including named executive officers, is equal to the employee's 401(k) contribution up to 7% of base salary and cash bonus, up to the maximum allowed by Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regulations. The IRS maximum contribution in 2009 was $16,500 for participants under age 50 and $22,000 for participants 50 and over.
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Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth a summary of salary and other annual compensation earned during the year ended December 31, 2009 by each named executive officer (in US$).
Name and Principal Position
|
Year | Salary | Bonus(1) |
Stock
Awards(2) |
Non-equity
Incentive Plan Compensation |
All Other
Compensation(3) |
Total
Compensation |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barry E. Welch
|
2009 | 535,000 | 400,000 | 472,500 | 390,000 | 22,000 | 1,819,500 | |||||||||||||||
Patrick J. Welch
|
2009 |
259,500 |
130,000 |
226,800 |
169,000 |
16,500 |
801,800 |
|||||||||||||||
Paul H. Rapisarda
|
2009 |
257,500 |
130,000 |
225,000 |
169,000 |
22,000 |
800,500 |
|||||||||||||||
William B. Daniels
|
2009 |
185,000 |
|
110,500 |
166,500 |
22,000 |
484,000 |
|||||||||||||||
John J. Hulburt
|
2009 |
180,000 |
|
87,500 |
80,000 |
12,601 |
360,101 |
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Following are grants of plan-based awards during the year ended December 31, 2009 for each named executive officer.
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-equity Incentive Plan Awards(a) |
|
|
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Grant Date Fair
Value of LTIP Awards ($)(I) |
|||||||||||||||
Name
|
Grant Date |
Minimum
($) |
Target
($) |
Maximum
($) |
All Other Stock
Awards (#)(b) |
|||||||||||||
Barry E. Welch |
N/A | | 300,000 | 390,000 | ||||||||||||||
|
3/31/09 | 82,008 | 472,500 | |||||||||||||||
Patrick J. Welch |
N/A |
|
130,000 |
169,000 |
||||||||||||||
|
3/31/09 | 39,364 | 226,800 | |||||||||||||||
Paul H. Rapisarda |
N/A |
|
130,000 |
169,000 |
||||||||||||||
|
3/31/09 | 39,052 | 225,000 | |||||||||||||||
William B. Daniels |
N/A |
|
138,750 |
185,000 |
||||||||||||||
|
3/31/09 | 19,179 | 110,500 | |||||||||||||||
John J. Hulburt |
N/A |
|
72,000 |
90,000 |
||||||||||||||
|
3/31/09 | 15,187 | 87,500 |
Compensation of Barry Welch
Prior to December 31, 2009, Barry Welch was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Manager. Beginning in 2010, Mr. Welch became our President and Chief Executive Officer. For the year ended December 31, 2009, Mr. Welch received a base salary of $535,000, an annual bonus of $790,000 ($400,000 of which was paid by the Manager and not reimbursed by us), and in March 2010 a grant of 41,565 notional units under the initial LTIP with an estimated total fair market value of $535,000 as at the date of grant.
Mr. Welch's base salary was historically established by the Manager, but reviewed by our independent directors as part of the annual approval of the Manager's budget, based on his responsibilities, his execution of our strategic business plan, whether it is appropriate and competitive relative to compensation of similar positions with competitive peer firms and changes to local cost of living. His salary increased by $10,000 as of January 2009 and is unchanged for 2010.
Starting with the 2009 performance year, Mr. Welch's bonus was determined with one portion equal to the average level that the Manager's portion of his bonus had been paid for the prior two years, that being $400,000, which was paid by the Manager and not reimbursed by us. The other portion of Mr. Welch's bonus was determined based on the sum of a maximum $330,000 determined by our 2009 total shareholder return performance relative to our peer group and a maximum $60,000 based on the independent directors' assessment of his performance against annually approved goals and objectives.
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The 2009 LTIP award to Mr. Welch was based on his contribution to achieving target levels of a cash flow measure that are approved each year by our independent directors, as well as progress in successfully executing our strategic plan and goals and objectives, which are also approved by our independent directors each year. The maximum annual award has been set at 150% of base salary with vesting occurring ratably over the three-year period immediately following the LTIP award. Based on our actual project cash flow of $78.8 million, and board of directors' discretion, the LTIP award for the 2009 performance year for all senior officers was set at 100% of their base salary, compared to the prior year's 90% and was granted by our board of directors on March 29, 2010.
Compensation of Patrick Welch
Prior to December 31, 2009, Patrick Welch was the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Manager. Beginning in 2010, Mr. Welch became our Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary. For the financial year ended December 31, 2009, Mr. Welch received a base salary of $259,000, and an annual bonus of $299,000 ($130,000 of which was paid by the Manager and not reimbursed by us), and in March 2010 a grant of 20,161 notional units under the LTIP with an estimated total fair market value of $259,500 as at the date of grant.
Mr. Welch's base salary was historically established by the Manager, but reviewed by our independent directors based on his responsibilities, his role in execution of our strategic business plan and whether it is appropriate and competitive relative to compensation of similar positions with competitive peer firms and changes to local cost of living. Mr. Welch's salary was increased by $7,500 as of January 2009 and is unchanged for 2010.
Starting with the 2009 performance year, Mr. Welch's bonus was determined with one portion fixed at approximately the average level that the Manager's portion of his bonus had been paid for the prior two years, or $130,000, which was paid by the Manager and not reimbursed by us. The other portion of Mr. Welch's bonus was determined based on the sum of a maximum $143,000 determined by our 2009 total shareholder return performance relative to our peer group and a maximum $26,000 based on the independent directors' assessment of his performance against annually approved goals and objectives.
LTIP awards to Mr. Welch are based on his contribution to achieving target levels of a cash flow measure that are approved each year by our independent directors, as well as progress in successfully executing our strategic plan and goals and objectives, which are also approved by our independent directors each year. Currently, the maximum annual award has been set at 150% of base salary with vesting occurring ratably over the three-year period immediately following the LTIP award. Based on our actual cash flow of $78.8 million, and the board of directors' discretion, the LTIP award for the 2009 performance year for all senior officers was set at 100% of base salary compared to the prior year's 90% and was granted by our board of directors on March 29, 2010.
Compensation of Paul Rapisarda
Prior to December 31, 2009, Paul Rapisarda was the Managing Director, Asset Management and Acquisitions of the Manager. Beginning in 2010, Mr. Rapisarda became our Managing Director, Asset Management and Acquisitions. For the financial year ended December 31, 2009, Mr. Rapisarda received a base salary of $257,500, an annual bonus of $299,000 ($130,000 of which was paid by the Manager and not reimbursed by us), and a grant of 20,006 notional units under the LTIP with an estimated total fair market value of $257,500 as at the date of grant.
Mr. Rapisarda's base salary was historically established by the Manager, but reviewed by our independent directors based on his responsibilities, his role in execution of our strategic business plan and whether it is appropriate and competitive relative to compensation of similar positions with competitive peer firms and changes to local cost of living. His salary was increased by $7,500 in 2009 and is unchanged in 2010.
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Starting with the 2009 performance year, Mr. Rapisarda's bonus was determined with one portion fixed at approximately the average level that the Manager's portion of his bonus had been paid for the prior two years, or $130,000, which was paid by the Manager and not reimbursed by us. The other portion of Mr. Rapisarda's bonus was determined based on the sum of a maximum $143,000 determined by our 2009 total shareholder return performance relative to our peer group and a maximum $26,000 based on the independent directors' assessment of his performance against annually approved goals and objectives.
LTIP awards to Mr. Rapisarda are based on his contribution to achieving target levels of a cash flow measure that are approved each year by our independent directors, as well as progress in successfully executing our strategic plan and goals and objectives, which are also approved by our independent directors each year. Currently, the maximum annual award has been set at 150% of base salary with vesting occurring over the three-year period immediately following the LTIP award. Based on our actual cash flow of $78.8 million, and the board of directors' discretion, the LTIP award for the 2009 performance year for all senior officers was set at 100% of base salary versus the prior year's 90% and was granted by our board of directors on March 29, 2010.
Compensation of William Daniels
Prior to December 31, 2009, William Daniels was the Senior Director, Asset Management of the Manager. Beginning in 2010, Mr. Daniels became our Senior Director, Asset Management. For the financial year ended December 31, 2009, Mr. Daniels received a base salary of $185,000, an annual bonus of $166,500 ($136,000 of which was paid by the Manager and not reimbursed by us) and a grant of 10,061 notional units under the LTIP with an estimated total fair market value of $129,500 as at the date of grant.
Mr. Daniels' base salary was historically established by the Manager, but reviewed by our independent directors based on his responsibilities, his role in execution of our strategic business plan and whether it is appropriate and competitive relative to compensation of similar positions with competitive peer firms and changes to local cost of living. His salary was increased by $15,000 in 2009 and is unchanged for 2010.
Mr. Daniels' 2009 annual bonus was determined using 90% of his salary, which was agreed upon among the Manager, the independent directors and our three senior executives based on an assessment of his contributions to achievement of our annual goals and objectives approved by our board of directors in January 2009.
LTIP awards to Mr. Daniels are based on his contribution to achieving target levels of a cash flow measure that are approved each year by our independent directors, as well as progress in successfully executing our strategic plan and goals and objectives, which are also approved by our independent directors each year. Vesting of this award occurs ratably over the three-year period immediately following the LTIP award. Based on our actual cash flow compared to the project cash flow levels, and the board of directors' discretion, Mr. Daniels' LTIP award in 2009 was set at 70% of base salary versus the prior year's 65% and was granted by our board of directors on March 29, 2010.
Compensation of John J. Hulburt
Prior to December 31, 2009, John Hulburt was the Corporate Controller of the Manager. Beginning in 2010, Mr. Hulburt became our Corporate Controller. For the financial year ended December 31, 2009, Mr. Hulburt received a base salary of $180,000, an annual bonus of $80,000 ($40,000 of which was paid by the Manager and not reimbursed by us) and a grant of 8,391 notional units under the LTIP with an estimated total fair market value of $108,000 as at the date of grant.
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Mr. Hulburt's base salary was historically established by the Manager, but reviewed by our independent directors based on his responsibilities, his role in execution of our strategic business plan and whether it is appropriate and competitive relative to compensation of similar positions with competitive peer firms and changes to local cost of living. His salary was increased by $5,000 in 2009 and $3,000 beginning in January 2010.
Mr. Hulburt's 2009 annual bonus was determined using approximately 44% of his salary, which was agreed upon among the Manager, the independent directors and our three senior executives based on an assessment of his contributions to achievement of our annual goals and objectives approved by our board of directors in January 2009.
LTIP awards to Mr. Hulburt are based on his contribution to achieving target levels of a cash flow measure that are approved each year by our independent directors, as well as progress in successfully executing our strategic plan and goals and objectives, which are also approved by our independent directors each year. Vesting of this award occurs ratably over the three-year period immediately following the LTIP award. Based on our actual cash flow compared to the project cash flow levels, and the board of directors' discretion, the LTIP award for the 2009 performance year was set at 60% of base salary versus the prior year's 50% and was granted by our board of directors on March 29, 2010.
Outstanding Share-Based Awards
The following table sets forth, for each named executive officer, all share-based awards outstanding under the terms of the LTIP as of December 31, 2009:
|
Share-Based Awards | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name
|
Number of shares or
units of shares that have not vested(1)(2) |
Market or pay-out
value of share-based awards that have not vested (US$)(2) |
|||||
Barry E. Welch |
178,317 | 1,945,442 | |||||
Patrick J. Welch |
85,592 | 933,812 | |||||
Paul H. Rapisarda |
50,943 | 555,793 | |||||
William B. Daniels |
30,543 | 333,222 | |||||
John J. Hulburt |
16,576 | 180,839 |
Stock Vested
The following table sets forth, for each named executive officer, the value of all share-based incentive plan awards vested during the year ended December 31, 2009:
Name
|
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting (US$) |
Value Realized
on Vesting (US$) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barry E. Welch |
38,055 | 416,196 | |||||
Patrick J. Welch |
18,266 | 199,775 | |||||
Paul H. Rapisarda |
2,529 | 27,665 | |||||
William B. Daniels |
| 31,936 | |||||
John J. Hulburt |
| |
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Employment Contracts
Each of Barry Welch (President and Chief Executive Officer), Patrick Welch (Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary) and Paul Rapisarda (Managing Director, Asset Management and Acquisitions) were employees of the Manager, which managed our business under the management agreement through its termination date of December 31, 2009. In connection with the termination of the management agreement on December 31, 2009, we hired all of the employees of the Manager. As a result, the employment agreements with our senior executives were terminated and were replaced with new employment agreements. To assist in the structuring and negotiation of the employment agreements, our independent directors employed Hugessen to review and advise on their terms to ensure that the agreements were consistent with best practices in the marketplace. The most significant change in the new employment agreements are the removal of the Manager as a party to the agreements and the assumption by our independent directors of all compensation decisions related to our senior executives. Each of the employment agreements provides the respective officer with the following: (i) an initial annual base salary, which is subject to annual review; (ii) eligibility for a performance-based annual cash bonus; (iii) eligibility to participate in the LTIP; and (iv) certain other customary employee benefits. Under the employment agreements, the annual base salary for 2010 for Barry Welch, Patrick Welch and Paul Rapisarda is $535,000, $259,500 and $257,500, respectively.
Termination and Change of Control Benefits
Each named senior executive officer's employment agreement provides that if the respective officer is terminated without cause, or within 90 days preceding or one year after a change in control or if he resigns within that time period because certain further triggering events have occurred including a constructive dismissal, reduction in salary or benefits, relocation, change in position of employment or reporting relationships, or breach of the employment agreement, then the following are paid or provided under the employment agreement: (i) his salary and bonus pro-rated through the termination date; (ii) a termination payment equal to three times the average (in the case of Barry Welch) or one times the average (in the case of Patrick Welch and Paul Rapisarda), during the last two years, of the sum of the respective officer's: (a) base salary, (b) annual cash bonus, and (c) the most recent matching contribution to his 401(k) plan; (iii) immediate vesting of all previous awards under the LTIP which had not yet vested; (iv) continuation of all employee benefits for a period of two years (in the case of Barry Welch) or one year (in the case of Patrick Welch and Paul Rapisarda) following termination; and (v) costs of outplacement services customary for senior executives at the respective officer's level for a period of 12 months following termination with the cost capped at $25,000. The employment agreements also contain non-competition and non-solicitation limitations on each of the officers following certain termination events. The non-competition restrictions apply for a period of one year or one month (in the case of Barry Welch) or a period of one month or six months (in the case of Patrick Welch and Paul Rapisarda) following termination depending on the circumstances of the termination and the non-solicitation restrictions apply for a period of two years (in the case of Barry Welch) or one year (in the case of Patrick Welch and Paul Rapisarda) following the date of termination.
In each senior executive officer's employment agreement, the term "Change in Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the sale, lease or transfer to any person or group, in one or a series of related transactions, of our assets, directly or indirectly, which assets generated more than 50% of our cash flow in a 12-month period ended on the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter to any person or group; (ii) the adoption of a plan related to our liquidation or dissolution; (iii) the acquisition by any person or group of a direct or indirect interest in more than 50% of our common shares or voting power; (iv) our merger or consolidation with another person with the effect that immediately after such transaction our shareholders immediately prior to such transaction hold, directly or indirectly, less than 50% of the voting control over the person surviving such merger or consolidation; or (v) we enter into any agreement providing for any of the foregoing; or the date which
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is 90 days prior to a definitive announcement of any of the foregoing whichever is earlier, and the transaction contemplated thereby is ultimately consummated.
If Barry Welch, Patrick Welch or Paul Rapisarda is terminated for cause, then he will be entitled to all vested benefits under all incentive compensation or other plans in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plan, however he will not be entitled to the payments or benefits listed in items (i) through (v) in the second preceding paragraph above, except as may be required by applicable law. "Cause" is defined in each employment agreement as "a termination by reason of the Company's good faith determination that the Executive (i) engaged in willful misconduct in the performance of his duties, (ii) breached a fiduciary duty to the Company for personal profit to himself, (iii) after determination by a court of competent jurisdiction, willfully violated any law, rule or regulation of a governmental authority with jurisdiction over the Executive or the Company at the time and place of such violation (other than traffic violation or similar offenses) or any final cease and desist order of a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) materially and willfully breached this Agreement. No act, or failure to act, on the Executive's part shall be considered "willful" unless he has acted, or failed to act, with an absence of good faith and without a reasonable belief that this action or failure to act was in the best interest of the Company."
The following table provides, for each of the foregoing senior executive officers, an estimate of the payments payable by us, assuming a termination for any reason other than cause, including the occurrence of the triggering events described above, took place on December 31, 2009:
Name
|
Type of Payment |
Termination
Payment(1) (US$) |
2009
Pro-Rata Bonus (US$) |
Vesting of
Stock Based Compensation (US$) |
Employee
Benefits (US$) |
Total
(US$) |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barry E. Welch |
Termination without Cause or in
connection with Change of Control |
3,643,500 | 790,000 | 1,992,216 | 85,576 | 6,511,293 | ||||||||||||
Patrick J. Welch |
Termination without Cause or in
|
492,250 |
299,000 |
956,264 |
55,288 |
1,802,802 |
||||||||||||
Paul H. Rapisarda |
Termination without Cause or in
|
500,750 |
299,000 |
569,156 |
55,288 |
1,424,194 |
Compensation Risk Assessment
We have reviewed our compensation policies and practices for all employees and concluded that any risks arising from our policies and programs are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our company. We believe that the mix and design of the elements of executive compensation do not encourage management to assume excessive risks. We reviewed the elements of executive compensation to determine whether any portion of executive compensation encouraged excessive risk taking and concluded:
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
See the information regarding our executive officers' prior employment relationship with the Manager set forth in "ManagementCompensation Discussion and Analysis." We have also entered into indemnity agreements with our directors and executive officers, whereby we have agreed to indemnify the directors and officers to the extent permitted by our organizational documents and applicable law. Our articles of continuance permit us, subject to the limitations contained in applicable law, to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person, as our board of directors may from time to time determine. Our directors and officers liability insurance coverage consists of three policies with aggregate limits of $30 million.
Our board of directors will review and approve all relationships and transactions in which we and any of our directors, director nominees and executive officers and their immediate family members, as well as holders of more than 5% of any class of its voting securities and their family members, have a direct or indirect material interest. In approving or rejecting such proposed relationships and transactions, our board of directors shall consider the relevant facts and circumstances available and deemed relevant to this determination. The Nominating and Governance Committee of our board of directors is responsible under its charter for monitoring compliance with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common shares as of September 14, 2010 with respect to:
Unless otherwise indicated below, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the following table is c/o Atlantic Power Corporation, 200 Clarendon Street, Floor 25, Boston, MA 02116.
Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the following table, we believe, based on the information provided to us, that the persons named in the following table have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws.
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
Number of
Common Shares Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of
Common Shares Beneficially Owned (%)(1) |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Directors and Named Executive Officers |
|||||
Irving R. Gerstein |
10,400 | * | |||
Kenneth M. Hartwick |
46,347 | (3) | * | ||
John A. McNeil |
12,500 | * | |||
Richard Foster Duncan |
| * | |||
Holli Nichols |
31 | (3) | * | ||
Barry E. Welch |
380,399 | (2) | * | ||
Patrick J. Welch |
166,542 | (2) | * | ||
Paul H. Rapisarda |
114,177 | (2) | * | ||
William B. Daniels |
30,333 | (2) | * | ||
John J. Hulburt |
20,458 | (2) | * | ||
All directors and named executive officers as a group (10 persons) |
781,187 | 1.3 |
Barry E. Welch |
222,203 | |||
Patrick J. Welch |
108,609 | |||
Paul H. Rapisarda |
99,128 | |||
William B. Daniels |
30,333 | |||
John J. Hulburt |
20,458 |
See "ManagementCompensation Discussion and Analysis" for more information.
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The Debentures will be governed by the terms of the trust indenture, dated as of December 17, 2009, between us and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as trustee (the "Debenture Trustee"), as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture to be entered into at closing between us and the trustee. We refer to the trust indenture as the "Indenture" and to the first supplemental indenture as the "First Supplement." The following summary description sets forth some of the general terms and provisions of the Debentures and the Indenture. Because this is a summary description, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture, the First Supplement and the form of the Debentures, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
General
The Debentures will be issued under and pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture and the First Supplement. The Debentures will be limited to the aggregate principal amount of Cdn$57,500,000. The Company may, however, from time to time, without the consent of the holders of the outstanding debentures of the Company, issue debentures in addition to the Debentures offered hereby. The Debentures will be issuable only in denominations of Cdn$1,000 and integral multiples thereof. At the closing of this offering, the Debentures will be available for delivery in book-entry form only through the facilities of CDS. Holders of beneficial interests in the Debentures will not have the right to receive physical certificates evidencing their ownership of Debentures except under certain circumstances described under "Description of DebenturesBook Entry, Delivery and Form." No fractional Debentures will be issued.
The Debentures will bear interest from the date of issue at % per annum, which will be payable semi-annually on the day of and in each year, commencing on , computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. The first payment will represent accrued interest for the period from the closing of this offering up to, but excluding . The interest on the Debentures will be payable in lawful money of Canada as specified in the Indenture. Subject to any required regulatory approval and provided no event of default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the option to pay such Interest by delivering a number of common shares to an agent for sale, in which event holders of the Debentures will be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the Interest owed from the proceeds of the sale of the requisite number of common shares by the agent. The Indenture does not, and the First Supplement will not, contain a requirement for the Company to increase the amount of interest or other payments to holders of Debentures should the Company become required to withhold amounts in respect of income or similar taxes on payment of interest or other amounts. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to the DebenturesThe amount of interest or other payments will not increase upon an increase in amounts withheld for taxes on payments of interest or other amounts."
The principal on the Debentures will be payable in lawful money of Canada or, at the option of the Company and subject to applicable regulatory approval, by delivery of common shares to satisfy in whole or in part its obligation to repay principal under the Debentures as further described under "Description of DebenturesPayment upon Redemption or Maturity" and "Description of DebenturesRedemption and Purchase."
The Debentures will be direct obligations of the Company and will not be secured by any mortgage, pledge, hypothec or other charge and will be subordinated to other liabilities of the Company as described under "Description of DebenturesSubordination."
The Indenture does not, and the First Supplement will not, restrict the Company from incurring additional indebtedness for borrowed money or from mortgaging, pledging or charging its assets to secure any indebtedness. The Debentures will be transferable, and may be presented for conversion, at the principal offices of the Debenture Trustee in Toronto, Ontario.
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The Debentures will mature on .
Conversion Privilege
The Debentures will be convertible at the holder's option into fully paid, non-assessable and freely-tradeable common shares at any time prior to the close of business on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the last business day immediately preceding the date specified by the Company for redemption of the Debentures, at a conversion price of Cdn$ per common share, being a ratio of approximately common shares per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of Debentures. No adjustment will be made for dividends payable on common shares issuable upon conversion; however, holders converting their Debentures shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the applicable number of common shares, accrued and unpaid interest in respect thereof for the period up to but excluding the date of conversion from the latest Interest Payment Date.
Subject to the provisions thereof, the Indenture provides for the adjustment of the conversion rights in certain events including: (i) the subdivision or consolidation of the outstanding common shares; (ii) the issue of common shares or securities convertible into common shares by way of stock dividend or other distribution; (iii) the issuance of options, rights or warrants to all or substantially all the holders of common shares entitling them to acquire common shares or other securities convertible into common shares at less than 95% of the then current market price of the common shares; and (iv) the distribution to all or substantially all holders of common shares of any securities or assets (other than cash dividends and equivalent dividends in securities paid in lieu of cash dividends in the ordinary course).
Provided the common shares are then listed on the TSX, the term "current market price" is defined in the Indenture to mean the volume weighted average trading price of the common shares on the TSX for the 20 consecutive trading days ending on the fifth trading day preceding the date of the applicable event.
There will be no adjustment of the conversion price in respect of any event described in (ii), (iii) or (iv) above if, subject to prior regulatory approval, if required, the holders of the Debentures are allowed to participate as though they had converted their Debentures prior to the applicable record date or effective date. The Company will not be required to make adjustments in the conversion price unless the cumulative effect of such adjustments would change the conversion price by at least 1%. In the case of any reclassification or change (other than a change resulting only from consolidation or subdivision) of the common shares or in case of any amalgamation, consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other entity, or in the case of any sale, transfer or other disposition of the properties and assets of the Company as, or substantially as, an entirety to any other entity, the terms of the conversion privilege shall be adjusted so that each Debenture shall, after such reclassification, change, amalgamation, consolidation, merger or sale, be exercisable, in lieu of common shares, for the kind and amount of securities or property of the Company, or such continuing, successor or purchaser entity, as the case may be, which the holder thereof would have been entitled to receive as a result of such reclassification, change, amalgamation, consolidation, merger or sale if on the effective date thereof it had been the holder of the number of common shares into which the Debenture was convertible prior to the effective date of such reclassification, change, amalgamation, consolidation, merger or sale. For example, if the Company were to sell all of its properties and assets for cash consideration, any Debentures that remain outstanding following such sale would then be convertible into cash, in an amount per common share otherwise issuable upon conversion of the Debenture equal to the cash consideration per common share received by the holders of common shares pursuant to such sale.
No fractional common shares will be issued on any conversion of the Debentures, but in lieu thereof the Company shall satisfy such fractional interest by a cash payment equal to the current market price of such fractional interest. Upon conversion, the Company may offer, and the converting
127
holder may agree to, the delivery of cash for all or a portion of the Debentures surrendered in lieu of common shares.
Redemption and Purchase
The Debentures may not be redeemed by the Company on or before (except in certain limited circumstances following a change of control). See "Description of DebenturesRepurchase upon a Change of Control." After and prior to , the Debentures may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, on not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days prior notice, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, provided that the volume weighted-average trading price of the common shares on the TSX for the 20 consecutive trading days ending on the fifth trading day preceding the date on which notice of redemption is given is not less than 125% of the conversion price. On or after and prior to their maturity, the Debentures may be redeemed by the Company, in whole or in part from time to time, on not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days prior notice, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest.
The Company will have the right to purchase Debentures in the market, by tender or by private contract subject to regulatory requirements; provided, however, that if an event of default (as defined herein) has occurred and is continuing, the Company will not have the right to purchase the Debentures by private contract.
In the case of redemption of less than all of the Debentures, the Debentures to be redeemed will be selected by the Debenture Trustee on a pro rata basis or in such other manner as the Debenture Trustee deems equitable, subject to the consent of the TSX.
Payment upon Redemption or Maturity
On redemption (the "Redemption Date") or on the maturity date, the Company will repay the indebtedness represented by the Debentures by paying to the Debenture Trustee in lawful money of Canada an amount equal to the principal amount of the outstanding Debentures, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon. The Company may, at its option, on not more than 60 days and not less than 40 days prior notice and subject to any required regulatory approvals, unless an event of default has occurred and is continuing, elect to satisfy its obligation to repay, in whole or in part, the principal amount of the Debentures which are to be redeemed or which have matured by issuing and delivering freely tradeable common shares to the holders of the Debentures. The number of common shares to be issued will be determined by dividing the principal amount of the Debentures which are to be redeemed or have matured by 95% of the current market price of the common shares on the Redemption Date or maturity date, as the case may be.
No fractional common shares will be issued to holders of Debentures, but in lieu thereof, the Company shall satisfy such fractional interest by a cash payment equal to the current market price of such fractional interest.
The delivery of common shares to satisfy the Company's obligations under the Debentures may require regulatory approval, including filing a prospectus qualifying the distribution of such common shares or obtaining an exemptive relief order from the relevant Canadian securities regulators in the event that an exemption from the prospectus and registration requirements of applicable Canadian securities laws is not available at the time of the delivery of common shares. In addition, any issuance of common shares to satisfy the Company's obligations under the Debentures will be subject to the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (and any other exchange on which the common shares are listed at the relevant time).
Cancellation
All Debentures converted, redeemed or purchased will be cancelled and may not be reissued or resold.
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Subordination
The payment of the principal of, and interest on, the Debentures will be subordinated in right of payment, in the circumstances referred to below and more particularly as set forth in the Indenture, to the prior payment in full of all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company, including the convertible debentures of the Company issued on October 11, 2006. "Senior Indebtedness" of the Company is defined in the Indenture and includes: (a) indebtedness of the Company for borrowed money; (b) obligations of the Company evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (c) obligations of the Company arising pursuant or in relation to bankers' acceptances, letters of credit and letters of guarantee (including payment and reimbursement obligations in respect thereof) or indemnities issued in connection therewith; (d) obligations of the Company under any swap, hedging or other similar contracts or arrangements; (e) obligations of the Company under guarantees, indemnities, assurances, legally binding comfort letters or other contingent obligations relating to the Senior Indebtedness or other obligations of any other person which would otherwise constitute Senior Indebtedness within the meaning of this definition, including the guarantee of the Company's credit facility; (f) all indebtedness of the Company representing the deferred purchase price of any property including, without limitation, purchase money mortgages; (g) accounts payable to trade creditors; (h) all renewals, extensions and refinancing of any of the foregoing; and (i) all costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the holder of any Senior Indebtedness in enforcing payment or collection of any such Senior Indebtedness, including enforcing any security interest securing the same. The Debentures will be effectively structurally subordinate to claims of creditors (including trade creditors) of the Company's subsidiaries, including Atlantic Power Holdings, Inc. ("Holdings"). As of August 31, 2010, we had an aggregate amount of $200.3 million of Senior Indebtedness outstanding.
The Debentures, the 2009 Debentures and each other series of debentures issued under the Indenture or under indentures supplemental to the Indenture will rank pari passu with each other (regardless of their actual date or terms of issue).
The Indenture provides that in the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, or any receivership, liquidation or reorganization or other similar proceedings relating to the Company, or to its property or assets, or in the event of any proceedings for voluntary liquidation, dissolution or other winding-up of the Company, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or any marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Company, then holders of Senior Indebtedness will receive payment in full before the holders of Debentures will be entitled to receive any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, which may be payable or deliverable in any such event in respect of any of the Debentures or any unpaid interest accrued thereon.
The Indenture also provides that the Company will not make any payment, and the holders of the Debentures will not be entitled to demand, institute proceedings for the collection of, or receive any payment or benefit (including, without any limitation, by set-off, combination of accounts or realization of security or otherwise in any manner whatsoever) on account of indebtedness represented by the Debentures at any time when default or an event of default has occurred under the Senior Indebtedness and is continuing or upon the acceleration of certain Senior Indebtedness and the notice of such default or event of default or acceleration has been given by or on behalf of holders of Senior Indebtedness to the Company, unless such notice has been revoked, such default or event of default has been cured or the Senior Indebtedness has been repaid or satisfied in full as defined in the Indenture.
The Debenture Trustee and the Company will also be authorized (and obligated upon any request from certain holders of Senior Indebtedness) under the Indenture to enter into subordination agreements on behalf of the holders of Debentures with any holder of Senior Indebtedness.
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Repurchase upon a Change of Control
Upon the occurrence of a change of control of the Company, the holders of the Debentures will have the right to require the Company to repurchase their Debentures, in whole or in part at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (the "Offer Price") plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. A change of control will be deemed to occur upon: (i) an acquisition by a person or group of persons acting jointly or in concert (within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario)) of ownership of, or voting control or direction over, 50% or more of the common shares; or (ii) the sale or other transfer of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company.
A change of control will not include a sale, merger, reorganization, or other similar transaction if the previous holders of the common shares hold at least 50% of the voting control in such merged, reorganized or other continuing entity.
If 90% or more of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding on the date of the giving of notice of the change of control have been tendered for purchase following a change of control, the Company will have the right to redeem all the remaining Debentures on the purchase date, together with accrued and unpaid interest to such date. Notice of such redemption must be given to the Debenture Trustee by the Company within 10 days following expiry of the right to require repurchase after the change of control and, as soon as possible thereafter, by the Debenture Trustee to the holders of the Debentures not tendered for purchase.
The Indenture contains notification provisions to the effect that:
(a) the Company will promptly give written notice to the Debenture Trustee of the occurrence of a change of control and the Debenture Trustee will thereafter give to the Debenture holders a notice of the change of control, the right of the holders of Debentures to require repurchase and the right of the Company to redeem untendered Debentures under certain circumstances; and
(b) a Debenture holder, to exercise the right to require repurchase following the change of control, must deliver to the Debenture Trustee, not less than five business days prior to the date which is 30 days after the date the Debenture Trustee delivers notice of the change of control to the Debenture holder, written notice of the holder's exercise of the right to require repurchase, together with a duly endorsed form of transfer.
The Company will comply with the requirements of Canadian securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Debentures in the event of a change of control.
Cash Change of Control
In addition to the requirement for the Company to repurchase Debentures following a change of control, if a change of control occurs in which 10% or more of the consideration for the common shares in the transaction or transactions constituting a change of control consists of:
then subject to regulatory approvals, during the period beginning ten trading days before the anticipated date on which the change of control becomes effective and ending 30 days after the notice
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of change of control and offer to repurchase Debentures is delivered, holders of Debentures will be entitled to convert their Debentures, subject to certain limitations, and receive, in addition to the number of common shares they would otherwise be entitled to receive as set forth under "Description of DebenturesConversion Privilege" above, an additional number of common shares per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of Debentures as set forth below. Any such additional conversion entitlement shall be subject to the change of control transaction having been completed.
The delivery of common shares to satisfy the Company's obligations under the Debentures may require regulatory approval, including filing a prospectus qualifying the distribution of such common shares or obtaining an exemptive relief order from the relevant Canadian securities regulators in the event that an exemption from the prospectus and registration requirements of applicable Canadian securities laws is not available at the time of the delivery of common shares. In addition, any issuance of common shares to satisfy the Company's obligations under the Debentures will be subject to the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (and any other exchange on which the common shares are listed at the relevant time).
The number of additional common shares per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of Debentures constituting the make whole premium will be determined by reference to the table below and is based on the date on which the change of control becomes effective (the "Effective Date") and the price (the "Stock Price") paid per common share in the transaction constituting the change of control. If holders of common shares receive only cash in the transaction, the Stock Price shall be the cash amount paid per common share. Otherwise, the Stock Price shall be equal to the current market price of the common shares immediately preceding the Effective Date of such transaction.
The following table shows what the make whole premium would be for each hypothetical Stock Price and Effective Date set forth below, expressed as additional common shares per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of Debentures. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not be obliged to pay the make whole premium otherwise than by issuance of common shares upon conversion, subject to the provisions relating to adjustment of the conversion price in certain circumstances and following the completion of certain types of transactions described under "Description of DebenturesConversion Privilege" above.
Make Whole Premium Upon a Change of Control
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The actual Stock Price and Effective Date may not be set forth on the table, in which case:
The Stock Prices set forth in the first row of the table above will be adjusted as of any date on which the conversion rate of the Debentures is adjusted. The adjusted Stock Prices will equal the Stock Prices applicable immediately prior to such adjustment multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the conversion rate immediately prior to the adjustment giving rise to the Stock Price adjustment and the denominator of which is the conversion rate as so adjusted. The number of additional common shares set forth in the table above will be adjusted in the same manner as the conversion rate as set forth above under "Description of DebenturesConversion Privilege," other than by operation of an adjustment to the conversion rate by adding the make whole premium as described above.
Modification
The rights of the Debenture holders as well as any other series of debentures that have been or may be issued under the Indenture or indentures supplemental to the Indenture may be modified in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. For that purpose, among others, the Indenture contains certain provisions which make binding on all Debenture holders resolutions passed at meetings of the Debenture holders by votes cast thereat by holders of not less than 66 2 / 3 % of the principal amount of the then outstanding Debentures present at the meeting or represented by proxy, or rendered by instruments in writing signed by the holders of not less than 66 2 / 3 % of the principal amount of the then outstanding Debentures. In certain cases, the modification will, instead or in addition, require assent by the holders of the required percentage of each particularly affected series of debentures, as the case may be. Under the Indenture, certain amendments may be made to the Indenture without the consent of the Debenture holders.
Events of Default
The Indenture provides that an event of default ("Event of Default") in respect of the Debentures will occur if certain events described in the Indenture occur, including if any one or more of the following described events has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Debentures: (i) failure for
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15 days to pay interest on the Debentures when due; (ii) failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on the Debentures, whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise; or (iii) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company under bankruptcy or insolvency laws. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Debenture Trustee may, in its discretion, and shall, upon the request of holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Debentures, declare the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all outstanding Debentures to be immediately due and payable.
Offers for Debentures
The Indenture contains provisions to the effect that if an offer is made for the Debentures which is a take-over bid for Debentures within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario) and not less than 90% of the Debentures (other than Debentures held at the date of the take-over bid by or on behalf of the offeror or associates or affiliates of the offeror) are taken up and paid for by the offeror, the offeror will be entitled to acquire the Debentures held by Debenture holders who did not accept the offer on the terms offered by the offeror.
Book Entry, Delivery and Form
Debentures will be issued in the form of fully registered global Debentures (the "Global Debentures") held by, or on behalf of, CDS or its successor (the "Depository"), as custodian for its participants.
All Debentures will be represented in the form of Global Debentures registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee. Purchasers of Debentures represented by Global Debentures will not receive Debentures in definitive form. Rather, the Debentures will be represented only in "book-entry only" form (unless the Company, in its sole discretion, elects to prepare and deliver definitive Debentures in fully registered form). Beneficial interests in the Global Debentures, constituting ownership of the Debentures, will be represented through book-entry accounts of institutions (including the underwriters) acting on behalf of beneficial owners, as direct and indirect participants of the Depository (the "participants"). Each purchaser of a Debenture represented by a Global Debenture will receive a customer confirmation of purchase from the underwriters or registered dealer from whom the Debenture is purchased in accordance with the practices and procedures of the selling underwriters or registered dealer. The practices of registered dealers may vary, but generally customer confirmations are issued promptly after execution of a customer order. The Depository will be responsible for establishing and maintaining book-entry accounts for its participants having interests in Global Debentures.
If the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository in connection with the Global Debentures, or if at any time the Depository ceases to be a clearing agency or otherwise ceases to be eligible to be a depository and the Company and the Debenture Trustee are unable to locate a qualified successor, or if the Company elects, in its sole discretion, to terminate the book-entry system, with the consent of the Debenture Trustee, or if under certain circumstances described in the Indenture, an Event of Default has occurred, beneficial owners of Debentures represented by Global Debentures at such time will receive Debentures in registered and definitive form (the "Definitive Debentures").
Transfer and Exchange of Debentures
Transfers of beneficial ownership in Debentures represented by Global Debentures will be effected through records maintained by the Depository for such Global Debentures or its nominees (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). Unless the Company elects, in its sole discretion, to prepare and
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deliver Definitive Debentures, beneficial owners who are not participants in the Depository's book-entry system, but who desire to purchase, sell or otherwise transfer ownership of or other interests in Global Debentures, may do so only through participants in the Depository's book-entry system.
The ability of a beneficial owner of an interest in a Debenture represented by a Global Debenture to pledge the Debenture or otherwise take action with respect to such owner's interest in a Debenture represented by a Global Debenture (other than through a participant) may be limited due to the lack of a physical certificate.
Registered holders of Definitive Debentures may transfer such Debentures upon payment of taxes or other charges incidental thereto, if any, by executing and delivering a form of transfer together with the Debentures to the registrar for the Debentures at its principal offices in Toronto, Ontario or such other city or cities as may from time to time be designated by the Company, whereupon new Debentures will be issued in authorized denominations in the same aggregate principal amount as the Debentures so transferred, registered in the names of the transferees. No transfer of a Debenture will be registered on any interest payment date or during the five business days preceding an interest payment date on the Debentures or on any Redemption Date or during the five business days preceding the Redemption Date.
Payments
Payments of interest and principal on each Global Debenture will be made to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of the Global Debenture. As long as the Depository or its nominee is the registered owner of a Global Debenture, such Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole legal owner of the Global Debenture for the purposes of receiving payments of interest and principal on the Debentures and for all other purposes under the Indenture and the Debentures. The record date for the payment of interest will be the fifth business day prior to the applicable interest payment date. Interest payments on Global Debentures will be made by electronic funds transfer or by cheque on the day interest is payable and delivered to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be.
The Company understands that the Depository or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of interest or principal in respect of a Global Debenture, will credit participants' accounts, on the date interest or principal is payable, with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interest in the principal amount of such Global Debenture as shown on the records of the Depository or its nominee. The Company also understands that payments of interest and principal by participants to the owners of beneficial interests in such Global Debenture held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name" and will be the responsibility of such participants. The responsibility and liability of the Company in respect of payments on Debentures represented by the Global Debenture is limited solely and exclusively, while the Debentures are registered in Global Debenture form, to making payment of any interest and principal due on such Debentures to the Depository or its nominee.
If Definitive Debentures are issued instead of or in place of Global Debentures, payments of interest on each Definitive Debenture will be made by electronic funds transfer, if agreed to by the holder of the Definitive Debenture, or by cheque dated the interest payment date and mailed to the address of the holder appearing in the register maintained by the registrar for the Debentures at least one business day prior to the applicable interest payment date. Payment of principal at maturity will be made at the principal office of the paying agent in the City of Toronto (or in such other city or cities as may from time to time be designated by the Company) against surrender of the Definitive Debentures, if any.
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Reports to Holders
The Company shall file with the Debenture Trustee, within 15 days after the filing thereof with the securities commission or securities regulatory authority in the Canadian provinces in which the Company is a reporting issuer (the "Securities Commissions"), copies of the Company's annual report and the information, documents and other reports that the Company is required to file with the Securities Commissions and deliver to shareholders. Notwithstanding that the Company may not be required to remain subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Commissions, the Company shall provide to the Debenture Trustee (a) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year (or such later date as may be permitted by the Ontario Securities Commission (the "OSC")), an annual financial statement of the Company, and (b) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (or such later date as may be permitted by the OSC), interim financial statements of the Company which shall, at a minimum, contain such information as is required to be provided in annual filings and quarterly reports under the laws of Canada or any province thereof to security holders of a company with securities listed on the TSX, whether or not the Company has any of its securities so listed. Each of such reports will be prepared in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements for public companies. The Company will provide copies of such information, documents and reports to holders of Debentures upon request.
Governing Law
Each of the Indenture, the First Supplement and the Debentures will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein applicable to contracts executed and to be performed entirely in such Province.
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The following summary description sets forth some of the general terms and provisions of our common shares. Because this is a summary description, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. For a more detailed description of our common shares, you should refer to the provisions of our Articles of Continuance, which we refer to as our "Articles."
The last reported sale price of our common shares on the TSX on September 14, 2010 was Cdn$13.64 per common share, and the last reported sale price of our common shares on the NYSE on September 14, 2010 was $13.27 per common share.
Common Shares
Our Articles authorize an unlimited number of common shares. At the close of business on September 14, 2010, 60,512,343 of our common shares were issued and outstanding.
Our common shares are listed on the TSX under the symbol "ATP" and began trading on the NYSE under the symbol "AT" on July 23, 2010. Holders of our common shares are entitled to receive dividends as and when declared by our board of directors and are entitled to one vote per common share on all matters to be voted on at meetings of shareholders. We are limited in our ability to pay dividends on our common shares by restrictions under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), which we refer to as the "BC Act," relating to our solvency before and after the payment of a dividend. Holders of our common shares have no preemptive, conversion or redemption rights and are not subject to further assessment by us.
Upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common shares are entitled to share ratably in the remaining assets available for distribution, after payment of liabilities.
Holders of our common shares will have one vote for each common share held at meetings of our common shareholders.
Pursuant to our Articles and the provisions of the BC Act, certain actions that may be proposed by us require the approval of our shareholders. We may, by special resolution and subject to our Articles, increase our authorized capital by such means as creating shares with or without par value or increasing the number of shares with or without par value. We may, by special resolution, alter our Articles to subdivide, consolidate, change from shares with par value to shares without par value or from shares without par value to shares with par value or change the designation of all or any of our shares. We may also, by special resolution, alter our Articles to create, define, attach, vary, or abrogate special rights or restrictions to any shares. Under the BC Act and our Articles, a special resolution is a resolution passed at a duly-convened meeting of shareholders by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast in person or by proxy at the meeting, or a written resolution consented to by all shareholders who would have been entitled to vote at the meeting of shareholders.
Certain Provisions of our Articles and the BC Act
We are governed by the BC Act. Our Articles contain provisions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of our company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise.
Advance Notice Procedures
Our Articles establish an advance notice procedure for "special business" and shareholder proposals to be brought before a meeting of shareholders. For special business, advance notice describing the special business to be discussed at the meeting must be provided and that notice must
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include any documents to be approved or ratified as an addendum or state that such document will be available for inspection at our records office or other reasonably accessible location. Shareholders at an annual meeting may not consider proposals or nominations that are not specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors or by a shareholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting.
Advance Notice Procedures
Under the BC Act, shareholders may make proposals for matters to be considered at the annual general meeting of shareholders. Such proposals must be sent to us in advance of any proposed meeting by delivering a timely written notice in proper form to our registered office. The notice must include information on the business the shareholder intends to bring before the meeting. These provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next shareholder meeting shareholder actions that are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities.
Shareholder Requisitioned Meeting
Under the BC Act, shareholders holding 1 / 20 of our outstanding common shares may request the directors to call a general meeting of shareholders to deal with matters that may be dealt with at a general meeting, including election of directors. If the directors do not call the meeting within the timeframes specified in the Act, the shareholder can call the meeting and we must reimburse the costs.
Removal of Directors and Increasing Board Size
Under our Articles, directors may be removed by shareholders by passing an ordinary resolution of a simple majority of shareholders with the right to vote on such resolution. Further, under our Articles, the directors may appoint additional directors up to one-third of the directors elected by the shareholders.
Canadian Securities Laws
We are a reporting issuer in Canada and therefore subject to the securities laws in each province and territory in which we are reporting. Canadian securities laws require reporting of share purchases and sales by shareholders holding more than 10% of our common shares, including certain prescribed public disclosure of their intentions for their holdings. Canadian securities laws also govern how any offer to acquire more than 20% of our equity or voting shares must be conducted.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Investor Services Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. serve as our transfer agents and registrars for our common shares.
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DESCRIPTION OF CONCURRENT OFFERING OF COMMON SHARES
Concurrently with this offering, we are also conducting a separate public offering of 4,500,000 common shares (plus up to an additional 675,000 common shares that we may issue and sell upon the exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares).
The common shares are being offered by means of a separate prospectus, and not this prospectus. The completion of this offering of Debentures is not conditioned on the completion of the concurrent offering of common shares and the completion of the concurrent offering of common shares is not conditioned on the completion of this offering.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the ownership and disposition of the Debentures and the shares of common stock into which the Debentures may be converted by certain purchasers of the Debentures who are "U.S. Holders" (as defined below). Except where noted, this summary deals only with Debentures or common shares held as a capital asset (within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")), by a holder who purchases the Debentures on original issuance at the initial offering price (the first price at which a substantial portion of the Debentures is sold to persons other than bond houses, brokers, or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers). This summary assumes that the Debentures will be treated as debt and not equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This discussion does not address the tax consequences to subsequent purchasers of Debentures.
This summary does not purport to consider all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, conversion, and disposition of the Debentures, is not intended to reflect the particular tax position of any beneficial owner, is not a substitute for careful tax planning, and is not intended to constitute tax advice. In addition, this summary does not address the tax considerations that may be relevant to certain types of U.S. Holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, such as:
This summary does not address any estate, gift, state, local, non-U.S. or other tax consequences, except as specifically provided herein.
This summary is based upon the provisions of the Code, the United States Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations of the Code and the United States Treasury Regulations, all as currently in effect, and all subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
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For purposes of this summary, a "U.S. Holder" means a person that holds Debentures or common shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
If a partnership or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Debentures or common shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships or a partner in a partnership holding Debentures or common shares should consult their own tax advisor regarding the consequences of the ownership and disposition of Debentures or common shares by the partnership.
The following summary is of a general nature only and is not a substitute for careful tax planning and advice. U.S. Holders of Debentures or common shares are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the issues discussed herein, in light of their particular circumstances, as well as any considerations arising under the laws of any foreign, state, local or other taxing jurisdiction.
Debentures
Payments of Interest
Although there can be no assurances in this regard, we expect that the Debentures should be treated as debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes, notwithstanding certain features that may be more characteristic of equity (including, for example, the fact that we may elect to repay the Debentures at maturity with our common shares).
It is expected that the Debentures will not be issued with original issue discount. If this is the case, payments of stated interest on a Debenture generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary income at the time it is received or accrued, in accordance with the holder's method of accounting for tax purposes. The amount of income recognized by a cash basis U.S. Holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the interest payment based on the exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars at that time. An accrual basis U.S. Holder may determine the amount of income recognized with respect to an interest payment denominated in, or determined by reference to, a foreign currency in accordance with either of two methods. Under the first method, the amount of income accrued will be based on the average exchange rate in effect during the interest accrual period (or, with respect to an accrual period that spans two taxable years of a U.S. Holder, the part of the period within the U.S. Holder's taxable year). Under the second method, the U.S. Holder may elect to determine the amount of income accrued on the basis of the exchange rate in effect on the last day of the accrual period or, in the case of an accrual period that spans two taxable years, the exchange rate in effect on the last day of the part of the period within the U.S. Holder's taxable year. Additionally, if a payment of interest is actually received within five business days of the
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last day of the accrual period or taxable year, an electing accrual basis U.S. Holder may instead translate the accrued interest into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the day of actual receipt. Any such election will apply to all debt instruments held by the U.S. Holder at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies or thereafter acquired by the U.S. Holder, and will be irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. Accordingly, accrual basis U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the desirability, mechanics and collateral consequences of making this election.
Upon receipt of the interest payment (including a payment attributable to accrued but unpaid interest upon the sale or other disposition of a Debenture), an accrual basis U.S. Holder will recognize U.S. source exchange gain or loss (taxable as ordinary income or loss) equal to the difference, if any, between the amount received (translated into U.S. dollars at the spot rate on the date of receipt) and the U.S. dollar value of the amount previously accrued, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars at that time.
Interest paid by Atlantic Power on the Debentures and interest accrued with respect to the Debentures will generally constitute income from sources outside the United States.
Should any Canadian tax be withheld from payments on the Debentures, the amount withheld will be included in such holder's income at the time such amount is treated as received or accrued in accordance with such holder's method of tax accounting. Canadian withholding tax, if any, imposed on a U.S. Holder would, subject to limitations and conditions and at the election of such holder, be treated as foreign income tax eligible for credit against such holder's U.S. federal income tax liability or a deduction in computing taxable income, to the extent such tax is not otherwise refundable.
In certain circumstances (see " Description of the Debentures "), Atlantic Power may pay amounts in excess of stated interest or principal on the Debentures. According to U.S. Treasury regulations, the possibility that any such payments in excess of stated interest or principal will be made will not affect the amount of interest income a U.S. Holder recognizes if there is only a remote chance as of the date the Debentures were issued that such payments will be made. Atlantic Power believes that the likelihood that it will make any such payments is remote. Therefore, Atlantic Power does not intend to treat the potential payment of these amounts as part of the yield to maturity of the Debentures. Atlantic Power's determination that these contingencies are remote is binding on a U.S. Holder unless such holder discloses its contrary position in the manner required by applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. Atlantic Power's determination is not, however, binding on the IRS, and, if the IRS were to challenge this determination, a U.S. Holder might be required to accrue income on its Debentures in excess of the stated interest, and to treat as ordinary income rather than capital gain some or all of the income realized on the taxable disposition of a Debenture before the resolution of the contingencies. In the event a contingency occurs, it would affect the amount and timing of the income recognized by a U.S. Holder. If any such amounts are in fact paid, U.S. Holders will be required to recognize such amounts as income.
Sale, Exchange and Redemption of Debentures
Generally, upon the sale, exchange or redemption of a Debenture, a U.S. Holder will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange, or redemption (less any amount attributable to accrued but unpaid interest not previously included in income, which will be taxable as such) and such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Debenture. The amount realized on a sale or other disposition for an amount in foreign currency will be the U.S. dollar value of this amount on the date of sale or other disposition or, in the case of Debentures traded on an established securities market, as defined in the applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, that are sold by a cash basis U.S. Holder (or an accrual basis U.S. Holder that so elects), on the settlement date for the sale. Such an election by an accrual basis U.S. Holder must be applied consistently from year to year
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and cannot be revoked without the consent of the IRS. Accordingly, accrual basis U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the desirability, mechanics and collateral consequences of making this election. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in a Debenture will generally equal the cost of such Debenture to such U.S. Holder. A U.S. Holder's tax basis in a Debenture will be determined by reference to the U.S. dollar cost of the Debentures. The U.S. dollar cost of a Debenture purchased with a foreign currency will generally be the U.S. dollar value of the purchase price on the date of purchase or, in the case of Debentures traded on an established securities market, as defined in the applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, that are purchased by a cash basis U.S. Holder (or an accrual basis U.S. Holder that so elects), on the settlement date for the purchase. Unless we are a passive foreign investment company (as discussed below) during the U.S. Holder's holding period for the Debentures, and except to the extent that any gain is attributable to changes in exchange rates (as discussed below), such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of sale, exchange or redemption the Debenture has been held by such U.S. Holder for more than one year, and will generally be treated as from U.S. sources for the purposes of the U.S. foreign tax credit limitation. A non-corporate U.S. Holder may be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any long-term capital gain recognized on the Debentures. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of a Debenture that is attributable to changes in exchange rates generally will be treated as U.S. source ordinary income or loss. However, exchange gain or loss is taken into account only to the extent of total gain or loss realized on the transaction.
If the Company elects to repay in common shares the principal amount of any Debentures that are to be redeemed or that have matured, see " Conversion of Debentures," below, for similar tax treatment.
Conversion of Debentures
A U.S. Holder generally will not recognize any income, gain or loss on the conversion of a Debenture into common shares, except with respect to (i) any foreign currency exchange gain or loss (to the extent of the total gain or loss "realized" on the conversion), (ii) any cash received in lieu of a fractional common share, and (iii) any cash received that is attributable to accrued and unpaid interest. The U.S. Holder's exchange gain or loss (which is generally treated as U.S. source ordinary income or loss) is limited to the total gain or loss "realized" on the conversion, even though such gain or loss generally would not actually be recognized, and is computed by translating the issue price at the spot rate on the conversion date and subtracting from such amount the issue price translated at the spot rate on the date the U.S. Holder acquired the Debenture. The U.S. Holder's aggregate tax basis in the common stock received (including the tax basis of any fractional share that is deemed to be issued and then redeemed as described below) generally will equal the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Debenture plus or minus any foreign currency exchange gain or loss. The U.S. Holder's holding period in the common stock received generally will include the holding period in the Debenture.
With respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional common share, a U.S. Holder will be treated as if the fractional common share were issued and then immediately redeemed for cash. Accordingly, the U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the cash received and that portion of the Holder's tax basis in the common stock (determined as discussed above) attributable to the fractional share. Any such gain recognized generally would be capital gain and would be long-term capital gain if, at the time of conversion, the Debenture has been held for more that one year.
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Disposition of Foreign Currency
Foreign currency received as interest on a Debenture or on the sale or other disposition of a Debenture will have a tax basis equal to its U.S. dollar value at the time the interest is received or at the time of the sale or other disposition. Foreign currency that is purchased will generally have a tax basis equal to the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency on the date of purchase. Any gain or loss recognized on a sale or other disposition of a foreign currency (including its use to purchase Debentures or an exchange for U.S. dollars) generally will be U.S. source ordinary income or loss.
Common Shares
Taxation of Distributions
The gross amount (i.e., before Canadian withholding tax) of distributions to a U.S. Holder on our common shares (other than distributions in liquidation or in redemption of stock that are treated as exchanges) will be treated as a dividend, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Such dividend will be includible in a U.S. Holder's gross income on the day actually or constructively received. Distributions to a U.S. Holder in excess of earnings and profits will be treated first as a return of capital that reduces a U.S. Holder's tax basis in such common shares (thereby increasing the amount of gain or decreasing the amount of loss that a U.S. Holder would recognize on a subsequent disposition of our common shares), and then as gain from the sale or exchange of such common shares.
Non-corporate U.S. Holders will generally be eligible for the preferential U.S. federal rate on qualified dividend income for tax years beginning on or before December 31, 2010, provided that we are a "qualified foreign corporation," the stock on which the dividend is paid is held for a minimum holding period, and other requirements are satisfied.
A qualified foreign corporation includes a foreign corporation that is not a PFIC (as defined below) in the year of the distribution or in the prior tax year and that is eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States, if such treaty contains an exchange of information provision and the United States Treasury Department has determined that the treaty is satisfactory for purposes of the legislation. Based on current law and applicable administrative guidance, our dividends paid before December 31, 2010 should be eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income, provided the holding period and other requirements are satisfied. In the absence of intervening legislation, dividends received by a U.S. Holder after tax years beginning on or after December 31, 2010 will be taxed to such Holder at ordinary income rates.
Distributions to U.S. Holders generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.
A U.S. Holder will be taxed on the U.S. dollar value of any Canadian dollars received as dividends, generally determined at the spot rate as of the date the payment is actually or constructively received. No currency exchange gain or loss will be recognized by a U.S. Holder on such dividend payments if the Canadian dollars are converted into U.S. dollars on the date received at that spot rate. Any gain or loss on a subsequent conversion or other disposition of Canadian dollars generally will be treated as U.S.-source ordinary income or loss.
Taxation of Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
Upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of a common share, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition and such U.S. Holder's tax basis in the common share. The amount realized on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the common shares will be the U.S. dollar value of any Canadian dollars received in the transaction, which is determined for cash basis taxpayers on the
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settlement date for the transaction and for accrual basis taxpayers on the trade date (although accrual basis taxpayers can also elect the settlement date). Any such gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss and will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder's holding period for the common shares transferred exceeds one year on the date of the sale or disposition. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders derived with respect to the disposition of common shares are currently subject to tax at reduced rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to several limitations. Any gain or loss realized on a subsequent conversion or other disposition of Canadian dollars will be ordinary gain or loss.
Disclosure of Reportable Transactions
If a U.S. Holder sells or disposes of the Debentures or common shares at a loss or otherwise incurs certain losses that meet certain thresholds, such U.S. Holder may be required to file a disclosure statement with the IRS. For U.S. Holders that are individuals or trusts, there is a special reporting requirement threshold for foreign currency losses, which is US$50,000. Failure to comply with these and other reporting requirements could result in the imposition of significant penalties.
Foreign Tax Credit Limitations
U.S. Holders may be subject to Canadian withholding tax on payments made with respect to the Debentures or common shares. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, such withholding taxes may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability. Such credit may not be available to U.S. holders owning the common shares in a non-taxable account. Additionally, foreign taxes may not be eligible to the extent they could have been reduced pursuant to an income tax treaty.
It is possible that we are, or at some future time will be, at least 50% owned by U.S. persons. Dividends paid by a foreign corporation that is at least 50% owned by U.S. persons may be treated as U.S.-source income (rather than foreign-source income) for foreign tax credit purposes to the extent the foreign corporation has more than an insignificant amount of U.S.-source income. The effect of this rule may be to treat a portion of any dividends we pay as U.S.-source income. Treatment of the dividends as U.S.-source income in whole or in part may limit a U.S. Holder's ability to claim a foreign tax credit for the Canadian withholding taxes payable in respect of the dividends. Subject to certain limitations, the Code permits a U.S. Holder entitled to benefits under the U.S.-Canadian income tax treaty to elect to treat any Company dividends as foreign-source income for foreign tax credit purposes. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors about the desirability of making, and the method of making, such an election.
The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of foreign tax credits in their particular circumstances.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
A foreign corporation is a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code if, during any taxable year, (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of certain types of passive income, or (ii) the average value (or basis in certain cases) of its passive assets (generally assets that generate passive income) is 50% or more of the average value (or basis in certain cases) of all of its assets. If we were a PFIC while a taxable U.S. Holder held common shares, the PFIC rules could have the effect of subjecting such U.S. Holder to an interest charge on any deferred taxation and taxing gain upon the sale of our common shares as ordinary income. If we were a PFIC while a taxable U.S. Holder held Debentures, the interest charge and gain recharacterization rules described in the preceding sentence could potentially apply to such U.S. Holder with respect to its Debentures, or to any common shares received upon a conversion of the Debentures. In addition,
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under recently enacted legislation each U.S. Holder of a PFIC is required to file an annual report containing such information as the U.S. Department of the Treasury may require. If we were classified as a PFIC in any year with respect to which a U.S. Holder owns the Debentures or common shares, we would continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to the U.S. Holder in all succeeding years during which the U.S. Holder owns the Debentures or common shares, regardless of whether we continue to meet the tests described above. However, if we ceased to be a PFIC, a U.S. Holder of our common shares could avoid some of the adverse effects of the PFIC regime by making a deemed sale election with respect to our common shares.
We do not believe we are a PFIC, and we do not expect to become a PFIC. If our income or asset composition were to become more passive (including through the acquisition of assets that generate passive income, or minority investments in stock of corporations), we could potentially become a PFIC. Our PFIC status for any taxable year may also depend upon the extent to which our revenue is subject to special PFIC rules with respect to "commodities," an analysis that raises uncertainties in application and interpretation. Additionally, if we were a PFIC and were to form or acquire non-U.S. subsidiaries that are treated as corporations for U.S. tax purposes, such subsidiaries could potentially be PFICs. If we owned a subsidiary that is a PFIC, then taxable U.S. Holders could be adversely affected as a result of their indirect ownership of stock in any subsidiary of ours that is a PFIC.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments with respect to the Debentures or common shares paid to a U.S. Holder other than certain exempt recipients (such as corporations). Backup withholding will apply to such payments if such U.S. Holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number or certification of other exempt status or fails to comply with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished by such U.S. Holder to the IRS in a timely manner. A U.S. Holder who does not provide a correct taxpayer identification number may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.
Recent Legislative Developments
Newly enacted legislation requires certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts to pay up to an additional 3.8% tax on, among other things, interest, dividends and capital gains for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. In addition, for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010, new legislation requires certain U.S. Holders who are individuals that hold certain foreign financial assets (which may include the Debentures or common shares) to report information relating to such assets, subject to certain exceptions. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this legislation on their ownership and disposition of the Debentures or common shares.
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CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations thereunder (the "Tax Act") to a holder who acquires Debentures pursuant to the offering and who, for the purposes of the Tax Act and the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (the "Canadian Treaty"), at all relevant times (a) is a resident of the United States and not resident, or deemed to be resident, in Canada, (b) holds the Debentures and will hold the common shares issuable on the conversion, redemption, purchase for cancellation or maturity of the Debentures as capital property, (c) deals at arm's length with the Company, (d) is not affiliated with the Company, and (e) does not use or hold and is not deemed to use or hold the Debentures or the common shares issuable on the conversion, redemption, purchase for cancellation or maturity of the Debentures in connection with a trade or business that the prospective purchaser carries on, or is deemed to carry on, in Canada at any time (a "U.S. Holder"). For the purpose of the Tax Act, related persons (as defined therein) are deemed not to deal at arm's length, and it is a question of fact whether persons not related to each other deal at arm's length. Special rules which are not discussed in this summary may apply to "financial institutions" (as defined in the Tax Act), to a U.S. Holder that is an insurer carrying on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere and to an "authorized foreign bank" (as defined in the Tax Act), and, accordingly, such persons should consult their own tax advisors.
Limited liability companies ("LLCs") that are not taxed as corporations pursuant to the provisions of the Code do not qualify as resident in the U.S. for purposes of the Canadian Treaty. Under the Canadian Treaty, a resident of the U.S. who is a member of such an LLC and is otherwise eligible for benefits under the Canadian Treaty may generally be entitled to claim benefits under the Canadian Treaty in respect of income, profits or gains derived through the LLC.
The Canadian Treaty includes limitation on benefits rules that restrict the ability of certain persons who are resident in the U.S. for purposes of the Canadian Treaty to claim any or all benefits under the Canadian Treaty. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to their eligibility for benefits under the Canadian Treaty, having regard to these rules.
This summary is of a general nature only and is based upon the facts set out herein, the provisions of the Tax Act, the Canadian Treaty and the current published administrative policies and assessing practices of the CRA, all in effect as of the date hereof. This summary is based on the assumption that the Debentures and the common shares issuable on the conversion, redemption, purchase for cancellation or maturity of the Debentures will at all relevant times be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. This summary takes into account all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof. There can be no assurance that any such proposals will be implemented in their current form or at all. This summary does not otherwise take into account or anticipate any changes in law or in the administrative policies and assessing practices of the CRA, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial decision or action, and does not take into account provincial, territorial or foreign tax legislation or considerations, which may differ significantly from those discussed herein.
This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal tax considerations applicable to an investment in Debentures. Moreover, the Canadian tax consequences of acquiring, holding or disposing of Debentures or common shares issuable on the conversion, redemption, purchase for cancellation or maturity of the Debentures will vary depending on the U.S. Holder's particular circumstances. Accordingly, this summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, and should not be interpreted as, legal or tax advice to any prospective purchaser and no representation with respect to the tax consequence to any particular U.S. Holder is made. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisor with respect to the Canadian tax consequences of an investment in Debentures based on their particular circumstances.
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Prospective investors may also be subject to certain Canadian provincial or territorial tax consequences as a result of acquiring, holding or disposing of Debentures or common shares issuable on the conversion, redemption, purchase for cancellation or maturity of the Debentures. Accordingly, prospective investors are urged to consult with their tax advisors for advice with respect to Canadian provincial or territorial tax consequences of an investment in Debentures based on their particular circumstances.
For purposes of the Tax Act, all amounts relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of Debentures or common shares issuable on the conversion, redemption, purchase for cancellation or maturity of the Debentures, including income, gain or profit, adjusted cost base and proceeds of disposition, must be converted into Canadian dollars based on the prevailing United States dollar exchange rate at the time such amounts arise in accordance with the detailed rules in the Tax Act.
Debentures
Taxation of Interest on Debentures
Based on the recently published administrative position of the CRA, a U.S. Holder will not be subject to Canadian withholding tax in respect of amounts paid or credited or deemed to have been paid or credited by the Company as, on account or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, interest or principal on the Debentures. However, a U.S. Holder who transfers or is deemed to transfer a Debenture to a holder resident or deemed to be resident in Canada for purposes of the Tax Act should consult its own tax advisor for advice with respect to the tax consequences of such transfer.
Exercise of Conversion Privilege
The conversion of a Debenture into common shares only on the exercise of a conversion privilege by a U.S. Holder will generally be deemed not to constitute a disposition of the Debenture and, accordingly, a U.S. Holder will not recognize a gain or a loss on such conversion.
Dividends on Common Shares
Dividends paid or credited on the common shares, or deemed under the Tax Act to be paid or credited on the common shares, to a U.S. Holder will generally be subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 25%, unless the rate is reduced under the provisions of an applicable tax treaty. Under the Canadian Treaty, the withholding tax rate in respect of a dividend paid to a U.S. Holder who is the beneficial owner of the dividend and is entitled to full benefits under the Canadian Treaty is generally reduced to 15%.
Disposition of Debentures and Common Shares
A U.S. Holder will not be subject to tax under the Tax Act in respect of any capital gain realized by such U.S. Holder on a disposition of a Debenture or a common share, as the case may be, unless the Debenture or common shares constitutes "taxable Canadian property" (as defined in the Tax Act) of the U.S. Holder at the time of disposition and the U.S. Holder is not entitled to relief under an applicable tax treaty. Where the common shares are listed on a designated stock exchange (for purposes of the Tax Act) at a particular time the Debentures and the common shares will not constitute taxable Canadian property to a U.S. Holder at such time provided that at any time during the sixty-month period that ends at that time, either: (a) the U.S. Holder, persons with whom the U.S. Holder does not deal at arm's length, or the U.S. Holder together with all such persons, have not owned 25% or more of any class or series of shares of the capital stock of the Company; or (b) such common shares did not derive, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of their fair market value from one or any combination of (i) real or immovable property situated in Canada, (ii) "Canadian resource properties"
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(as defined in the Tax Act), (iii) "timber resource properties" (as defined in the Tax Act), and (iv) options or interests in respect of property described in (i), (ii) and (iii).
In the event that the Debentures or the common shares constitute or are deemed to constitute taxable Canadian property to any U.S. Holder, the Canadian Treaty (or other applicable tax treaty or convention) may exempt the U.S. Holder from tax under the Tax Act in respect of the disposition thereof, provided the value of such common shares is not derived principally from real property situated in Canada (as may be defined in the applicable tax treaty or convention). U.S. Holders whose common shares or Debentures may be taxable Canadian property should consult with their own tax advisors for advice having regard to their particular circumstances.
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Subject to the terms and conditions contained in an underwriting agreement between us and the underwriters named below, we have agreed to issue and sell, and the underwriters have agreed to purchase, as principals, on the closing date, being , 2010 or such other date as may be agreed upon by us and the underwriters, but in any event not later than , 2010 an aggregate of Cdn$50,000,000 principal amount of Debentures. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters have agreed to purchase the aggregate principal amount of Debentures indicated in the following table:
Underwriter
|
Principal Amount of
Debentures |
||
---|---|---|---|
BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. |
|||
|
|||
Total |
|||
The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the Debentures being offered, if any are taken, other than Debentures covered by the option described below unless and until this option is exercised. The obligations of the underwriters under the underwriting agreement may be terminated at its discretion upon the occurrence of certain stated events. The underwriters propose to offer the Debentures to the public initially at the offering price and in the principal amount, respectively, specified on the cover page of this prospectus. After the underwriters have made a reasonable effort to sell all of the Debentures offered hereby at the offering price and in the principal amount, respectively, specified on the cover page, the price per Debenture for the Debentures may be decreased and may be further changed from time to time to amounts not greater than those set forth on the cover page. The compensation realized by the underwriters will be decreased by the amount that the aggregate price paid by the purchasers of the Debentures is less than the amount paid by the underwriters to us.
The Debentures will be issued in "book-entry only" form and must be purchased or transferred through a CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. ("CDS") participant (a "CDS Participant"). At closing, we will cause global certificates representing the Debentures being offered to be delivered to, and registered in the name of, CDS or its nominee. All rights of holders of the Debentures must be exercised through, and all payments or other property to which such holder is entitled will be made or delivered by, CDS or the CDS Participant through which the holder of Debentures holds such Debentures. Each person who acquires Debentures will receive only a customer confirmation of purchase from the underwriter or registered dealer from or through which the Debentures are acquired in accordance with the practices and procedures of that underwriter or registered dealer. The practices of registered dealers may vary, but generally customer confirmations are issued promptly after execution of a customer order. CDS is responsible for establishing and maintaining book-entry accounts for its CDS Participants having interests in the Debentures.
Option to purchase additional Debentures
We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional Cdn$7,500,000 principal amount of Debentures at a price of Cdn$1,000 per Debenture on the same terms and conditions as this offering, exercisable in whole or in part, at the sole discretion of the underwriters at any one time on or prior to the 30 th day after the closing of this offering, for the purposes of covering the underwriters' over-allotment position, if any.
Commissions and discounts
The following table shows the per Debenture and total underwriting discounts to be paid to the underwriters by us. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the
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underwriters' option to purchase an additional Cdn$7,500,000 aggregate principal amount of Debentures:
|
No exercise | Full Exercise | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Per Debenture |
||||
Total |
We estimate that the total expenses of this offering payable by us, not including the underwriting discounts but including our reimbursement of certain expenses of the underwriters, will be approximately $0.9 million.
Lock-up
Subject to certain exceptions, we and our senior officers and directors have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to issue, offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Debentures or common shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Debentures or common shares or financial instruments convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Debentures or common shares, or announce any intention to effect any of the foregoing, for a period of 90 days from the date of closing without the prior written consent of the underwriters, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld.
Indemnification and contribution
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and their affiliates and controlling persons against certain liabilities. If we are unable to provide this indemnification, we have agreed to contribute to the payments the underwriters, their affiliates and controlling persons may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
Listing
There is currently no trading market for the Debentures. Our outstanding common shares are listed on the TSX under the symbol "ATP" and on the NYSE under the symbol "AT."
Price stabilization, short positions and passive market making
Pursuant to policy statements of Canadian securities regulators, the underwriters may not, throughout the period of distribution, bid for or purchase the Debentures. This restriction is subject to exceptions, on the condition that the bid or purchase is not engaged in for the purpose of creating actual or apparent active trading in, or raising the price of, any of the Debentures. These exceptions include bids or purchases permitted under the Universal Market Integrity Rules for Canadian Marketplaces of Market Regulation Services Inc. relating to market stabilization and passive market making activities and bids or purchases made for and on behalf of a customer where the order was not solicited during the period of distribution. Under the first mentioned exception, in connection with this offering, the underwriters may effect transactions that stabilize or maintain the market price of the Debentures at levels other than those which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Those transactions, if commenced, may be interrupted or discontinued at any time.
Other Relationships
A bank affiliate of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. is a lender to Atlantic Power Holdings, Inc. ("Holdings"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, under an existing credit facility. Consequently, the Company may be considered a "connected issuer" of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. under applicable securities laws in certain Canadian provinces and territories. As of June 30, 2010, outstanding borrowings under the credit facility totaled $20.0 million, which we intend to repay with the
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proceeds of this offering. See "Use of Proceeds." Holdings is in compliance with the terms of the credit facility. Since the execution of the credit facility, the lenders have not waived a breach, on the part of Holdings, of the credit facility.
Agreement to Purchase Securities
FOR PURPOSES OF THE U.S. SECURITIES LAWS, NO BINDING COMMITMENT TO PURCHASE THE DEBENTURES OFFERED PURSUANT TO THIS PROSPECTUS IS MADE BY ANY INVESTOR, AND NO SALE OF THE DEBENTURES OFFERED PURSUANT TO THIS PROSPECTUS IS MADE TO ANY INVESTOR, UNTIL 5:00 P.M. (TORONTO TIME) ON THE SECOND BUSINESS DAY AFTER SUCH INVESTOR RECEIVES THIS PROSPECTUS. UNTIL SUCH TIME, ANY INVESTOR MAY CANCEL HIS OR HER INTENTION TO PURCHASE THE DEBENTURES WITHOUT PENALTY BY CONTACTING THE UNDERWRITERS NAMED IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
Certain legal matters relating to the issue and sale in Canada of the Debentures offered hereby will be passed upon by Goodmans LLP on behalf of Atlantic Power and by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP on behalf of the underwriters. Goodwin Procter LLP, Boston, Massachusetts, is acting as U.S. counsel to Atlantic Power in this offering and Shearman & Sterling LLP, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is acting as U.S. counsel for the underwriters.
The consolidated financial statements of Atlantic Power Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, have been included herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and subsidiary as of December 31, 2007 and for the year then ended included in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The consolidated financial statements of Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and for the years then ended included in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The combined financial statements of Gregory Partners, LLC and Gregory Power Partners, L.P. as of December 31, 2007 and for the year then ended included in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The financial statements of Pasco Cogen, Ltd. as of December 31, 2007 and for the year then ended, have been included herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent accountants, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act that registers the offer and sale of the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is part of the registration statement, but the registration statement, including the accompanying exhibits included or incorporated by reference therein, contains additional relevant information about us. We have also filed a registration statement under the Securities Act that registers the common shares that we are offering concurrently herewith.
We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file, including the registration statement containing this prospectus and the registration statement with respect to the registration of the common shares, at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov and on our website at http://www.atlanticpower.com . We have included the SEC's web address and our web address as inactive textual references only. Our website is not incorporated into, and does not constitute a part of, this prospectus or any other report or documents we file with or furnish to the SEC.
You may request a copy of these filings, and any exhibits we have specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this prospectus, at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following: Atlantic Power Corporation, 200 Clarendon Street, Floor 25, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, Attention: Patrick Welch. Our telephone number is (617) 977-2400.
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Atlantic Power Corporation
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The
Board of Directors
Atlantic Power Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Atlantic Power Corporation as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited financial statement schedule "Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts." These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
As discussed in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, on January 1, 2009, Atlantic Power Corporation adopted FASB's ASC 805 Business Combinations, on January 1, 2008, Atlantic Power Corporation changed its method of accounting for fair value measurements in accordance with FASB ASC 820 Fair Value Measurements; and on January 1, 2007, Atlantic Power Corporation changed its method of accounting for income tax uncertainties in accordance with guidance provided in FASB ASC 740 Income Taxes.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Atlantic Power Corporation as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Chartered
Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto,
Canada
April 12, 2010 except as to notes 4, 9, and 19 which are as of May 26, 2010 and as to Notes 2(a), 18 and 21 which are as of June 16, 2010.
F-2
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
|
December 31, | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | ||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 49,850 | $ | 37,327 | ||||
Restricted cash |
14,859 | 15,434 | ||||||
Accounts receivable |
17,480 | 28,000 | ||||||
Current portion of derivative instruments asset (Notes 12 and 13) |
5,619 | | ||||||
Prepayments, supplies and other |
3,019 | 3,349 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes (Note 14) |
17,887 | 11,121 | ||||||
Refundable income taxes (Note 14) |
10,552 | 997 | ||||||
Total current assets |
119,266 | 96,228 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment (Note 5) |
193,822 |
204,171 |
||||||
Transmission system rights (Note 6) |
195,984 | 203,833 | ||||||
Equity investments in affiliates (Note 4) |
259,230 | 287,775 | ||||||
Other intangible assets (Note 6) |
71,770 | 93,644 | ||||||
Goodwill (Note 2) |
8,918 | 8,918 | ||||||
Derivative instruments asset (Notes 12 and 13) |
14,289 | 224 | ||||||
Other assets |
6,297 | 13,202 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 869,576 | $ | 907,995 | ||||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 21,661 | $ | 19,342 | ||||
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 9) |
18,280 | 12,008 | ||||||
Revolving credit facility (Note 8) |
| 55,000 | ||||||
Current portion of derivative instruments liability (Notes 12 and 13) |
6,512 | 6,206 | ||||||
Interest payable on subordinated notes and debentures |
800 | 3,455 | ||||||
Dividends payable |
5,242 | 1,918 | ||||||
Other current liabilities |
752 | 3,941 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
53,247 | 101,870 | ||||||
Long-term debt (Note 9) |
224,081 |
243,097 |
||||||
Subordinated notes (Note 10) |
| 319,984 | ||||||
Convertible debentures (Note 11) |
139,153 | 49,261 | ||||||
Derivative instruments liability (Notes 12 and 13) |
5,513 | 14,211 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes (Note 14) |
28,619 | 26,779 | ||||||
Other non-current liabilities |
4,846 | 1,167 | ||||||
Shareholders' equity: |
||||||||
Common shares, No par value, unlimited authorized shares;
|
541,917 | 215,163 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(859 | ) | (3,136 | ) | ||||
Retained deficit |
(126,941 | ) | (60,401 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders' equity |
414,117 | 151,626 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 20) |
||||||||
Subsequent events (Note 21) |
||||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
$ | 869,576 | $ | 907,995 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
|
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||
Project revenue: |
|||||||||||
Energy sales |
$ | 58,953 | $ | 64,237 | $ | 42,799 | |||||
Energy capacity revenue |
88,449 | 77,691 | 35,625 | ||||||||
Transmission services |
31,000 | 31,528 | 34,524 | ||||||||
Other |
1,115 | 356 | 309 | ||||||||
|
179,517 | 173,812 | 113,257 | ||||||||
Project expenses: |
|||||||||||
Fuel |
59,522 | 55,366 | 18,537 | ||||||||
Operations and maintenance |
24,038 | 17,711 | 10,718 | ||||||||
Project operator fees and expenses |
4,115 | 3,727 | 1,854 | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
41,374 | 29,528 | 19,725 | ||||||||
|
129,049 | 106,332 | 50,834 | ||||||||
Project other income (expense): |
|||||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments (Note 12 and 13) |
(6,813 | ) | (16,026 | ) | (22,264 | ) | |||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (Note 4) |
8,514 | 1,895 | 44,368 | ||||||||
Gain (loss) on sales of equity investments, net (Note 3) |
13,780 | | (5,115 | ) | |||||||
Interest, net |
(18,800 | ) | (17,709 | ) | (13,216 | ) | |||||
Other project expense |
1,266 | 5,366 | 3,922 | ||||||||
|
(2,053 | ) | (26,474 | ) | 7,695 | ||||||
Project income |
48,415 | 41,006 | 70,118 | ||||||||
Administrative and other expenses (income): |
|||||||||||
Management fees and administration |
26,028 | 10,012 | 8,185 | ||||||||
Interest, net |
55,698 | 43,275 | 44,307 | ||||||||
Foreign exchange loss (gain) (Note 13) |
20,506 | (47,247 | ) | 30,142 | |||||||
Other expense, net |
362 | 425 | 975 | ||||||||
|
102,594 | 6,465 | 83,609 | ||||||||
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes |
(54,179 | ) | 34,541 | (13,491 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) (Note 14) |
(15,693 | ) | (13,560 | ) | 17,105 | ||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (38,486 | ) | $ | 48,101 | $ | (30,596 | ) | |||
Net income (loss) per sharebasic (Note 17) |
$ |
(0.63 |
) |
$ |
0.78 |
$ |
(0.50 |
) |
|||
Net income (loss) per sharediluted (Note 17) |
$ |
(0.63 |
) |
$ |
0.73 |
$ |
(0.50 |
) |
|||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
|
Common
Stock (Shares) |
Common
Stock (Amount) |
Retained
Deficit |
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income |
Total
Shareholders' Equity |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
December 31, 2006 |
61,470 | $ | 216,636 | $ | (53,571 | ) | $ | | $ | 163,065 | |||||||
Dividends declared |
|
|
(24,665 |
) |
|
(24,665 |
) |
||||||||||
Comprehensive Income: |
|||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
| | (30,596 | ) | | (30,596 | ) | ||||||||||
Net comprehensive income |
| | | | (30,596 | ) | |||||||||||
December 31, 2007 |
61,470 | 216,636 | (108,832 | ) | | 107,804 | |||||||||||
Common shares issued for LTIP |
30 |
127 |
|
|
127 |
||||||||||||
Common stock repurchases |
(559 | ) | (1,600 | ) | | | (1,600 | ) | |||||||||
Adoption of accounting standard for Fair Value Measurement |
| | 25,179 | | 25,179 | ||||||||||||
Dividends declared |
| | (24,849 | ) | | (24,849 | ) | ||||||||||
Comprehensive loss: |
|||||||||||||||||
Net income |
| | 48,101 | | 48,101 | ||||||||||||
Unrealized losses on hedging activities, net of tax of $2,091 |
| | | (3,136 | ) | (3,136 | ) | ||||||||||
Net comprehensive income |
| | | | 44,965 | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2008 |
60,941 | 215,163 | (60,401 | ) | (3,136 | ) | 151,626 | ||||||||||
Subordinated notes conversion |
(114 |
) |
327,691 |
|
|
327,691 |
|||||||||||
Common shares issued for LTIP |
59 | 151 | | | 151 | ||||||||||||
Common stock repurchases |
(482 | ) | (1,088 | ) | | | (1,088 | ) | |||||||||
Dividends declared |
| | (28,054 | ) | | (28,054 | ) | ||||||||||
Comprehensive Income: |
|||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
| | (38,486 | ) | | (38,486 | ) | ||||||||||
Unrealized gains on hedging activities, net of tax of ($1,518) |
| | | 2,277 | 2,277 | ||||||||||||
Net comprehensive loss |
| | | | (36,209 | ) | |||||||||||
December 31, 2009 |
60,404 | $ | 541,917 | $ | (126,941 | ) | $ | (859 | ) | $ | 414,117 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
|
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|||||||||||
Net (loss) income |
$ | (38,486 | ) | $ | 48,101 | $ | (30,596 | ) | |||
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
41,374 | 29,528 | 19,725 | ||||||||
Impairment of equity investment (Note 3) |
5,500 | | | ||||||||
Common share conversion costs recorded in interest expense |
4,508 | | | ||||||||
Subordinated note redemption premium recorded in interest expense (Note 10) |
1,935 | | | ||||||||
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment |
933 | (5,163 | ) | 8,627 | |||||||
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates |
(14,213 | ) | (1,895 | ) | (44,368 | ) | |||||
(Gain) loss on sales of equity investments, net (Note 3) |
(13,780 | ) | | 5,115 | |||||||
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates |
27,884 | 41,031 | 46,653 | ||||||||
Change in gas transportation contract liability (Note 7) |
| | (13,019 | ) | |||||||
Gain on extinguishment of gas transportation contract (Note 7) |
| | (10,554 | ) | |||||||
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss (Note 13) |
24,370 | (39,203 | ) | 37,716 | |||||||
Change in fair value of subordinated note prepayment option |
106 | 27 | | ||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments (Note 13) |
6,813 | 16,026 | 22,264 | ||||||||
Change in deferred income taxes (Note 14) |
(6,436 | ) | (14,009 | ) | 12,289 | ||||||
Change in other operating balances, net of acquisitions and disposition effects: |
|||||||||||
Accounts receivable |
10,520 | 216 | 2,523 | ||||||||
Prepayments, refundable income taxes and other assets |
(3,454 | ) | 12,229 | 6,222 | |||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
2,959 | (20 | ) | 1,166 | |||||||
Other liabilities |
(84 | ) | (9,080 | ) | (5,675 | ) | |||||
Cash provided by operating activities |
50,449 | 77,788 | 58,088 | ||||||||
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities: |
|||||||||||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (Note 3) |
(3,068 | ) | (141,688 | ) | (23,213 | ) | |||||
Change in restricted cash (Note 2a) |
575 | 6,335 | 11,386 | ||||||||
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment |
167 | 7,889 | 3,073 | ||||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
(2,016 | ) | (1,102 | ) | (15,695 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from sale of equity investments (Note 3) |
29,300 | | 6,195 | ||||||||
Purchases of auction rate securities (Note 12) |
| (75,518 | ) | (120,153 | ) | ||||||
Sales of auction rate securities (Note 12) |
| 75,518 | 120,153 | ||||||||
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
24,958 | (128,566 | ) | (18,254 | ) | ||||||
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities: |
|||||||||||
Redemption of IPSs |
(3,369 | ) | (1,612 | ) | | ||||||
Redemption of subordinated notes (Note 10) |
(40,638 | ) | (3,064 | ) | | ||||||
Costs associated with common share conversion |
(4,508 | ) | | | |||||||
Dividends paid |
(24,955 | ) | (24,612 | ) | (24,342 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from convertible debentures, net of offering costs |
78,330 | | | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of project level debt |
| 35,000 | 48,056 | ||||||||
Repayment of project-level debt |
(12,744 | ) | (22,275 | ) | (71,117 | ) | |||||
Repayment of revolving credit facility borrowings (Note 8) |
(55,000 | ) | | (31,000 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from revolving credit facility borrowings |
| 55,000 | 31,000 | ||||||||
Proceeds from escrow used for redemption of non-controlling interest (Note 19) |
| | 74,433 | ||||||||
Repayment of obligation to non-controlling interest (Note 19) |
| | (76,888 | ) | |||||||
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(62,884 | ) | 38,437 | (49,858 | ) | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
12,523 |
(12,341 |
) |
(10,024 |
) |
||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
37,327 | 49,668 | 59,692 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year |
$ |
49,850 |
$ |
37,327 |
$ |
49,668 |
|||||
Supplemental cash flow information: |
|||||||||||
Interest paid |
$ | 69,186 | $ | 72,129 | $ | 62,366 | |||||
Income taxes (paid) refunded |
$ | (216 | ) | $ | 2,418 | $ | (10,483 | ) |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Nature of business
Atlantic Power Corporation ("Atlantic Power") is a corporation established under the laws of the Province of Ontario on June 18, 2004 and continued to the Province of British Columbia on July 8, 2005. We issued income participating securities ("IPSs") for cash pursuant to an initial public offering on November 18, 2004. Each IPS was comprised of one common share and Cdn$5.767 principal value of 11% subordinated notes due 2016 . On November 27, 2009 the shareholders approved a conversion from the IPS structure to a traditional common share structure. Each IPS has been exchanged for one new common share and each old common share that did not form a part of an IPS was exchanged for approximately 0.44 of a new common share. See Notes 10 and 15 for additional information.
We currently own, through our wholly-owned subsidiaries Atlantic Power Transmission, Inc. and Atlantic Power Generation, Inc. indirect interests in 12 power generation projects and one transmission line located in the United States. Four of our Projects are wholly-owned subsidiaries: Lake Cogen Ltd., Pasco Cogen, Ltd., Auburndale Power Partners, L.P. and Atlantic Path 15, LLC.
Our registered office is located at 355 Burrard Street, Suite 1900, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2G8 and our headquarters is located at 200 Clarendon Street, Floor 25, Boston, Massachusetts, USA 02116. The telephone number is (617) 977-2400. The address of our website is atlanticpower.com . Our recent Canadian securities filings are available through our website.
2. Summary of significant accounting policies
(a) Basis of consolidation and accounting:
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include the consolidated accounts and operations of our subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. The usual condition for a controlling financial interest is ownership of the majority of the voting interest of an entity. However, a controlling financial interest may also exist in entities, such as a variable interest entity, through arrangements that do not involve controlling voting interests.
As such, we apply the standard that requires consolidation of variable interest entities, or VIEs, for which we are the primary beneficiary. The guidance requires a variable interest holder to consolidate a VIE if that party will absorb a majority of the expected losses of the VIE, receive the majority of the expected residual returns of the VIE, or both. We have determined that our investments are not VIEs by evaluating their design and capital structure. Accordingly, we record all of our investments in less than 100% owned entities under the equity method of accounting. See Note 4, for further information.
We eliminate all intercompany accounts and transactions in consolidation.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2010, changes in restricted cash in the consolidated statement of cash flows has been reported as an investing activity to reflect the use of the restricted cash in the current period. In previous periods, changes in restricted cash were reported as cash flow from operating activities. The prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. This reclassification does not impact the consolidated balance sheet or the consolidated statements of operations. We have changed the classification of restricted cash because the revised presentation is more widely used by companies in our industry.
These financial statements and notes reflect our evaluation of events occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date through June 16, 2010, the date the financial statements were issued.
F-7
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
(b) Use of estimates:
The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates. During the periods presented, we have made a number of estimates and valuation assumptions, including the fair values of acquired assets, the useful lives and recoverability of property, plant and equipment and power purchase agreements, the recoverability of equity investments, the recoverability of deferred tax assets, tax provisions, and the fair value of financial instruments and derivatives. In addition, estimates are used to test long-lived assets and goodwill for impairment and to determine the fair value of impaired assets. These estimates and valuation assumptions are based on present conditions and our planned course of action, as well as assumptions about future business and economic conditions. As better information becomes available or actual amounts are determinable, the recorded estimates are revised. Should the underlying valuation assumptions and estimates change, the recorded amounts could change by a material amount.
(c) Regulatory accounting:
Path 15 accounts for certain income and expense items in accordance with a standard where certain costs are deferred, which would otherwise be charged to expense, as regulatory assets based on Path 15's ability to recover these costs in future rates.
(d) Revenue:
We recognize energy sales revenue on a gross basis when electricity and steam are delivered under the terms of the related contracts. Revenue associated with capacity payments under the PPAs are recognized as the lesser of (1) the amount billable under the PPA or (2) an amount determined by the kilowatt hours made available during the period multiplied by the estimated average revenue per kilowatt hour over the term of the PPA.
Transmission services revenue is recognized as transmission services are provided. The annual revenue requirement for transmission services is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") and is established through a rate-making process that occurs every three years. When actual cash receipts from transmission services revenue are different than the regulated revenue requirement because of timing differences, the over or under collections are deferred until the timing differences reverse in future periods.
(e) Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents include cash deposited at banks and highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less when purchased.
(f) Restricted cash:
Restricted cash represents cash and cash equivalents that are maintained by the Projects to support payments for major maintenance costs and meet project-level contractual debt obligations.
(g) Use of fair value:
We utilize a fair value hierarchy that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and is applicable to fair value measurements of derivative contracts and other instruments that are subject to mark-to-market accounting. Refer to Note 12, for more information.
F-8
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
(h) Derivative financial instruments:
We use derivative financial instruments in the form of interest rate swaps, indexed swap hedges and foreign exchange forward contracts to manage our current and anticipated exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. On occasion, we have also entered into natural gas supply contracts and natural gas forwards or swaps to minimize the effects of the price volatility of natural gas which is a major production cost. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes; however, not all derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.
Derivative financial instruments not designated as a hedge are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.
The following table summarizes derivative financial instruments that are not designated as hedges and the accounting treatment in the consolidated statements of operations of the changes in fair value of such derivative financial instrument:
Derivative financial instrument
|
Location of changes in fair value | |
---|---|---|
Foreign currency forward contracts |
Foreign exchange loss (gain) | |
Lake natural gas swaps |
Change in fair value of derivative instruments | |
Auburndale natural gas swaps |
Change in fair value of derivative instruments | |
Interest rate swap |
Change in fair value of derivative instruments | |
Onondaga Indexed swap and indexed swap hedges |
Change in fair value of derivative instruments |
Certain derivative instruments qualify for a scope exception to fair value accounting, as they are considered normal purchases or normal sales. The availability of this exception is based upon the assumption that we have the ability and it is probable to deliver or take delivery of the underlying physical commodity. Derivatives that are considered to be normal purchases and normal sales are exempt from derivative accounting treatment and are recorded as executory contracts.
We have designated one of our interest rate swaps as a hedge of cash flows for accounting purposes. Tests are performed to evaluate hedge effectiveness and ineffectiveness at inception and on an ongoing basis, both retroactively and prospectively. Unrealized gains or losses on the interest rate swap designated within a designated hedging relationship are deferred and recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income until the hedged transactions occur and are recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of the cash flow hedge, if any, is immediately recognized in earnings.
(i) Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the related asset. As major maintenance occurs, and as parts are replaced on the plant's combustion and steam turbines, these maintenance costs are either expensed or transferred to property, plant and equipment if the maintenance extends the useful lives of the major parts. These costs are depreciated over the parts' estimated useful lives, which is generally three to six years, depending on the nature of maintenance activity performed.
(j) Transmission system rights:
Transmission system rights are an intangible asset that represents the long-term right to approximately 72% of the capacity of the Path 15 transmission line in California. Transmission system rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over 30 years, the regulatory life of Path 15.
F-9
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
(k) Asset retirement obligations:
The fair value for an asset retirement obligation is recorded in the period in which it is incurred. Retirement obligations associated with long-lived assets are those for which a legal obligation exists under enacted laws, statutes, and written or oral contracts, including obligations arising under the doctrine of promissory estoppel, and for which the timing and/or method of settlement may be conditional on a future event. When the liability is initially recorded, we capitalize the cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, an entity either settles the obligation for its recorded amount or incurs a gain or loss.
(l) Impairment of long-lived assets, non-amortizing intangible assets and equity method investments:
Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, transmission system rights and other intangible assets subject to depreciation and amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value.
Investments in and the operating results of 50%-or-less owned entities not required to be consolidated are included in the consolidated financial statements on the basis of the equity method of accounting. We review our investments in such unconsolidated entities for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investments may not be fully recoverable. Evidence of a loss in value that is other than temporary might include the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment, the inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment, failure of cash flow coverage ratio tests included in project-level, non-recourse debt or, where applicable, estimated sales proceeds which are insufficient to recover the carrying amount of the investment. Our assessment as to whether any decline in value is other than temporary is based on our ability and intent to hold the investment and whether evidence indicating the carrying value of the investment is recoverable within a reasonable period of time outweighs evidence to the contrary. We generally consider our investments in our equity method investees to be strategic long-term investments. Therefore, we complete our assessments with a long-term view. If the fair value of the investment is determined to be less than the carrying value and the decline in value is considered to be other than temporary, an appropriate write-down is recorded based on the excess of the carrying value over the best estimate of fair value of the investment.
(m) Distributions from equity method investments:
We make investments in entities that own independent power producing assets with the objective of generating accretive cash flow that is available to be distributed to our shareholders. The cash flows that are distributed to us from these unconsolidated affiliates are directly related to the operations of the affiliates' power producing assets and are classified as cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
We record the return of our investments in equity investees as cash flows from investing activities. Cash flows from equity investees are considered a return of capital when distributions are generated
F-10
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
from proceeds of either the sale of our investment in its entirety or a sale by the investee of all or a portion of its capital assets.
(n) Goodwill:
Goodwill is the residual amount that results when the purchase price of an acquired business exceeds the sum of the amounts allocated to the assets acquired, less liabilities assumed, based on their fair values. Goodwill is allocated, as of the date of the business combination, to our reporting units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination.
Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment, annually in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test is carried out in two steps. In the first step, the carrying amount of the reporting unit is compared with its fair value. When the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not to be impaired and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary.
The second step is carried out when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, in which case, the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is compared with its carrying amount to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the value of goodwill is determined in a business combination described in the preceding paragraph, using the fair value of the reporting unit as if it were the purchase price. When the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess and is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill at December 31, 2009 and 2008 relates to the Path 15 segment.
(o) Other intangible assets:
Other intangible assets include PPAs and fuel supply agreements at our projects.
Power purchase agreements are valued at the time of acquisition based on the prices received under the PPAs compared to projected market prices. The balances are presented net of accumulated amortization in the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization is recorded on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the PPA. The weighted average period of remaining amortization is 4 years.
Fuel supply agreements are valued at the time of acquisition based on the prices projected to be paid under the fuel supply agreement relative to projected market prices. The weighted average period of remaining amortization is 3 years.
(p) Income taxes:
Income tax expense includes the current tax obligation or benefit and change in deferred income tax asset or liability for the period. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes and provide deferred income taxes for all significant temporary differences. Income tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions are recognized when we determine that it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be ultimately sustained. Refer to Note 14, for more information.
F-11
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
(q) Foreign currency translation:
Our functional currency and reporting currency is the United States dollar. The functional currency of our subsidiaries and other investments is the United States dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in Canadian dollars are translated into United States dollars using the rate of exchange in effect at the end of the year. All transactions denominated in Canadian dollars are translated into United States dollars at average exchange rates.
(r) Long-term incentive plan:
The officers and other employees of Atlantic Power are eligible to participate in the Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") that was implemented in 2007 and continued in effect until the end of 2009. On an annual basis, the Board of Directors of Atlantic Power establishes awards that are based on the cash flow performance of Atlantic Power in the most recently completed year, each participant's base salary and the market price of the shares at the award date. Awards are granted in the form of notional units that have similar economic characteristics to our common shares. Notional units vest ratably over a three-year period and are redeemed in a combination of cash and shares upon vesting.
Unvested notional awards are entitled to receive dividends equal to the dividends per common share during the vesting period in the form of additional notional units. Unvested awards are subject to forfeiture if the participant is not an employee at the vesting date or if we do not meet certain ongoing cash flow performance targets.
Compensation expense related to awards granted to participants in the LTIP is recorded over the vesting period based on the estimated fair value of the award at each balance sheet date. Fair value of the awards is determined by projecting the total number of notional units that will vest in future periods, including dividends received on notional units during the vesting period, and applying the current market price per share to the projected number of notional units that will vest. Forfeitures are recorded as they occur and are not included in the estimated fair value of the awards. The aggregate number of shares which may be issued from treasury under the LTIP is limited to one million. All awards are accounted for as liability awards.
In early 2010, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the LTIP. The amended LTIP will be effective for grants beginning with the 2010 performance year. Under the amended LTIP, the notional units granted to plan participants will have the same characteristics as notional units under the old LTIP. However, the number of notional units granted will be based, in part, on the total shareholder return of Atlantic Power compared to a group of peer companies in Canada. In addition, vesting of the notional units for officers of Atlantic Power will occur on a 3-year cliff basis as opposed to ratable vesting over three years for grants made prior to the amendments.
(s) Deferred financing costs:
Deferred financing costs represent costs to obtain long-term financing and are amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the related debt which range from five to 28 years. The net carrying amount of deferred financing costs recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets was $5.5 million and $11.7 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $14.6 million, $1.1, and $0.6 million, respectively.
F-12
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
(t) Concentration of credit risk:
The financial instruments that potentially expose us to credit risk consist primarily of cash, restricted cash, derivatives and accounts receivable. Cash and restricted cash are held by major financial institutions that are also counterparties to our derivative contracts. We have long-term agreements to sell electricity, gas and steam to public utilities and corporations. We have exposure to trends within the energy industry, including declines in the creditworthiness of our customers. We do not normally require collateral or other security to support energy-related accounts receivable. We do not believe there is significant credit risk associated with accounts receivable due to payment history. See Note 18, Segment and related information , for a further discussion of customer concentrations.
(u) Segments:
We have six reportable segments: Path 15, Auburndale, Lake, Pasco, Chambers and Other Project Assets. Each of our projects is an operating segment. Based on similar economic and other characteristics, we aggregated several of the projects into the Other Project Assets reportable segment.
(v) Recently issued accounting standards:
In June 2009, the FASB approved the "FASB Accounting Standards Codification" ("Codification") as the single source of authoritative, nongovernmental, U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") as of July 1, 2009. The Codification does not change current U.S. GAAP or how we account for our transactions or nature of related disclosures made; instead it is intended to simplify user access to all authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. All existing accounting standard documents will be superseded, and all other accounting literature not included in the Codification will be considered non-authoritative. The Codification is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Codification became effective for Atlantic Power beginning the quarter ending September 30, 2009 and did not have an impact in our balance sheet or results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.
In 2009, the FASB amended the consolidation guidance applied to VIEs. This standard replaces the quantitative approach previously required to determine which entity has a controlling financial interest in a VIE with a qualitative approach. Under the new approach, the primary beneficiary of a VIE is the entity that has both (a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance, and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity, or the right to receive benefits from the entity, that could be significant to the VIE. This standard also requires ongoing reassessments of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary of a VIE and enhanced disclosures about an entity's involvement in VIEs. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. We do not expect this standard to have a material effect upon our financial statements.
In 2010, the FASB amended the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification to require additional disclosures about 1) transfers of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, including the reason for transfers, 2) purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, 3) additional disaggregation to include fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities and 4) disclosure of inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which is effective for fiscal years beginning
F-13
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
after December 15, 2010. We do not expect this standard to have a material effect upon our financial statements.
We adopted the FASB's revised standard for business combinations on January 1, 2009. The provisions of the standard are applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs after January 1, 2009. The statement requires an acquirer to recognize and measure in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at fair value at the acquisition date. It also recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired or a gain from a bargain purchase in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of an entity's financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. In addition, transaction costs are required to be expensed as incurred. This standard was further amended and clarified with regards to application issues on initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. Our adoption of the standard did not have an impact on the results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
In May 2009, the FASB issued a standard that incorporates the accounting and disclosure requirements related to subsequent events found in auditing standards into U.S. GAAP, effectively making management directly responsible for subsequent events accounting and disclosures. The standard also requires disclosure of the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and shall be applied prospectively. Our adoption of the standard did not have an impact on the results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
In 2008, the FASB amended the disclosure requirements to improve financial reporting about derivatives and hedging activities. This standard became effective on January 1, 2009. We have adopted this standard as of January 1, 2009 and have adjusted our current disclosures accordingly.
In September 2006, the FASB issued a standard which provides enhanced guidance for using fair value measurements in financial reporting. While the standard does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstance, it has applicability to several current accounting standards that require or permit entities to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. The standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The impact of our adoption of this standard on January 1, 2008 resulted in a $25.2 million decrease to retained deficit.
In July 2006, the FASB issued an interpretation that requires a new evaluation process for all tax positions taken, recognizing tax benefits when it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the authorities. The benefit from a position that has surpassed the more-likely-than-not threshold is the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement. Differences between the amounts recognized in the statement of financial position prior to the adoption of the interpretation and the amounts reported after adoption are to be accounted for as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings. Our adoption of the standard on January 1, 2007 did not have an impact on the results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
F-14
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
3. Acquisitions and divestments
On November 30, 2009, we sold our 50% interest in the assets of Stockton Cogen Company LP for a nominal cash payment. Stockton is a 55 MW coal/biomass cogeneration facility located in Stockton, California. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded a loss on the sale of $2.0 million. The loss on sale was recorded in gain (loss) on sales of equity investments in the in the accompanying consolidated statements operations.
On November 24, 2009, we sold our 50% interest in the assets of Mid-Georgia Cogen LP for $29.1 million. Mid-Georgia is a 308 MW dual-fueled, combined-cycle, cogeneration plant located in Kathleen, Georgia. We recorded a gain on sale of asset of $15.8 million. The gain on sale was recorded in gain (loss) on sales of equity investments in the in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
In December 2007, we acquired substantially all of the remaining 50.1% interest in the Pasco Project from our existing partners. During 2008, we finalized the allocation of purchase price to the net assets acquired with no significant changes from the preliminary allocation in the following table:
Working capital |
$ | 4,466 | |||
Other long-term assets |
20,518 | ||||
Total purchase price |
24,984 | ||||
Less cash acquired |
(1,771 | ) | |||
Cash paid, net of cash acquired |
$ | 23,213 |
On March 31, 2009, we acquired a 40% equity interest in Rollcast Energy, Inc., a North Carolina Corporation. Rollcast is a developer of biomass power plants in the southeastern U.S. with five, 50 MW projects in various stages of development. The investment in Rollcast gives us the option but not the obligation to invest equity in Rollcast's biomass power plants. Two of the development projects have secured 20-year power purchase agreements with terms that allow for fuel cost pass-through to the utility customer. Total cash paid for the investment was $3.0 million and is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
In March 2010, we agreed to invest an additional $2.0 million to increase our ownership interest in Rollcast to 60%. Under the terms of the agreement, $1.2 million of the investment was made in March 2010 and the remaining $0.8 million will be payable if Rollcast achieves certain milestones on its first biomass development project. As a result of this additional investment, we will begin to consolidate our investment in Rollcast beginning in the first quarter of 2010. See Note 21 for additional information.
In the first quarter of 2009, we transferred our remaining net assets of Onondaga Cogeneration Limited Partnership at net book value, into a 50% owned joint venture, Onondaga Renewables, LLC,
F-15
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
3. Acquisitions and divestments (Continued)
which is redeveloping the Project into a 35-40 MW biomass power plant. Our investment in Onondaga Renewables is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
During the three months ended September 30, 2009, we reviewed the recoverability of our 23.5% equity investment in the Rumford project. The review was undertaken as a result of not receiving distributions from the Project through the first nine months of 2009 and our view about the long-term economic viability of the plant upon expiration of the Project's PPA on December 31, 2009.
Based on this review, we determined that the carrying value of the Rumford project was impaired and recorded a pre-tax long-lived asset impairment of $5.5 million during 2009. The Rumford project is accounted for under the equity method of accounting and the impairment charge is included in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates in the consolidated statements of operations.
In the fourth quarter of 2009, Atlantic Power and the other limited partners in the Rumford Project settled a dispute with the general partner related to the general partner's failure to pay distributions to the limited partners in 2009. Under the terms of the settlement, we received $2.9 million in distributions from Rumford in the fourth quarter of 2009. In addition, the general partner has agreed to purchase the interests of all the limited partners in 2010. However, the general partner is relieved of this obligation if certain conditions are met before June 30, 2010. If the general partner does purchase the limited partners interests, our share of the proceeds will be approximately $2.5 million. The carrying value of our investment in Rumford as of December 31, 2009 is $0.8 million.
On November 21, 2008, we acquired 100% of Auburndale Power Partners, L.P., which owns and operates a 155 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle cogeneration facility located in Polk County, Florida. The purchase price was funded by cash on hand, a borrowing under our credit facility and $35 million of acquisition debt. The cash payment for the acquisition, including acquisition costs, has been allocated to the net assets acquired based on our preliminary estimate of the fair value.
Total cash paid for the acquisition, less cash acquired, during 2008 was $141.7 million. In 2009, we received a working capital adjustment from the sellers in the amount of $1.8 million, resulting in final purchase price of $139.9 million.
The allocation of the purchase price to the net assets acquired is as follows:
Working capital |
$ | 11,589 | |||
Property, plant and equipment |
56,301 | ||||
Power purchase agreements |
45,980 | ||||
Fuel supply agreements |
33,846 | ||||
Other long-term assets |
663 | ||||
Total purchase price |
148,379 | ||||
Less cash acquired |
(8,471 | ) | |||
Cash paid, net of cash acquired |
$ | 139,908 |
F-16
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
3. Acquisitions and divestments (Continued)
(h) Jamaica Private Power Company Ltd. Divestment
In 2007, we sold our equity investment in the Jamaica Project for $6.2 million. The carrying value of the equity investment exceeded the sales price and, accordingly, a loss of $5.1 million was recorded in gain (loss) on sales of equity investments in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007.
4. Equity method investments
The following table summarizes our equity method investments:
F-17
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
4. Equity method investments (Continued)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates was as follows:
|
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Entity name
|
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Badger Creek Limited |
$ | 1,948 | $ | 2,477 | $ | 2,619 | ||||
Chambers Cogen, LP |
6,599 | 16,250 | 16,601 | |||||||
Delta-Person LP |
(644 | ) | (1,076 | ) | (1,111 | ) | ||||
Gregory Power Partners, LP |
1,791 | 4,621 | 3,886 | |||||||
Koma Kulshan Associates |
458 | 580 | 827 | |||||||
Mid-Georgia Cogen, LP |
(2,686 | ) | (2,068 | ) | (1,051 | ) | ||||
Onondaga Renewables, LLC |
(600 | ) | | | ||||||
Orlando Cogen Limited LP |
3,152 | 2,920 | 2,410 | |||||||
Rollcast Energy, Inc |
(267 | ) | | | ||||||
Rumford Cogeneration LP |
(1,904 | ) | 2,922 | 3,081 | ||||||
Selkirk Cogen Partners, LP |
(280 | ) | (6,958 | ) | 8,696 | |||||
Topsham Hydro Assets |
1,506 | 2,064 | 1,321 | |||||||
Other |
(559 | ) | (19,837 | ) | 7,089 | |||||
Total |
8,514 | 1,895 | 44,368 | |||||||
Distributions from equity method investments |
(27,884 |
) |
(41,031 |
) |
(46,653 |
) |
||||
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions |
$ | (19,370 | ) | $ | (39,136 | ) | $ | (2,285 | ) |
F-18
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
4. Equity method investments (Continued)
The following summarizes the balance sheets at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, and operating results for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, for our equity method investments:
|
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
||||||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||||||
Chambers |
$ | 10,356 | $ | 14,418 | $ | 12,696 | ||||||
Mid-Georgia |
| 13,967 | 13,950 | |||||||||
Orlando |
6,725 | 9,366 | 8,370 | |||||||||
Other |
25,198 | 29,152 | 34,217 | |||||||||
Non-current assets |
||||||||||||
Chambers |
259,989 | 266,686 | 272,815 | |||||||||
Mid-Georgia |
| 53,706 | 56,414 | |||||||||
Orlando |
34,975 | 40,026 | 45,382 | |||||||||
Other |
134,908 | 158,143 | 203,611 | |||||||||
|
$ | 472,151 | $ | 585,464 | $ | 647,455 | ||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||||||
Chambers |
$ | 16,898 | $ | 16,692 | $ | 12,354 | ||||||
Mid-Georgia |
| 3,938 | 11,487 | |||||||||
Orlando |
5,313 | 3,482 | 7,362 | |||||||||
Other |
21,112 | 22,675 | 24,637 | |||||||||
Non-current liabilities |
||||||||||||
Chambers |
123,946 | 140,381 | 153,574 | |||||||||
Mid-Georgia |
| 48,394 | 41,469 | |||||||||
Orlando |
| | | |||||||||
Other |
45,852 | 62,127 | 94,881 | |||||||||
|
$ | 213,121 | $ | 297,689 | $ | 345,764 | ||||||
Operating results |
||||||||||||
Revenue |
||||||||||||
Chambers |
$ | 50,745 | $ | 68,893 | $ | 66,629 | ||||||
Mid-Georgia |
6,521 | 14,992 | 19,000 | |||||||||
Orlando |
41,911 | 34,372 | 37,392 | |||||||||
Other |
112,242 | 177,143 | 187,936 | |||||||||
Project expenses |
||||||||||||
Chambers |
40,540 | 44,264 | 41,652 | |||||||||
Mid-Georgia |
6,519 | 13,509 | 16,147 | |||||||||
Orlando |
38,694 | 31,819 | 34,662 | |||||||||
Other |
99,483 | 158,587 | 155,810 | |||||||||
Project other income (expense) |
||||||||||||
Chambers |
(3,606 | ) | (8,379 | ) | (8,376 | ) | ||||||
Mid-Georgia |
13,137 | (3,551 | ) | (3,904 | ) | |||||||
Orlando |
(65 | ) | 367 | (319 | ) | |||||||
Other |
(13,355 | ) | (33,763 | ) | (10,834 | ) | ||||||
Project income (loss) |
||||||||||||
Chambers |
$ | 6,599 | $ | 16,250 | $ | 16,601 | ||||||
Mid-Georgia |
13,139 | (2,068 | ) | (1,051 | ) | |||||||
Orlando |
3,152 | 2,920 | 2,411 | |||||||||
Other |
(596 | ) | (15,207 | ) | 21,292 |
F-19
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
5. Property, plant and equipment
|
2009 | 2008 |
Depreciable
Lives |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Land |
$ | 2,081 | $ | 1,577 | ||||
Office equipment, machinery and other |
6,331 | 5,383 | 3 - 10 Years | |||||
Leasehold improvements |
2,411 | 2,411 | 7 - 15 Years | |||||
Plant in service |
257,566 | 258,291 | 1 - 30 Years | |||||
|
268,389 | 267,662 | ||||||
Less accumulated depreciation |
(74,567 | ) | (63,491 | ) | ||||
|
$ | 193,822 | $ | 204,171 |
Depreciation expense of $11,126, $6,907 and $6,588 was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 respectively.
6. Other intangible assets and transmission system rights
Other intangible assets include power purchase agreements that are not separately recorded as financial instruments and fuel supply agreements. Transmission system rights represent the long-term right to approximately 72% of the regulated revenues of the Path 15 transmission line.
The following tables summarize the components of our intangible assets subject to amortization for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008:
|
Transmission
System rights |
Power Purchase
Agreements |
Fuel supply
Agreements |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gross balances, December 31, 2009 |
$ | 231,669 | $ | 73,880 | $ | 43,258 | $ | 348,807 | |||||
Less: accumulated amortization |
(35,685 | ) | (26,608 | ) | (18,760 | ) | (81,053 | ) | |||||
Net carrying amount, December 31, 2009 |
$ | 195,984 | $ | 47,272 | $ | 24,498 | $ | 267,754 |
|
Transmission
System rights |
Power Purchase
Agreements |
Fuel supply
Agreements |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gross balances, January 1, 2008 |
$ | 231,669 | $ | 27,900 | $ | 9,411 | $ | 268,980 | |||||
Acquisition of businesses during 2008 |
| 45,980 | 33,847 | 79,827 | |||||||||
Adjusted gross amount at December 31, 2008 |
231,669 | 73,880 | 43,258 | 348,807 | |||||||||
Less: accumulated amortization |
(27,836 | ) | (14,202 | ) | (9,292 | ) | (51,330 | ) | |||||
Net carrying amount, December 31, 2008 |
$ | 203,833 | $ | 59,678 | $ | 33,966 | $ | 297,477 |
The following table presents amortization of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
|
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Transmission system rights |
$ | 7,849 | $ | 7,506 | $ | 7,506 | ||||
Power purchase agreements |
12,406 | 4,206 | 3,207 | |||||||
Fuel supply agreements |
9,468 | 2,940 | 2,039 | |||||||
Total amortization |
$ | 29,723 | $ | 14,652 | $ | 12,752 |
F-20
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
6. Other intangible assets and transmission system rights (Continued)
The following table presents estimated future amortization related to our transmission system rights, purchase power agreements and fuel supply agreements:
Year Ended December 31,
|
Transmission
System rights |
Power Purchase
Agreements |
Fuel supply
Agreements |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 |
$ | 7,849 | $ | 12,405 | $ | 8,449 | $ | 28,703 | |||||
2011 |
7,849 | 12,405 | 8,449 | 28,703 | |||||||||
2012 |
7,849 | 12,405 | 7,600 | 27,854 | |||||||||
2013 |
7,849 | 10,056 | | 17,905 | |||||||||
2014 |
7,849 | | | 7,849 |
7. Gas transportation contract liability
Prior to June 2007, Onondaga had certain long-term commitments for the provision of natural gas transportation service to the Onondaga Project through the year 2013. The contracts provided for fixed monthly demand charges, in addition to variable commodity charges based on the quantity of gas transported. Obligations related to the long-term gas transportation agreements were recognized as liabilities in purchase accounting upon the acquisition of Onondaga in 2004. These obligations were previously being amortized over the remaining lives of the contracts. In 2007, Onondaga paid $9.8 million to an unrelated third party in exchange for the assumption by the third party of the obligations under the long-term gas transportation agreements. The carrying value of the transportation contract liability at the date of the transaction exceeded the amount paid by Onondaga to extinguish the liability, resulting in a gain of approximately $10 million in 2007. The gain was recorded in other project income in the consolidated statement of operations.
8. Credit facility
We maintain a credit facility with a capacity of $100 million, $50 million of which may be utilized for letters of credit. The credit facility matures in August 2012.
In November 2008, we borrowed $55 million under the credit facility and used the proceeds to partially fund the acquisition of Auburndale. We executed an interest rate swap to fix the interest rate at 2.4% through November 2011 for $40 million of the balance outstanding under this borrowing. During 2009, the outstanding borrowings under the credit facility were repaid with cash on hand and the interest rate swap was terminated. The remaining amount in accumulated other comprehensive income for this swap was recorded as interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations.
Outstanding amounts under the credit facility bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus an applicable margin between 1.50% and 3.25% that varies based on certain credit statistics of a subsidiary of Atlantic Power. As of December 31, 2009, the applicable margin was 1.50% (0.875% in 2008). In connection with the common share conversion, we made amendments to the credit facility. The purpose of these amendments was to facilitate the common share conversion. Under the terms of the amendment, we paid a fee of $0.3 million and amended the pricing table that determines the applicable margin.
As of December 31, 2009, $43.9 million of the credit facility capacity was allocated, but not drawn, to support letters of credit for contractual credit support at seven of our projects.
We must meet certain financial covenants under the terms of the credit facility, which are generally based on our cash flow coverage ratio and indebtedness ratios. The most restrictive of these covenants could restrict the payment of dividends and interest on our common shares and convertible debentures.
F-21
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Credit facility (Continued)
The facility is secured by pledges of assets and interests in certain subsidiaries. We expect to remain in compliance with the covenants of the credit facility for at least the next 12 months.
9. Long-term debt
Long-term debt represents our consolidated share of project long-term debt and the unamortized balance of purchase accounting adjustments that were recorded in connection with the Path 15 acquisition in order to adjust the debt to its fair value on the acquisition date. Project debt is non-recourse to Atlantic Power and generally amortizes during the term of the respective revenue generating contracts of the projects.
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Project debt, interest rates ranging from 5.1% to 9.0% maturing through 2028 |
$ | 230,331 | $ | 242,349 | |||
Plus: purchase accounting fair value adjustments |
12,030 | 12,756 | |||||
Less: current portion of long-term debt |
(18,280 | ) | (12,008 | ) | |||
Long-term debt |
$ | 224,081 | $ | 243,097 |
Principal payments due in the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
2010 |
$ | 18,280 | ||
2011 |
19,287 | |||
2012 |
17,167 | |||
2013 |
17,302 | |||
2014 |
13,065 | |||
Thereafter |
145,230 | |||
|
$ | 230,331 | ||
All of the debt in the table above is represented by non-recourse debt of the projects. Project-level debt is secured by the respective project and its contracts with no other recourse to us. The loans have certain financial covenants that must be met. At December 31, 2009, all of our Projects were in compliance with the covenants contained in project-level debt, but our Chambers, Selkirk and Delta-Person projects had not achieved the levels of debt service coverage ratios required by the project-level debt arrangements as a condition to making distributions and were therefore restricted from making distributions to us.
The required coverage ratio at Chambers is based on a four-quarter rolling average coverage calculation. In addition, the coverage ratio requirement at Epsilon Power Partners is based, in part, on the coverage ratio calculation at Chambers. The primary reason for the Chambers project not meeting the minimum coverage test is a planned outage in the second quarter of 2009 which resulted in very low cash flows for the project in that quarter.
The required coverage ratio at Selkirk is calculated based on both historical cash project cash flows for the previous six months, as well as projected project cash flows for the next six months. Increased natural gas costs attributable to a contractual price increase at Selkirk are the primary contributor to the project not currently meeting its minimum coverage ratio.
The required coverage ratio at Delta-Person is based on the most recent four-quarter period. In 2009, Delta person incurred higher than anticipated operations and maintenance costs due to an
F-22
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
9. Long-term debt (Continued)
unanticipated repair. The higher operations and maintenance costs caused Delta Person to fail its debt service coverage ratio and restrict cash distributions for four quarters.
As at December 31, 2009, the amount of restricted net assets of our unconsolidated subsidiaries that may not be distributed to us in the form of a dividend is approximately $187 million and the amount of undistributed earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries was approximately $91 million.
10. Subordinated notes
On November 27, 2009 our shareholders approved a conversion from the IPS Structure to a traditional common share structure. Each IPS has been exchanged for one new common share of Atlantic Power and each old common share that did not form part of an IPS was exchanged for approximately 0.44 of a new common share. This transaction resulted in the extinguishment of Cdn$347.8 principal value of subordinated notes.
A loss on the common share conversion in the amount of $13.1 million was recorded in interest expense within administrative and other expenses and was comprised of the write off of unamortized deferred financing costs of $7.5 million, the costs associated with the common share conversion of $4.7 million and the write off of the unamortized subordinated note premium of $0.9 million.
On December 17, 2009, the Company exercised its subordinated note call option to redeem the remaining Cdn$40,677 principal value of Subordinated Notes at 105% of the principal amount. A loss on the redemption of the subordinated notes in the amount of $3.1 million was recorded in interest expense within administrative and other expenses and was comprised of the write off of unamortized deferred financing costs of $1.2 million and the 5% premium paid in the amount of $1.9 million.
The subordinated notes were due to mature in November 2016 subject to redemption under specified conditions at the option of Atlantic Power, commencing on or after November 18, 2009 (Note 13). Interest was payable monthly in arrears at an annual rate of 11% and the principal repayment was to occur at maturity.
The subordinated notes were denominated in Canadian dollars and were secured by a subordinated pledge of our interest in certain subsidiaries, and contained certain restrictive covenants. Cdn$39.5 million principal value of the subordinated notes were separately held by two investors and the remaining amount of the outstanding subordinated notes formed a part of our publicly traded IPSs.
Interest expense related to the subordinated notes was $36.4 million and $40.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
11. Convertible debentures
In 2006 we issued, in a public offering, Cdn$60 million ($57.1 million at December 31, 2009) aggregate principal amount of 6.25% convertible secured debentures (the "2006 Debentures") for gross proceeds of $52.8 million. The 2006 Debentures pay interest semi-annually on April 30 and October 31 of each year. The 2006 Debentures had an initial maturity date of October 31, 2011 and are convertible into approximately 80.6452 common shares per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of 2006 Debentures, at any time, at the option of the holder, representing a conversion price of Cdn$12.40 per common share.
In connection with the common share conversion on November 27, 2009, the holders of the 2006 Debentures approved an amendment to increase the annual interest rate from 6.25% to 6.50% and separately, an extension of the maturity date from October 2011 to October 2014.
F-23
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
11. Convertible debentures (Continued)
On December 17, 2009, we issued, in a public offering, Cdn$75 million ($68.1 million at December 31, 2009, net of deferred financing costs) aggregate principal amount of 6.25% convertible unsecured debentures (the "2009 Debentures") for gross proceeds of $71.4 million. The 2009 Debentures pay interest semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year beginning on September 15, 2010. The 2009 Debentures mature on March 15, 2017 and are convertible into approximately 76.9231 common shares per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of 2009 Debentures, at any time, at the option of the holder, representing a conversion price of Cdn$13.00 per common share.
On December 24, 2009, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full to purchase an additional Cdn$11.3 million ($10.3 million at December 31, 2009, net of deferred financing costs) aggregate principal amount of the 2009 Debentures for gross proceeds of $10.7 million.
Aggregate interest expense related to the 2006 Debentures and 2009 Debentures was $3.5 million, $3.5 million and $3.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
12. Fair value of financial instruments
The estimated carrying values and fair values of our recorded financial instruments related to operations are as follows:
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Carrying
Amount |
Fair Value |
Carrying
Amount |
Fair Value | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 49,850 | $ | 49,850 | $ | 37,327 | $ | 37,327 | |||||
Restricted cash |
14,859 | 14,859 | 15,434 | 15,434 | |||||||||
Derivative assets current |
5,619 | 5,619 | | | |||||||||
Derivative assets non-current |
14,289 | 14,289 | 224 | 224 | |||||||||
Derivative liabilities current |
6,512 | 6,512 | 6,206 | 6,206 | |||||||||
Derivative liabilities non-current |
5,513 | 5,513 | 14,211 | 14,211 | |||||||||
Long-term debt, including current portion |
242,361 | 259,633 | 255,105 | 333,738 | |||||||||
Convertible debentures |
139,153 | 141,251 | 49,261 | 46,675 | |||||||||
Subordinated Notes |
| | 319,984 | 264,739 |
Our financial instruments that are recorded at fair value have been classified into levels using a fair value hierarchy.
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined below:
Level 1Unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include active exchange-traded securities.
Level 2Quoted prices available in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are directly observable, and inputs derived principally from market data.
Level 3Unobservable inputs from objective sources. These inputs may be based on entity-specific inputs. Level 3 inputs include all inputs that do not meet the requirements of Level 1 or Level 2.
The following represents the fair value hierarchy of our financial assets and liabilities that were recognized at fair value as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. Financial assets and
F-24
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
12. Fair value of financial instruments (Continued)
liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
|
December 31, 2009 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 49,850 | $ | | $ | | $ | 49,850 | ||||||
Restricted cash |
14,859 | | | 14,859 | ||||||||||
Derivative asset |
| 19,908 | | 19,908 | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 64,709 | $ | 19,908 | $ | | $ | 84,617 | ||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities |
$ | | $ | 12,025 | $ | | $ | 12,025 | ||||||
Total |
$ | | $ | 12,025 | $ | | $ | 12,025 |
|
December 31, 2008 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 37,327 | $ | | $ | | $ | 37,327 | ||||||
Restricted cash |
15,434 | | | 15,434 | ||||||||||
Derivative assets |
224 | | 224 | |||||||||||
Total |
$ | 52,761 | $ | 224 | $ | | $ | 52,985 | ||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities |
$ | | $ | 20,417 | $ | | $ | 20,417 | ||||||
Total |
$ | | $ | 20,417 | $ | | $ | 20,417 |
The fair value of our derivative instruments are based on price quotes from brokers in active markets who regularly facilitate those transactions and we believe such price quotes are executable. We apply a credit reserve to reflect credit risk which is calculated based on our credit rating or the credit rating of our counterparties. To the extent that our net exposure under a specific master agreement is an asset, we use the counterparty's commercial credit rating. If the exposure under a specific master agreement is a liability, we use our estimate of our own corporate credit rating. The credit reserve is added to the discounted fair value to reflect the exit price that a market participant would be willing to receive to assume our liabilities or that a market participant would be willing to pay for our assets. As of December 31, 2009, the credit reserve resulted in a $0.1 million increase in fair value which is comprised of a $0.1 million gain in OCI and a $0.3 million gain in change in fair value of derivative instruments and a $0.3 million loss in foreign exchange loss (gain).
The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The fair-value of long-term debt, subordinated notes and convertible debentures were determined using quoted market prices, as well as discounting the remaining contractual cash flows using a rate at which we could issue debt with a similar maturity as of the balance sheet date.
F-25
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
12. Fair value of financial instruments (Continued)
As of December 31, 2007, approximately $26 million of our cash and cash equivalents were invested in auction-rate securities ("ARSs"). ARSs typically have an underlying maturity of up to 40 years but have historically traded in seven or 28 day intervals in a highly liquid market. The ARSs that were held at December 31, 2007 were redeemed at auctions held in January 2008 and the proceeds were re-invested in ARSs.
In early 2008, the overall market for ARSs suffered a significant decline in liquidity and most of the auctions of ARSs were unsuccessful, resulting in our continuing to hold these securities and the issuers paying interest at the maximum contractual rate. In September and November 2008, all of our investments in ARS were sold at par plus accrued interest for $36.5 million.
Purchases and sales of ARSs are presented gross in the consolidated statements of cash flows because they are classified as available-for-sale securities.
13. Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities
Fair value of derivative instruments
We have elected to disclose derivative assets and liabilities on a trade by trade basis and do not offset amounts at the counterparty master agreement level. The following table summarizes the fair value within the derivative assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets:
|
Derivative
Assets |
Derivative
Liabilities |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: |
||||||||
Interest rate swap contract current |
$ | | $ | 726 | ||||
Interest rate swap contract long-term |
| 167 | ||||||
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedges |
| 893 | ||||||
Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges: |
||||||||
Interest rate swap contract current |
| 1,705 | ||||||
Interest rate swap contract long-term |
| 1,707 | ||||||
Foreign currency forward contracts current |
5,619 | | ||||||
Foreign currency forward contracts long-term |
14,289 | | ||||||
Natural gas swap contracts current |
95 | 4,174 | ||||||
Natural gas swap contracts long-term |
14 | 3,655 | ||||||
Total derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges |
20,017 | 11,241 | ||||||
Total derivatives |
$ | 20,017 | $ | 12,134 | ||||
Impact of derivative instruments on the consolidated income statements
Realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges have been recognized in the consolidated statements of operations as follows: interest rate swaps have been recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (unrealized) and interest expense (realized); and forward physical purchases on natural gas swap contracts have been recognized as a component of fuel expense.
F-26
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
13. Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities (Continued)
Unrealized losses for interest rate swaps recognized as a component of other comprehensive income totaled $0.6 million and settlement losses of $1.3 million were recognized in interest expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Other comprehensive loss recorded for natural gas swap contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges totaled $5.1 million, net of tax prior to de-designation on July 1, 2009. Amortization of the loss of $7.2 million is recorded as a component of change in fair value of derivative instruments as of December 31, 2009.
The following table summarizes the amount of gain (loss) recognized in income for derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges:
|
Location of gain (loss)
recognized in income |
Year ended
December 31, 2009 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Natural gas swaps |
Fuel | $ | 10,089 | |||
Foreign currency forwards |
Foreign exchange loss (gain) | (3,864 | ) | |||
Interest rate swaps |
Interest, net | 1,446 |
Unrealized gains and losses associated with changes in the fair value of derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges and ineffectiveness of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are reflected in current period earnings. The following table summarizes the pre-tax changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedges.
|
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Change in fair value of derivative instruments: |
|||||||||||
Interest rate swaps |
$ | 369 | $ | (1,804 | ) | $ | | ||||
Indexed swap and hedge |
| (10,844 | ) | (20,290 | ) | ||||||
Natural gas swaps |
(7,182 | ) | (3,378 | ) | (1,974 | ) | |||||
|
$ | (6,813 | ) | $ | (16,026 | ) | $ | (22,264 | ) |
Notional volumes of derivative transactions
The following table summarizes the net notional volume buy/(sell) of our derivative transactions by commodity, excluding those derivatives that qualified for the normal purchases and normal sales exception as of December 31, 2009:
|
Units |
Total balance
as of December 31, 2009 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Interest rate swaps |
US$ | $ | 7,134 | |||
Currency forwards |
Cdn$ | $ | 7,900 | |||
Natural gas swaps |
Mmbtu | 16,220 |
Foreign currency forward contracts
We use forward foreign currency contracts to manage our exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates, as we earn our income in the United States but pay dividends to shareholders and interest on convertibles debentures predominantly in Canadian dollars. Since inception, we have established a hedging strategy for the purpose of reinforcing the long-term sustainability of cash distributions to
F-27
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
13. Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities (Continued)
holders of IPSs and common shares. We have executed this strategy by entering into forward contracts to purchase Canadian dollars at a fixed rate of Cdn$1.134 per U.S. dollar in amounts sufficient to make monthly distributions through December 2013 at the current annual dividend level of Cdn$1.094 per common share, as well as interest payments on the 2009 Debentures. It is our intention to periodically consider extending the length of these forward contracts.
In addition, we have executed forward contracts to purchase Canadian dollars at fixed rates of exchange sufficient to make semi-annual payments on the 2006 Debentures. The contracts provide for the purchase of Cdn$1.9 million in April and in October of each year through 2011 at a rate of Cdn$1.1075 per U.S. dollar.
The foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded at estimated fair value based on quoted market prices and our estimation of the counterparty's credit risk. The fair value of our forward foreign currency contracts at December 31, 2009 is an asset of $19.9 million. Changes in the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts are reflected in foreign exchange (gain) loss in the consolidated statements of operations.
The following table contains the components of recorded foreign exchange (gain) loss for the periods indicated:
|
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unrealized foreign exchange (gains) losses: |
|||||||||||
Subordinated notes and convertible debentures |
$ | 55,508 | $ | (85,212 | ) | $ | 68,419 | ||||
Forward contracts and other |
(31,138 | ) | 46,009 | (30,703 | ) | ||||||
|
24,370 | (39,203 | ) | 37,716 | |||||||
Realized foreign exchange gains on forward contract settlements |
(3,864 | ) | (8,044 | ) | (7,574 | ) | |||||
|
$ | 20,506 | $ | (47,247 | ) | $ | 30,142 |
The following table illustrates the impact on our financial instruments of a 10% hypothetical change in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to the Canadian dollar as of December 31, 2009:
Convertible debentures |
$ | 13,915 | ||
Foreign currency forward contracts |
30,204 | |||
|
$ | 44,119 |
Natural gas swaps
The Pasco project's operating margin was exposed to changes in natural gas prices for the second half of 2008 as a result of the expiry of its favorably-priced natural gas supply contract on June 30, 2008 before the expiry of its PPA at the end of 2008. In the second quarter of 2008, we entered into a series of financial swaps that effectively fixed the price of natural gas at the Pasco project during the second half of 2008 at a weighted average price of $12.24/Mmbtu.
These natural gas swaps are derivative financial instruments and were recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the natural gas swaps were recorded in change in fair value of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of operations. The natural gas swaps at Pasco expired in December 2008.
F-28
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
13. Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities (Continued)
Beginning January 1, 2009, a new ten-year PPA at the Pasco project requires the utility customers to provide natural gas needed to operate the plant and, as a result, the Pasco project is no longer exposed to changes in market prices of natural gas.
The Lake project's operating margin is exposed to changes in natural gas spot market prices from the expiration of its natural gas supply contract on June 30, 2009 through the expiration of its PPA on July 31, 2013. The Auburndale project purchases natural gas under a fuel supply agreement which provides approximately 80% of the Project's fuel requirements at fixed prices through June 30, 2012. The remaining 20% is purchased at spot market prices and therefore the Project is exposed to changes in natural gas prices for that portion of its gas requirements through the termination of the fuel supply agreement and 100% of its natural gas requirements from the expiry of the fuel contract in mid-2012 until the termination of its PPA.
We continue to execute our strategy to mitigate the future exposure to changes in natural gas prices at Lake and Auburndale by periodically entering into financial swaps that effectively fix the price of natural gas required at these projects. These natural gas swaps are derivative financial instruments and are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the natural gas swaps through June 30, 2009 were recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) as they were designated as a hedge of the risk associated with changes in market prices of natural gas. As of July 1, 2009, we have de-designated these natural gas swap hedges and the changes in their fair value are recorded in change in fair value of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of operations. Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income remaining prior to de-designation are amortized into the consolidated statements of operations over the remaining lives of the natural gas swaps.
Interest Rate Swaps
We have executed interest rate swaps on the revolving credit facility and at our consolidated Auburndale project to economically fix a portion of their respective exposure to changes in interest rates related to variable-rate debt. The interest rate swap agreements were designated as a cash flow hedge of the forecasted interest payments under the project-level Auburndale debt and the credit facility when they were executed in November 2008. The original interest rate swap expiration date for the Auburndale project-level debt was November 30, 2009. In November 2009, we executed a new interest rate swap designated as a cash flow hedge at Auburndale that expires on November 30, 2013. On November 30, 2009, we terminated the interest rate swap on the revolving credit facility when the remaining outstanding balance on the credit facility was repaid. The remaining amount in accumulated other comprehensive income for this swap was recorded as interest expense in the statements of operations.
The interest rate swaps are derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges. The instruments are recorded in the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).
We did not record accumulated other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2007 because we did not utilize hedge accounting for any of our derivatives. The following table
F-29
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
13. Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities (Continued)
summarizes the effects of applying hedge accounting on accumulated other comprehensive income balance attributable to hedged derivatives, net of tax:
Year ended December 31, 2009
|
Interest Rate
Swaps |
Natural Gas
Swaps |
Total | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accumulated OCI balance at December 31, 2008 |
$ | (501 | ) | $ | (2,635 | ) | $ | (3,136 | ) | ||
Realized from OCI during the period: |
|||||||||||
Due to realization of previously deferred amounts |
528 | | 528 | ||||||||
Due to de-designation of cash flow hedge accounting |
| 4,299 | 4,299 | ||||||||
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
(565 | ) | (1,985 | ) | (2,550 | ) | |||||
Accumulated OCI balance at December 31, 2009 |
(538 | ) | (321 | ) | (859 | ) | |||||
Gains (losses) expected to be realized from OCI during the next 12 months, net of $674 tax |
$ |
|
$ |
1,012 |
$ |
1,012 |
Year ended December 31, 2008
|
Interest Rate
Swaps |
Natural Gas
Swaps |
Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accumulated OCI balance at December 31, 2007 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
(501 | ) | (2,635 | ) | (3,136 | ) | ||||
Accumulated OCI balance at December 31, 2008 |
(501 | ) | (2,635 | ) | (3,136 | ) | ||||
14. Income taxes
|
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Current income tax expense (benefit) |
$ | (9,257 | ) | $ | 449 | $ | 4,816 | |||
Deferred tax expense (benefit) |
(6,436 | ) | (14,009 | ) | 12,289 | |||||
Total income tax expense (benefit) |
$ | (15,693 | ) | $ | (13,560 | ) | $ | 17,105 |
The following is a reconciliation of income taxes calculated at the Canadian enacted statutory rate of 30%, 33.5% and 36.12% at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, to the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations:
|
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Computed income taxes at Canadian statutory rate |
$ | (16,254 | ) | $ | 11,571 | $ | (4,873 | ) | |||
Decrease resulting from: |
|||||||||||
Operating countries with different income tax rates |
(5,418 | ) | 2,245 | (523 | ) | ||||||
|
(21,672 | ) | 13,816 | (5,396 | ) | ||||||
Valuation allowance |
22,005 | (37,111 | ) | 46,266 | |||||||
|
333 | (23,295 | ) | 40,870 | |||||||
Non-taxable foreign-source income |
|
|
(475 |
) |
|||||||
Permanent differences |
(1,131 | ) | 10,787 | (10,754 | ) | ||||||
Canadian loss carryforwards |
(13,204 | ) | (2,787 | ) | (12,051 | ) | |||||
Branch profits tax |
| 2,368 | 993 | ||||||||
Prior year true-up |
(1,970 | ) | (841 | ) | (1,544 | ) | |||||
Other |
279 | 208 | 66 | ||||||||
|
(16,026 | ) | 9,735 | (23,765 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
$ | (15,693 | ) | $ | (13,560 | ) | $ | 17,105 |
F-30
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
14. Income taxes (Continued)
The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2009 and 2008 are presented below:
|
2009 | 2008 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deferred tax assets: |
||||||||
Intangible assets |
$ | 45,237 | $ | 45,078 | ||||
Loss carryforwards |
62,926 | 41,514 | ||||||
Other accrued liabilities |
16,212 | 15,885 | ||||||
Unrealized foreign exchange loss on subordinated notes |
| 4,474 | ||||||
IPS issuance costs |
1,374 | 540 | ||||||
Natural gas and interest rate hedges |
573 | 2,092 | ||||||
Total deferred tax assets |
126,322 | 109,583 | ||||||
Valuation allowance |
(67,131 | ) | (45,126 | ) | ||||
|
59,191 | 64,457 | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
||||||||
Property, plant and equipment |
(69,639 | ) | (72,024 | ) | ||||
Unrealized foreign exchange gain |
(284 | ) | (6,713 | ) | ||||
Other |
| (1,378 | ) | |||||
Total deferred tax liabilities |
(69,923 | ) | (80,115 | ) | ||||
Net deferred tax asset (liability) |
$ | (10,732 | ) | $ | (15,658 | ) |
The following table summarizes the net deferred tax position as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Current deferred tax assets |
$ | 17,887 | $ | 11,121 | |||
Long-term deferred tax liabilities |
(28,619 | ) | (26,779 | ) | |||
Net deferred tax asset (liability) |
$ | (10,732 | ) | $ | (15,658 | ) |
As of December 31, 2009, we have recorded a valuation allowance of $67.1 million. This amount is comprised primarily of provisions against available Canadian and U.S net operating loss carryforwards. In assessing the recoverability of our deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon projected future taxable income in the United States and in Canada and available tax planning strategies.
As of December 31, 2009, we had the following net operating loss carryforwards that are scheduled to expire in the following years:
2014 |
$ | 6,093 | ||
2015 |
33,321 | |||
2026 |
35,848 | |||
2027 |
43,494 | |||
2028 |
41,806 | |||
2029 |
42,895 | |||
|
$ | 203,457 |
F-31
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
15. Common stock and normal course issuer bid
On November 27, 2009 the shareholders approved the conversion from the IPS Structure to a traditional common share structure. Each IPS has been exchanged for one new common share of and each old common share not forming part of an IPS was exchanged for approximately 0.44 of a new common share.
In 2008, we approved a normal course issuer bid to purchase up to four million IPSs, representing approximately 8% of Atlantic Power's public float at the same time. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, we acquired 481,600 and 558,620 IPSs at an average price of Cdn$8.42 and Cdn$8.78, respectively, under the terms of our existing normal course issuer bid. As of December 31, 2009, we have acquired a cumulative total of 1,040,220 IPSs at an average price of Cdn$8.61 since the inception of the issuer bid in July 2008. We paid the market price at the time of acquisition for any IPSs purchased through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange, and all IPSs acquired under the bid have been cancelled. The issuer bid expired on July 24, 2009.
16. Long-Term Incentive Plan
On March 30, 2009, March 26, 2008 and March 28, 2007, the Board of Directors approved grants of notional units to acquire a maximum of 267,408, 142,717 and 172,071 IPSs, respectively, under the terms of the LTIP. Subsequent to the Conversion, notional units for IPSs became notional units for common shares.
The weighted average fair value per notional unit granted was Cdn$7.27, Cdn$10.18 and Cdn$10.93 for the years ended December 31 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Compensation expense related to the LTIP was recorded in the amounts of $2.2 million, $0.8 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Fair value of the awards is determined by projecting the total number of notional units that will vest in future periods, including dividends received on notional units during the vesting period, and applying the current market price per share to the projected number of notional units that will vest. See Note 2(r) for information about the amended LTIP that will be effective beginning in 2010.
F-32
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16. Long-Term Incentive Plan (Continued)
The following table presents information related to the notional units:
|
Units |
Grant Date
Weighted-Average Price per Unit |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Outstanding at January 1, 2007 |
| $ | | ||||
Granted |
172,021 | 9.43 | |||||
Additional shares from dividends |
12,889 | 9.43 | |||||
Forfeited |
(5,882 | ) | 9.43 | ||||
Vested |
| | |||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2007 |
179,028 | 9.43 | |||||
Granted |
142,717 | 9.99 | |||||
Additional shares from dividends |
28,138 | 9.71 | |||||
Forfeited |
(37,944 | ) | 9.43 | ||||
Vested |
(48,346 | ) | 9.43 | ||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2008 |
263,593 | 9.76 | |||||
Granted |
267,408 | 5.76 | |||||
Additional shares from dividends |
49,540 | 7.80 | |||||
Forfeited |
| | |||||
Vested |
(109,260 | ) | 9.71 | ||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2009 |
471,281 | $ | 7.30 | ||||
17. Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding during their respective period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed including dilutive potential shares as if they were outstanding shares during the year. Dilutive potential shares include shares that would be issued if all of the convertible debentures were converted into shares at January 1, 2009. Dilutive potential shares also include the weighted average number of shares, as of the date such notional units were granted, that would be issued if the unvested notional units outstanding under the LTIP were vested and redeemed for shares under the terms of the LTIP.
Because we reported a loss during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2007, the effect of including potentially dilutive shares in the calculation during those periods is anti-dilutive.
The following table sets forth the weighted average number of shares outstanding and potentially dilutive shares utilized in per share calculations:
|
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic shares outstanding |
60,632 | 61,290 | 61,471 | ||||||||
Dilutive potential shares: |
|||||||||||
Convertible debentures |
5,095 | 4,839 | 4,839 | ||||||||
LTIP notional units |
476 | 221 | 156 | ||||||||
Fully diluted shares |
66,203 | 66,350 | 66,466 |
F-33
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
18. Segment and related information
We have six reportable segments: Path 15, Auburndale, Lake, Pasco Chambers and Other Project Assets.
We analyze the performance of our operating segments based on Project Adjusted EBITDA which is defined as project income less interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (including non-cash impairment charges) and changes in fair value of derivative instruments. Project Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure recognized under GAAP and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. We use unaudited Project Adjusted EBITDA to provide comparative information about project performance without considering how projects are capitalized or whether they contain derivative contracts that are required to be recorded at fair value. A reconciliation of project income to Project Adjusted EBITDA is set out below under "Project Adjusted EBITDA".
|
Path 15 | Auburndale | Lake | Pasco | Chambers |
Other
Project Assets |
Un-allocated
Corporate |
Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year ended December 31, 2009: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
$ | 31,000 | $ | 74,875 | $ | 62,285 | $ | 11,357 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 179,517 | |||||||||
Segment assets |
219,586 | 130,053 | 118,925 | 42,479 | | | 358,533 | 869,576 | |||||||||||||||||
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets |
| 321 | 1,278 | 355 | | | 62 | 2,016 | |||||||||||||||||
Project Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
27,691 |
$ |
35,221 |
$ |
25,378 |
$ |
3,299 |
$ |
13,595 |
$ |
38,995 |
$ |
|
$ |
144,179 |
|||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments |
| 2,118 | 5,064 | | (2,236 | ) | 101 | | 5,047 | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
8,511 | 19,780 | 10,098 | 2,987 | 3,392 | 22,875 | | 67,643 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
12,911 | 2,833 | (4 | ) | | 4,613 | 11,158 | | 31,511 | ||||||||||||||||
Other project (income) expense |
(1,230 | ) | | | (26 | ) | 1,227 | (8,408 | ) | | (8,437 | ) | |||||||||||||
Project income |
7,499 | 10,490 | 10,220 | 338 | 6,599 | 13,269 | | 48,415 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
| | | | | | 55,698 | 55,698 | |||||||||||||||||
Management fees and administration |
| | | | | | 26,028 | 26,028 | |||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange loss |
| | | | | | 20,506 | 20,506 | |||||||||||||||||
Other expense, net |
| | | | | | 362 | 362 | |||||||||||||||||
Loss from operations before income taxes |
7,499 | 10,490 | 10,220 | 338 | 6,599 | 13,269 | (102,594 | ) | (54,179 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
| | | | | | (15,693 | ) | (15,693 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net loss |
7,499 | 10,490 | 10,220 | 338 | 6,599 | 13,269 | (86,901 | ) | $ | (38,486 | ) |
F-34
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
18. Segment and related information (Continued)
|
Path 15 | Auburndale | Lake | Pasco | Chambers |
Other
Project Assets |
Un-allocated
Corporate |
Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year ended December 31, 2008: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
$ | 31,528 | $ | 10,003 | $ | 61,610 | $ | 58,897 | $ | | $ | 11,774 | $ | | $ | 173,812 | |||||||||
Segment assets |
235,198 | 151,524 | 130,083 | 52,925 | | | 338,265 | 907,995 | |||||||||||||||||
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets |
| | 814 | 175 | | | 113 | 1,102 | |||||||||||||||||
Project Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
28,872 |
$ |
4,461 |
$ |
32,892 |
$ |
21,953 |
$ |
27,603 |
$ |
58,908 |
$ |
|
$ |
174,689 |
|||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments |
| | | 3,378 | 2,491 | 24,045 | | 29,914 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
7,917 | 2,127 | 11,232 | 11,154 | 2,973 | 24,722 | | 60,125 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
13,232 | 225 | (32 | ) | 978 | 5,309 | 10,604 | | 30,316 | ||||||||||||||||
Other project expense |
| | | | 580 | 12,748 | | 13,328 | |||||||||||||||||
Project income |
7,723 | 2,109 | 21,692 | 6,443 | 16,250 | (13,211 | ) | | 41,006 | ||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
| | | | | | 43,275 | 43,275 | |||||||||||||||||
Management fees and administration |
| | | | | | 10,012 | 10,012 | |||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange gain |
| | | | | | (47,247 | ) | (47,247 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Other expense, net |
| | | | | | 425 | 425 | |||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes |
7,723 | 2,109 | 21,692 | 6,443 | 16,250 | (13,211 | ) | (6,465 | ) | 34,541 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
| | | | | | (13,560 | ) | (13,560 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
7,723 | 2,109 | 21,692 | 6,443 | 16,250 | (13,211 | ) | 7,095 | $ | 48,101 |
F-35
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
18. Segment and related information (Continued)
|
Path 15 | Auburndale | Lake | Pasco | Chambers |
Other
Project Assets |
Un-allocated
Corporate |
Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year ended December 31, 2007: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
$ | 34,524 | $ | | $ | 53,210 | $ | | $ | | $ | 25,523 | $ | | $ | 113,257 | |||||||||
Segment assets |
240,459 | | 137,641 | 79,442 | | | 423,209 | 880,751 | |||||||||||||||||
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets |
| | 2,886 | | | 13,294 | 670 | 16,850 | |||||||||||||||||
Project Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
31,564 |
$ |
|
$ |
28,042 |
$ |
14,225 |
$ |
28,028 |
$ |
83,359 |
$ |
|
$ |
185,218 |
|||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments |
| | | | | 21,693 | | 21,693 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
7,874 | | 11,261 | 7,468 | 3,462 | 29,076 | | 59,141 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
12,016 | | 9 | 747 | 8,375 | 11,278 | | 32,425 | |||||||||||||||||
Other project (income) expense |
| | 8,554 | (149 | ) | (410 | ) | (6,154 | ) | | 1,841 | ||||||||||||||
Project income |
11,674 | | 8,218 | 6,159 | 16,601 | 27,466 | | 70,118 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
| | | | | | 44,307 | 44,307 | |||||||||||||||||
Management fees and administration |
| | | | | | 8,815 | 8,185 | |||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange loss |
| | | | | | 30,142 | 30,142 | |||||||||||||||||
Other |
| | | | | | 975 | 975 | |||||||||||||||||
Loss from operations before income taxes |
11,674 | | 8,218 | 6,159 | 16,601 | 27,466 | (83,609 | ) | (13,491 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
| | | | | | 17,105 | 17,105 | |||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
11,674 | | 8,218 | 6,159 | 16,601 | 27,466 | (100,714 | ) | $ | (30,596 | ) |
Progress Energy Florida and the California Independent System Operator provide for 71.1%, 17.3%, respectively, of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009, 75.1% and 18.1% for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 57.8% and 24.2% for the year ended December 31, 2007. Progress Energy Florida purchases electricity from Auburndale and Lake and the California Independent System Operator makes payments to Path 15. In addition, during 2008 and 2007 Progress Energy Florida purchased electricity from Pasco.
19. Related party transactions
Prior to December 31, 2009, Atlantic Power was managed by Atlantic Power Management, LLC (the "Manager"), which was owned by two private equity funds managed by Arclight Capital Partners, LLC. On December 31, 2009, we terminated our management agreements with the Manager and have agreed to pay the ArcLight funds an aggregate of $15 million, to be satisfied by a payment of $6 million at the termination date, and additional payments of $5 million, $3 million and $1 million on the respective first, second and third anniversaries of the termination date. We have recorded the remaining liability associated with the termination fee at its estimated fair value of $8.1 million and recorded $14.1 million of expense, which includes the $6 million payment made on the termination date, in management fees and administration expense within administrative and other expenses in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, in accordance with the management agreement between Atlantic Power and the Manager, we incurred management and incentive fees of $0.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2008, we incurred management and
F-36
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
19. Related party transactions (Continued)
incentive fees of $0.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we incurred management and incentive fees of $0.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively.
On November 21, 2008, we acquired Auburndale from an entity owned by the ArcLight funds and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, which, at that time, owned approximately 19% of our IPSs and Cdn$36.5 million of our outstanding Subordinated Notes.
In connection with the our initial public offering, the ArcLight funds and the other original investor in Atlantic Holdings (the "Former Investors") acquired the right to request, at any time, that Atlantic Holdings purchase for cancellation all or any portion of the Former Investors' interests in Atlantic Holdings, subject to a minimum remaining 10% interest for a two-year period from November 18, 2004. The Former Investors exercised the liquidity right in a series of transactions between the initial public offering and February 2007.
At December 31, 2006, $74.4 million was held in escrow pending regulatory approval of a transaction whereby all of the remaining interests of the Former Investors were acquired by Atlantic Holdings. In February 2007, the required regulatory approval was obtained and the transaction was completed.
20. Commitments and contingencies
From time to time, Atlantic Power, its subsidiaries and the projects are parties to disputes and litigation that arise in the normal course of business. We assess our exposure to these matters and records estimated loss contingencies when a loss is likely and can be reasonably estimated. There are no matters pending as of December 31, 2009 which are expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
21. Subsequent events
These financial statements and notes reflect our evaluation of events occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date through June 16, 2010, the date the financial statements were issued.
In early 2010, the Board of Directors approved amendments to the LTIP. See Note 2(r) for additional information.
In March 2010, we agreed to invest an additional $2.0 million to increase our ownership interest in Rollcast to 60%. See Note 2(c) for additional information.
F-37
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(in thousands)
|
Balance at
Beginning of Period |
Charged to
Costs and Expenses |
Charged to
Other Accounts |
Deductions |
Balance at
End of Period |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Income tax valuation allowance, deducted from deferred tax assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2009 |
45,126 | 22,005 | | | 67,131 | |||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2008 |
82,237 | (37,111 | ) | | | 45,126 | ||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2007 |
35,971 | 46,266 | | | 82,237 |
F-38
ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
|
June 30,
2010 |
December 31,
2009 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 63,314 | $ | 49,850 | ||||
Restricted cash |
14,579 | 14,859 | ||||||
Accounts receivable |
18,433 | 17,480 | ||||||
Current portion of derivative instruments asset (Notes 7 and 8) |
4,251 | 5,619 | ||||||
Prepayments, supplies, and other |
4,019 | 3,019 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
15,106 | 17,887 | ||||||
Refundable income taxes |
10,588 | 10,552 | ||||||
Total current assets |
130,290 | 119,266 | ||||||
Property, plant, and equipment, net (Note 5) |
189,916 |
193,822 |
||||||
Transmission system rights (Note 5) |
192,059 | 195,984 | ||||||
Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates |
259,443 | 259,230 | ||||||
Other intangible assets, net (Note 5) |
64,810 | 71,770 | ||||||
Goodwill (Note 4) |
12,453 | 8,918 | ||||||
Derivative instruments asset (Notes 7 and 8) |
7,952 | 14,289 | ||||||
Other assets |
5,602 | 6,297 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 862,525 | $ | 869,576 | ||||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity |
||||||||
Current Liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 18,513 | $ | 21,661 | ||||
Revolving credit facility |
20,000 | | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 6) |
18,330 | 18,280 | ||||||
Current portion of derivative instruments liability (Notes 7 and 8) |
5,108 | 6,512 | ||||||
Interest payable on convertible debentures |
3,332 | 800 | ||||||
Dividends payable |
5,184 | 5,242 | ||||||
Other current liabilities |
10 | 752 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
70,477 | 53,247 | ||||||
Long-term debt (Note 6) |
214,527 |
224,081 |
||||||
Convertible debentures |
137,376 | 139,153 | ||||||
Derivative instruments liability (Notes 7 and 8) |
17,011 | 5,513 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
33,697 | 28,619 | ||||||
Other non-current liabilities |
4,802 | 4,846 | ||||||
Shareholders' equity |
||||||||
Common shares |
544,647 | 541,917 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 8) |
(194 | ) | (859 | ) | ||||
Retained deficit |
(163,299 | ) | (126,941 | ) | ||||
Noncontrolling interest (Note 4) |
3,481 | | ||||||
Total shareholders' equity |
384,635 | 414,117 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15) |
||||||||
Subsequent events (Note 16) |
| | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
$ | 862,525 | $ | 869,576 | ||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-39
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
|
Three months ended
June 30, |
Six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Project revenue: |
||||||||||||||
Energy sales |
$ | 16,659 | $ | 14,090 | $ | 32,572 | $ | 30,015 | ||||||
Energy capacity revenue |
23,195 | 22,112 | 46,389 | 44,224 | ||||||||||
Transmission services |
7,729 | 7,708 | 15,373 | 15,416 | ||||||||||
Other |
321 | 360 | 791 | 649 | ||||||||||
|
47,904 | 44,270 | 95,125 | 90,304 | ||||||||||
Project expenses: |
||||||||||||||
Fuel |
15,771 | 12,627 | 31,928 | 27,588 | ||||||||||
Operations and maintenance |
5,459 | 4,712 | 10,500 | 9,650 | ||||||||||
Project operator fees and expenses |
983 | 758 | 1,902 | 2,031 | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
10,071 | 10,588 | 20,142 | 21,254 | ||||||||||
|
32,284 | 28,685 | 64,472 | 60,523 | ||||||||||
Project other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments (Notes 7 and 8) |
992 | 469 | (11,202 | ) | 360 | |||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates |
3,026 | (982 | ) | 8,462 | 3,969 | |||||||||
Interest expense, net |
(4,308 | ) | (4,816 | ) | (8,719 | ) | (9,320 | ) | ||||||
Other income, net |
211 | 1,205 | 211 | 1,205 | ||||||||||
|
(79 | ) | (4,124 | ) | (11,248 | ) | (3,786 | ) | ||||||
Project income |
15,541 | 11,461 | 19,405 | 25,995 | ||||||||||
Administrative and other expenses (income): |
||||||||||||||
Management fees and administration |
3,843 | 3,105 | 7,943 | 5,484 | ||||||||||
Interest, net |
2,518 | 10,553 | 5,312 | 20,170 | ||||||||||
Foreign exchange loss (Note 8) |
4,224 | 12,929 | 2,432 | 9,506 | ||||||||||
Other income, net |
(26 | ) | (14 | ) | (26 | ) | (30 | ) | ||||||
|
10,559 | 26,573 | 15,661 | 35,130 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes |
4,982 | (15,112 | ) | 3,744 | (9,135 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) (Note 9) |
3,618 | (4,383 | ) | 8,491 | (2,649 | ) | ||||||||
Net income (loss) |
1,364 | (10,729 | ) | (4,747 | ) | (6,486 | ) | |||||||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest |
(81 | ) | | (129 | ) | | ||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Atlantic Power Corporation |
$ | 1,445 | $ | (10,729 | ) | $ | (4,618 | ) | $ | (6,486 | ) | |||
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Atlantic Power Corporation shareholders: (Note 11) |
||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.02 | $ | (0.18 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | |||
Diluted |
$ | 0.02 | $ | (0.18 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-40
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
|
Six months ended
June 30, |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 | 2009 | ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (4,747 | ) | $ | (6,486 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
20,142 | 21,254 | ||||||
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment |
| 333 | ||||||
Gain on step-up valuation of Rollcast acquisition |
(211 | ) | | |||||
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates |
(8,462 | ) | (3,969 | ) | ||||
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates |
5,718 | 13,021 | ||||||
Unrealized foreign exchange loss |
5,199 | 9,630 | ||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments |
11,202 | (360 | ) | |||||
Change in deferred income taxes |
7,416 | 564 | ||||||
Change in other operating balances |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
(953 | ) | 7,880 | |||||
Prepayments, refundable income taxes and other assets |
(481 | ) | (5,859 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
(956 | ) | (5,767 | ) | ||||
Other liabilities |
2,111 | 283 | ||||||
Cash provided by operating activites |
35,978 | 30,524 | ||||||
Cash flows used in investing activities: |
||||||||
Acquisitions and investments, net of cash acquired |
324 | (3,000 | ) | |||||
Change in restricted cash (Note 1) |
280 | 347 | ||||||
Biomass development costs |
(948 | ) | | |||||
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment |
| 167 | ||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
(1,520 | ) | (933 | ) | ||||
Cash used in investing activities |
(1,864 | ) | (3,419 | ) | ||||
Cash flows used in financing activities: |
||||||||
Shares acquired in normal course issuer bid (Note 14) |
| (3,369 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from revolving credit facility borrowings |
20,000 | | ||||||
Equity investment from noncontrolling interest |
200 | | ||||||
Dividends paid |
(31,709 | ) | (11,672 | ) | ||||
Repayment of project-level debt |
(9,141 | ) | (6,414 | ) | ||||
Cash used in financing activities |
(20,650 | ) | (21,455 | ) | ||||
Increase in cash and cash equivalents |
13,464 | 5,650 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
49,850 | 37,327 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 63,314 | $ | 42,977 | ||||
Supplemental cash flow information |
||||||||
Interest paid |
$ | 11,437 | $ | 29,162 | ||||
Income taxes paid (refunded), net |
$ | 1,045 | $ | 651 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-41
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Basis of presentation
Overview
Atlantic Power Corporation ("Atlantic Power") is a corporation established under the laws of the Province of Ontario on June 18, 2004 and continued to the Province of British Columbia on July 8, 2005. We issued income participating securities ("IPSs") for cash pursuant to an initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange, or the TSX, on November 18, 2004. Each IPS was comprised of one common share and Cdn$5.767 principal value of 11% subordinated notes due 2016. On November 27, 2009 our shareholders approved a conversion from the IPS structure to a traditional common share structure. Each IPS has been exchanged for one new common share and each old common share that did not form a part of an IPS was exchanged for approximately 0.44 of a new common share. Our shares trade on the TSX under the symbol "ATP" and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol "AT" on July 23, 2010.
Our current portfolio consists of interests in 12 operational power generation projects across eight states, one wind project under construction in Idaho, a 500 kilovolt 84-mile electric transmission line located in California, and six development projects in five states. Our power generation projects in operation have an aggregate gross electric generation capacity of approximately 1,823 megawatts (or "MW"), in which our ownership interest is approximately 808 MW.Four of our projects are wholly-owned subsidiaries: Lake Cogen, Ltd., Pasco Cogen, Ltd., Auburndale Power Partners, L.P. and Atlantic Path 15, LLC. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") with a reconciliation to Canadian GAAP in Note 17. The Canadian securities legislation allow issuers that are required to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") in the United States to file financial statements under United States GAAP to meet their continuous disclosure obligations in Canada. Prior to 2010, we prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with Canadian GAAP.
The interim consolidated financial statements do not contain all the disclosures required by United States and Canadian GAAP. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the SEC's regulations for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. The accounting policies we follow are set forth below in Note 2, Summary of significant accounting policies. The interim consolidated financial statements follow the same accounting principles and methods of application as the most recent annual consolidated financial statements as there are no material differences in our accounting policies between United States and Canadian GAAP at June 30, 2010 other than as denoted in Note 17. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contain all material adjustments consisting of normal and recurring accruals necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position as of June 30, 2010, the results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, and our cash flows for the six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2010, changes in restricted cash in the consolidated statement of cash flows have been reported as an investing activity to reflect the use of the restricted cash in the current period. In previous periods, changes in restricted cash were reported as cash flows from operating activities. The prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. This reclassification does not impact the consolidated balance sheet or the consolidated
F-42
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
1. Basis of presentation (Continued)
statements of operations. We have changed the classification of restricted cash because the revised presentation is more widely used by companies in our industry.
2. Summary of significant accounting policies
(a) Basis of consolidation and accounting:
The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include the consolidated accounts and operations of our subsidiaries in which we have a controlling financial interest. The usual condition for a controlling financial interest is ownership of the majority of the voting interest of an entity. However, a controlling financial interest may also exist in entities, such as a variable interest entity, through arrangements that do not involve controlling voting interests.
As such, we apply the standard that requires consolidation of variable interest entities ("VIEs"), for which we are the primary beneficiary. The guidance requires a variable interest holder to consolidate a VIE if that party will absorb a majority of the expected losses of the VIE, receive the majority of the expected residual returns of the VIE, or both. We have determined that our investments are not VIEs by evaluating their design and capital structure. Accordingly, we record all of our investments that we do not financially control under the equity method of accounting.
We eliminate all intercompany accounts and transactions in consolidation.
(b) Use of estimates:
The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates. During the periods presented, we have made a number of estimates and valuation assumptions, including the fair values of acquired assets, the useful lives and recoverability of property, plant and equipment and power purchase agreements, the recoverability of equity investments, the recoverability of deferred tax assets, tax provisions, and the fair value of financial instruments and derivatives. In addition, estimates are used to test long-lived assets and goodwill for impairment and to determine the fair value of impaired assets. These estimates and valuation assumptions are based on present conditions and our planned course of action, as well as assumptions about future business and economic conditions. As better information becomes available or actual amounts are determinable, the recorded estimates are revised. Should the underlying valuation assumptions and estimates change, the recorded amounts could change by a material amount.
(c) Revenue:
We recognize energy sales revenue on a gross basis when electricity and steam are delivered under the terms of the related contracts. Revenue associated with capacity payments under the power purchase agreements ("PPAs") are recognized as the lesser of (1) the amount billable under the PPA or (2) an amount determined by the kilowatt hours made available during the period multiplied by the estimated average revenue per kilowatt hour over the term of the PPA.
Transmission services revenue is recognized as transmission services are provided. The annual revenue requirement for transmission services is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory
F-43
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Commission ("FERC") and is established through a rate-making process that occurs every three years. When actual cash receipts from transmission services revenue are different than the regulated revenue requirement because of timing differences, the over or under collections are deferred until the timing differences reverse in future periods.
(d) Use of fair value:
We utilize a fair value hierarchy that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and is applicable to fair value measurements of derivative contracts and other instruments that are subject to mark-to-market accounting. Refer to Note 7 for more information.
(e) Derivative financial instruments:
We use derivative financial instruments in the form of interest rate swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts to manage our current and anticipated exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We have also entered into natural gas supply contracts and natural gas forwards or swaps to minimize the effects of the price volatility of natural gas, which is a major production cost. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes; however, not all derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.
Derivative financial instruments not designated as a hedge are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.
The following table summarizes derivative financial instruments that are not designated as hedges and the accounting treatment in the consolidated statements of operations of the changes in fair value of such derivative financial instrument:
Derivative financial instrument
|
Classification of changes in fair value | |
---|---|---|
Foreign currency forward contracts | Foreign exchange loss (gain) | |
Lake natural gas swaps | Change in fair value of derivative instruments | |
Auburndale natural gas swaps | Change in fair value of derivative instruments | |
Interest rate swap | Change in fair value of derivative instruments |
Certain derivative instruments qualify for a scope exception to fair value accounting because they are considered normal purchases or normal sales. The availability of this exception is based upon the assumption that we have the ability and it is probable to deliver or take delivery of the underlying physical commodity. Derivatives that are considered to be normal purchases and normal sales are exempt from derivative accounting treatment and are recorded as executory contracts.
We have designated one of our interest rate swaps as a hedge of cash flows for accounting purposes. Tests are performed to evaluate hedge effectiveness and ineffectiveness at inception and on an ongoing basis, both retroactively and prospectively. Unrealized gains or losses on the interest rate swap designated as a hedge are deferred and recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged transactions occur and are recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of the cash flow hedge, if any, is immediately recognized in earnings.
F-44
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
(f) Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the related asset. As major maintenance occurs and parts are replaced on the plant's combustion and steam turbines, maintenance costs are either expensed or transferred to property, plant and equipment if the maintenance extends the useful lives of the major parts. These costs are depreciated over the parts' estimated useful lives, which is generally three to six years, depending on the nature of maintenance activity performed.
(g) Transmission system rights:
Transmission system rights are an intangible asset that represents the long-term right to approximately 72% of the capacity of the Path 15 transmission line in California. Transmission system rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over 30 years, the regulatory life of Path 15.
(h) Impairment of long-lived assets, non-amortizing intangible assets and equity method investments:
Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, transmission system rights and other intangible assets subject to depreciation and amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value.
Investments in and the operating results of 50%-or-less owned entities not required to be consolidated are included in the consolidated financial statements on the basis of the equity method of accounting. We review our investments in such unconsolidated entities for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investments may not be fully recoverable. Evidence of a loss in value that is other than temporary might include the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment, the inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment, failure of cash flow coverage ratio tests included in project-level non-recourse debt or, where applicable, estimated sales proceeds which are insufficient to recover the carrying amount of the investment. Our assessment as to whether any decline in value is other than temporary is based on our ability and intent to hold the investment and whether evidence indicating the carrying value of the investment is recoverable within a reasonable period of time outweighs evidence to the contrary. We generally consider our investments in our equity method investees to be strategic long-term investments. Therefore, we complete our assessments with a long-term view. If the fair value of the investment is determined to be less than the carrying value and the decline in value is considered to be other than temporary, the asset is written down to its fair value.
(i) Other intangible assets:
Other intangible assets include PPAs and fuel supply agreements at our projects.
Power purchase agreements are valued at the time of acquisition based on the contract prices under the PPAs compared to projected market prices. Fuel supply agreements are valued at the time of acquisition based on the contract prices under the fuel supply agreement compared to projected market
F-45
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
prices. The balances are presented net of accumulated amortization in the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization is recorded on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the agreement.
(j) Income taxes:
Income tax expense includes the current tax obligation or benefit and change in deferred income tax asset or liability for the period. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes and record deferred income taxes for all significant temporary differences. Income tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions are recognized when we determine that it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be ultimately sustained. Refer to Note 9 for more information.
(k) Foreign currency translation:
Our functional currency and reporting currency is the United States dollar. The functional currency of our subsidiaries and other investments is the United States dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in Canadian dollars are translated into United States dollars using the rate of exchange in effect at the end of the period. All transactions denominated in Canadian dollars are translated into United States dollars at average exchange rates.
(l) Long-term incentive plan:
The officers and other employees of Atlantic Power are eligible to participate in the Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") that was implemented in 2007. In the second quarter of 2010, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the LTIP and the amended plan was approved by our shareholders on June 29, 2010. The amended LTIP will be effective for grants beginning with the 2010 performance year. Under the amended LTIP, the notional units granted to plan participants will have the same characteristics as notional units under the old LTIP. However, the number of notional units that vest will be based, in part, on the total shareholder return of Atlantic Power compared to a group of peer companies in Canada. In addition, vesting of the notional units for officers of Atlantic Power will occur on a three-year cliff basis as opposed to ratable vesting over three years for grants made prior to the amendments.
Unvested notional units are entitled to receive dividends equal to the dividends per common share during the vesting period in the form of additional notional units. Unvested units are subject to forfeiture if the participant is not an employee at the vesting date or if we do not meet certain ongoing cash flow performance targets.
Compensation expense related to awards granted to participants in the LTIP is recorded over the vesting period based on the estimated fair value of the award on the grant date for notional units accounted for as equity awards and at each balance sheet date for notional units accounted for as liability awards. Fair value of the awards granted prior to the 2010 amendment is determined by projecting the total number of notional units that will vest in future periods, including dividends received on notional units during the vesting period, and applying the current market price per share to the projected number of notional units that will vest. The fair value of awards granted for the 2010 performance period with market vesting conditions is based upon a Monte Carlo simulation model on their grant date. The aggregate number of shares which may be issued from treasury under the LTIP is limited to one million. Unvested notional units are recorded as either a liability or equity award based on management's intended method of redeeming the notional units when they vest.
F-46
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
(m) Concentration of credit risk:
The financial instruments that potentially expose us to credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, derivatives and accounts receivable. Cash and restricted cash are held by major financial institutions that are also counterparties to our derivative contracts. We have long-term agreements to sell electricity, gas and steam to public utilities and corporations. We have exposure to trends within the energy industry, including declines in the creditworthiness of our customers. We do not normally require collateral or other security to support energy-related accounts receivable. We do not believe there is significant credit risk associated with accounts receivable due to payment history. See Note 12, Segment and related information , for a further discussion of customer concentrations.
(n) Segments:
We have six reportable segments: Path 15, Auburndale, Lake, Pasco, Chambers and Other Project Assets. Each of our projects is an operating segment. Based on similar economic and other characteristics, we aggregate several of the projects into the Other Project Assets reportable segment.
3. Comprehensive income (loss)
The following table summarizes the components of comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of $120 and $1,081, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, and net of tax of $109 and $(1,393), respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:
|
Three months ended
June 30, |
Six months ended
June 30, |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | 1,364 | $ | (10,729 | ) | $ | (4,747 | ) | $ | (6,486 | ) | ||
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedging activity |
180 | 1,622 | 164 | (2,089 | ) | ||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
$ | 1,544 | $ | (9,107 | ) | $ | (4,583 | ) | $ | (8,575 | ) | ||
4. Acquisitions
Rollcast
On March 31, 2009, we acquired a 40% equity interest in Rollcast Energy, Inc., a North Carolina Corporation for $3.0 million in cash. On March 1, 2010, we paid $1.2 million in cash for an additional 15% of the shares of Rollcast, increasing our interest from 40% to 55% and providing us control of Rollcast. We consolidated Rollcast as of this date. We previously accounted for our 40% interest in Rollcast as an equity method investment. On April 28, 2010, we paid an additional $0.8 million to increase our ownership interest in Rollcast to 60%.
Rollcast is a developer of biomass power plants in the southeastern U.S. with five, 50 MW projects in various stages of development. The investment in Rollcast gives us the option but not the obligation to invest equity in Rollcast's biomass power plants.
F-47
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
4. Acquisitions (Continued)
The following table summarizes the consideration transferred to acquire Rollcast and the preliminary estimated amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, as well as the fair value of the non-controlling interest in Rollcast at the acquisition date:
Fair value of consideration transferred: |
|||||
Cash |
$ | 1,200 | |||
Other items to be allocated to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed: |
|||||
Fair value of our investment in Rollcast at the acquisition date |
2,758 | ||||
Fair value of noncontrolling interest in Rollcast |
3,410 | ||||
Gain recognized on the step acquisition |
211 | ||||
Total |
$ | 7,579 | |||
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed: |
|||||
Cash |
$ | 1,524 | |||
Property, plant and equipment |
130 | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
133 | ||||
Capitalized development costs |
2,705 | ||||
Trade and other payables |
(448 | ) | |||
Total identifiable net assets |
4,044 | ||||
Goodwill |
3,535 | ||||
|
$ | 7,579 | |||
As a result of obtaining control over Rollcast, our previously held 40% interest was remeasured to fair value, resulting in a gain of $0.2 million. This has been recognized in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations.
The fair value of the noncontrolling interest of $3.4 million in Rollcast was estimated by applying an income approach using the discounted cash flow method. This fair value measurement is based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 fair value measurement. The fair value estimate utilized an assumed discount rate of 9.4% which is composed of a risk-free rate and an equity risk premium determined by the capital asset pricing of companies deemed to be similar to Rollcast. The estimate assumed that no fair value adjustments are required because of the lack of control or lack of marketability that market participants would consider when estimating the fair value of the noncontrolling interest in Rollcast.
The goodwill is attributable to the value of future biomass power plant development opportunities. It is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. All of the $3.5 million of goodwill was assigned to the Other Project Assets segment.
F-48
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
5. Accumulated depreciation and amortization
The following table presents accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment and the accumulated amortization of transmission system rights and other intangible assets as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
|
June 30,
2010 |
December 31,
2009 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Property, plant and equipment |
$ | 80,154 | $ | 74,567 | |||
Transmission system rights |
39,611 | 35,685 | |||||
Other intangible assets |
55,800 | 45,368 |
6. Long-term debt
Long-term debt represents our consolidated share of project long-term debt and the unamortized balance of purchase accounting adjustments that were recorded in connection with the Path 15 acquisition in order to adjust the debt to its fair value on the acquisition date. Project debt is non-recourse to Atlantic Power and generally amortizes during the term of the respective revenue generating contracts of the projects.
|
June 30,
2010 |
December 31,
2009 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Project debt, interest rates ranging from 5.1% to 9.0% maturing through 2028 |
$ | 221,190 | $ | 230,331 | |||
Purchase accounting fair value adjustments |
11,667 | 12,030 | |||||
Less: current portion of long-term debt |
(18,330 | ) | (18,280 | ) | |||
Long-term debt |
$ | 214,527 | $ | 224,081 | |||
Project-level debt is secured by the respective projects and their contracts with no other recourse to us. At June 30, 2010, all of our projects were in compliance with the covenants contained in project-level debt.
F-49
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
7. Fair value of financial instruments
The following represents the fair value hierarchy of our financial assets and liabilities that were recognized at fair value as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. Financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
|
June 30, 2010 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 63,314 | $ | | $ | | $ | 63,314 | ||||||
Restricted cash |
14,579 | | | 14,579 | ||||||||||
Derivative instruments asset |
| 12,203 | | 12,203 | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 77,893 | $ | 12,203 | $ | | $ | 90,096 | ||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||
Derivative instruments liability |
$ | | $ | 22,119 | $ | | $ | 22,119 | ||||||
Total |
$ | | $ | 22,119 | $ | | $ | 22,119 | ||||||
|
December 31, 2009 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 49,850 | $ | | $ | | $ | 49,850 | ||||||
Restricted cash |
14,859 | | | 14,859 | ||||||||||
Derivative instruments asset |
| 19,908 | | 19,908 | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 64,709 | $ | 19,908 | $ | | $ | 84,617 | ||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||
Derivative instruments liability |
| 12,025 | | 12,025 | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | | $ | 12,025 | $ | | $ | 12,025 | ||||||
We adjust the fair value of financial assets and liabilities to reflect credit risk, which is calculated based on our credit rating or the credit rating of our counterparties. As of June 30, 2010, the credit reserve resulted in a $1.3 million net increase in fair value, which is comprised of a $0.3 million gain in other comprehensive income and a $1.1 million gain in change in fair value of derivative instruments offset by a $0.1 million loss in foreign exchange.
F-50
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities
Fair value of derivative instruments
We have elected to disclose derivative instruments assets and liabilities on a trade-by-trade basis and do not offset amounts at the counterparty master agreement level. The following table summarizes the fair value of our derivative assets and liabilities:
|
June 30, 2010 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Derivative
Assets |
Derivative
Liabilities |
||||||
Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges: |
||||||||
Interest rate swap contract current |
$ | | $ | 479 | ||||
Interest rate swap contract long-term |
| 141 | ||||||
Total derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges |
| 620 | ||||||
Derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges: |
||||||||
Interest rate swap contract current |
| 1,190 | ||||||
Interest rate swap contract long-term |
| 2,387 | ||||||
Foreign currency forward contracts current |
4,251 | | ||||||
Foreign currency forward contracts long-term |
7,952 | | ||||||
Natural gas swap contracts current |
| 3,439 | ||||||
Natural gas swap contracts long-term |
| 14,483 | ||||||
Total derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges |
12,203 | 21,499 | ||||||
Total derivative instruments |
$ | 12,203 | $ | 22,119 | ||||
|
December 31, 2009 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Derivative
Assets |
Derivative
Liabilities |
||||||
Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges: |
||||||||
Interest rate swap contract current |
$ | | $ | 726 | ||||
Interest rate swap contract long-term |
| 167 | ||||||
Total derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges |
| 893 | ||||||
Derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges: |
||||||||
Interest rate swap contract current |
| 1,705 | ||||||
Interest rate swap contract long-term |
| 1,707 | ||||||
Foreign currency forward contracts current |
5,619 | | ||||||
Foreign currency forward contracts long-term |
14,289 | | ||||||
Natural gas swap contracts current |
95 | 4,174 | ||||||
Natural gas swap contracts long-term |
14 | 3,655 | ||||||
Total derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges |
20,017 | 11,241 | ||||||
Total derivative instruments |
$ | 20,017 | $ | 12,134 | ||||
F-51
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities (Continued)
Natural gas swaps
The Lake project's operating margin is exposed to changes in natural gas spot market prices from the expiration of its natural gas supply contract on June 30, 2009 through the expiration of its PPA on July 31, 2013. The Auburndale project purchases natural gas under a fuel supply agreement which provides approximately 80% of the project's fuel requirements at fixed prices through June 30, 2012. The remaining 20% is purchased at spot market prices and therefore the project is exposed to changes in natural gas prices for that portion of its gas requirements through the termination of the fuel supply agreement and 100% of its natural gas requirements from the expiry of the fuel contract in mid-2012 until the termination of its PPA at the end of 2013.
Our strategy to mitigate the future exposure to changes in natural gas prices at Lake and Auburndale consists of periodically entering into financial swaps that effectively fix the price of natural gas required at these projects. These natural gas swaps are derivative financial instruments and are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the natural gas swaps through June 30, 2009 were recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) as they were designated as a hedge of the risk associated with changes in market prices of natural gas. As of July 1, 2009, we de-designated these natural gas swap hedges and the changes in their fair value subsequent to July 1, 2009 are now recorded in change in fair value of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of operations. Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) remaining prior to de-designation are amortized into the consolidated statements of operations over the remaining lives of the natural gas swaps.
Interest Rate Swaps
We have executed an interest rate swap at our consolidated Auburndale project to economically fix a portion of its exposure to changes in interest rates related to its variable-rate debt. The interest rate swap agreement was designated as a cash flow hedge of the forecasted interest payments under the project-level Auburndale debt. The interest rate swap was executed in November 2009 and expires on November 30, 2013.
The interest rate swap is a derivative financial instrument designated as a cash flow hedge. The instrument is recorded in the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Impact of derivative instruments on the consolidated income statements
Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges have been recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as a gain in other comprehensive income of $0.3 million for each of the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010. Realized losses on these interest rate swaps of $0.2 million and $0.4 million were recorded in interest expense, net for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010.
Unrealized gains and losses on natural gas swaps designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of operations. In the period in which the unrealized gains and losses are settled, the cash settlement payments are recorded as fuel expense. Other comprehensive loss recorded for natural gas swap contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges totaled $5.1 million, net of tax, prior to July 1, 2009 when hedge accounting for these natural gas swaps was discontinued prospectively. Amortization of the loss of $0.4 million and $0.8 million was recorded
F-52
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities (Continued)
in change in fair value of derivative instruments for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010.
Unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in change in fair value of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of operations.
The following table summarizes realized gains and losses for derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges:
|
Classification of (gain) loss
recognized in income |
Three months
ended June 30, 2010 |
Six months
ended June 30, 2010 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Natural gas swaps |
Fuel | $ | 2,621 | $ | 4,439 | ||||
Foreign currency forwards |
Foreign exchange gain | (1,599 | ) | (2,767 | ) | ||||
Interest rate swaps |
Interest, net | 474 | 949 |
Unrealized gains and losses associated with changes in the fair value of derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges and ineffectiveness of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are reflected in current period earnings. The following table summarizes the pre-tax changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedges:
|
Three months
ended June 30, |
Six months
ended June 30, |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments: |
||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps |
$ | (120 | ) | $ | 469 | $ | (166 | ) | $ | 360 | ||||
Natural gas swaps |
1,112 | | (11,036 | ) | | |||||||||
|
$ | 992 | $ | 469 | $ | (11,202 | ) | $ | 360 | |||||
Notional volumes of derivative transactions
The following table summarizes the net notional volume of our derivative transactions by type, excluding those derivatives that qualified for the normal purchases and normal sales exception as of June 30, 2010:
|
Units |
Notional amount
as of June 30, 2010 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Interest rate swaps |
US$ | $ | 10,219 | |||
Currency forwards |
Cdn$ | $ | 257,700 | |||
Natural gas swaps |
Mmbtu | 15,900 |
F-53
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities (Continued)
Foreign currency forward contracts
We use forward foreign currency contracts to manage our exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates, as we generate cash flow in U.S. dollars but pay dividends to shareholders and interest on convertible debentures predominantly in Canadian dollars. We have a hedging strategy for the purpose of reinforcing the long-term sustainability of dividends to shareholders. We have executed this strategy by entering into forward contracts to purchase Canadian dollars at a fixed rate of Cdn$1.134 per U.S. dollar in amounts sufficient to make monthly dividend payments at the current annual dividend level of Cdn$1.094 per common share, as well as interest payments on our 6.25% convertible debentures due March 15, 2017 (the "2009 Debentures"), through December 2013.
In addition, we have executed forward contracts to purchase Canadian dollars at fixed rates of exchange sufficient to make semi-annual payments on our 6.50% convertible secured debentures due October 31, 2014 (the "2006 Debentures"). The contracts provide for the purchase of Cdn$1.9 million in April and in October of each year through 2011 at a rate of Cdn$1.1075 per U.S. dollar. It is our intention to periodically consider extending the length of these forward contracts.
The foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded at estimated fair value based on quoted market prices and our estimation of the counterparty's credit risk. The fair value of our forward foreign currency contracts at June 30, 2010 is an asset of $12.2 million. Changes in the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in foreign exchange (gain) loss in the consolidated statements of operations.
The following table contains the components of recorded foreign exchange (gain) loss for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:
|
Three months
ended June 30, |
Six months
ended June 30, |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss: |
||||||||||||||
Subordinated notes and convertible debentures |
$ | (6,486 | ) | $ | 30,401 | $ | (2,505 | ) | $ | 17,635 | ||||
Forward contracts and other |
12,309 | (16,792 | ) | 7,704 | (8,005 | ) | ||||||||
|
5,823 | 13,609 | 5,199 | 9,630 | ||||||||||
Realized foreign exchange gains on forward contract settlements |
(1,599 | ) | (680 | ) | (2,767 | ) | (124 | ) | ||||||
|
$ | 4,224 | $ | 12,929 | $ | 2,432 | $ | 9,506 | ||||||
The following table illustrates the impact on our financial instruments of a 10% hypothetical change in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to the Canadian dollar as of June 30, 2010:
Convertible debentures |
$ | 13,738 | ||
Foreign currency forward contracts |
26,133 |
F-54
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities (Continued)
The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI") balance attributable to derivative financial instruments designated as a hedge, net of a 40% effective tax rate:
For the three month period ended June 30, 2010
|
Interest Rate
Swaps |
Natural Gas
Swaps |
Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accumulated OCI balance at March 31, 2010 |
$ | (554 | ) | $ | (73 | ) | $ | (627 | ) | |
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
391 | | 391 | |||||||
Realized from OCI during the period |
(211 | ) | 253 | 42 | ||||||
Accumulated OCI balance at June 30, 2010 |
$ | (374 | ) | $ | 180 | $ | (194 | ) | ||
For the six month period ended June 30, 2010
|
Interest Rate
Swaps |
Natural Gas
Swaps |
Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accumulated OCI balance at December 31, 2009 |
$ | (538 | ) | $ | (321 | ) | $ | (859 | ) | |
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
595 | | 595 | |||||||
Realized from OCI during the period |
(431 | ) | 501 | 70 | ||||||
Accumulated OCI balance at June 30, 2010 |
$ | (374 | ) | $ | 180 | $ | (194 | ) | ||
9. Income taxes
The difference between the actual tax expense of $3.6 million and $8.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively, and the expected income tax expense, based on the Canadian enacted statutory rate of 30%, of $1.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively, is primarily due to an increase in the valuation allowance and various other permanent differences. The difference between the actual tax expense and the expected income tax for the six months ended June 30, 2010 primarily relates to a $2.0 million increase in the valuation allowance, a $3.3 million permanent difference related to the estimated percentage ownership at Selkirk based on the priority distribution computation, $0.5 million for dividend withholding taxes and $1.2 million of various other permanent differences.
|
Three months
ended June 30, |
Six months
ended June 30, |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||
Current income tax expense (benefit) |
$ | 1,038 | $ | (1,743 | ) | $ | 1,075 | $ | (3,213 | ) | |||
Deferred tax expense (benefit) |
2,580 | (2,640 | ) | 7,416 | 564 | ||||||||
Total income tax expense (benefit) |
$ | 3,618 | $ | (4,383 | ) | $ | 8,491 | $ | (2,649 | ) | |||
Valuation Allowance
As of June 30, 2010, we have recorded a valuation allowance of $69.1 million. This amount is comprised primarily of provisions against available Canadian and U.S net operating loss carryforwards. In assessing the recoverability of our deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon projected future taxable income in the United States and in Canada and available tax planning strategies.
F-55
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
10. Long-Term Incentive Plan
The following table summarizes the changes in outstanding LTIP notional units during the six months ended June 30, 2010:
|
Units |
Grant Date
Weighted-Average Price per Unit |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Outstanding at December 31, 2009 |
471,281 | $ | 7.30 | ||||
Granted |
305,112 | $ | 12.16 | ||||
Additional shares from dividends |
27,489 | $ | 8.94 | ||||
Vested |
(222,266 | ) | $ | 3.13 | |||
Outstanding at June 30, 2010 |
581,616 | $ | 9.68 | ||||
In the second quarter of 2010, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the LTIP. The amended LTIP will be effective for grants beginning with the 2010 performance year. Under the amended LTIP, the notional units granted to plan participants will have the same characteristics as notional units under the old LTIP. However, the number of notional units that vest will be based, in part, on the total shareholder return of Atlantic Power compared to a group of peer companies in Canada. In addition, vesting of the notional units for officers of Atlantic Power will occur on a three year cliff basis as opposed to ratable vesting over three years for grants made prior to the amendments.
Vested notional units will be redeemed one-third in cash and two-thirds in shares of our common stock. Notional units granted that are expected to be redeemed in cash upon vesting are accounted for as liability awards. Notional units granted that are expected to be redeemed in common shares upon vesting are accounted for as equity awards. Notional units granted prior to the 2010 performance period are subject to the vesting conditions of the LTIP before the amendments made in 2010. We reclassified the portion of outstanding awards expected to vest in common shares totaling $1.4 million from accounts payable and accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities to common shares as of the date the LTIP was modified. The amended LTIP was approved by our shareholders on June 29, 2010.
On March 29, 2010, our board of directors approved the grant of 138,892 notional LTIP units for the 2009 performance period under the terms of the LTIP before the 2010 amendments. In May 2010, our board of directors approved the initial grant of 83,110 notional LTIP units for executive officers under the amended LTIP for the 2010-2012 performance period, subject to final shareholder approval of the amended LTIP, which occurred on June 29, 2010. Also in May 2010 and subject to the final shareholder approval of the amended LTIP, our board of directors granted transition awards to our executive officers consisting of an additional 83,110 notional LTIP units. The transition awards are designed to mitigate the impact of the changes in vesting provisions of the LTIP from a ratable vesting over three years to cliff vesting at the end of three years. The transition awards are subject to the performance measurement and other provisions of the amended LTIP, except that 1 / 3 of the transition awards vest in March 2011 and the other 2 / 3 vest in March 2012.
The notional units, other than the transition awards, granted under the amended LTIP cliff-vest three years after the grant date. The final number of notional units that will vest, if any, at the end of the three year vesting period will be based on the Company's achievement of target levels of relative total shareholder return, which is the change in the value of an investment in the Company's common stock, including reinvestment of dividends, compared to that of a peer group of companies during the performance period. The total number of notional units vesting could equal up to a maximum 150% of
F-56
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
10. Long-Term Incentive Plan (Continued)
the number of notional units in the executives' accounts on the vesting date for that award, depending on the level of achievement of target levels of total shareholder return during the measurement period.
For new awards granted under the amended LTIP, we record compensation expense ratably from the grant date through the end of the performance period based on the grant date fair value. Compensation expense is recognized regardless of whether the total shareholder return market condition is satisfied, provided that the LTIP participant remains employed by the Company. The fair value of the outstanding notional units at June 30, 2010, $2.0 million, is based upon a Monte Carlo simulation model, which encompasses estimated total shareholder return during the performance period compared to the estimated total shareholder return of the peer companies.
In calculating the fair value of the award, the Monte Carlo simulation model utilizes multiple input variables over the performance period in order to determine the probability of satisfying the total shareholder return market condition stipulated in the award. The Monte Carlo simulation model computed simulated total shareholder return for the Company and for its peer companies during the remaining time in the performance period with the following inputs: (i) stock price on the measurement date (ii) expected volatility; (iii) risk-free interest rate; (iv) dividend yield and (v) correlations of historical common stock returns between the Company and the peer companies and among the peer companies. Expected volatilities utilized in the Monte Carlo model are based on historical volatility of the Company's and the peer companies' stock prices over a period equal in length to that of the remaining vesting period. The risk-free interest rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant with a term equal to the performance period assumption at the time of grant.
The calculation of simulated total shareholder return under the Monte Carlo model for the remaining time in the performance period included the following assumptions:
|
Six months
ended June 30, 2010 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Weighted average risk free rate of return |
0.9 | % | ||
Dividend yield |
9.4 | % | ||
Expected volatilityCompany |
45 | % | ||
Expected volatilitypeer companies |
30 - 60 | % | ||
Weighted average remaining measurement period |
1.8 years |
11. Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average common shares outstanding during their respective period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed including dilutive potential shares as if they were outstanding shares during the year. Dilutive potential shares include shares that would be issued if all of the convertible debentures were converted into shares at January 1, 2009. Dilutive potential shares also include the weighted average number of shares, as of the date such notional units were granted, that would be issued if the unvested notional units outstanding under the LTIP were vested and redeemed for shares under the terms of the LTIP.
Because we reported a loss for the six month period ended June 30, 2010 and the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009, the effect of including potentially dilutive shares in the calculation during those periods is anti-dilutive.
F-57
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
11. Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (Continued)
The following table sets forth the weighted average number of shares outstanding and potentially dilutive shares utilized in per share calculations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:
|
Three months
ended June 30, |
Six months
ended June 30, |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Basic shares outstanding |
60,481 | 60,600 | 60,443 | 60,769 | ||||||||||
Dilutive potential shares: |
||||||||||||||
Convertible debentures |
11,473 | 4,839 | 11,473 | 4,839 | ||||||||||
LTIP notional units |
409 | 539 | 402 | 425 | ||||||||||
Potentially dilutive shares |
72,363 | 65,978 | 72,318 | 66,033 | ||||||||||
12. Segment and related information
We have six reportable segments: Path 15, Auburndale, Lake, Pasco, Chambers and Other Project Assets.
We analyze the performance of our operating segments based on Project Adjusted EBITDA which is defined as project income less interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (including non-cash impairment charges) and changes in fair value of derivative instruments. Project Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure recognized under GAAP and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. We use unaudited Project Adjusted EBITDA to provide comparative information about project performance without considering how projects are capitalized or whether they contain derivative
F-58
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
12. Segment and related information (Continued)
contracts that are required to be recorded at fair value. A reconciliation of project income to Project Adjusted EBITDA is included in the table below.
|
Path 15 | Auburndale | Lake | Pasco | Chambers |
Other
Project Assets |
Un-allocated
Corporate |
Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Three month period ended June 30, 2010: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
$ | 7,729 | $ | 19,570 | $ | 17,842 | $ | 2,763 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 47,904 | |||||||||
Segment assets |
213,275 | 120,929 | 115,822 | 40,620 | | 8,322 | 363,557 | 862,525 | |||||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
8,918 | | | | | 3,535 | | 12,453 | |||||||||||||||||
Project Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 7,062 | $ | 10,431 | $ | 7,299 | $ | 1,002 | $ | 4,141 | $ | 8,591 | $ | | $ | 38,526 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments |
| 597 | (1,709 | ) | | (207 | ) | 1,529 | | 210 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
2,095 | 4,950 | 2,267 | 746 | 839 | 5,699 | | 16,596 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
3,096 | 415 | (4 | ) | | 1,651 | 939 | | 6,097 | ||||||||||||||||
Other project (income) expense |
| | | | 204 | (122 | ) | | 82 | ||||||||||||||||
Project income |
1,871 | 4,469 | 6,745 | 256 | 1,654 | 546 | | 15,541 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
| | | | | | 2,518 | 2,518 | |||||||||||||||||
Administration |
| | | | | | 3,843 | 3,843 | |||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange gain |
| | | | | | 4,224 | 4,224 | |||||||||||||||||
Other income, net |
| | | | | | (26 | ) | (26 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Loss from operations before income taxes |
1,871 | 4,469 | 6,745 | 256 | 1,654 | 546 | (10,559 | ) | 4,982 | ||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
990 | | | | | | 2,628 | 3,618 | |||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
$ | 881 | $ | 4,469 | $ | 6,745 | $ | 256 | $ | 1,654 | $ | 546 | $ | (13,187 | ) | $ | 1,364 | ||||||||
|
Path 15 | Auburndale | Lake | Pasco | Chambers |
Project
Assets |
Un-allocated Corporate | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Three month period ended June 30, 2009: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
$ | 7,708 | $ | 18,263 | $ | 15,239 | $ | 3,060 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 44,270 | |||||||||
Segment assets |
225,167 | 144,228 | 125,381 | 44,671 | | 3,215 | 331,261 | 873,923 | |||||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
8,918 | | | | | | | 8,918 | |||||||||||||||||
Project Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 6,931 | $ | 10,386 | $ | 7,723 | $ | 901 | $ | (1,128 | ) | $ | 9,172 | $ | | $ | 33,985 | ||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments |
| | | | (1,010 | ) | (1,311 | ) | | (2,321 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
2,115 | 4,949 | 2,777 | 747 | 844 | 5,990 | | 17,422 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
3,221 | 693 | | 3 | 2,015 | 2,555 | | 8,487 | |||||||||||||||||
Other project (income) expense |
(1,229 | ) | | 61 | (25 | ) | 207 | (78 | ) | | (1,064 | ) | |||||||||||||
Project income |
2,824 | 4,744 | 4,885 | 176 | (3,184 | ) | 2,016 | | 11,461 | ||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
| | | | | | 10,553 | 10,553 | |||||||||||||||||
Administration |
| | | | | | 3,105 | 3,105 | |||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange gain |
| | | | | | 12,929 | 12,929 | |||||||||||||||||
Other income, net |
| | | | | | (14 | ) | (14 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Loss from operations before income taxes |
2,824 | 4,744 | 4,885 | 176 | (3,184 | ) | 2,016 | (26,573 | ) | (15,112 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
| | | | | | (4,383 | ) | (4,383 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net loss |
$ | 2,824 | $ | 4,744 | $ | 4,885 | $ | 176 | $ | (3,184 | ) | $ | 2,016 | $ | (22,190 | ) | $ | (10,729 | ) | ||||||
F-59
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
12. Segment and related information (Continued)
|
Path 15 | Auburndale | Lake | Pasco | Chambers |
Other
Project Assets |
Un-allocated
Corporate |
Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Six month period ended June 30, 2010: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
$ | 15,373 | $ | 40,037 | $ | 34,083 | $ | 5,632 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 95,125 | |||||||||
Segment assets |
213,275 | 120,929 | 115,822 | 40,620 | | 8,322 | 363,557 | 862,525 | |||||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
8,918 | | | | | 3,535 | | 12,453 | |||||||||||||||||
Project Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 14,115 | $ | 19,802 | $ | 14,612 | $ | 2,417 | $ | 10,129 | $ | 16,200 | $ | | $ | 77,275 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments |
| 4,809 | 6,226 | | (380 | ) | 2,074 | | 12,729 | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
4,194 | 9,898 | 4,536 | 1,492 | 1,676 | 11,186 | | 32,982 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
6,242 | 886 | (6 | ) | | 3,327 | 1,429 | | 11,878 | ||||||||||||||||
Other project (income) expense |
| | | | 403 | (122 | ) | | 281 | ||||||||||||||||
Project income |
3,679 | 4,209 | 3,856 | 925 | 5,103 | 1,633 | | 19,405 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
| | | | | | 5,312 | 5,312 | |||||||||||||||||
Administration |
| | | | | | 7,943 | 7,943 | |||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange gain |
| | | | | | 2,432 | 2,432 | |||||||||||||||||
Other income, net |
| | | | | | (26 | ) | (26 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Loss from operations before income taxes |
3,679 | 4,209 | 3,856 | 925 | 5,103 | 1,633 | (15,661 | ) | 3,744 | ||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
1,739 | | | | | | 6,752 | 8,491 | |||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
$ | 1,940 | $ | 4,209 | $ | 3,856 | $ | 925 | $ | 5,103 | $ | 1,633 | $ | (22,413 | ) | $ | (4,747 | ) | |||||||
|
Path 15 | Auburndale | Lake | Pasco | Chambers |
Other
Project Assets |
Un-allocated
Corporate |
Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Six month period ended June 30, 2009: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
$ | 15,416 | $ | 37,989 | $ | 31,104 | $ | 5,795 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 90,304 | |||||||||
Segment assets |
225,167 | 144,228 | 125,381 | 44,671 | | 3,215 | 331,261 | 873,923 | |||||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
8,918 | | | | | | | 8,918 | |||||||||||||||||
Project Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 13,833 | $ | 18,547 | $ | 15,621 | $ | 2,869 | $ | 5,024 | $ | 19,161 | $ | | $ | 75,055 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments |
| | | | (1,524 | ) | 935 | | (589 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
4,311 | 9,882 | 5,566 | 1,494 | 1,687 | 12,065 | | 35,005 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
6,444 | 1,314 | (6 | ) | (43 | ) | 4,029 | 3,875 | | 15,613 | |||||||||||||||
Other project (income) expense |
(1,229 | ) | | 62 | (25 | ) | 410 | (187 | ) | | (969 | ) | |||||||||||||
Project income |
4,307 | 7,351 | 9,999 | 1,443 | 422 | 2,473 | | 25,995 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
| | | | | | 20,170 | 20,170 | |||||||||||||||||
Administration |
| | | | | | 5,484 | 5,484 | |||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange gain |
| | | | | | 9,506 | 9,506 | |||||||||||||||||
Other income, net |
| | | | | | (30 | ) | (30 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Loss from operations before income taxes |
4,307 | 7,351 | 9,999 | 1,443 | 422 | 2,473 | (35,130 | ) | (9,135 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
| | | | | | (2,649 | ) | (2,649 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net loss |
$ | 4,307 | $ | 7,351 | $ | 9,999 | $ | 1,443 | $ | 422 | $ | 2,473 | $ | (32,481 | ) | $ | (6,486 | ) | |||||||
F-60
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
12. Segment and related information (Continued)
Progress Energy Florida and the California Independent System Operator provide for 77% and 16%, respectively, of total consolidated revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 75% and 17% for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 77% and 16%, respectively, of total consolidated revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 76% and 17% for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Progress Energy Florida purchases electricity from Auburndale and Lake, and the California Independent System Operator makes payments to Path 15.
13. Related party transactions
Prior to December 31, 2009, Atlantic Power was managed by Atlantic Power Management, LLC (the "Manager"), which was owned by two private equity funds managed by Arclight Capital Partners, LLC ("ArcLight"). On December 31, 2009, we terminated our management agreements with the Manager and have agreed to pay the ArcLight funds an aggregate of $15 million, to be satisfied by a payment of $6 million that was made at the termination date, and additional payments of $5 million, $3 million and $1 million on the respective first, second and third anniversaries of the termination date. We recorded the remaining liability associated with the termination fee at its estimated fair value of $8.1 million at December 31, 2009. The contract termination liability is being accreted to the final amounts due over the term of these payments.
14. Normal course issuer bid
In 2008, we initiated a normal course issuer bid to purchase up to four million IPSs, representing approximately 8% of Atlantic Power's public float at that time. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, we acquired 481,600 IPSs at an average price of Cdn$8.42 under the terms of our existing normal course issuer bid. As of June 30, 2009, we had acquired a cumulative total of 1,040,220 IPSs at an average price of Cdn$8.61 since the inception of the issuer bid in July 2008. We paid the market price at the time of acquisition for any IPSs purchased through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange, and all IPSs acquired under the bid have been cancelled. The issuer bid expired on July 24, 2009.
15. Commitments and contingencies
From time to time, Atlantic Power, its subsidiaries and the projects are parties to disputes and litigation that arise in the normal course of business. We assess our exposure to these matters and record estimated loss contingencies when a loss is likely and can be reasonably estimated. There are no matters pending as of June 30, 2010 which are expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
16. Subsequent events
These financial statements and notes reflect our evaluation of events occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date through August 9, 2010, the date the interim consolidated financial statements were issued.
On July 2, 2010, we acquired a 27.6% equity interest in Idaho Wind Partners 1, LLC ("Idaho Wind") for approximately $40 million. Idaho Wind recently commenced construction of a 183 MW wind power project located near Twin Falls, Idaho, which is expected to be completed in late 2010 or early 2011. Idaho Wind has 20-year PPAs with Idaho Power Company. Our investment in Idaho Wind
F-61
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16. Subsequent events (Continued)
was funded with cash on hand and a $20 million borrowing under our senior credit facility. Idaho Wind will be accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
17. United States and Canadian accounting policy differences
In accordance with Canadian securities legislation, issuers that file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States are allowed to file financial statements under United States GAAP to meet their continuous disclosure obligations in Canada. We have included a reconciliation highlighting the material differences between our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with United States GAAP compared to its consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP below.
Consolidated reconciliation of net income and shareholders' equity
Net income (loss) and shareholders' equity reconciled to Canadian GAAP are as follows:
|
Three months ended
June 30, |
Six months ended
June 30, |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||
Net income (loss), based on United States GAAP |
$ | 1,364 | $ | (10,729 | ) | $ | (4,747 | ) | $ | (6,486 | ) | ||
Changes in fair value of power purchase agreement, net of tax(1) |
(4,593 | ) | 27,600 | (16,892 | ) | (10,126 | ) | ||||||
Projects accounted for under the cost method of accounting, net of tax(2) |
1,744 | 2,733 | 1,822 | 4,012 | |||||||||
Net income (loss), based on Canadian GAAP |
$ | (1,485 | ) | $ | 19,604 | $ | (19,817 | ) | $ | (12,600 | ) | ||
|
June 30, | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 | 2009 | |||||
Shareholders' equity, based on United States GAAP |
$ | 384,635 | $ | 130,510 | |||
Adjusted for cumulative effect of US/Canadian differences |
70,312 | 51,844 | |||||
|
454,947 | 182,354 | |||||
Net earnings for the period, Canadian GAAP |
(19,817 | ) | (12,600 | ) | |||
Shareholders' equity, based on Canadian GAAP |
$ | 435,130 | $ | 169,754 | |||
F-62
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
17. United States and Canadian accounting policy differences (Continued)
accounted for under the cost method for Canadian GAAP because there is not a different threshold for ownership interest in limited partnerships and we do not exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of these investments.
Earnings per share
|
Three months
ended June 30, |
Six months
ended June 30, |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Earnings per share under Canadian GAAP |
||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | (0.02 | ) | $ | 0.32 | $ | (0.33 | ) | $ | (0.21 | ) | |||
Diluted |
$ | (0.02 | ) | $ | 0.30 | $ | (0.33 | ) | $ | (0.21 | ) |
Condensed consolidated balance sheet
|
June 30,
2010 |
December 31,
2009 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Canadian GAAP)
|
(Canadian GAAP)
|
||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets |
$ | 151,215 | $ | 149,340 | ||||
Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates(1) |
57,877 | 61,037 | ||||||
Other long-term assets |
782,865 | 827,175 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 991,957 | $ | 1,037,552 | ||||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity |
||||||||
Current liabilities |
$ | 93,055 | $ | 77,471 | ||||
Other non-current liabilities |
463,772 | 480,398 | ||||||
Shareholders' equity: |
||||||||
Common shares |
544,034 | 541,304 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(194 | ) | (859 | ) | ||||
Retained deficit |
(112,191 | ) | (60,762 | ) | ||||
Noncontrolling interest |
3,481 | | ||||||
Total shareholders' equity |
435,130 | 479,683 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
$ | 991,957 | $ | 1,037,552 | ||||
F-63
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
17. United States and Canadian accounting policy differences (Continued)
Condensed consolidated statement of operations
|
Three months ended
June 30, |
Six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
|
(Canadian
GAAP) |
(Canadian
GAAP) |
(Canadian
GAAP) |
(Canadian
GAAP) |
||||||||||
Project Income |
||||||||||||||
Project revenue |
$ | 75,912 | $ | 73,242 | $ | 153,539 | $ | 156,792 | ||||||
Project expenses |
56,245 | 60,214 | 113,477 | 123,492 | ||||||||||
Project other expenses |
(12,321 | ) | 46,311 | (55,456 | ) | (20,289 | ) | |||||||
|
7,346 | 59,339 | (15,394 | ) | 13,011 | |||||||||
Administration and other expenses, net |
10,560 | 26,117 | 15,662 | 34,671 | ||||||||||
Loss from operations before income taxes |
(3,214 | ) | 33,222 | (31,056 | ) | (21,660 | ) | |||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(1,729 | ) | 13,618 | (11,239 | ) | (9,060 | ) | |||||||
Net income (loss) |
(1,485 | ) | 19,604 | (19,817 | ) | (12,600 | ) | |||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest |
(81 | ) | | (129 | ) | | ||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Atlantic Power Corporation |
$ | (1,404 | ) | $ | 19,604 | $ | (19,688 | ) | $ | (12,600 | ) | |||
Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows
|
Three months ended
June 30, |
Six months ended
June 30, |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||
|
(Canadian
GAAP) |
(Canadian
GAAP) |
(Canadian
GAAP) |
(Canadian
GAAP) |
|||||||||
Cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 17,398 | $ | 10,100 | $ | 40,976 | $ | 31,722 | |||||
Cash used in investing activities |
6,811 | 11,113 | (2,380 | ) | 656 | ||||||||
Cash used in financing activities |
(5,116 | ) | (17,243 | ) | (26,374 | ) | (26,756 | ) | |||||
Increase in cash and cash equivalents |
19,093 | 3,970 | 12,222 | 5,622 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
47,632 | 44,218 | 54,503 | 42,566 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | 66,725 | $ | 48,188 | $ | 66,725 | $ | 48,188 | |||||
F-64
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
F-65
The consolidated financial statements of Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and its subsidiary for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, are presented herein without the related report of independent accountants.
F-66
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2009 and 2008
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
|||||||||
Current assets |
|||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 4,038 | $ | 4,457 | |||||
Restricted cash |
5,299 | 6,760 | |||||||
Accounts receivable |
22,990 | 22,819 | |||||||
Inventory |
722 | 3,793 | |||||||
Derivative contracts |
12,852 | 19,434 | |||||||
Other assets |
1,747 | 1,700 | |||||||
Total current assets |
47,648 | 58,963 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
30,723 |
34,584 |
|||||||
Derivative contracts |
40,564 | 39,952 | |||||||
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $201,614 and $188,617, respectively |
179,466 | 192,396 | |||||||
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $15,633 and $15,134, respectively |
658 | 1,157 | |||||||
Other assets |
4,424 | 4,764 | |||||||
Total assets |
$ | 303,483 | $ | 331,816 | |||||
Liabilities and Partners' Capital |
|||||||||
Current liabilities |
|||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
$ | 44,579 | $ | 43,905 | |||||
Accounts payable |
12,941 | 16,079 | |||||||
Due to affiliates |
216 | 120 | |||||||
Accrued property taxes |
4,203 | 2,050 | |||||||
Other accrued liabilities |
3,860 | 4,742 | |||||||
Derivative contracts |
1,597 | 2,154 | |||||||
Total current liabilities |
67,396 | 69,050 | |||||||
Long-term debt |
84,474 | 129,053 | |||||||
Derivative contracts |
4,208 | 4,413 | |||||||
Other liabilities |
129 | 1,333 | |||||||
Total liabilities |
156,207 | 203,849 | |||||||
Commitments and contingencies |
|||||||||
Partners' capital |
|||||||||
General partners |
1,418 | 1,228 | |||||||
Limited partners |
145,858 | 126,739 | |||||||
Total partners' capital |
147,276 | 127,967 | |||||||
Total liabilities and partners' capital |
$ | 303,483 | $ | 331,816 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-67
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating revenues |
|||||||||
Energy |
$ | 97,316 | $ | 182,175 | |||||
Capacity |
86,341 | 106,933 | |||||||
Commodity sales |
44,585 | 60,219 | |||||||
Transmission |
11,080 | 11,038 | |||||||
Total operating revenues |
239,322 | 360,365 | |||||||
Operating expenses |
|||||||||
Fuel |
89,567 | 180,822 | |||||||
Operations and maintenance |
25,739 | 19,264 | |||||||
Commodity cost of sales |
34,339 | 46,651 | |||||||
Transmission |
8,636 | 12,191 | |||||||
General and administrative |
5,291 | 5,344 | |||||||
Depreciation |
12,997 | 13,112 | |||||||
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts |
5,208 | 55,882 | |||||||
Total operating expenses |
181,777 | 333,266 | |||||||
Operating income |
57,545 | 27,099 | |||||||
Other income (expense) |
|||||||||
Interest income |
1,009 | 1,835 | |||||||
Interest expense |
(15,321 | ) | (19,379 | ) | |||||
Net income |
$ | 43,233 | $ | 9,555 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-68
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital
Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
(in thousands of dollars)
|
General
Partners |
Limited
Partners |
Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Partners' capital at December 31, 2007 |
$ | 270 | $ | 32,030 | $ | 32,300 | ||||
Implementation of fair value guidance (Note 7) |
1,269 |
125,385 |
126,654 |
|||||||
Net income |
96 | 9,459 | 9,555 | |||||||
Capital distributions |
(407 | ) | (40,135 | ) | (40,542 | ) | ||||
Partners' capital at December 31, 2008 |
1,228 | 126,739 | 127,967 | |||||||
Net income |
433 |
42,800 |
43,233 |
|||||||
Capital distributions |
(243 | ) | (23,681 | ) | (23,924 | ) | ||||
Partners' capital at December 31, 2009 |
$ | 1,418 | $ | 145,858 | $ | 147,276 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-69
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash flows from operating activities |
|||||||||
Net income |
$ | 43,233 | $ | 9,555 | |||||
Noncash items included in net income: |
|||||||||
Depreciation |
12,997 | 13,112 | |||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
499 | 626 | |||||||
Amortization of deferred revenue |
| (354 | ) | ||||||
Accretion of asset retirement obligation |
8 | 6 | |||||||
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts |
5,208 | 55,882 | |||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|||||||||
Accounts receivable |
(964 | ) | 3,926 | ||||||
Inventory |
4,045 | 2,233 | |||||||
Other assets |
112 | 80 | |||||||
Accounts payable |
(3,138 | ) | 905 | ||||||
Due to affiliates |
96 | (162 | ) | ||||||
Accrued property taxes |
941 | (1,950 | ) | ||||||
Other accrued liabilities |
(870 | ) | 668 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
| (1,179 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
62,167 | 83,348 | |||||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
|||||||||
Decrease in restricted cash |
5,322 | 1,591 | |||||||
Capital expenditures |
(79 | ) | (695 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by investing activities |
5,243 | 896 | |||||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
|||||||||
Repayment of long-term debt |
(43,905 | ) | (42,998 | ) | |||||
Capital distributions |
(23,924 | ) | (40,542 | ) | |||||
Cash used in financing activities |
(67,829 | ) | (83,540 | ) | |||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(419 | ) | 704 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|||||||||
Beginning of year |
4,457 | 3,753 | |||||||
End of year |
$ | 4,038 | $ | 4,457 | |||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information |
|||||||||
Cash paid for interest |
$ | 14,899 | $ | 18,449 | |||||
Noncash investing activities |
|||||||||
Capital expenditures which were accrued but not paid |
$ | | $ | 12 | |||||
Capital expenditures previously accrued which were paid |
$ | 12 | $ | 550 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-70
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
1. Organization and Business
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. was organized on December 15, 1989 as a Delaware limited partnership. Selkirk Cogen Funding Corporation (the "Funding Corporation"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. (collectively, the "Partnership"), was organized for the sole purpose of facilitating financing activities of the Partnership and has no other operating activities (Note 4).
The managing general partner of the Partnership is JMC Selkirk, LLC ("JMC Selkirk" or the "Managing General Partner"). The other general partner of the Partnership (together with JMC Selkirk, the "General Partners") is RCM Selkirk GP, Inc. ("RCM Selkirk GP"). The limited partners of the Partnership (the "Limited Partners", and together with the General Partners, the "Partners") are JMC Selkirk, PentaGen Investors, L.P. ("PentaGen"), Teton Selkirk, LLC ("Teton Selkirk") and RCM Selkirk, L.P. ("RCM Selkirk LP").
The general and limited partners and their respective equity interests are as follows:
Partners
|
Affiliated With |
Preferred
(i) |
Interest(1)
Original (ii) |
Residual
(iii) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
General Partners |
|||||||||||||
JMC Selkirk |
Cogentrix Energy, LLC and EIF Calypso, LLC(2) | 0.09 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.81 | % | ||||||
RCM Selkirk GP |
Robert C. McNair and Family | 1.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.22 | % | ||||||
Limited Partners |
|||||||||||||
JMC Selkirk |
Cogentrix Energy, LLC and EIF Calypso, LLC(2) | 1.95 | % | 21.40 | % | 17.33 | % | ||||||
PentaGen |
Cogentrix Energy, LLC, EIF Calypso, LLC(2), and Osaka Gas Energy America Corporation | 5.25 | % | 57.60 | % | 46.66 | % | ||||||
Teton Selkirk |
Atlantic Power Holdings, LLC | 13.55 | % | 20.00 | % | 17.70 | % | ||||||
RCM Selkirk LP |
Robert C. McNair and Family | 78.16 | % | 0.00 | % | 17.28 | % |
The Managing General Partner is responsible for managing and controlling the business and affairs of the Partnership, subject to certain powers which are vested in the management committee of the Partnership (the "Management Committee") under the Partnership Agreement. Each General Partner
F-71
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
1. Organization and Business (Continued)
has a voting representative on the Management Committee, which, subject to certain limited exceptions, acts by unanimity. Thus, the General Partners, and principally the Managing General Partner, exercise control over the Partnership. JMCS I Management, LLC ("JMCS I Management"), an affiliate of the Managing General Partner and wholly-owned subsidiary of CELLC, is acting as the project management firm (the "Project Management Firm") for the Partnership, and as such is responsible for the implementation and administration of the Partnership's business under the direction of the Managing General Partner. Upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the Partnership Agreement, RCM Selkirk GP may assume the powers and responsibilities of the Managing General Partner and of the Project Management Firm. Under the Partnership Agreement, each General Partner other than the Managing General Partner may convert its general partnership interest to that of a Limited Partner. Under terms of the limited liability agreement of Calypso, (the "Calypso LLC Agreement"), EIF indirectly has the power to control the Managing General Partner, subject to certain restrictions contained in the Calypso LLC Agreement.
The Partnership was formed for the purpose of constructing, owning and operating a natural gas- fired, combined-cycle cogeneration facility located on a 15.7 acre site leased from Saudi Basic Industries Corporation ("SABIC") in Bethlehem, New York (the "Facility"). The Facility has a total electric generating capacity of 345-megawatts ("MW") with a maximum average steam output of 400,000 pounds per hour ("lbs/hr"). The Facility consists of one unit ("Unit 1") with an electric generating capacity of approximately 79.9 MW and a second unit ("Unit 2") with an electric generating capacity of approximately 265.0 MW (collectively, the "Units"). The Units have been designed to operate independently for electrical generation, while thermally integrated for steam generation. Unit 1 commenced commercial operations on April 17, 1992 and Unit 2 commenced commercial operations on September 1, 1994.
The Partnership had a long-term contract with Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation ("Niagara Mohawk") for the sale of electric capacity and energy produced by Unit 1, which expired June 30, 2008 ("Amended and Restated Niagara Mohawk Power Purchase Agreement"). The Partnership has a long-term contract with Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. ("Con Edison") for the sale of electric capacity and energy produced by Unit 2. The Partnership has a long-term contract with SABIC for the sale of steam produced by the Facility and delivered to SABIC Innovative Plastics, ("SABIC IP"), a subsidiary of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation. The Facility uses natural gas purchased principally from Canadian suppliers under long-term gas supply contracts as its primary fuel input.
The Facility is certified by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as a qualifying facility ("Qualifying Facility") under the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act of 1978, as amended ("PURPA"). As a Qualifying Facility, the prices charged for the sale of energy and steam are not regulated. Certain fuel supply and transportation agreements entered into by the Partnership are also subject to regulation on the federal and provincial levels in Canada. The Partnership has obtained all material Canadian governmental permits and authorizations required for its operation.
F-72
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The Partnership is required to consolidate an entity for which it absorbs a majority of the entity's expected losses, receives a majority of the entity's expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interest in the entity.
The Partnership determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity ("VIE") by first performing a qualitative analysis of the VIE that includes a review of, among other factors, its capital structure, contractual terms, which interests create or absorb variability, related party relationships and the design of the VIE. For purposes of allocating a VIE's expected losses and expected residual returns to its variable interest holders, the Partnership utilizes the "top down" method. Under that method, the Partnership calculates its share of the VIE's expected losses and expected residual returns using the specific cash flows that would be allocated to it, based on contractual arrangements and/or the Partnership's position in the capital structure of the VIE, under various probability-weighted scenarios.
The Funding Corporation was determined to be a VIE. Based on an analysis performed, Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. was deemed to be the primary beneficiary. As a result, Funding Corporation is included in the Partnership's consolidated financial statements. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash includes both cash and cash equivalents that are held in accounts restricted for debt service, major maintenance and other specifically designated accounts under a deposit and disbursement agreement ("Depositary Agreement"). Restricted cash associated with transactions expected to occur beyond one-year are classified as long-term. All other restricted accounts are classified as current assets.
Inventory
Spare parts are valued at the lower of average cost or market and consist of Facility equipment components and maintenance supplies required to be maintained in order to facilitate maintenance activities. Spare parts which are expected to be utilized during the next year are classified as current in
F-73
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Spare parts of approximately $3,523,000 and $4,497,000 which are not expected to be utilized within the next year are classified as long-term and included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
The Partnership performs periodic assessments to determine the existence of obsolete, slow- moving and non-usable spare parts and records necessary provisions to reduce such inventories to net realizable value.
Emission Allowances
Emission allowances are valued under the weighted average costing method subject to the lower of cost or market principle. In applying the lower of cost or market principle, a reduction in the carrying value is not recognized so long as the Partnership will recover/pass-through the cost in its operating margin.
The historical cost of emission allowances is calculated as follows:
At December 31, 2009, the Partnership has accrued approximately $461,000 in emission allowances which are classified as current and included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Derivative Contracts
In accordance with guidance on accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities all derivatives should be recognized at fair value. Derivatives or any portion thereof, that are not designated as, and effective as, hedges must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. Derivative contracts are classified as either assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Certain contracts that require physical delivery may qualify for and be designated as normal purchases/normal sales. Such contracts are accounted for on an accrual basis.
Fair Value Measurements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance that defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures. This guidance does not require any new fair value measurements, but rather applies to all other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.
F-74
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
A fair value hierarchy was established that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
|
Level 1: | Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. | ||
|
Level 2: |
Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. |
||
|
Level 3: |
Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions. |
A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement (Note 7). Upon implementation of this guidance, the Partnership recognized an approximate $126.7 million gain on January 1, 2008, on its gas supply contracts, as an adjustment to retained earnings.
In February 2008, the FASB issued a one-year deferral for non-financial assets and liabilities to comply with issued fair value guidance. As of December 31, 2009, the Partnership does not have any non-financial assets or liabilities remeasured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized and minor replacements, maintenance, and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the consolidated results of operations for the respective period. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives ("EUL") of the related assets using the straight-line method. Capitalized modifications to leased properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the asset's estimated useful life (Note 3).
The Partnership's depreciation is based on the Facility being considered as a single property unit. Certain components of the Facility will require replacement or overhaul several times over its estimated life. Costs associated with overhauls are recorded as an expense in the period incurred. However, in instances where replacement of a Facility component is significant and the Partnership can reasonably estimate the original cost of the component being replaced, the Partnership will write-off the replaced component and capitalize the cost of the replacement. The component will be depreciated over the lesser of the EUL of the component or the remaining useful life of the Facility.
The Partnership reviews the carrying value of property and equipment for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of property and equipment may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to an amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of
F-75
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
property and equipment. The factors considered by management in performing this assessment include current operating results, trends and prospects, the manner in which the property and equipment is used, and the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition, and other economic factors.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs, which consist of the costs incurred to obtain financing, are deferred and amortized into interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations using the effective interest method over the term of the relaed financing (Note 4).
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset retirement obligations, including those conditioned on future events, are recorded at fair value in the period in which they are incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset in the same period. In each subsequent period, the liability is accreted to its present value and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the EUL of the long-lived asset. If the asset retirement obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, the Partnership recognizes a gain or loss on settlement. The Partnership recognized an asset retirement obligation at December 31, 2009 and 2008 of approximately $128,000 and $120,000, respectively. This obligation is included in other liabilities and represents the costs the Partnership would incur to perform environmental clean-up or remove certain portions of the Facility.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from the sale of energy and steam are recorded based on monthly output delivered as specified under contractual terms or current market conditions and are recorded on a gross basis on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as energy and steam revenues, respectively, with the associated costs recorded in fuel and transmission expenses.
The Partnership's long-term gas supply contracts are not designated as, nor do they qualify as, held for trading purposes. Thus, the related realized gains and losses on these derivative contracts are reported in the accompanying statement of operations.
Revenues from the sale of gas are recorded in the month sold and take place in the form of (i) short-term transactions whereby the Partnership resells its firm natural gas supply volumes when Unit 1 or Unit 2 is dispatched off-line or at less than full capacity ("Gas Resales"), and (ii) short-term transactions whereby the Partnership attempts to lower the cost of natural gas delivered to the Facility by reselling certain of its firm natural gas supply volumes and purchasing replacement gas supply volumes at lower prices in the spot market, to meet the Facility's scheduled operation ("Gas Supply Cost Mitigation"). Gas Resales are recorded on a gross basis on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations in commodity sales, with the associated costs recorded in commodity cost of sales. Gas Resales are recorded on a gross basis because the Partnership's decision to sell its firm natural gas supply is primarily driven by the dispatch of the Facility. Gas Supply Cost Mitigation is included on a net basis in fuel expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations
F-76
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
based on the premise that the Partnership's decision to sell its firm natural gas supply is primarily driven by the intent to lower the cost of natural gas delivered to the Facility for scheduled operation.
Income Taxes
As a partnership, the income tax effects accrue directly to the partners, and each partner is individually responsible for its share of the combined income or loss. Accordingly, no income tax provision is recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year's consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported results of operations or partners capital.
Subsequent Events
The Partnership evaluated subsequent events through March 12, 2010.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Effective July 1, 2009 the Partnership adopted the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") issued by the FASB. The ASC does not change GAAP, but instead takes the numerous individual accounting pronouncements that previously constituted GAAP and reorganizes them into approximately 90 accounting topics, which are then broken down into subtopics, sections and paragraphs. The intent is to simplify user access to authoritative GAAP by providing all of the guidance related to a particular topic in one place. ASC supersedes all previously existing non-Security and Exchange Commission or non-grandfathered accounting and reporting standards. The adoption of ASC did not have any impact on the Partnership's consolidated financial statements.
In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance to revise the approach to determine when a VIE should be consolidated. The new consolidation model for VIEs considers whether the Partnership has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and shares in the significant risks and rewards of the entity. The guidance on VIEs requires companies to continually reassess VIEs to determine if consolidation is appropriate and provide additional disclosures. The guidance is effective for the Partnership's fiscal year beginning January 1, 2010. The Partnership expects the adoption of this guidance will have no material impact on its financial statements.
F-77
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
3. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following components as of December 31:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Facility |
$ | 376,635 | $ | 377,065 | |||
Facility improvements |
493 | 71 | |||||
Leasehold improvements |
353 | 353 | |||||
Machinery and equipment |
929 | 876 | |||||
Computer systems |
2,358 | 2,336 | |||||
Office equipment |
312 | 312 | |||||
|
381,080 | 381,013 | |||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
(201,614 |
) |
(188,617 |
) |
|||
|
$ | 179,466 | $ | 192,396 | |||
The EULs for significant property and equipment categories are as follows:
Facility |
30 years | |
Facility improvements |
10 - 30 years | |
Leasehold improvements |
Lesser of lease term or asset's EUL | |
Machinery and equipment |
5 - 15 years | |
Computer systems |
3 - 5 years | |
Office equipment |
5 years |
4. Long-term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following components as of December 31:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
As of December 31, 2009 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description
|
Commitment
Amount |
Due
Date |
Balance
Outstanding |
Interest
Expense |
Commitment
Fees |
Letter of
Credit Fees |
|||||||||||||||
2012 Bonds(1) |
$ | 129,053 | 6/26/12 | $ | 129,053 | $ | 14,446 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
Credit Agreement(2) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Working Capital Loan |
27,075 | 6/30/12 | | $ | 108 | N/A | |||||||||||||||
Letter of Credit Facility |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel Supply |
10,000 | 6/30/12 | N/A | N/A | $ | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Fuel Management |
5,000 | 6/30/12 | N/A | N/A | 51 | ||||||||||||||||
Gas Transportation |
2,925 | 6/30/12 | N/A | N/A | 30 | ||||||||||||||||
|
129,053 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Current portion |
44,579 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
$ | 84,474 | |||||||||||||||||||
F-78
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
4. Long-term Debt (Continued)
(in thousands of dollars)
|
As of December 31, 2008 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description
|
Commitment
Amount |
Due
Date |
Balance
Outstanding |
Interest
Expense |
Commitment
Fees |
Letter of
Credit Fees |
|||||||||||||||
2012 Bonds(1) |
$ | 172,958 | 6/26/12 | $ | 172,958 | $ | 18,449 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
Credit Agreement(2) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Working Capital Loan |
22,075 | 6/30/12 | | | $ | 108 | N/A | ||||||||||||||
Letter of Credit Facility |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel Supply |
10,000 | 6/30/12 | | N/A | N/A | $ | 108 | ||||||||||||||
Fuel Management |
5,000 | 6/30/12 | | N/A | N/A | 50 | |||||||||||||||
Gas Transportation |
2,925 | 8/3/09 | | N/A | N/A | 29 | |||||||||||||||
CO 2 Allowance Auction |
5,000 | 1/2/09 | | N/A | N/A | 4 | |||||||||||||||
|
172,958 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Current portion |
43,905 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
$ | 129,053 | |||||||||||||||||||
Included in other accrued liabilities at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $188,000 and $265,000 of accrued interest expense, respectively.
F-79
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
4. Long-term Debt (Continued)
Future minimum principal repayments as of December 31, 2009 are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 |
$ | 44,579 | ||
2011 |
55,070 | |||
2012 |
29,404 | |||
|
$ | 129,053 | ||
The Partnership is subject to various operational and financial covenants. As of December 31, 2009 the Partnership had not complied with certain covenants related to the 2012 Bonds and the credit agreement. The Partnership subsequently cured these covenant violations in January 2010.
5. Operating Leases
The Partnership leases certain equipment, land and buildings under non-cancelable operating leases expiring at various dates through 2014. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Partnership incurred lease expense of approximately $1,002 and $1,003, respectively, which is included in operations and maintenance expense and general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Future minimum lease payments under the terms of the non-cancelable operating leases, as of December 31, 2009, are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 |
$ | 1,001 | ||
2011 |
1,000 | |||
2012 |
1,000 | |||
2013 |
1,000 | |||
2014 |
667 | |||
|
$ | 4,668 | ||
6. Payment in Lieu of Taxes
In October 1992, the Partnership entered into a Payment in Lieu of Taxes ("PILOT") agreement with the Town of Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency ("IDA"), a corporate governmental agency which exempts the Partnership from certain property taxes. The agreement commenced on January 1, 1993, and will terminate on December 31, 2012. The Partnership amended the PILOT agreement effective January 1, 2010; as a result payments are due monthly in 2010 and semi-annually thereafter. The Partnership which recognizes PILOT payments on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement expensed $2,920,000 for each of the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 which is included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
F-80
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
6. Payment in Lieu of Taxes (Continued)
As of December 31, 2009, the future payments remaining under the PILOT are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 |
$ | 4,203 | ||
2011 |
4,300 | |||
2012 |
4,400 | |||
|
$ | 12,903 | ||
7. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Partnership's natural gas supply contracts are accounted for as derivative contracts (Note 2). The Partnership uses a valuation model to derive the fair value of its derivative contracts based upon the present value of known or estimated cash flows taking into consideration multiple inputs including commodity prices, volatility factors and discount rates, as well as counterparty credit ratings and credit enhancements. The model used reflects the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the contracts as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. Where possible, the Partnership verifies the values produced by its pricing model to market transactions. Due to the fact that the Partnership's contracts trade in less liquid markets, model selection requires significant judgment because such contracts tend to be more complex and pricing information is less available in these markets. Price transparency is inherently more limited for more complex structures because of the nature, location and tenor of the arrangement, which requires additional inputs such as correlations and volatilities. In addition to model selection, management makes significant judgments based upon the Partnership's proprietary views of market factors and conditions regarding price and correlation inputs in unobservable periods and adjustments to reflect various factors such as liquidity, bid/offer spreads and credit considerations. If available, these adjustments are based on market evidence.
The Partnership adjusts the inputs to its valuation models only to the extent that changes in these inputs can be verified by similar market transactions, third-party pricing services and/or broker quotes, or can be derived from other substantive evidence such as empirical market data. In circumstances where the Partnership cannot verify the model to market transactions, it is possible that a different valuation model could produce a materially different estimate of fair value.
F-81
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
7. Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)
The following table sets forth the Partnership's financial assets and liabilities and other fair value measurements made on a recurring basis by fair value hierarchy level at December 31, 2009:
|
Quoted
Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1) |
Significant
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant
Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
|||||||||||||
Derivative contract |
$ | | $ | | $ | 53,416 | $ | 53,416 | |||||
Liabilities |
|||||||||||||
Derivative contract |
| | (5,805 | ) | (5,805 | ) | |||||||
|
$ | | $ | | $ | 47,611 | $ | 47,611 | |||||
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are based on significant unobservable inputs for the year ended December 31, 2009.
(in thousands of dollars)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Fair value of derivatives based on significant unobservable
|
$ | 52,819 | ||
Unrealized losses(1) |
(5,208 |
) |
||
Fair value of derivatives based on significant unobservable
|
$ | 47,611 | ||
The following table sets forth the Partnership's financial assets and liabilities and other fair value measurements made on a recurring basis by fair value hierarchy level at December 31, 2008:
|
Quoted
Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1) |
Significant
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant
Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
|||||||||||||
Derivative contract |
$ | | $ | | $ | 59,386 | $ | 59,386 | |||||
Liabilities |
|||||||||||||
Derivative contract |
| | (6,567 | ) | (6,567 | ) | |||||||
|
$ | | $ | | $ | 52,819 | $ | 52,819 | |||||
F-82
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
7. Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are based on significant unobservable inputs for the year ended December 31, 2008.
(in thousands of dollars)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Fair value of derivatives based on significant unobservable
|
$ | 108,701 | ||
Unrealized losses(1) |
(55,882 |
) |
||
Fair value of derivatives based on significant unobservable
|
$ | 52,819 | ||
The fair value of the 2012 Bonds as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $142,777,000 and $173,527,000, respectively. The estimated fair values were based on a valuation model which discounts future cash flows produced by the 2012 Bonds at a rate determined by applying a spread based on the credit rating to the U.S. Treasury rates. Judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the fair value estimates as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Partnership could have realized in current markets.
The Partnership's additional financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, due to affiliates, and accrued liabilities. These instruments approximate their fair values as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 due to their short-term nature.
8. Concentration of Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of loss the Partnership would incur if counterparties fail to perform their contractual obligations (including accounts receivable). The Partnership primarily conducts business with counterparties in the energy industry, such as investor-owned utilities, energy trading companies, financial institutions, gas production companies and gas transportation companies located in the United States and Canada. This concentration of counterparties may impact the Partnership's overall exposure to credit risk in that its counterparties may be similarly affected by changes in economic, regulatory or other conditions. The Partnership mitigates potential credit losses by dealing, where practical, with counterparties that are rated at investment grade or better by a major credit rating agency or have a history of reliable performance within the energy industry.
As of December 31, 2009, the Partnership's credit risk is primarily concentrated with the following customers: Con Edison, New York Independent System Operator ("NYISO"), Shell Energy North America (Canada) Inc. and ("Shell Energy North America"). These counterparties provided 96% of the Partnership's revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009 and accounted for approximately
F-83
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
8. Concentration of Credit Risk (Continued)
89% of the Partnership's accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2009. The Partnership also has credit risk concentrated with counterparties who are contractually obligated to provide fuel supply and transportation (Note 9).
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Power Purchase Agreements
The Partnership has a power purchase agreement with Con Edison for a term of 20-years that began on September 1, 1994, the date Unit 2's commercial operations commenced (the "Con Edison Power Purchase Agreement"). The Con Edison Power Purchase Agreement provides Con Edison the right to schedule Unit 2 for dispatch on a daily basis at full capability, partial capability or off-line. Con Edison's scheduling decisions are required to be based in part on economic criteria which, pursuant to the governing rules of the NYISO, take into account the variable cost of the electricity to be delivered. The Con Edison Power Purchase Agreement provides for Con Edison to make a monthly contract payment to the Partnership consisting of four components: (i) capacity, (ii) fuel, (iii) O&M, and (iv) wheeling. The capacity payment, a portion of the fuel payment, a portion of the O&M payment, and the wheeling payment are fixed and paid on the basis of the availability of Unit 2 to operate, whether or not Unit 2 is dispatched on-line. The fixed charges are subject to reduction if Unit 2's average availability is less than 90% for the four-month summer period (June through September) or is less than 80% during the rest of the year. The variable portions of the fuel payment and O&M payment are payable based on the amount of electricity produced by Unit 2 and delivered to Con Edison. The total fixed and variable fuel payment is capped at a ceiling price established in accordance with the Con Edison Power Purchase Agreement. Payments from Con Edison may also include a "savings component", which is equal to one-half of the amount by which Unit 2's actual fixed and variable fuel commodity and transportation costs are less than the ceiling price.
Steam Sale Agreements
The Partnership has a steam sales agreement, as amended, with SABIC for a term of 20-years from the commercial operations date of Unit 2 which may be extended under certain circumstances (the "Steam Sales Agreement"). The Steam Sales Agreement may be terminated by the Partnership with a one-year advanced written notice upon the termination of the power purchase agreement with Con Edison. The Steam Sales Agreement may also be terminated by SABIC with a 2-year advanced written notice if the SABIC IP plant no longer has a requirement for steam. Pursuant to the Steam Sales Agreement the Partnership is obligated to sell up to 400,000 lbs/hr of the thermal output of Unit 1 and Unit 2 for use as process steam by the SABIC IP plant adjacent to the Facility. The Partnership charges SABIC a nominal price for delivered steam in an amount up to the annual equivalent of 160,000 lbs/hr during each hour in which the SABIC IP plant is in production (the "Discounted Quantity"). Steam sales in excess of the Discounted Quantity are priced at SABIC's avoided variable direct cost, subject to an "annual true-up" to ensure that SABIC receives the annual equivalent of the Discounted Quantity at nominal pricing.
Under the Steam Sales Agreement, SABIC is obligated to purchase the minimum quantities of steam necessary for the Facility to maintain its Qualifying Facility status (Note 1). In the event SABIC
F-84
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
9. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
fails to meet the minimum purchase quantity, the Partnership may acquire title to the Facility site and terminate the operating lease agreement with SABIC at no cost to the Partnership.
Supply and Transportation Agreements
The Unit 1 gas supply contract with Shell Energy North America has a 7-year term beginning November 1, 2005, and gives the Partnership the right to purchase a maximum daily quantity of natural gas of 15,000 MMBtu at a commodity price that adjusts, on a monthly basis, with changes in a specified market index for natural gas, and does not impose a minimum contract volume purchase obligation on the Partnership. The Partnership also has a fuel management agreement with Shell Energy North America for a 7-year period beginning November 1, 2005. The Partnership has posted two letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $15,000,000 to support obligations under its agreements with Shell Energy North America (Note 4).
The Partnership entered into long-term contracts (collectively, the "Unit 1 Gas Transportation Contracts") for the transportation of natural gas volumes generally used to operate Unit 1 on a firm basis with TransCanada Pipelines Limited ("TransCanada"), Iroquois Gas Transmissions System, L.P. ("Iroquois") and Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company ("Tennessee"). Each of the Unit 1 Gas Transportation Contracts has a term of 20-years beginning November 1, 1992. In conjunction with the restructuring of the long-term gas supply agreement generally used to supply natural gas to operate Unit 1, effective November 1, 2005, the Partnership permanently assigned the capacity under the Unit 1 Gas Transportation Contract with TransCanada to Shell Energy North America.
To supply natural gas needed to operate Unit 2, the Partnership entered into 15-year gas supply agreements beginning November 1, 1994 ("Original Unit 2 Gas Supply Contracts") with Imperial Oil Resources ("Imperial"), EnCana Corporation ("EnCana") and Canadian Forest Oil Ltd. ("CFOL"), (collectively, the "Unit 2 Gas Suppliers"), each on a firm basis. During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Partnership restructured its agreements with the Unit 2 Gas Suppliers to modify the Original Unit 2 Gas Supply Contracts and/or enter into new agreements for an extended term ("Restructured Unit 2 Gas Supply Contracts"). As a result of the restructuring, the Unit 2 Gas Suppliers will continue supplying gas to the Partnership for an additional five-year period beginning November 1, 2009. The commodity price of natural gas under the Restructured Unit 2 Gas Supply Contracts adjusts, on a monthly basis, with changes in specified market indices for natural gas or a combination of natural gas and oil. The Restructured Unit 2 Gas Supply Contracts allow for the Partnership to purchase a maximum daily quantity of natural gas of 58,660 MMBtu with an average minimum contract volume purchase obligation of approximately 55% of the maximum daily quantity.
The Partnership entered into certain long-term contracts (collectively, the "Unit 2 Gas Transportation Contracts") for the transportation of natural gas volumes generally used to operate Unit 2 on a firm basis with TransCanada, Iroquois and Tennessee. Each of the Unit 2 Gas Transportation Contracts has a term of 20-years beginning November 1, 1994. Under one of these agreements, the fuel transporter has exercised its right to require the Partnership to post letters of credit on an annual basis. The Partnership has posted a letter of credit for approximately $2,925,000 U.S. dollars and two fuel suppliers, on behalf of the Partnership, have posted letters of credit totaling approximately $8,769,000 Canadian dollars (Note 4). The Partnership is obligated to reimburse the fuel
F-85
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
9. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
suppliers for all amounts related to obtaining and maintaining the letters of credit and, under certain circumstances, for any amounts drawn upon the letters of credit.
Electric Transmission Agreements
The Partnership has an interconnection agreement with Niagara Mohawk to interconnect the power output from Unit 1 to Niagara Mohawk's electric transmission system through April 16, 2012. Payments under the interconnection agreement are fixed at $39,000 per year, prorated for 2012.
The Partnership also has a 20-year firm transmission agreement with Niagara Mohawk to transmit the power output from Unit 2 to Con Edison through August 31, 2014, with payment fixed at $5,702,000 per year. Co-terminus with this agreement, the Partnership has an interconnection agreement with Niagara Mohawk to interconnect the power output from Unit 2 to Niagara Mohawk's electric transmission system. Payments under this interconnection agreement are fixed at $450,000 per year.
Operations and Maintenance Agreement
The Partnership has an operations and maintenance services agreement ("O&M Agreement") with General Electric Company ("GE") whereby GE provides certain operation and maintenance services to the Facility through December 31, 2012. Payments under the O&M Agreement include, in addition to other payments, a fixed payment of $235,000 annually through the term of the O&M Agreement.
The Partnership also has a multi-year maintenance program agreement ("MMP Agreement") with GE. Under the MMP Agreement the Partnership is obligated to purchase approximately $9,750,000 in parts and services by December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2009, the Partnership purchased approximately $13,216,000 in parts and services from GE under the MMP Agreement.
Other
The Partnership experiences routine litigation in the normal course of business. Management is of the opinion that none of this routine litigation will have a material adverse effect on the Partnership's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
10. Related Parties
JMCS I Management manages the day-to-day operation of the Partnership and is compensated at agreed-upon billing rates that are adjusted every four-years in accordance with an administrative services agreement. The cost of services provided by JMCS I Management were approximately $2,043,000 and $1,984,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and are included in operation and maintenance expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The total amount due to JMCS I Management at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $216,000 and $120,000, respectively.
*****
F-86
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
F-87
The consolidated financial statements of Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and its subsidiary for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, are presented herein without the related report of independent accountants for the year ended December 31, 2008. The report of independent accountants is presented for the year ended December 31, 2007 pursuant to the requirements of Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X.
F-88
PricewaterhouseCoppers LLP
Two Commerce Square, Suite 1700 2001 Market Street Philadelphia PA 19103-7042 Telephone (267) 330 3000 Facsimile (267) 330 3300 |
Report of Independent Auditors
To
the Partners of
Selkirk Cogen Partners, LP.:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of operations, of changes in partners' (deficit) capital, and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and its subsidiary (collectively, the "Partnership") at December 31, 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
March 10,
2008
F-89
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2008 and 2007
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
|||||||||
Current assets |
|||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 4,457 | $ | 3,753 | |||||
Restricted cash |
6,760 | 10,710 | |||||||
Accounts receivable |
22,819 | 26,745 | |||||||
Inventory |
3,793 | 4,566 | |||||||
Derivative contracts |
19,434 | 24,168 | |||||||
Other assets |
1,700 | 2,059 | |||||||
Total current assets |
58,963 | 72,001 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
34,584 |
32,225 |
|||||||
Inventory |
4,497 | 5,957 | |||||||
Derivative contracts |
39,952 | 61,175 | |||||||
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $188,617 and $175,505, respectively |
192,396 | 205,339 | |||||||
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $15,134 and $14,508, respectively |
1,157 | 1,783 | |||||||
Other assets |
267 | | |||||||
Total assets |
$ | 331,816 | $ | 378,480 | |||||
Liabilities and Partners' Capital |
|||||||||
Current liabilities |
|||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
$ | 43,905 | $ | 42,998 | |||||
Accounts payable |
16,079 | 15,218 | |||||||
Due to affiliates |
120 | 774 | |||||||
Accrued property taxes |
2,050 | 4,000 | |||||||
Other accrued liabilities |
4,742 | 4,076 | |||||||
Derivative contracts |
2,154 | 2,647 | |||||||
Deferred revenue |
| 354 | |||||||
Total current liabilities |
69,050 | 70,067 | |||||||
Long-term debt |
129,053 | 172,958 | |||||||
Derivative contracts |
4,413 | 100,650 | |||||||
Other liabilities |
1,333 | 2,505 | |||||||
Total liabilities |
203,849 | 346,180 | |||||||
Commitments and contingencies |
|||||||||
Partners' capital |
|||||||||
General partners |
1,228 | 270 | |||||||
Limited partners |
126,739 | 32,030 | |||||||
Total partners' capital |
127,967 | 32,300 | |||||||
Total liabilities and partners' capital |
$ | 331,816 | $ | 378,480 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-90
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating revenues |
|||||||||
Energy |
$ | 182,175 | $ | 140,329 | |||||
Capacity |
106,933 | 122,685 | |||||||
Commodity sales |
60,219 | 58,847 | |||||||
Transmission |
11,038 | 10,606 | |||||||
Steam |
| 360 | |||||||
Total operating revenues |
360,365 | 332,827 | |||||||
Operating expenses |
|||||||||
Fuel |
180,822 | 136,068 | |||||||
Operations and maintenance |
19,264 | 12,744 | |||||||
Commodity cost of sales |
46,651 | 45,595 | |||||||
Transmission |
12,191 | 11,216 | |||||||
General and administrative |
5,344 | 5,483 | |||||||
Depreciation |
13,112 | 12,953 | |||||||
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts |
55,882 | 876 | |||||||
Total operating expenses |
333,266 | 224,935 | |||||||
Total operating income |
27,099 | 107,892 | |||||||
Other income (expense) |
|||||||||
Interest income |
1,835 | 3,338 | |||||||
Interest expense |
(19,379 | ) | (23,011 | ) | |||||
Net income |
$ | 9,555 | $ | 88,219 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-91
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Continued)
Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
(in thousands of dollars)
|
General
Partners |
Limited
Partners |
Total | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Partners' (deficit) capital at December 31, 2006 |
$ | (39 | ) | $ | 376 | $ | 337 | ||||
Net income |
884 | 87,335 | 88,219 | ||||||||
Capital distributions |
(575 | ) | (55,681 | ) | (56,256 | ) | |||||
Partners' capital at December 31, 2007 |
270 | 32,030 | 32,300 | ||||||||
Implementation of SFAS 157 |
1,269 | 125,385 | 126,654 | ||||||||
Net income |
96 | 9,459 | 9,555 | ||||||||
Capital distributions |
(407 | ) | (40,135 | ) | (40,542 | ) | |||||
Partners' capital at December 31, 2008 |
$ | 1,228 | $ | 126,739 | $ | 127,967 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-92
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash flows from operating activities |
|||||||||
Net income |
$ | 9,555 | $ | 88,219 | |||||
Noncash items included in net income: |
|||||||||
Depreciation |
13,112 | 12,953 | |||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
626 | 745 | |||||||
Amortization of deferred revenue |
(354 | ) | (708 | ) | |||||
Accretion of asset retirement obligation |
6 | 7 | |||||||
Loss on disposal of equipment |
| 8 | |||||||
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts |
55,882 | 876 | |||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|||||||||
Accounts receivable |
3,926 | (3,225 | ) | ||||||
Inventory |
2,233 | (106 | ) | ||||||
Other assets |
80 | (502 | ) | ||||||
Accounts payable |
905 | 2,316 | |||||||
Accrued property taxes |
(1,950 | ) | 100 | ||||||
Other accrued liabilities |
668 | (855 | ) | ||||||
Due to affiliates |
(162 | ) | 29 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
(1,179 | ) | (1,079 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
83,348 | 98,778 | |||||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
|||||||||
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash |
1,591 | (1,744 | ) | ||||||
Capital expenditures |
(695 | ) | (649 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
896 | (2,393 | ) | ||||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
|||||||||
Distributions to partners |
(40,542 | ) | (56,256 | ) | |||||
Repayment of long-term debt |
(42,998 | ) | (39,441 | ) | |||||
Cash used in financing activities |
(83,540 | ) | (95,697 | ) | |||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
704 | 688 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|||||||||
Beginning of year |
3,753 | 3,065 | |||||||
End of year |
$ | 4,457 | $ | 3,753 | |||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information |
|||||||||
Cash paid for interest |
$ | 18,449 | $ | 22,006 | |||||
Noncash investing activities |
|||||||||
Capital expenditures which were accrued but not paid |
$ | 12 | $ | 550 | |||||
Capital expenditures previously accrued which were paid |
$ | 550 | $ | 53 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-93
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
1. Organization and Nature of Business
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. was organized on December 15, 1989 as a Delaware limited partnership. Selkirk Cogen Funding Corporation (the "Funding Corporation"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. (collectively, the "Partnership"), was organized for the sole purpose of facilitating financing activities of the Partnership and has no other operating activities (Note 4).
The managing general partner of the Partnership is JMC Selkirk, LLC, (f/k/a JMC Selkirk, Inc.), ("JMC Selkirk" or the "Managing General Partner"). The other general partner of the Partnership (together with JMC Selkirk, the "General Partners") is RCM Selkirk GP, Inc. ("RCM Selkirk GP"). The limited partners of the Partnership (the "Limited Partners", and together with the General Partners, the "Partners") are JMC Selkirk, PentaGen Investors, L.P. ("PentaGen"), Teton Selkirk, LLC ("Teton Selkirk") and RCM Selkirk, L.P. ("RCM Selkirk LP").
The general and limited partners and their respective equity interests are as follows:
Partners
|
Affiliated With |
Preferred
(i) |
Interest(1)
Original (ii) |
Residual
(iii) |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
General Partners |
||||||||||||
JMC Selkirk |
Cogentrix Energy, LLC and EIF Calypso, LLC(2) | 0.09 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.81 | % | |||||
RCM Selkirk GP |
Robert C. McNair and Family | 1.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.22 | % | |||||
Limited Partners |
||||||||||||
JMC Selkirk |
Cogentrix Energy, LLC and EIF Calypso, LLC(2) | 1.95 | % | 21.40 | % | 17.33 | % | |||||
PentaGen |
Cogentrix Energy, LLC, EIF Calypso, LLC(2), and Osaka Gas Energy America Corporation | 5.25 | % | 57.60 | % | 46.66 | % | |||||
Teton Selkirk |
Atlantic Power Holdings, LLC | 13.55 | % | 20.00 | % | 17.70 | % | |||||
RCM Selkirk |
Robert C. McNair and Family | 78.16 | % | 0.00 | % | 17.28 | % |
The Managing General Partner is responsible for managing and controlling the business and affairs of the Partnership, subject to certain powers, which are vested in the management committee of the
F-94
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
1. Organization and Nature of Business (Continued)
Partnership (the "Management Committee") under the Partnership Agreement. Each General Partner has a voting representative on the Management Committee, which, subject to certain limited exceptions, acts by unanimity. Thus, the General Partners, and principally the Managing General Partner, exercise control over the Partnership. JMCS I Management, LLC ("JMCS I Management"), an affiliate of the Managing General Partner and wholly-owned subsidiary of CELLC, is acting as the project management firm (the "Project Management Firm") for the Partnership, and as such is responsible for the implementation and administration of the Partnership's business under the direction of the Managing General Partner. Upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the Partnership Agreement, RCM Selkirk GP may assume the powers and responsibilities of the Managing General Partner and of the Project Management Firm. Under the Partnership Agreement, each General Partner other than the Managing General Partner may convert its general partnership interest to that of a Limited Partner. Under terms of the limited liability agreement of Calypso, (the "Calypso LLC Agreement"), EIF indirectly has the power to control the Managing General Partner, subject to certain restrictions contained in the Calypso LLC Agreement.
The Partnership was formed for the purpose of constructing, owning and operating a natural gas-fired, combined-cycle cogeneration facility located on a 15.7 acre site leased from Saudi Basic Industries Corporation ("SABIC") in Bethlehem, New York (the "Facility"), which SABIC acquired from the General Electric Company ("GE") in 2007. The Facility has a total electric generating capacity of 345 megawatts ("MW") with a maximum average steam output of 400,000 pounds per hour ("lbs/hr"). The Facility consists of one unit ("Unit 1") with an electric generating capacity of approximately 79.9 MW and a second unit ("Unit 2") with an electric generating capacity of approximately 265.0 MW (collectively, the "Units"). The Units have been designed to operate independently for electrical generation, while thermally integrated for steam generation. Unit 1 commenced commercial operations on April 17, 1992, and Unit 2 commenced commercial operations on September 1, 1994.
The Partnership had a long-term contract with Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation ("Niagara Mohawk") for the sale of electric capacity and energy produced by Unit 1, which expired June 30, 2008 ("Amended and Restated Niagara Mohawk Power Purchase Agreement"). The Partnership has a long-term contract with Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. ("Con Edison") for the sale of electric capacity and energy produced by Unit 2. The Partnership has a long-term contract with SABIC for the sale of steam produced by the Facility and delivered to SABIC Innovative Plastics, ("SABIC IP"), a subsidiary of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation. The Facility uses natural gas purchased principally from Canadian suppliers under long-term gas supply contracts as its primary fuel input.
The Facility is certified by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as a qualifying facility ("Qualifying Facility") under the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act of 1978, as amended ("PURPA"). As a Qualifying Facility, the prices charged for the sale of energy and steam are not regulated. Certain fuel supply and transportation agreements entered into by the Partnership are also subject to regulation on the federal and provincial levels in Canada. The Partnership has obtained all material Canadian governmental permits and authorizations required for its operation.
F-95
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The Partnership applies the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation No. ("FIN") 46-R, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entitiesan Interpretation of ARB 51 and associated FASB Staff Positions. FIN 46-R requires the consolidation of an entity by an enterprise that absorbs a majority of the entity's expected losses, receives a majority of the entity's expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interest in the entity.
The Funding Corporation was determined to be a variable interest entity ("VIE") in accordance with FIN 46-R. Based on an analysis performed in conjunction with the adoption of FIN 46-R, Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. was deemed to be the primary beneficiary. As a result, Funding Corporation is included in the Partnership's consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash includes both cash and cash equivalents that are held in accounts restricted for debt service, major maintenance and other specifically designated accounts under a deposit and disbursement agreement ("Depositary Agreement").
Included in long-term assets at December 31, 2008 was approximately $30,723,000 and $3,861,000 in restricted cash for debt service reserve and major maintenance reserve, respectively. At December 31, 2007, approximately $30,723,000 and $1,502,000 in restricted cash was included in long-term assets for debt service and major maintenance, respectively.
Inventory
Spare parts are valued at the lower of average cost or market and consist of Facility equipment components and maintenance supplies required to be maintained in order to facilitate maintenance activities. Spare parts which are expected to be utilized during the next year are classified as current in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Spare parts which are not expected to be utilized within the next year are classified as long-term in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
F-96
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
The Partnership performs periodic assessments to determine the existence of obsolete, slow-moving and non-usable spare parts and records necessary provisions to reduce such inventories to net realizable value.
Derivative Contracts
The Partnership follows Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. ("SFAS") 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activitiesas Amended and Interpreted. SFAS 133 requires the Partnership to recognize all derivatives, as defined in the statement, on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Derivatives or any portion thereof, that are not designated as, and effective as, hedges must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. Derivative contracts are classified as either assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets (Note 6).
Fair Value Measurements
The Partnership adopted SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements, for financial assets and liabilities effective January 1, 2008. This standard defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures. This standard does not require any new fair value measurements, but rather applies to all other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. As a result of the adoption of SFAS 157 the Partnership recognized an approximate $126.7 million gain as an adjustment to retained earnings previously prohibited by Emerging Issues Task Force No. ("EITF") 02-3, Issues Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities.
SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS 157 are described below:
Level 1: |
Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. | |
Level 2: |
Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. |
|
Level 3: |
Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions. |
A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement (Note 6).
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized and minor replacements, maintenance, and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss
F-97
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
is included in the results of operations for the respective period. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the related assets using the straight-line method. Capitalized modifications to leased properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the asset's estimated useful life (Note 3).
The Partnership's depreciation is based on the Facility being considered as a single property unit. Certain components of the Facility will require replacement or overhaul several times over its estimated life. Costs associated with overhauls are recorded as an expense in the period incurred. However, in instances where replacement of a Facility component is significant and the Partnership can reasonably estimate the original cost of the component being replaced, the Partnership will write off the replaced component and capitalize the cost of the replacement. The component will be depreciated over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the component or the remaining useful life of the Facility.
The Partnership accounts for the impairment or disposal of their property and equipment in accordance with SFAS 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. The Partnership reviews the carrying value of property and equipment for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to an amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of assets. The factors considered by management in performing this assessment include current operating results, trends and prospects, the manner in which the property is used, and the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition, and other economic factors.
Asset Retirement Obligation
The Partnership accounts for asset retirement obligations in accordance with SFAS 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations and FIN 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations. These statements require that an asset retirement obligation, including those conditioned on future events, be recorded at fair value in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. In the same period, the associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. In each subsequent period, the liability is accreted to its present value and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the long-lived asset. If the asset retirement obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, the Partnership recognizes a gain or loss on settlement. The Partnership recognized an asset retirement obligation at December 31, 2008 and 2007 of approximately $120,000 and $114,000, respectively. This obligation is included in other liabilities and represents the costs the Partnership would incur to perform environmental clean-up or remove certain portions of the Facility.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs, which consist of the costs incurred to obtain financing, are deferred and amortized into interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations using the effective interest method over the term of the related financing.
F-98
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Accounting for Income Taxes
As a partnership, the income tax effects accrue directly to the partners, and each partner is individually responsible for its share of the combined income or loss. Accordingly, no income tax provision is recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from the sale of energy and steam are recorded based on monthly output delivered as specified under contractual terms or current market conditions and are recorded on a gross basis on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as energy and steam revenues, respectively, with the associated costs recorded in fuel and transmission expenses.
The Partnership's long-term gas supply contracts are not designated as, nor do they qualify as, held for trading purposes. Thus, the related realized gains and losses on these derivative contracts are reported in the statement of operations in accordance with EITF 03-11, Reporting Realized Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments That Are Subject to FASB Statement 133 and Not Held for Trading Purposes as Defined in EITF 02-3.
Revenues from the sale of gas are recorded in the month sold and take place in the form of (i) short-term transactions whereby the Partnership resells its firm natural gas supply volumes when Unit 1 or Unit 2 is dispatched off-line or at less than full capacity ("Gas Resales"), and (ii) short-term transactions whereby the Partnership attempts to lower the cost of natural gas delivered to the Facility by reselling certain of its firm natural gas supply volumes and purchasing replacement gas supply volumes at lower prices in the spot market, to meet the Facility's scheduled operation ("Gas Supply Cost Mitigation"). Gas Resales are recorded on a gross basis on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations in commodity sales, with the associated costs recorded in commodity cost of sales. Gas Resales are recorded on a gross basis because the Partnership's decision to sell its firm natural gas supply is primarily driven by the dispatch of the Facility. Gas Supply Cost Mitigation is included on a net basis in fuel on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations based on the premise that the Partnership's decision to sell its firm natural gas supply is primarily driven by the intent to lower the cost of natural gas delivered to the Facility for scheduled operation.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year's consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported results of operations or retained earnings.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This standard is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring transparency about the location and amounts of derivative instruments in an entity's financial statements; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No 133; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect its financial
F-99
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 will be effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009.
In February 2008, the FASB issued a one-year deferral for non-financial assets and liabilities to comply with SFAS 157. The Partnership expects the adoption of SFAS 157 as it applies to non-financial assets and liabilities will have no material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
3. Property and Equipment
As of December 31, property and equipment consisted of the following components:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2008 | 2007 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Facility |
$ | 377,065 | $ | 377,056 | |||
Facility improvements |
71 | | |||||
Leasehold improvements |
353 | 353 | |||||
Machinery and equipment |
876 | 824 | |||||
Computer systems |
2,336 | 2,299 | |||||
Office equipment |
312 | 312 | |||||
|
381,013 | 380,844 | |||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
(188,617 |
) |
(175,505 |
) |
|||
|
$ | 192,396 | $ | 205,339 | |||
The estimated useful lives ("EUL") for significant property and equipment categories are as follows:
Facility |
30 years | |
Facility improvements |
10 - 30 years | |
Leasehold improvements |
Lesser of lease term or asset's EUL | |
Machinery and equipment |
5 - 15 years | |
Computer systems |
3 - 5 years | |
Office equipment |
5 years |
F-100
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
4. Long-term Debt
As of December 31, the Partnership had the following bonds and loans payable:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
As of December 31, 2008 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description
|
Commitment
Amount |
Due
Date |
Balance
Outstanding |
Interest
Expense |
Commitment
Fees |
Letter of
Credit Fees |
||||||||||||||
2012 Bonds(1) |
$ | 172,958 | 6/26/12 | $ | 172,958 | $18,449 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
Credit Agreement(2) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Working Capital Loan |
22,075 | 6/30/12 | | | $ | 108 | N/A | |||||||||||||
Letter of Credit Facility |
||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel Supply |
10,000 | 6/30/12 | | N/A | N/A | $ | 100 | |||||||||||||
Fuel Management |
5,000 | 6/30/12 | | N/A | N/A | 50 | ||||||||||||||
Gas Transportation |
2,925 | 8/3/09 | | N/A | N/A | 29 | ||||||||||||||
CO 2 Allowance Auction |
5.000 | 1/2/09 | | N/A | N/A | 4 | ||||||||||||||
|
172,958 | |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Current portion |
43,905 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
$ | 129,053 | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of dollars)
|
As of December 31, 2007 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description
|
Commitment
Amount |
Due
Date |
Balance
Outstanding |
Interest
Expense |
Commitment
Fees |
Letter of
Credit Fees |
|||||||||||||||
2007 Bonds |
$ | | 12/26/07 | $ | | $ | 1,594 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
2012 Bonds(1) |
215,956 | 6/26/12 | 215,956 | 20,374 | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||
Credit Agreement(2) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Working Capital Loan |
27,075 | 10/31/10 | | | $ | 108 | N/A | ||||||||||||||
Letter of Credit Facility |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel Supply |
10,000 | 10/31/10 | | N/A | N/A | $ | 100 | ||||||||||||||
Fuel Management |
5,000 | 10/23/10 | | N/A | N/A | 50 | |||||||||||||||
Gas Transportation |
2,925 | 8/3/09 | | N/A | N/A | 29 | |||||||||||||||
|
215,956 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Current portion |
42,998 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
$ | 172,958 | |||||||||||||||||||
F-101
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
4. Long-term Debt (Continued)
8.98% with interest payments due semi-annually on June 26 and December 26. Principal payments commenced on December 26, 2007, and are payable semi-annually thereafter.
As of December 31, 2008, the scheduled principal payments on the 2012 Bonds are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
2009 |
$ | 43,905 | ||
2010 |
44,579 | |||
2011 |
55,070 | |||
2012 |
29,404 | |||
|
$ | 172,958 | ||
Included in other accrued liabilities at December 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $216,000 and $215,000 of accrued interest expense, respectively. The Partnership is subject to various operational and financial covenants all of which the Partnership was in compliance with at December 31, 2008.
5. Property Taxes
In October 1992, the Partnership entered into a Payment in Lieu of Taxes ("PILOT") agreement with the Town of Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency ("IDA"), a corporate governmental agency which exempts the Partnership from certain property taxes. The agreement commenced on January 1, 1993, and will terminate on December 31, 2012. PILOT payments are due semiannually and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement. The Partnership expensed approximately $2,920,000 related to the PILOT, which is included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
F-102
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
5. Property Taxes (Continued)
As of December 31, 2008, the payments remaining under the PILOT are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
2009 |
$ | 2,050 | ||
2010 |
4,200 | |||
2011 |
4,300 | |||
2012 |
4,400 | |||
|
$ | 14,950 | ||
6. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Partnership's natural gas supply contracts are accounted for as derivative contracts under the provisions of SFAS 133. The Partnership uses a valuation model to derive the fair value of its derivative contracts based upon the present value of known or estimated cash flows taking into consideration multiple inputs including commodity prices, volatility factors and discount rates, as well as counterparty credit ratings and credit enhancements. The model used reflects the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the contracts as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. Where possible, the Partnership verifies the values produced by its pricing model to market transactions. Due to the fact that the Partnership's contracts trade in less liquid markets, model selection requires significant judgment because such contracts tend to be more complex and pricing information is less available in these markets. Price transparency is inherently more limited for more complex structures because of the nature, location and tenor of the arrangement, which requires additional inputs such as correlations and volatilities. In addition to model selection, management makes significant judgments based upon the Partnership's proprietary views of market factors and conditions regarding price and correlation inputs in unobservable periods and adjustments to reflect various factors such as liquidity, bid/offer spreads and credit considerations. If available, these adjustments are based on market evidence.
The Partnership adjusts the inputs to its valuation models only to the extent that changes in these inputs can be verified by similar market transactions, third-party pricing services and/or broker quotes, or can be derived from other substantive evidence such as empirical market data. In circumstances where the Partnership cannot verify the model to market transactions, it is possible that a different valuation model could produce a materially different estimate of fair value.
F-103
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
6. Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)
The following table sets forth the Partnership's financial assets and liabilities and other fair value measurements made on a recurring basis by fair value hierarchy level at December 31, 2008.
(in thousands of dollars)
|
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1) |
Siginificant Other
Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Total | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
||||||||||||||
Derivative contract |
$ | | $ | | $ | 59,386 | $ | 59,386 | ||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||
Derivative contract |
| (6,567 | ) | (6,567 | ) | |||||||||
|
$ | | $ | | $ | 52,819 | $ | 52,819 | ||||||
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are based on significant unobservable inputs for the year ended December 31, 2008.
(in thousands of dollars)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Fair value of derivatives based on significant unobservable inputs at January 1, 2008(1) |
$ | 108,701 | ||
Unrealized losses(2) |
(55,882 |
) |
||
Fair value of derivatives based on significant unobservable inputs at December 31, 2008 |
$ | 52,819 | ||
The fair value of the 2012 Bonds as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $173,527 and $236,237 respectively. The estimated fair values were based on a valuation model which discounts future cash flows produced by the 2012 Bonds at a rate determined by applying a spread to the U.S. Treasury rates. Judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the fair value estimates as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Partnership could have realized in current markets.
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, due to affiliates and other accrued liabilities approximate their fair value due primarily to their short-term nature.
F-104
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
7. Concentration of Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of loss the Partnership would incur if counterparties fail to perform their contractual obligations (including accounts receivable). The Partnership primarily conducts business with counterparties in the energy industry, such as investor-owned utilities, energy trading companies, financial institutions, gas production companies and gas transportation companies located in the United States and Canada. This concentration of counterparties may impact the Partnership's overall exposure to credit risk in that its counterparties may be similarly affected by changes in economic, regulatory or other conditions. The Partnership mitigates potential credit losses by dealing, where practical, with counterparties that are rated at investment grade or better by a major credit rating agency or have a history of reliable performance within the energy industry.
As of December 31, 2008, the Partnership's credit risk is primarily concentrated with the following customers: Con Edison, NYISO, Shell Energy North America (Canada) Inc. (f/k/a Coral Energy Canada, Inc.), ("Shell Energy North America") and Sempra Energy Trading LLC ("Sempra"), which provide for approximately 93% of the Partnership's revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 and account for approximately 100% of the Partnership's accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2008. The Partnership also has credit risk concentrated with counterparties who are contractually obligated to provide fuel supply and transportation (Note 8).
8. Commitments and Contingencies
Power Purchase Agreements
The Partnership has a power purchase agreement with Con Edison for a term of 20 years that began on September 1, 1994, the date Unit 2's commercial operations commenced (the "Con Edison Power Purchase Agreement"). The Con Edison Power Purchase Agreement provides Con Edison the right to schedule Unit 2 for dispatch on a daily basis at full capability, partial capability or off-line. Con Edison's scheduling decisions are required to be based in part on economic criteria which, pursuant to the governing rules of the NYISO, take into account the variable cost of the electricity to be delivered. The Con Edison Power Purchase Agreement provides for Con Edison to make a monthly contract payment to the Partnership consisting of four components: (i) capacity, (ii) fuel, (iii) O&M, and (iv) wheeling. The capacity payment, a portion of the fuel payment, a portion of the O&M payment, and the wheeling payment are fixed and paid on the basis of the availability of Unit 2 to operate, whether or not Unit 2 is dispatched on-line. The fixed charges are subject to reduction if Unit 2's average availability is less than 90% for the four-month summer period (June through September) or is less than 80% during the rest of the year. The variable portions of the fuel payment and O&M payment are payable based on the amount of electricity produced by Unit 2 and delivered to Con Edison. The total fixed and variable fuel payment is capped at a ceiling price established in accordance with the Con Edison Power Purchase Agreement. Payments from Con Edison may also include a "savings component", which is equal to one-half of the amount by which Unit 2's actual fixed and variable fuel commodity and transportation costs are less than the ceiling price.
Steam Sale Agreements
The Partnership has a steam sales agreement, as amended, with SABIC for a term of 20 years from the commercial operations date of Unit 2 which may be extended under certain circumstances (the "Steam Sales Agreement"). The Steam Sales Agreement may be terminated by the Partnership
F-105
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
8. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
with a one-year advanced written notice upon the termination of the power purchase agreement with Con Edison. The Steam Sales Agreement may also be terminated by SABIC with a 2-year advanced written notice if the SABIC IP plant no longer has a requirement for steam. Pursuant to the Steam Sales Agreement the Partnership is obligated to sell up to 400,000 lbs/hr of the thermal output of Unit 1 and Unit 2 for use as process steam by the SABIC IP plant adjacent to the Facility. The Partnership charges SABIC a nominal price for delivered steam in an amount up to the annual equivalent of 160,000 lbs/hr during each hour in which the SABIC IP plant is in production (the "Discounted Quantity"). Steam sales in excess of the Discounted Quantity are priced at SABIC's avoided variable direct cost, subject to an "annual true-up" to ensure that SABIC receives the annual equivalent of the Discounted Quantity at nominal pricing.
Under the Steam Sales Agreement, SABIC is obligated to purchase the minimum quantities of steam necessary for the Facility to maintain its Qualifying Facility status (Note 1). In the event SABIC fails to meet the minimum purchase quantity, the Partnership may acquire title to the Facility site and terminate the operating lease agreement with SABIC at no cost to the Partnership.
Gas Supply and Transportation Agreements
The Unit 1 Gas Supply Contract with Shell Energy North America has a 7-year term beginning November 1, 2005, and gives the Partnership the right to purchase a maximum daily quantity of natural gas of 15,000 MMBtu at a commodity price that adjusts, on a monthly basis, with changes in a specified market index for natural gas, and does not impose a minimum contract volume purchase obligation on the Partnership. The Partnership also has a fuel management agreement with Shell Energy North America for a 7-year period beginning November 1, 2005. The Partnership has posted two letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $15,000,000 to support obligations under its agreements with Shell Energy North America (Note 4).
The Partnership entered into long-term contracts (collectively, the "Unit 1 Gas Transportation Contracts") for the transportation of natural gas volumes generally used to operate Unit 1 on a firm basis with TransCanada Pipelines Limited ("TransCanada"), Iroquois Gas Transmissions System, L.P. ("Iroquois") and Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company ("Tennessee"). Each of the Unit 1 Gas Transportation Contracts has a term of 20 years beginning November 1, 1992. In conjunction with the restructuring of the long-term gas supply agreement generally used to supply natural gas to operate Unit 1, effective November 1, 2005, the Partnership permanently assigned the capacity under the Unit 1 Gas Transportation Contract with TransCanada to Shell Energy North America.
To supply natural gas needed to operate Unit 2, the Partnership entered into 15-year term gas supply agreements beginning November 1, 1994 ("Original Unit 2 Gas Supply Contracts") with Imperial Oil Resources ("Imperial"), EnCana Corporation ("EnCana", formerly known as PanCanadian Petroleum Limited) and Canadian Forest Oil Ltd. ("CFOL", formerly known as Producers Marketing Ltd.), (collectively, the "Unit 2 Gas Suppliers"), each on a firm basis. During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Partnership restructured its agreements with the Unit 2 Gas Suppliers to modify the Original Unit 2 Gas Supply Contracts and/or enter into new agreements for an extended term ("Restructured Unit 2 Gas Supply Contracts"). As a result of the restructuring, the Unit 2 Gas Suppliers will continue supplying gas to the Partnership for an additional five-year period beginning November 1, 2009. The commodity price of natural gas under the Restructured Unit 2 Gas Supply
F-106
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
8. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
Contracts adjusts, on a monthly basis, with changes in specified market indices for natural gas or a combination of natural gas and oil. The Restructured Unit 2 Gas Supply Contracts allow for the Partnership to purchase a maximum daily quantity of natural gas of 58,660 MMBtu with an average minimum contract volume purchase obligation of approximately 55% of the maximum daily quantity.
The Partnership entered into certain long-term contracts (collectively, the "Unit 2 Gas Transportation Contracts") for the transportation of natural gas volumes generally used to operate Unit 2 on a firm basis with TransCanada, Iroquois and Tennessee. Each of the Unit 2 Gas Transportation Contracts has a term of 20 years beginning November 1, 1994. Under one of these agreements, the fuel transporter has exercised its right to require the Partnership to post letters of credit on an annual basis. The Partnership has posted a letter of credit for approximately $2,925,000 U.S. dollars and two fuel suppliers, on behalf of the Partnership, have posted letters of credit totaling approximately $8,769,000 Canadian dollars (Note 4). The Partnership is obligated to reimburse the fuel suppliers for all amounts related to obtaining and maintaining the letters of credit and, under certain circumstances, for any amounts drawn upon the letters of credit.
Gas Sale Agreement
The Partnership entered into natural gas sale agreement with Sempra for the firm sale of 15,000 MMBTtu of natural gas per day from December 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009, at a commodity price that adjusts, on a monthly basis, with changes in a specified market index for natural gas plus $1.54 per MMBtu.
Electric Transmission Agreements
The Partnership has an interconnection agreement with Niagara Mohawk to interconnect the power output from Unit 1 to Niagara Mohawk's electric transmission system through April 16, 2012. Payments under the interconnection agreement are fixed at $150,000 per year, prorated for 2012.
The Partnership also has a 20-year firm transmission agreement with Niagara Mohawk to transmit the power output from Unit 2 to Con Edison through August 31, 2014, with payment fixed at $5,702,000 per year. Co-terminus with this agreement, the Partnership has an interconnection agreement with Niagara Mohawk to interconnect the power output from Unit 2 to Niagara Mohawk's electric transmission system. Payments under this interconnection agreement are fixed at $450,000 per year.
Operations and Maintenance Agreement
The Partnership has an operations and maintenance services agreement ("O&M Agreement") with GE whereby GE provides certain operation and maintenance services to the Facility through December 31, 2012. Payments under the O&M Agreement include, in addition to other payments, a fixed payment of $235,000 annually through the term of the O&M Agreement.
The Partnership also has a multi-year maintenance program agreement ("MMP Agreement") with GE. Under the MMP Agreement the Partnership is obligated to purchase approximately $9,750,000 in parts and services by December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2008, the Partnership purchased approximately $8,240,000 in parts and services from GE under the MMP Agreement.
F-107
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
8. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
Site Lease
The Partnership has a site lease agreement with SABIC which SABIC acquired from GE in 2007. The amended lease term expires on August 31, 2014, and is renewable for the greater of 5 years or until termination of either the power purchase agreement with Con Edison, up to a maximum of 20 years. The lease may be terminated by the Partnership under certain circumstances with the appropriate written notice. The lease provides certain tracts of land for a fixed fee as well as provides for certain utilities and other services based on a fixed fee with annual escalation. The annual lease payment is fixed at $1,000,000 per year, prorated for 2014.
Environmental
The Partnership is subject to the compliance provisions of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a mandatory, market-based CO 2 emissions reduction program in ten Northeast and Mid- Atlantic states. Under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the Partnership will be able to use CO 2 allowances issued by any of the ten participating states to demonstrate compliance with the state of New York's program. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative which is effective January 1, 2009, limits the Facilty's CO 2 emissions and requires a 10 percent reduction in CO 2 emissions by 2018. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative also requires that the Partnership hold allowances covering the Facility's CO 2 emissions which as of December 31, 2008, the Partnership anticipates the compliance cost to be approximately $2,900,000, for 2009, based on the market clearing price.
Steam Generator Damage
On December 27, 2006, the Unit 2 Steam Turbine Generator was inadvertently energized by utility workers performing maintenance in the interconnection switchyard, which resulted in an unplanned maintenance outage. As a result of this incident, the Partnership, in accordance with SFAS 5, Accounting for Contingencies, accrued approximately $900,000 for the inspection and repair of the Unit 2 Steam Turbine Generator which was included in operations and maintenance in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2006. On January 24, 2007, the Unit 2 Steam Turbine Generator returned to service. In June 2007, the Partnership received approximately $920,000 as reimbursement for costs incurred in repair of the Unit 2 Steam Generator which is reflected as a reduction in operations and maintenance in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Other
The Partnership experiences routine litigation in the normal course of business. Management is of the opinion that none of this routine litigation will have a material adverse effect on the Partnership's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
F-108
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
9. Related Parties
JMCS I Management manages the day-to-day operation of the Partnership and is compensated at agreed-upon billing rates that are adjusted every four years in accordance with an administrative services agreement. The cost of services provided by JMCS I Management were approximately $1,986,000 and $1,935,000 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and are included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The total amount due to JMCS I Management at December 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $120,000 and $774,000, respectively.
*****
F-109
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
F-110
The consolidated financial statements of Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, are presented herein without the related report of independent accountants.
F-111
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2009 and 2008
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
|||||||||
Current assets |
|||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 99 | $ | 134 | |||||
Restricted cash |
6,305 | 13,652 | |||||||
Accounts receivable |
11,965 | 14,674 | |||||||
Inventory |
4,469 | 4,990 | |||||||
Emission allowances |
2,540 | | |||||||
Other assets |
1,162 | 2,867 | |||||||
Total current assets |
26,540 | 36,317 | |||||||
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $181,368 and $173,608, respectively |
358,875 |
366,697 |
|||||||
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $4,958 and $4,714, respectively |
1,873 | 2,117 | |||||||
Other assets |
2,846 | 3,600 | |||||||
Total assets |
$ | 390,134 | $ | 408,731 | |||||
Liabilities and Partners' Capital |
|||||||||
Current liabilities |
|||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
$ | 27,628 | $ | 23,920 | |||||
Accounts payable |
5,406 | 6,689 | |||||||
Due to affiliates |
1,784 | 2,228 | |||||||
Accrued liabilities |
1,655 | 2,461 | |||||||
Interest rate swap |
5,851 | 6,432 | |||||||
Total current liabilities |
42,324 | 41,730 | |||||||
Long-term debt |
187,611 |
215,239 |
|||||||
Interest rate swap |
4,842 | 9,860 | |||||||
Asset retirement obligation |
1,998 | 1,895 | |||||||
Total liabilities |
236,775 | 268,724 | |||||||
Commitments and contingencies |
|||||||||
Partners' capital |
|||||||||
General partners |
93,687 | 86,747 | |||||||
Limited partner |
62,456 | 57,830 | |||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(2,784 | ) | (4,570 | ) | |||||
Total partners' capital |
153,359 | 140,007 | |||||||
Total liabilities and partners' capital |
$ | 390,134 | $ | 408,731 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-112
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating revenues |
|||||||||
Energy |
$ | 52,727 | $ | 100,936 | |||||
Capacity |
59,665 | 59,627 | |||||||
Steam |
14,266 | 11,784 | |||||||
Total operating revenues |
126,658 | 172,347 | |||||||
Operating expenses |
|||||||||
Fuel |
53,625 | 74,146 | |||||||
Operations and maintenance |
34,322 | 24,489 | |||||||
General and administrative |
4,975 | 4,736 | |||||||
Depreciation |
8,278 | 8,190 | |||||||
Loss on disposal of assets |
1,030 | | |||||||
Total operating expenses |
102,230 | 111,561 | |||||||
Operating income |
24,428 | 60,786 | |||||||
Other income (expense) |
|||||||||
Interest income |
3 | 173 | |||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps |
5,599 | (6,025 | ) | ||||||
Interest expense |
(15,614 | ) | (17,963 | ) | |||||
Net income |
$ | 14,416 | $ | 36,971 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-113
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital and Comprehensive Income
Years Ended
December 31, 2009 and 2008
(in thousands of dollars)
|
General
Partners |
Limited
Partner |
Comprehensive
Income |
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Loss |
Total | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Partners' capital at December 31, 2007 |
$ | 80,464 | $ | 53,642 | $ | (6,894 | ) | $ | 127,212 | ||||||||
Net income |
22,183 |
14,788 |
$ |
36,971 |
36,971 |
||||||||||||
Amortization of previously deferred loss on interest rate swap agreement |
2,324 | 2,324 | 2,324 | ||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
22,183 | 14,788 | $ | 39,295 | |||||||||||||
Capital distributions |
(15,900 | ) | (10,600 | ) | | (26,500 | ) | ||||||||||
Partners' capital at December 31, 2008 |
86,747 | 57,830 | (4,570 | ) | 140,007 | ||||||||||||
Net income |
8,650 |
5,766 |
$ |
14,416 |
14,416 |
||||||||||||
Amortization of previously deferred loss on interest rate swap agreement |
1,786 | 1,786 | 1,786 | ||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
8,650 | 5,766 | $ | 16,202 | |||||||||||||
Capital distributions |
(1,710 | ) | (1,140 | ) | | (2,850 | ) | ||||||||||
Partners' capital at December 31, 2009 |
$ | 93,687 | $ | 62,456 | $ | (2,784 | ) | $ | 153,359 | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-114
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash flows from operating activities |
|||||||||
Net income |
$ | 14,416 | $ | 36,971 | |||||
Noncash items included in net income: |
|||||||||
Amortization of deferred interest rate swap losses |
1,786 | 2,324 | |||||||
Unrealized (gain) loss on interest rate swaps |
(5,599 | ) | 6,025 | ||||||
Depreciation |
8,278 | 8,190 | |||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
244 | 259 | |||||||
Accretion of asset retirement obligation |
103 | 83 | |||||||
Loss on disposal of assets |
1,030 | | |||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|||||||||
Accounts receivable |
2,709 | 800 | |||||||
Inventory |
1,116 | (914 | ) | ||||||
Emission allowances |
(2,540 | ) | | ||||||
Other assets |
1,864 | (1,765 | ) | ||||||
Accounts payable |
(1,265 | ) | 1,280 | ||||||
Due to affiliates |
(444 | ) | 37 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities |
(740 | ) | 405 | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
20,958 | 53,695 | |||||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
|||||||||
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash |
7,347 | (2,983 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from the sale of assets |
32 | | |||||||
Capital expenditures |
(1,602 | ) | (363 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
5,777 | (3,346 | ) | ||||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
|||||||||
Repayments of long-term debt |
(23,920 | ) | (20,786 | ) | |||||
Capital distributions |
(2,850 | ) | (29,500 | ) | |||||
Cash used in financing activities |
(26,770 | ) | (50,286 | ) | |||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(35 | ) | 63 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|||||||||
Beginning of year |
134 | 71 | |||||||
End of year |
$ | 99 | $ | 134 | |||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information |
|||||||||
Cash paid for interest |
$ | 13,586 | $ | 15,716 | |||||
Noncash investing and financing activities: |
|||||||||
Capital expenditures which were accrued but not paid |
$ | 2 | $ | 86 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-115
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
1. Organization and Business
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership (the "Partnership") is a Delaware limited partnership formed on August 17, 1988. The general partners are Peregrine Power, LLC ("Peregrine"), a California limited liability company, and Cogentrix/Carneys Point, LLC ("Cogentrix/Carneys"), a Delaware limited liability company. Epsilon Power is a limited partner. Cogentrix/Carneys and Peregrine were each wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of Cogentrix Energy, LLC ("CELLC"). In November 2007, CELLC transferred 100% of its indirect equity interest in Peregrine and Cogentrix/Carneys to Calypso Energy Holdings LLC ("Calypso"), then, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CELLC. Following such transfer, on November 14, 2007, CELLC sold an 80% equity interest in Calypso to EIF Calypso, LLC, a limited liability company owned by one or more private equity funds managed by EIF Management, LLC (collectively, the "Calypso Transaction"). As a result, CELLC holds a 20% equity interest in Calypso and a 12% indirect interest in the Partnership.
The Partnership was formed to construct, own and operate a 262-megawatt ("MW") coal-fired cogeneration station (the "Facility") at DuPont's Chambers Works chemical complex in Carneys Point, New Jersey. The Facility produces energy for sale to Atlantic City Electric Company ("AE"), and energy and process steam to E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company ("DuPont") for use in its industrial operations. The Facility achieved final completion and commercial operations in 1994.
In December 2008, the Partnership submitted an application to PJM Interconnection ("PJM") to increase the Facility's capacity rating from 225 MW to 240 MW. On April 28, 2009, the Partnership received notice from PJM that the capacity interconnection rights assigned to the Facility have been increased to 240 MW. The Facility currently sells excess energy under a separate power sales agreement (Note 10).
The net income and losses of the Partnership are allocated to Peregrine, Cogentrix/Carneys and Epsilon (collectively, the "Partners") based on the following ownership percentages:
Peregrine |
50 | % | ||
Cogentrix/Carneys |
10 | % | ||
Epsilon |
40 | % |
All distributions other than liquidating distributions are made based on the Partners' percentage interests, as shown above, in accordance with the Partnership documents and at such times and in such amounts as the Board of Control of the Partnership determines.
Carneys Point Generating Company, L.P.
The Partnership has a lease agreement with Carneys Point Generating Company, L.P. ("CPGC"), which is equally owned by Topaz Power, LLC ("Topaz") and by Garnet Power, LLC (Garnet"), both of which were wholly-owned direct subsidiaries of Power Services Company ("PSC"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of CELLC. In November 2007, CELLC transferred 100% of its ownership interest in Topaz and Garnet to Calypso in connection with the Calypso Transaction. CPGC leases the facility and subleases the site from the Partnership. In addition, certain contracts and agreements related to the Partnership have been assigned to CPGC by the Partnership. The lease commenced on September 20, 1994 and has a 24-year term. CPGC's operations have been established to effectively break-even under the lease agreement.
F-116
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
1. Organization and Business (Continued)
The Partnership is managed by PSC pursuant to a management services agreement (Note 11). The Facility is operated by U.S. Operating Services Company ("OSC"), pursuant to an operation and maintenance agreement (Note 11). OSC is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of CELLC.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The Partnership is required to consolidate an entity for which it absorbs a majority of the entity's expected losses, receives a majority of the entity's expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interest in the entity.
The Partnership determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity ("VIE") by first performing a qualitative analysis of the VIE that includes a review of, among other factors, its capital structure, contractual terms, which interests create or absorb variability, related party relationships and the design of the VIE. For purposes of allocating a VIE's expected losses and expected residual returns to its variable interest holders, the Partnership utilizes the "top down" method. Under that method, the Partnership calculates its share of the VIE's expected losses and expected residual returns using the specific cash flows that would be allocated to it, based on contractual arrangements and/or the Partnership's position in the capital structure of the VIE, under various probability-weighted scenarios.
CPGC is a variable interest entity of which the Partnership is the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the Partnership consolidates CPGC. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash includes both cash and cash equivalents that are held in accounts restricted for operations, debt service, major maintenance and other specifically designated accounts under a disbursement agreement. Restricted cash associated with transactions expected to occur beyond one-year are classified as long-term. All other restricted accounts are classified as current assets.
F-117
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Inventory
Fuel is valued using the average cost method and includes the fuel contract purchase price as well as the transportation and related costs incurred to deliver the fuel to the Facility (Note 3).
Spare parts are recorded at the lower of average cost or market and consist of Facility equipment components and supplies required to facilitate maintenance activities. Spare parts which are expected to be utilized during the next year are classified as current in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Spare parts which are not expected to be utilized within the next year are classified as long-term and included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets (Note 3).
The Partnership performs periodic assessments to determine the existence of obsolete, slow- moving and unusable inventory and records necessary provisions to reduce such inventories to net realizable value.
Emission Allowances
Emission allowances are valued under the weighted average costing method subject to the lower of cost or market principle. In applying the lower of cost or market principle, a reduction in the carrying value is not recognized so long as the Partnership will recover/pass-through the cost in its operating margin.
The historical cost of emission allowances is calculated as follows:
Derivative Contracts
In accordance with guidance on accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities all derivatives should be recognized at fair value. Derivatives or any portion thereof, that are not designated as, and effective as, hedges must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. Derivative contracts are classified as either assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Certain contracts that require physical delivery may qualify for and be designated as normal purchases/normal sales. Such contracts are accounted for on an accrual basis. The Partnership's interest rate swap agreement (Notes 5 and 8) and power purchase agreement ("PPA") (Note 10) meet the definition of a derivative. The Partnership's PPA qualifies for, and the Partnership has elected, the normal purchases and normal sales exception and accordingly accounts for the PPA on an accrual basis.
The Partnership engages in activities to manage risks associated with changes in interest rates. The Partnership has entered into swap agreements to reduce exposure to interest rate fluctuations on certain debt commitments (Note 5). These agreements were designated and qualified as cash flow
F-118
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
hedging instruments through December 31, 2004. The Partnership discontinued applying cash flow hedge accounting on January 1, 2005. The balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss, as of December 31, 2004, is amortized as interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations in accordance with the originally forecasted interest payments schedule through the expiration of the interest rate swaps on March 31, 2014.
Fair Value Measurements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance that defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures. This guidance does not require any new fair value measurements, but rather applies to all other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.
A fair value hierarchy was established that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
| Level 1: | Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. | ||
|
|
Level 2: |
|
Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. |
|
|
Level 3: |
|
Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions. |
A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement (Note 8).
In February 2008, the FASB issued a one-year deferral for non-financial assets and liabilities to comply with issued fair value guidance. As of December 31, 2009, the Partnership does not have any non-financial assets or liabilities remeasured at fair value on a recurring basis
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized and minor replacements, maintenance, and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations for the respective period. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful life ("EUL") of the related assets using the straight-line method (Note 4).
The Partnership's depreciation is based on the Facility being considered a single property unit. Certain components within the Facility will require replacement or overhaul several times over its estimated life. Costs associated with overhauls are recorded as an expense in the period incurred. However, in instances where a replacement of a Facility component is significant and the Partnership
F-119
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
can reasonably estimate the original cost of the component being replaced, the Partnership will write-off the replaced component and capitalize the cost of the replacement. The component will be depreciated over the lesser of the EUL of the component or the remaining useful life of the Facility.
The Partnership reviews the carrying value of property and equipment for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to an amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of assets. The factors considered by management in performing this assessment include current operating results, trends and prospects, the manner in which the property is used, and the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition, and other economic factors.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs, which consist of the costs incurred to obtain financing, are deferred and amortized into interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations using the effective interest method over the term of the related financing (Note 5).
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset retirement obligations, including those conditioned on future events, are recorded at fair value in the period in which they are incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset in the same period. In each subsequent period, the liability is accreted to its present value and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the EUL of the long-lived asset. If the asset retirement obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, the Partnership recognizes a gain or loss on settlement. The Partnership records at fair value all reclamation costs the Partnership would incur to perform environmental clean-up of land under lease to the Partnership.
Income Taxes
As a partnership, the income tax effects accrue directly to the partners, and each partner is individually responsible for its share of the combined income or loss. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from the sale of energy and steam are recorded based on monthly output delivered as specified under contractual terms or current market conditions and are recorded on a gross basis on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as energy and steam revenues, respectively, with the associated costs recorded in operating expenses.
Subsequent Events
The Partnership evaluated subsequent events through March 12, 2010.
F-120
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Effective July 1, 2009 the Partnership adopted the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") issued by the FASB. The ASC does not change GAAP, but instead takes the numerous individual accounting pronouncements that previously constituted GAAP and reorganizes them into approximately 90 accounting topics, which are then broken down into subtopics, sections and paragraphs. The intent is to simplify user access to authoritative GAAP by providing all of the guidance related to a particular topic in one place. ASC supersedes all previously existing non-Security and Exchange Commission or non-grandfathered accounting and reporting standards. The adoption of ASC did not have any impact on the Partnership's consolidated financial statements.
In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance to revise the approach to determine when a VIE should be consolidated. The new consolidation model for VIEs considers whether a company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and shares in the significant risks and rewards of the entity. The guidance on VIEs requires companies to continually reassess VIEs to determine if consolidation is appropriate and provide additional disclosures. The guidance is effective for the Partnership's fiscal year beginning January 1, 2010. The Partnership expects the adoption of this guidance will have no material impact on its financial statements.
3. Inventory
Inventory consisted of the following as of December 31:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coal |
$ | 3,142 | $ | 3,715 | |||
Fuel oil |
376 | 652 | |||||
Lime |
95 | 110 | |||||
Spare parts |
3,621 | 3,873 | |||||
|
7,234 | 8,350 | |||||
Less: Current portion |
(4,469 |
) |
(4,990 |
) |
|||
|
$ | 2,765 | $ | 3,360 | |||
4. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following components as of December 31:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Facility |
$ | 537,175 | $ | 537,331 | |||
Other equipment |
3,068 | 2,974 | |||||
|
540,243 | 540,305 | |||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
(181,368 |
) |
(173,608 |
) |
|||
|
$ | 358,875 | $ | 366,697 | |||
F-121
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
4. Property and Equipment (Continued)
The EUL for significant property and equipment categories are as follows:
Facility |
60 years | |
Other equipment |
5 to 60 years |
5. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following as of December 31:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
As of December 31, 2009 |
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2009 |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description
|
Commitment
Amount |
Due
Date |
Balance
Outstanding |
Interest
Expense |
Letter of
Credit Fees |
||||||||||||
Bonds payable(1)(6) |
$ | 100,000 | 7/1/21 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 1,795 | N/A | |||||||||
Loan payable(2) |
| 6/10/09 | | 3 | N/A | ||||||||||||
Credit agreement |
|||||||||||||||||
Term loans(3)(6) |
115,239 | 3/31/14 | 115,239 | 2,856 | N/A | ||||||||||||
Bond letter of credit(4)(6)(7) |
102,466 | 12/31/12 | | N/A | 1,495 | ||||||||||||
Debt service reserve letter of credit(5)(6)(7) |
22,750 | 12/31/12 | | N/A | 389 | ||||||||||||
|
215,239 | ||||||||||||||||
Less: Current portion |
27,628 |
||||||||||||||||
|
$ | 187,611 | |||||||||||||||
(in thousands of dollars)
|
As of December 31, 2008 |
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2008 |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description
|
Commitment
Amount |
Due
Date |
Balance
Outstanding |
Interest
Expense |
Letter of
Credit Fees |
||||||||||||
Bonds payable(1)(6) |
$ | 100,000 | 7/1/21 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 2,307 | N/A | |||||||||
Loan payable(2) |
93 | 6/10/09 | 93 | 8 | N/A | ||||||||||||
Credit agreement |
|||||||||||||||||
Term loans(3)(6) |
139,066 | 3/31/14 | 139,066 | 7,207 | N/A | ||||||||||||
Bond letter of credit(4)(6)(7) |
102,466 | 12/31/12 | | N/A | 1,352 | ||||||||||||
Debt service reserve letter of credit(5)(6)(7) |
22,750 | 12/31/12 | | N/A | 387 | ||||||||||||
|
239,159 | ||||||||||||||||
Less: Current portion |
23,920 |
||||||||||||||||
|
$ | 215,239 | |||||||||||||||
F-122
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
5. Long-Term Debt (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Remarketing fees paid to the remarketing agent were approximately $100,000 in both 2009 and 2008. These fees are included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Accrued interest payable of $81,000 and $81,000 is included in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Future minimum principal payments as of December 31, 2009 are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 |
$ | 27,628 | ||
2011 |
28,235 | |||
2012 |
30,439 | |||
2013 |
26,957 | |||
2014 |
1,980 | |||
Thereafter |
100,000 | |||
|
$ | 215,239 | ||
In connection with the various agreements discussed above, certain financial covenants must be met and reported on an annual basis. The Partnership was in compliance with all debt covenants at December 31, 2009.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
The Partnership is a party to two amortizing interest rate swap agreements with notional amounts outstanding aggregating $115,239,000 at December 31, 2009 and expiring on various dates through March 31, 2014. Swap payments related to the agreements covering the variable rate bank debt are
F-123
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
5. Long-Term Debt (Continued)
made based on the spread between 5.21% (weighted average of all agreements as of December 31, 2009) and LIBOR multiplied by the notional amounts outstanding. Net amounts paid to the counterparties were approximately $6,891,000 and $3,935,000 in 2009 and 2008, respectively. These amounts were recorded as interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
6. Operating Leases
The Partnership leases certain equipment under non-cancelable operating leases expiring at various dates through 2022. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Partnership incurred lease expense of approximately $219,000 and $224,000, respectively, which is included in operations and maintenance expense and general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Future minimum lease payments, as of December 31, 2009, are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 |
$ | 201 | ||
2011 |
196 | |||
2012 |
194 | |||
2013 |
192 | |||
2014 |
192 | |||
Thereafter |
1,357 | |||
|
$ | 2,332 | ||
7. Payment in Lieu of Taxes
In January 1991, the Partnership entered into a Payment in Lieu of Taxes ("PILOT") agreement with the Township of Carneys Point, a municipal corporation of the state of New Jersey, which exempts the Partnership from certain property taxes. The agreement commenced on January 1, 1994, and will terminate on December 31, 2033. PILOT payments are paid annually and are expensed as incurred over the term of the agreement. Property taxes are due and paid quarterly and are deducted from the annual PILOT payments made. The Partnership expensed approximately $2,600,000 and $2,400,000 related to the PILOT which is included in general and administrative in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
As of December 31, 2009, future payments remaining under the PILOT are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 |
$ | 2,700 | ||
2011 |
2,800 | |||
2012 |
3,000 | |||
2013 |
3,400 | |||
2014 |
3,700 | |||
Thereafter |
118,600 | |||
|
$ | 134,200 | ||
F-124
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
8. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Partnership's swap agreements, based upon Level 2significant other observable inputs, is estimated to be a liability of approximately $10,693,042 and $16,292,000 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively (Notes 2 and 5). The valuation of the Partnership's swap agreements is based on widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analyses which take into consideration among other things the contractual terms of the swap agreements, observable market based inputs when available, interest rate curves and counterparty credit risk. Judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the fair value estimates as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Partnership could have realized in current markets.
The Partnership's financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other assets, accounts payable, due to affiliates, and accrued liabilities. These instruments approximate their fair values as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 due to their short-term nature.
The fair value of the Partnership's bonds and term loans payable approximates their carrying value due to the variable nature of the interest obligations thereon.
9. Concentrations of Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of loss the Partnership would incur if counterparties fail to perform their contractual obligations. The Partnership primarily conducts business with counterparties in the energy industry. This concentration of counterparties may impact the Partnership's overall exposure to credit risk in that its counterparties may be similarly affected by changes in economic, regulatory or other conditions. The Partnership mitigates potential credit losses by dealing, where practical, with counterparties that are rated investment grade by a major credit rating agency or have a history of reliable performance within the energy industry.
The Partnership's credit risk is primarily concentrated with AE, DuPont and the Partnership's coal supplier. AE and DuPont provided 78.7% and 21.3%, respectively, of the Partnership's revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009 and accounted for approximately 74.3% and 25.7%, respectively, of the Partnership's accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2009. The Partnership has a coal supply contract with Consolidated Coal Company, Consolidated Pennsylvania Coal Company, Consolidated Coal Sales Company and Nineveh Coal Company (together "Consol") who are responsible for providing 100% of the Partnership's coal requirements through 2014. The Partnership's credit risk is also impacted by the credit risk associated with its issuing bank of the bond letter of credit, Dexia Credit Locale.
The Partnership is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to the Partnership's interest rate swap agreements (Notes 2 and 5). The Partnership does not obtain collateral or other security to support such agreements, but continually monitors its positions with, and the credit quality of, the counterparties to such agreements.
F-125
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
10. Commitments and Contingencies
Power Purchase Agreement
The Partnership has a power purchase agreement ("PPA") with AE for sales of the Facility's power output during a 30-year period commencing in 1994. The PPA provides AE with dispatch rights over the Facility, with a contractual minimum of the equivalent of 3,500 hours of full load operation. The pricing structure provides for both capacity and energy payments. Capacity payments are fixed over the life of the contract. Energy payments are based on a contractual formula which is adjusted annually, as defined in the PPA, based on a utility coal index.
Power Sales Agreement
The Partnership has entered into a supplemental power sales agreement ("PSA") with AE which provides the Partnership self-dispatch rights for both undispatched PPA and excess energy as well as the right to market excess capacity. The pricing structure provides for both capacity and energy payments. The Partnership shares margins on the self-dispatched energy with AE based on hourly wholesale prices. Excess capacity is sold in PJM's periodic auctions and the resulting revenue is shared between the Partnership and AE. The PSA expires on July 31, 2010.
Steam and Electricity Sales Agreement
The Partnership has a steam and electricity sales agreement with DuPont (the "DuPont Agreement") for a 30-year period commencing in 1994. Thereafter, the agreement will remain in effect unless terminated by either party upon at least 36-months' notice. DuPont is required to purchase a minimum of 525,600,000 pounds of process steam per year and no minimum amount of electricity. The steam price is adjusted quarterly based on coal price index formulas defined in the agreement. The electricity price is also adjusted quarterly based on coal price index formulas and the AE average retail rate, as defined in the agreement. The Partnership has an ongoing dispute with DuPont over electric energy payment calculation. Amounts under dispute have not been reflected in revenues in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Fly Ash Disposal Agreement
The Partnership has an agreement with Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company, Consolidation Coal Sales Company and Nineveh Coal Company, jointly, for a 20-year period commencing in 1990 for the disposal of fly ash with a minimum requirement of 130,000 tons per contract year. The Partnership does not anticipate meeting this requirement by the end of the contract year ending on March 14, 2010. Accordingly, the Partnership has accrued approximately $246,000 related to this shortage at December 31, 2009 which is included in fuel expense on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
Other
The Partnership experiences routine litigation in the normal course of business. Management is of the opinion that none of this routine litigation will have a material adverse effect on the Partnership's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
F-126
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
11. Related Parties
Management Services Agreement
The Partnership has a management services agreement with PSC to provide day-to-day management and administration of the Partnership's business relating to the Facility through September 20, 2018. Compensation to PSC under the agreement includes a monthly fee of $50,000, wages and benefits for employees working on behalf of the Partnership and other costs directly related to the Partnership. The Partnership recorded related expense of $1,860,000 and $1,971,000 in operations and maintenance in the consolidated statements of operations in 2009 and 2008, respectively. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Partnership owed PSC approximately $135,000 and $116,000, respectively, which is included in due to affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Under the terms of the agreement, $50,000 of the amounts owed for each of 2009 and 2008 is subordinate to debt service for the Partnership's bonds payable and term loans.
Operations and Maintenance Agreement
The Partnership's O&M Agreement with OSC provides for the operations and maintenance of the Facility through April 1, 2014. Thereafter, the agreement will be automatically renewed for periods of five-years until terminated by either party with 12-months prior notice. Compensation to OSC under the agreement includes (i) an annual base fee, of which a portion is subordinate to debt service and certain other costs, (ii) certain earned fees and bonuses based on the Facility's performance and (iii) reimbursement for certain costs, including payroll, supplies, spare parts, equipment, certain taxes, licensing fees, insurance and indirect costs expressed as a percentage of payroll and personnel costs. The fees are adjusted annually by a measure of inflation as defined in the agreement. If targeted Facility performance is not reached on a monthly basis, OSC may be required to pay liquidated damages to the Partnership. The Partnership incurred related expense of approximately $9,857,000 and $9,556,000 which is recorded in operations and maintenance in the consolidated statements of operations during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Partnership owed OSC $1,649,000 and $2,112,000, respectively, under the O&M Agreement, which is included in due to affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Under the terms of the agreement, approximately $287,000 and $591,000 of the amounts owed at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, is subordinate to the debt service for the Partnership's bonds payable and term loans. In addition, approximately $599,000 and $549,000 in other costs had been advanced to OSC at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and are included in other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
*****
F-127
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
F-128
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Two Commerce Square, Suite 1700 2001 Market Street Philadelphia PA 19103-7042 Telephone (267) 330 3000 Facsimile (267) 330 3300 |
Report of Independent Auditors
To
the Board of Control of
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, of changes in partners' capital and comprehensive income, and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its accounting for spare parts inventory in 2008,
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
March 13, 2009
F-129
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2008 and 2007
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
|||||||||
Current assets |
|||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 134 | $ | 71 | |||||
Restricted cash |
13,652 | 9,703 | |||||||
Accounts receivable |
14,674 | 15,474 | |||||||
Inventory |
4,990 | 4,688 | |||||||
Other assets |
2,867 | 1,342 | |||||||
Total current assets |
36,317 | 31,278 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
|
966 |
|||||||
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $173,608 and $165,418, respectively |
366,697 | 375,137 | |||||||
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $4,714 and $4,455, respectively |
2,117 | 2,376 | |||||||
Other assets |
3,600 | 2,722 | |||||||
Total assets |
$ | 408,731 | $ | 412,479 | |||||
Liabilities and Partners' Capital |
|||||||||
Current liabilities |
|||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
$ | 23,920 | $ | 20,776 | |||||
Accounts payable |
6,689 | 5,409 | |||||||
Dividend payable |
| 3,000 | |||||||
Due to affiliates |
2,228 | 2,683 | |||||||
Accrued liabilities |
2,461 | 1,970 | |||||||
Interest rate swap |
6,432 | 3,025 | |||||||
Total current liabilities |
41,730 | 36,863 | |||||||
Long-term debt |
215,239 |
239,169 |
|||||||
Interest rate swap |
9,860 | 7,242 | |||||||
Asset retirement obligation |
1,895 | 1,993 | |||||||
Total liabilities |
268,724 | 285,267 | |||||||
Commitments and contingencies |
|||||||||
Partners' capital |
|||||||||
General partners |
86,747 | 80,464 | |||||||
Limited partner |
57,830 | 53,642 | |||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(4,570 | ) | (6,894 | ) | |||||
Total partners' capital |
140,007 | 127,212 | |||||||
Total liabilities and partners' capital |
$ | 408,731 | $ | 412,479 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-130
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating revenues |
|||||||||
Energy |
$ | 100,936 | $ | 97,096 | |||||
Capacity |
59,627 | 58,869 | |||||||
Steam |
11,784 | 10,785 | |||||||
Total operating revenues |
172,347 | 166,750 | |||||||
Operating expenses |
|||||||||
Fuel |
74,146 | 67,163 | |||||||
Operations and maintenance |
24,489 | 22,990 | |||||||
General and administrative |
4,736 | 4,879 | |||||||
Depreciation |
8,190 | 8,205 | |||||||
Loss on disposal of assets |
| 177 | |||||||
Total operating expenses |
111,561 | 103,414 | |||||||
Operating income |
60,786 | 63,336 | |||||||
Other income (expense) |
|||||||||
Interest income |
173 | 530 | |||||||
Interest expense |
(23,988 | ) | (24,415 | ) | |||||
Net income |
$ | 36,971 | $ | 39,451 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-131
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital and Comprehensive Income
Years Ended December 31,
2008 and 2007
|
|
|
Limited
Partner |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
General Partners |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Loss |
|
|||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of dollars)
|
Peregrine
Power, LLC |
Cogentrix/
Carneys Point, LLC |
Epsilon
Power |
Comprehensive
Income |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Partners' capital, December 31, 2006, as originally stated |
$ | 62,252 | $ | 12,451 | $ | 49,802 | $ | (9,990 | ) | $ | 114,515 | |||||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
375 | 75 | 300 | | 750 | |||||||||||||||
Partners' capital at December 31, 2006, as adjusted for change in accounting principle |
62,627 | 12,526 | 50,102 | (9,990 | ) | 115,265 | ||||||||||||||
Net income |
19,726 |
3,945 |
15,780 |
$ |
39,451 |
|
39,451 |
|||||||||||||
Amortization of previously deferred loss on interest rate swap agreement |
3,096 | 3,096 | 3,096 | |||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
19,726 | 3,945 | 15,780 | $ | 42,547 | |||||||||||||||
Dividend declared |
(1,500 | ) | (300 | ) | (1,200 | ) | | (3,000 | ) | |||||||||||
Capital distributions |
(13,800 | ) | (2,760 | ) | (11,040 | ) | | (27,600 | ) | |||||||||||
Partners' capital, December 31, 2007 |
67,053 | 13,411 | 53,642 | (6,894 | ) | 127,212 | ||||||||||||||
Net income |
18,486 |
3,697 |
14,788 |
$ |
36,971 |
36,971 |
||||||||||||||
Amortization of previously deferred loss on interest rate swap agreement |
2,324 | 2,324 | 2,324 | |||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
18,486 | 3,697 | 14,788 | $ | 39,295 | |||||||||||||||
Capital distributions |
(13,250 | ) | (2,650 | ) | (10,600 | ) | | (26,500 | ) | |||||||||||
Partners' capital, December 31, 2008 |
$ | 72,289 | $ | 14,458 | $ | 57,830 | $ | (4,570 | ) | $ | 140,007 | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-132
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash flows from operating activities |
|||||||||
Net income |
$ | 36,971 | $ | 39,451 | |||||
Noncash items included in net income: |
|||||||||
Amortization of deferred interest rate swap losses |
2,324 | 3,096 | |||||||
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps |
6,025 | 2,886 | |||||||
Depreciation |
8,190 | 8,205 | |||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
259 | 273 | |||||||
Accretion of asset retirement obligation |
83 | 107 | |||||||
Loss on disposal of assets |
| 177 | |||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|||||||||
Accounts receivable |
800 | (3,001 | ) | ||||||
Inventory |
(914 | ) | 1,036 | ||||||
Other assets |
(1,765 | ) | (309 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable |
1,280 | (1,845 | ) | ||||||
Due to affiliates |
37 | (360 | ) | ||||||
Accrued liabilities |
405 | 1,518 | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
53,695 | 51,234 | |||||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
|||||||||
Increase in restricted cash |
(2,983 | ) | (3,111 | ) | |||||
Capital expenditures |
(363 | ) | (492 | ) | |||||
Cash used in investing activities |
(3,346 | ) | (3,603 | ) | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
|||||||||
Repayments of long-term debt |
(20,786 | ) | (20,016 | ) | |||||
Capital distributions |
(29,500 | ) | (27,600 | ) | |||||
Cash used in financing activities |
(50,286 | ) | (47,616 | ) | |||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
63 | 15 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|||||||||
Beginning of year |
71 | 56 | |||||||
End of year |
$ | 134 | $ | 71 | |||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information |
|||||||||
Cash paid for interest |
$ | 15,716 | $ | 16,415 | |||||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: |
|||||||||
Dividend declared but not paid |
$ | | $ | 3,000 | |||||
Capital expenditures which were accrued but not paid |
$ | 86 | $ | 492 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-133
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
1. Organization and Business
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership (the "Partnership") is a Delaware limited partnership formed on August 17, 1988. The general partners are Peregrine Power, LLC ("Peregrine"), a California limited liability company, and Cogentrix/Carneys Point, LLC, (f/k/a Cogentrix/Carneys Point, Inc.), ("Cogentrix/Carneys"), a Delaware limited liability company. Epsilon Power is a limited partner. Cogentrix/Carneys and Peregrine were each wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of Cogentrix Energy, LLC, (f/k/a Cogentrix Energy, Inc.), ("CELLC"). In November 2007, CELLC transferred 100% of its indirect equity interest in Peregrine and Cogentrix/Carneys to Calypso Energy Holdings LLC ("Calypso"), then, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CELLC. Following such transfer, on November 14, 2007, CELLC sold an 80% equity interest in Calypso to EIF Calypso, LLC, a limited liability company owned by one or more private equity funds managed by EIF Management, LLC (collectively, the "Calypso Transaction"). As a result, CELLC holds a 20% equity interest in Calypso and, ultimately the Partnership.
The Partnership was formed to construct, own and operate a 262-megawatt coal-fired cogeneration station (the "Facility") at DuPont's Chambers Works chemical complex in Carneys Point, New Jersey. The Facility produces energy for sale to Atlantic City Electric Company, (f/k/a Atlantic City Electric Company/Conectiv), ("AE"), and process steam to E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company ("DuPont") for use in its industrial operations. The Facility achieved final completion and commercial operations in 1994.
In December 2008, the Partnership submitted an application to PJM to increase the Facility's capacity rating from 225MW to 240MW. At December 31, 2008, PJM was drafting an interconnection agreement that when complete would allow the Partnership to sell the 15MW in additional capacity. The Facility currently sells excess energy under a separate power sales agreement (Note 9).
The net income and losses of the Partnership are allocated to Peregrine, Cogentrix/Carneys and Epsilon (collectively, the "Partners") based on the following ownership percentages:
Peregrine |
50 | % | ||
Cogentrix/Carneys |
10 | % | ||
Epsilon |
40 | % |
All distributions other than liquidating distributions are made based on the Partners' percentage interests, as shown above, in accordance with the Partnership documents and at such times and in such amounts as the Board of Control of the Partnership determines.
Carneys Point Generating Company, L.P.
The Partnership has a lease agreement with Carneys Point Generating Company, L.P. ("CPGC"), which is equally owned by Topaz Power. LLC ("Topaz") and by Garnet Power, LLC (Garnet"), both of which were wholly-owned direct subsidiaries of Power Services Company ("PSC"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of CELLC. In November 2007, CELLC transferred 100% of its ownership interest in Topaz and Garnet to Calypso in connection with the Calypso Transaction. CPGC leases the facility and subleases the site from the Partnership. In addition, certain contracts and agreements related to the Partnership have been assigned to CPGC by the Partnership. The lease commenced on
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Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
1. Organization and Business (Continued)
September 20, 1994 and has a 24-year term. CPGC's operations have been established to effectively break-even under the lease agreement.
The Partnership is managed by PSC pursuant to a management services agreement. The Facility is operated by U.S. Operating Services Company ("OSC"), pursuant to an operation and maintenance agreement. OSC is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of CELLC.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The Partnership applies the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation No. ("FIN") 46-R, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB 51 and associated FASB Staff Positions. FIN 46-R requires the consolidation of an entity by an enterprise that absorbs a majority of the entity's expected losses, receives a majority of the entity's expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interest in the entity. CPGC is a variable interest entity of which the Partnership is the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the Partnership consolidates CPGC. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash includes both cash and cash equivalents that are held in accounts restricted for operations, debt service, major maintenance and other specifically designated accounts under a disbursement agreement. Restricted cash associated with transactions occurring beyond one year are classified as long term. All other restricted accounts are classified as current assets.
Inventory
Fuel is valued using the average cost method and includes the fuel contract purchase price as well as the transportation and related costs incurred to deliver the fuel to the Facility (Note 3).
Spare parts are recorded at the lower of average cost or market and consist of Facility equipment components and supplies required to facilitate maintenance activities. Spare parts which are expected to be utilized during the next year are classified as current in the accompanying consolidated balance
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Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
sheets. Spare parts which are not expected to be utilized within the next year are classified as long-term and included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets (Note 3).
The Partnership performs periodic assessments to determine the existence of obsolete, slow-moving and unusable inventory and records necessary provisions to reduce such inventories to net realizable value.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized and minor replacements, maintenance, and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations for the respective period. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful life ("EUL") of the related assets using the straight-line method (Note 4).
The Partnership's depreciation is based on the Facility being considered a single property unit. Certain components within the Facility will require replacement or overhaul several times over its estimated life. Costs associated with overhauls are recorded as an expense in the period incurred. However, in instances where a replacement of a Facility component is significant and the Partnership can reasonably estimate the original cost of the component being replaced, the Partnership will write-off the replaced component and capitalize the cost of the replacement. The component will be depreciated over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the component or the remaining useful life of the Facility.
The Partnership accounts for the impairment or disposal of property and equipment in accordance with of Financial Accounting Standards No. ("SFAS") 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. The Partnership reviews the carrying value of property and equipment for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to an amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of assets. The factors considered by management in performing this assessment include current operating results, trends and prospects, the manner in which the property is used, and the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition, and other economic factors.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs, which consist of the costs incurred to obtain financing, are deferred and amortized into interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations using the effective interest method over the term of the related financing (Note 5).
Derivative Contracts
The Partnership follows SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted. SFAS 133 requires the Partnership to recognize all derivatives, as defined in the statement, on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Derivatives or any portion thereof, that
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Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
are not designated as, or effective as, hedges must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. Derivatives are classified as either assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The Partnership's interest rate swap agreement (Notes 5 and 7) and power purchase agreement (Note 9) meet the definition of a derivative under SFAS 133. The Partnership's power purchase agreement qualifies for, and the Partnership has elected, the normal purchases and normal sales exception included in SFAS 133.
The Partnership engages in activities to manage risks associated with changes in interest rates. The Partnership has entered into swap agreements to reduce exposure to interest rate fluctuations on certain debt commitments (Note 5). These agreements were designated and qualified as cash flow hedging instruments through December 31, 2004. The Partnership discontinued applying cash flow hedge accounting on January 1, 2005. Accordingly, the changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps from that point forward are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss, as of December 31, 2004, is amortized as interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations in accordance with the originally forecasted interest payments schedule through the expiration of the interest rate swaps on March 31, 2014.
Fair Value Measurements
The Partnership adopted SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements, for financial assets and liabilities effective January 1, 2008. There was no material effect upon adoption of this new accounting pronouncement on the Partnership's consolidated financial statements. This standard defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures. This standard does not require any new fair value measurements, but rather applies to all other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.
SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS 157 are described below:
Level 1: |
Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. | |
Level 2: |
Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. |
|
Level 3: |
Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions. |
A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement (Note 7).
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Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Asset Retirement Obligation
The Partnership accounts for its asset retirement obligation in accordance with SFAS 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations and FIN 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations. These statements require that an asset retirement obligation, including those conditioned on future events, be recorded at fair value in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. In the same period, the associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. In each subsequent period, the liability is accreted to its present value and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the long-lived asset. If the asset retirement obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, the Partnership recognizes a gain or loss on settlement. The Partnership records at fair value all reclamation costs the Partnership would incur to perform environmental clean-up of land under lease to the Partnership.
Accounting for Income Taxes
As a partnership, the income tax effects accrue directly to the partners, and each partner is individually responsible for its share of the combined income or loss. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from the sale of energy and steam are recorded based on monthly output delivered as specified under contractual terms or current market conditions and are recorded on a gross basis on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as energy and steam revenues, respectively, with the associated costs recorded in operating expenses.
Reclassification
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported results of operation or member's equity.
Recent Accounting Developments
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This standard is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring transparency about the location and amounts of derivative instruments in an entity's financial statements; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No 133; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect its financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 will be effective for the Partnership's fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009.
In February 2008, the FASB issued a one-year deferral for non-financial assets and liabilities to comply with SFAS 157. The Partnership expects the adoption of SFAS 157 will have no material effect on consolidated the financial statements as it applies to non-financial assets and liabilities (Note 7).
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Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
3. Inventory
Inventory is comprised of the following as of December 31:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2008 | 2007 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coal |
$ | 3,715 | $ | 3,672 | |||
Fuel oil |
652 | 465 | |||||
Lime |
110 | 47 | |||||
Spare parts |
3,873 | 3,226 | |||||
|
8,350 | 7,410 | |||||
Less: Current portion |
(4,990 | ) | (4,688 | ) | |||
|
$ | 3,360 | $ | 2,722 | |||
On January 1, 2008, the Partnership elected to change its method of accounting for spare parts inventory. Under the new accounting method, spare parts inventory is capitalized when purchased and expensed when put into service. In prior years spare parts inventory was expensed as purchased or capitalized and included in property and equipment during construction. The Partnership believes that the change in accounting principle is preferable as the new method provides better matching of revenue and expenses as well as enhances comparability in the consolidated statements of operations.
In accordance with SFAS 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, the change in accounting principle was applied retrospectively by restating the prior year consolidated financial statements. The increase to net income for the year ended December 31, 2007, was $473,000.
If the Partnership had not changed its policy for accounting for spare parts inventory, net income would have been lower by $459,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008.
The effect of the change on previously reported consolidated operating results for the year ended December 31, 2007 was as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
As
Previously Reported |
Effect of
Change |
As
Restated |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
|||||||||||
Inventory |
$ | 4,184 | $ | 504 | $ | 4,688 | |||||
Property and equipment |
377,140 | (2,003 | ) | 375,137 | |||||||
Other assets(1) |
| 2,722 | 2,722 | ||||||||
Partners' capital |
|||||||||||
General partners |
$ | 79,730 | $ | 734 | $ | 80,464 | |||||
Limited partners |
53,153 | 489 | 53,642 |
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Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
4. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following components as of December 31:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
2008 | 2007 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Facility |
$ | 537,331 | $ | 537,582 | |||
Other equipment |
2,974 | 2,973 | |||||
|
540,305 | 540,555 | |||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
(173,608 |
) |
(165,418 |
) |
|||
|
$ | 366,697 | $ | 375,137 | |||
The EUL for significant property and equipment categories are as follows:
Facility |
60 years | |
Other equipment |
5 to 60 years |
5. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following as of December 31:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
As of December 31, 2008 |
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2008 |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description
|
Commitment
Amount |
Due
Date |
Balance
Outstanding |
Interest
Expense |
Letter of
Credit Fees |
||||||||||
Bonds payable(1)(6) |
$ | 100,000 | 7/1/21 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 2,307 | N/A | |||||||
Loan payable(2) |
93 | 6/10/09 | 93 | 8 | N/A | ||||||||||
Credit agreement |
|||||||||||||||
Term loans(3)(6) |
139,066 | 3/31/14 | 139,066 | 7,207 | N/A | ||||||||||
Bond letter of credit(4)(6)(7) |
102,466 | 12/31/12 | | N/A | $1,352 | ||||||||||
Debt service reserve letter of credit(5)(6)(7) |
22,750 | 12/31/12 | | N/A | 387 | ||||||||||
|
239,159 | ||||||||||||||
Less: Current portion |
23,920 | ||||||||||||||
|
$ | 215,239 | |||||||||||||
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Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
5. Long-Term Debt (Continued)
(in thousands of dollars)
|
As of December 31, 2007 |
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2007 |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description
|
Commitment
Amount |
Due
Date |
Balance
Outstanding |
Interest
Expense |
Letter of
Credit Fees |
||||||||||
Bonds payable(1)(6) |
$ | 100,000 | 7/1/21 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 3,768 | N/A | |||||||
Loan payable(2) |
150 | 6/10/09 | 150 | 11 | N/A | ||||||||||
Credit agreement |
|||||||||||||||
Term loans(3)(6) |
159,795 | 3/31/14 | 159,795 | 11,250 | N/A | ||||||||||
Bond letter of credit(4)(6)(7) |
102,466 | 12/31/12 | | N/A | $1,352 | ||||||||||
Debt service reserve letter of credit(5)(6)(7) |
22,750 | 12/31/12 | | N/A | 318 | ||||||||||
|
259,945 | ||||||||||||||
Less: Current portion |
20,776 | ||||||||||||||
|
$ | 239,169 | |||||||||||||
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Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
5. Long-Term Debt (Continued)
Future minimum payments as of December 31, 2008 are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
2009 |
$ | 23,920 | ||
2010 |
27,628 | |||
2011 |
28,235 | |||
2012 |
30,439 | |||
2013 |
26,957 | |||
Thereafter |
101,980 | |||
|
$ | 239,159 | ||
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
The Partnership is a party to three amortizing interest rate swap agreements with notional amounts outstanding aggregating $139,066,000 at December 31, 2008 and expiring on various dates through March 31, 2014. Swap payments related to the agreements covering the variable rate bank debt are made based on the spread between 6.081% (weighted average of all agreements as of December 31, 2008) and LIBOR multiplied by the notional amounts outstanding. Net amounts paid to the counterparties were approximately $3,935,000 and $1,287,000 in 2008 and 2007, respectively. These amounts were recorded as interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
6. Payment in Lieu of Taxes
In January 1991, the Partnership entered into a Payment in Lieu of Taxes ("PILOT"), agreement with the Township of Carneys Point, a municipal corporation of the state of New Jersey, which exempts the Partnership from certain property taxes. The agreement commenced on January 1, 1994, and will terminate on December 31, 2033. PILOT payments are due quarterly and are expensed as incurred over the term of the agreement. The Partnership expensed approximately $2,400,000 and $2,300,000 related to the PILOT which is included in general and administrative in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
As of December 31, 2008, future payments remaining under the PILOT are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
2009 |
$ | 2,600 | ||
2010 |
2,700 | |||
2011 |
2,800 | |||
2012 |
3,000 | |||
2013 |
3,400 | |||
Thereafter |
122,300 | |||
|
$ | 136,800 | ||
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Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
7. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Partnership's swap agreements, based upon Level 2significant other observable inputs, is estimated to be a liability of approximately $16,292,000 and $10,267,000 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively (Notes 2 and 5). The valuation of the Partnership's swap agreements is based on widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analyses which take into consideration among other things the contractual terms of the swap agreements, observable market based inputs when available, interest rate curves and counterparty credit risk. Judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the fair value estimates as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Partnership could have realized in current markets.
The carrying amounts of the Partnership's cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other assets, accounts payable, due to affiliates, accrued liabilities and loan payable approximate their fair value at December 31, 2008, due primarily to their short-term nature. The fair value of the Partnership's bonds and term loans payable approximates the carrying value due to the variable nature of the interest obligations thereon.
8. Concentrations of Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of loss the Partnership would incur if counterparties fail to perform their contractual obligations. The Partnership primarily conducts business with counterparties in the energy industry. This concentration of counterparties may impact the Partnership's overall exposure to credit risk in that its counterparties may be similarly affected by changes in economic, regulatory or other conditions. The Partnership mitigates potential credit losses by dealing, where practical, with counterparties that are rated investment grade by a major credit rating agency or have a history of reliable performance within the energy industry.
The Partnership's credit risk is primarily concentrated with AE, DuPont and the Partnership's coal supplier. AE and DuPont provided 84.9% and 15.1%, respectively, of the Partnership's revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 and accounted for approximately 81.1% and 18.9%, respectively, of the Partnership's accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2008. The Partnership has a coal supply contract with Consolidated Coal Company, Consolidated Pennsylvania Coal Company, Consolidated Coal Sales Company and Nineveh Coal Company (together "Consol") who are responsible for providing 100% of the Company's coal requirements through 2014. The Partnership's credit risk is also impacted by the credit risk associated with its issuing bank of the bond letter of credit, Dexia Credit Locale.
The Partnership is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to the Company's interest rate swap agreements (Notes 2 and 5). The Partnership does not obtain collateral or other security to support such agreements, but continually monitors its positions with, and the credit quality of, the counterparties to such agreements.
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Power Purchase Agreement
The Partnership has a power purchase agreement ("PPA") with AE for sales of the Facility's power output during a 30-year period commencing in 1994. The PPA provides AE with dispatch rights over
F-143
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
9. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
the Facility. The pricing structure provides for both capacity and energy payments. Capacity payments are fixed over the life of the contract. Energy payments are based on a contractual formula which is adjusted annually, as defined in the PPA, based on a utility coal index.
Power Sales Agreement
The Partnership has entered into a supplemental power sales agreement ("PSA") with AE which provides the Partnership self-dispatch rights for both undispatched PPA and excess energy as well as the right to market excess capacity. The pricing structure provides for both capacity and energy payments. The Partnership shares margins on the self-dispatched energy with AE based on hourly wholesale prices. Excess capacity is sold in PJM's periodic auctions and the resulting revenue is shared between the Partnership and AE. The PSA expires on July 31, 2010.
Steam and Electricity Sales Agreement
The Partnership has a steam and electricity sales agreement with DuPont (the "DuPont Agreement") for a 30-year period commencing in 1994. Thereafter, the agreement will remain in effect unless terminated by either party upon at least 36 months' notice. DuPont is required to purchase a minimum of 525,600,000 pounds of process steam per year and no minimum amount of electricity. The steam price is adjusted quarterly based on coal price index formulas defined in the agreement. The electricity price is also adjusted quarterly based on coal price index formulas and the AE average retail rate, as defined in the agreement. The Partnership has an ongoing dispute with DuPont over electric energy payment calculation. Amounts under dispute have not been reflected in revenues in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Lease Commitments
The Partnership leases certain equipment under noncancelable operating leases expiring at various dates through 2022. For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Partnership incurred lease expense of approximately $252,000 and $251,000, respectively, which is included in operations and maintenance expense and general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Future minimum lease payments under the terms of the noncancelable operating agreements, as of December 31, 2008, are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
2009 |
$ | 202 | ||
2010 |
201 | |||
2011 |
196 | |||
2012 |
194 | |||
2013 |
192 |
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Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
9. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
Environmental
The Partnership is subject to the compliance provisions of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a mandatory, market-based CO 2 emissions reduction program in ten Northeast and Mid- Atlantic states. Under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the Partnership will be able to use CO 2 allowances issued by any of the ten participating states to demonstrate compliance with the state of New Jersey program. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative which is effective January 1, 2009, limits the Facility's CO 2 emissions and requires a 10 percent reduction in CO 2 emissions by 2018. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative also requires that the Partnership hold allowances covering the Facility's CO 2 emissions which as of December 31, 2008, the Partnership anticipates the compliance will cost approximately $5,000,000 for 2009 based on estimated CO 2 emissions of 2.0 million tons.
Litigation
In 2005 the Partnership filed a lawsuit in New Jersey against Consol for failure to perform under the coal supply agreement. Consol made counter claims seeking damages against the Partnership. On December 29, 2006 the Partnership and Consol entered into a settlement agreement which provides for a $0.77 per ton surcharge on future coal purchases until such surcharges total $4,750,000. In return, Consol acknowledges its obligation to provide the full coal requirements of Chambers, up to the maximum quantity defined in the coal purchase agreement, irrespective of the underlying PPA, PSA or Dupont Agreement. On February 2, 2007, the parties dismissed the case with prejudice.
The Partnership experiences routine litigation in the normal course of business. Management is of the opinion that none of this routine litigation will have a material adverse effect on the Partnership's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
10. Related Parties
The Partnership has a management services agreement with PSC to provide day-to-day management and administration of the Partnership's business relating to the Facility through September 20, 2018. Compensation to PSC under the agreement includes a monthly fee of $50,000, wages and benefits for employees working on behalf of the Partnership and other costs directly related to the Partnership. The Partnership recorded related expense of $1,971,000 and $1,927,000 in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations in 2008 and 2007, respectively. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Partnership owed PSC approximately $116,000 and $144,000, respectively, which is included in due to affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Under the terms of the agreement, $50,000 of the amounts owed for each of 2008 and 2007 is subordinate to debt service for the Partnership's bonds payable and term loans.
The Partnership has an operations and maintenance agreement with OSC for operations and maintenance of the Facility through March 6, 2009. The agreement is automatically renewed for periods of 5-years until terminated by either party upon 12-months notice. Compensation to OSC under the agreement includes (i) reimbursement of direct and indirect operational expenses; (ii) a base fee of $600,000 per year; (iii) additional fees based on targeted facility performance; and (iv) a management performance bonus of up to $150,000 per year, primarily based on the safe operation of the facility as measured by accepted industry metrics. These fees are adjusted annually by a measure of inflation as
F-145
Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
10. Related Parties (Continued)
defined in the agreement. If the targeted facility performance is not reached, OSC will pay liquidated damages to the Partnership. The related expense of approximately $9,556,000 and $9,024,000 is recorded in operations and maintenance expenses in the consolidated statements of operations in 2008 and 2007, respectively. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Partnership owed OSC approximately $280,000 and $487,000 respectively, which is included in due to affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Partnership has accrued for fees and bonuses of $1,832,000 and $2,052,000, respectively, which is included in due to affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Included in the amounts owed at December 31, 2007 was $492,000 of capitalized software costs which is included in property and equipment on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Included in other current assets and other assets at December 31, 2008 are $160,000 and $240,000, respectively, of capitalized costs with affiliates. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, approximately $549,000 and $607,000 had been advanced to OSC and is included in other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Under the terms of the agreement, approximately $591,000 and $765,000 of the amounts owed at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, is subordinate to the debt service for the Partnership's bonds payable and term loans.
*****
F-146
Gregory Partners, LLC and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Combined Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
F-147
The combined financial statements of Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P., for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, are presented herein without the related report of independent accountants.
F-148
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Combined Balance Sheets
December 31, 2009 and 2008
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
|||||||||
Current assets |
|||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 5,976,650 | $ | 5,189,868 | |||||
Accounts receivable |
11,333,532 | 9,641,457 | |||||||
Spare parts inventories |
4,042,634 | 4,257,200 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses |
401,758 | 1,751,253 | |||||||
Derivative assetgas swap contracts |
8,560,010 | 12,971,861 | |||||||
Total current assets |
30,314,584 | 33,811,639 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
153,936,483 |
161,859,053 |
|||||||
Other assets |
|||||||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
35,777,376 | 43,788,715 | |||||||
Deposits |
500,000 | 500,000 | |||||||
Deferred financing costs, net |
1,407,574 | 1,782,763 | |||||||
Total assets |
$ | 221,936,017 | $ | 241,742,170 | |||||
Liabilities and Partners' and Members' Capital |
|||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 14,770,444 | $ | 11,024,545 | |||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
9,424,991 | 9,644,306 | |||||||
Total current liabilities |
24,195,435 | 20,668,851 | |||||||
Derivative liabilityinterest rate swap contract |
6,463,451 |
9,895,188 |
|||||||
Long-term debt |
84,632,202 | 101,435,444 | |||||||
Asset retirement obligation and other |
2,258,306 | 1,926,091 | |||||||
Total liabilities |
117,549,394 | 133,925,574 | |||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 14) |
|||||||||
Partners' and members' capital |
|||||||||
Contributed capital |
30,330,329 | 30,330,329 | |||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(6,463,451 | ) | (9,895,188 | ) | |||||
Retained earnings |
80,519,745 | 87,381,455 | |||||||
Total partners' and members' capital |
104,386,623 | 107,816,596 | |||||||
Total liabilities and partners' and members' capital |
$ | 221,936,017 | $ | 241,742,170 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the combined financial statements.
F-149
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Combined Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
|
2009 | 2008 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues |
||||||||
Electricity |
$ | 103,436,357 | $ | 195,978,663 | ||||
Steam |
48,467,709 | 133,090,568 | ||||||
Other |
3,407,688 | 7,727,498 | ||||||
Total revenue |
155,311,754 | 336,796,729 | ||||||
Operating expenses |
||||||||
Fuel purchased |
109,578,737 | 279,552,454 | ||||||
Operation and maintenance |
24,472,247 | 20,705,193 | ||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |
8,710,155 | 8,701,677 | ||||||
General and administrative |
6,442,707 | 5,459,489 | ||||||
Total operating expenses |
149,203,846 | 314,418,813 | ||||||
Income from operations |
6,107,908 |
22,377,916 |
||||||
Other income (expense) |
||||||||
Interest income |
29,184 | 1,173,676 | ||||||
Interest expense |
(5,847,066 | ) | (8,278,857 | ) | ||||
Gain on derivative contracts |
6,756,649 | 7,529,777 | ||||||
Income before income taxes |
7,046,675 | 22,802,512 | ||||||
Income tax expense |
381,517 |
374,024 |
||||||
Net Income |
6,665,158 | 22,428,488 | ||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
||||||||
Change in the fair value in the interest rate swap contracts |
3,431,737 | (4,992,609 | ) | |||||
Comprehensive Income |
$ | 10,096,895 | $ | 17,435,879 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the combined financial statements.
F-150
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Combined Statements of Changes in Partners' and Members' Capital
Years Ended
December 31, 2009 and 2008
|
Contributed
Capital |
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Retained
Earnings |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balance, December 31, 2007 |
$ | 30,330,329 | $ | (4,902,579 | ) | $ | 126,205,446 | $ | 151,633,196 | ||||
Net income |
| | 22,428,488 | 22,428,488 | |||||||||
Distributions |
| | (61,252,479 | ) | (61,252,479 | ) | |||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
| (4,992,609 | ) | | (4,992,609 | ) | |||||||
Balance, December 31, 2008 |
30,330,329 | (9,895,188 | ) | 87,381,455 | 107,816,596 | ||||||||
Net income |
| | 6,665,158 | 6,665,158 | |||||||||
Distributions |
| | (13,526,868 | ) | (13,526,868 | ) | |||||||
Other comprehensive gain |
| 3,431,737 | | 3,431,737 | |||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2009 |
$ | 30,330,329 | $ | (6,463,451 | ) | $ | 80,519,745 | $ | 104,386,623 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the combined financial statements.
F-151
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Combined Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
|
2009 | 2008 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash flows from operating activities |
||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 6,665,158 | $ | 22,428,488 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities |
||||||||||
Depreciation and accretion |
8,710,155 | 8,701,677 | ||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
375,189 | 412,707 | ||||||||
Net derivative activity |
(6,756,649 | ) | (7,529,777 | ) | ||||||
Deferred tax liability |
118,207 | | ||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||
Accounts receivable |
(1,692,075 | ) | 12,360,399 | |||||||
Spare parts inventories |
214,566 | (741,647 | ) | |||||||
Prepaid expenses |
1,349,495 | 246,913 | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
3,745,899 | (1,284,512 | ) | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
12,729,945 | 34,594,248 | ||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
||||||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
(573,577 | ) | (778,689 | ) | ||||||
Net change in restricted cash |
8,011,339 | 33,510,725 | ||||||||
Cash flows from derivatives |
11,168,500 | 157,500 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by investing activities |
18,606,262 | 32,889,536 | ||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
||||||||||
Payment of long-term debt |
(17,022,557 | ) | (10,589,577 | ) | ||||||
Distributions to partners |
(13,526,868 | ) | (61,252,479 | ) | ||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(30,549,425 | ) | (71,842,056 | ) | ||||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
786,782 | (4,358,272 | ) | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
||||||||||
Beginning of the period |
5,189,868 | 9,548,140 | ||||||||
End of the period |
$ | 5,976,650 | $ | 5,189,868 | ||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information |
||||||||||
Cash paid for interest |
$ | 5,476,768 | $ | 7,854,148 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the combined financial statements.
F-152
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
1. Organization
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P. (collectively, the "Company," the "Partnership" or "Gregory") were organized on June 1, 1998, as a Delaware limited liability company and a Texas limited partnership, respectively, for the sole purpose of developing, financing, constructing, owning and operating a 500-megawatt (equivalent) cogeneration facility (the "Facility") at the Sherwin Alumina, L.P. (formerly Reynolds Metal Company) (BPU Reynolds, Inc.) plant near Gregory, Texas. The Facility commenced commercial operations on July 15, 2000. The Company operates as a Qualifying Facility ("QF") pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act ("PURPA"). The Partnership is operated pursuant to the Gregory Partnership Agreement dated June 1, 1998 (the "Partnership Agreement"). The operation and maintenance services are provided by subsidiaries of Babcock & Wilcox Company ("B&W"), an unaffiliated company.
Partnership interests are owned by subsidiaries of Javelin Holding, LLC ("Javelin Holding"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Javelin Energy, LLC ("Javelin Energy") and a subsidiary of DPC KY Energy LLC a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Power Company, LLC ("Delta") called KY Energy, LLC. KY Energy, LLC holds a 4% limited partner interest in Gregory Partners, LLC and Gregory Power Partners, L.P. KY Energy, LLC also holds through its subsidiaries KY Energy Power Gregory #1, Inc. and KY Energy Power Gregory #2, Inc. a 1% general partner interest in Gregory Partners, LLC and Gregory Power Partners, LP. Subsidiaries of Javelin Energy hold a 94% limited partnership interest and a 1% general partnership interest. Javelin Energy is owned by the following six entities: (1) DPC Javelin Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta; (2) John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company; (3) Epsilon Power Funding, LLC (4) John Hancock Life Insurance Company (5) JH Partnership Holdings I, LP; and (6) JH Partnership Holdings II, LP.
Under the terms of the Partnership Agreement, the Partnership's profits, losses, and distributions are divided equally, based on ownership percentages, among the Gregory partners.
The following chart shows the general partners and members managers designated by an asterisk (*) and the Limited Partners and Members of the Company as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
F-153
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
2. Business Risks
Several current issues in the power industry could have an effect on the Company's financial performance. Some of the business risks and uncertainties that could cause future results to differ from historical results include, but are not limited to:
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The combined financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and include the accounts of Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon combination. The combination results from the fact that the companies operate under common control and have significant financial interests in one another. The significant financial interests relate to the cross collateralization of the assets of the Company's debt agreement as described in Note 6.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the combined balance sheets, combined statements of operations, and combined statements of cash flows, to conform to current year presentation.
F-154
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company's financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses, and related disclosures included in the combined financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Significant estimates made by the Company include reserves for doubtful accounts receivable, inventory obsolescence, accrued expenses, and estimates of discounted future cash flows used in evaluating assets for impairments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a term to maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable
Accounts receivable and payable represent amounts due from customers and owed to vendors. Accounts receivable are recorded at invoiced amounts, net of reserves and allowances as applicable, and do not bear interest. Receivable balances greater than 30 days past due are individually reviewed for collectability, and if deemed uncollectible, are charged off against the allowance accounts after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential recovery is considered remote. The Company uses an estimate to determine the required allowance for doubtful accounts based on a variety of factors, including the length of time receivables are past due, economic trends, significant one-time events, and historical write-off experience. Specific provisions are recorded for individual receivables when the Company becomes aware of a customer's inability to meet its financial obligations. Reserves and allowances are reviewed annually. No allowance was recorded as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.
Spare Parts Inventory
Spare parts inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined using a weighted average. The costs are expensed to plant operating costs as the parts are utilized and consumed.
Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. When an impairment condition may have occurred, the Company is required to estimate the undiscounted future cash flows associated with a long-lived asset or group of long-lived assets at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets or liabilities for long-lived assets that are expected to be held and used.
In order to estimate future cash flows, the Company considers historical cash flows and changes in the market environment and other factors that may affect future cash flows. To the extent applicable,
F-155
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
the assumptions are consistent with forecasts that the Company is otherwise required to make. The use of this method involves inherent uncertainty. The Company uses its best estimates in making these evaluations and considers various factors, including forward price curves for power, fuel costs, and operating costs. However, actual future market prices could vary from the assumptions used in the estimates, and the impact of such variations could be material.
During 2009 and 2008, long-lived assets were reviewed and it was determined that no impairment condition had occurred.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method or machine-hours method. Property, plant and equipment accounts are relieved of the cost and related accumulated depreciation when assets are disposed of or otherwise retired.
Planned Major Maintenance Accounting
The Company recognizes all expenses related to the Long-Term Service Agreement ("LTSA") with General Electric International, Inc. when occurred. See more detail in Note 9.
Deferred Financing Costs
Financing costs incurred related to the debt issuance are deferred and amortized over the term of related debt using a method that approximates the effective interest rate method. When a debt is retired before its maturity, unamortized deferred costs are written off and other debt extinguishment costs related to retirement of debt are recognized in the period of extinguishment. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded amortization expense of $375,189 and $412,707, respectively and was recorded in interest expense on the accompanying combined statements of operations. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, accumulated amortization was $4,545,591 and $4,320,402, respectively.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company has established escrow accounts held by a trustee pursuant to the terms of the project financing arrangement as described in Note 6. These funds are held by trustees and are restricted as to payments for future maintenance on property and equipment, future operating costs and future principal and interest payments, subject to the terms of the project financing arrangement.
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company has recorded all known asset retirement obligations for which the liability's fair value can be reasonably estimated under Financial Accounting Standards Board "FASB" ASC Topic 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. The Company's asset retirement obligations primarily relate to site restoration costs, including
F-156
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
removal costs, environmental remediation ground water monitoring, and the purchase of an environmental insurance policy.
Under these accounting methods, the Company recorded an asset of $829,112, representing the net present value of the Year 2030 asset retirement obligation utilizing a 10.0% risk free cost of capital and a liability of $1,023,595 for the asset retirement obligation as of January 1, 2003. In addition, the Company will expense an amount equal to (a) the straight-line depreciation of the site dismantlement asset of $829,112 and (b) an amount equal to the annual increase in the site dismantlement liability, assuming a 2.5% annual inflation rate through the end of the lease term. Accretion expense was $214,008 and $192,612 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Scheduled depreciation expense and accretion expense is as follows:
|
Depreciation
Expense |
Accretion
Expense |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 |
$ | 27,637 | $ | 237,787 | |||
2011 |
27,637 | 264,208 | |||||
2012 |
27,637 | 293,564 | |||||
2013 |
27,637 | 326,182 | |||||
2014 |
27,637 | 362,425 | |||||
After 2014 |
428,374 | 14,904,953 | |||||
|
$ | 566,559 | $ | 16,389,119 | |||
Derivative Instruments
The Company follows applicable U.S. accounting standards in accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities. These standards require all derivatives to be recognized on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. The Company records the fair value of derivatives in current assets, long-term assets, current liabilities or long-term liabilities, as appropriate. If a derivative is designed to meet hedge accounting criteria, the Company is required to measure the effectiveness of the hedge. The effective portion of the gain (loss) on the derivative instrument is recognized in other comprehensive income as a component of equity and, subsequently, reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative's change in fair value is required to be recognized in earnings immediately. Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge treatment must be recorded at fair value with gains (losses) recognized in earnings in the period of change.
The Company is required by its project financing arrangement to utilize interest rate swap contracts to reduce its exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates on its long-term debt. Such swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedge transactions, with related gains (losses) being recorded in interest expense as realized and changes in the fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income (See Note 10).
The Company has entered into several natural gas swap contracts. These contracts are carried in the Company's Balance Sheet at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in current earnings in other income on the income statement.
F-157
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Revenue Recognition
Capacity revenue is recognized monthly, based on the Facility's availability. Revenues from the sale of power, steam, spray water, and ancillary services are recorded upon transmission and delivery to the customer.
Fuel Expense
During 2009 and 2008 the Company purchased about half of its gas from Kinder Morgan Tejas Pipeline, LLC. The remaining half of its gas during this period was delivered to the Company as payment for steam sales to Sherwin Alumina L.P.
Income Taxes
The Company is exempt from federal and state income taxes. Taxable income or loss from the Company is reportable by the partners and members on their respective income tax returns. Accordingly, there is no recognition of income taxes in the combined financial statements. However, Texas imposes its franchise tax at the Company level. Accordingly, a provision and accrual for current and deferred income taxes for Texas franchise tax have been included in our combined financial statements.
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities due to a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
Comprehensive Income
The Company's comprehensive income consists of net income and other items recorded directly to the equity accounts. The objective is to report a measure of all changes in the partners' and members' capital that result form transactions and other economic events of the period other than transactions with owners. The Company's other comprehensive income consists principally of changes in the fair value of interest rate swap contracts that qualify for cash flow hedge treatment.
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss was $6,463,451 and $9,895,188, respectively, and consisted of the changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company uses the market and income approaches to determine the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities and considers the markets in which the transactions are executed. Effective in 2009, U.S. accounting standards require the application of fair value measurement criteria to include both financial and non-financial instruments. Inputs into the Company's fair value estimates include
F-158
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
market quoted prices, LIBOR, and other liquid money market instrument rates. The interest rates used to calculate the market value of our interest rate swaps are derived from three month LIBOR future rates. The Company considers the impact of counterparty credit risk on the fair value of derivative assets, as well as the Company's own credit risk for derivative liabilities, using the Company's credit spread.
The authoritative guidance related to fair value establishes the fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques based on observable and unobservable data and categorizes the inputs into three levels, with the highest priority given to Level 1 and the lowest priority given to Level 3. The levels are described below:
Determining the appropriate classification of fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy requires management's judgment regarding the degree to which market data is observable or corroborated by observable market data. If prices change for a particular input from the previous measurement date to the current measurement date, the impact could result in the financial instrument being moved between Levels, depending upon management judgment of the significance of the price change of that particular input to the total fair value of the financial instrument.
The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other payables approximate their respective fair values due to their short maturities. See Note 12 for disclosures regarding the fair value of other debt instruments and derivatives.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject to the Company to credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivables, and derivatives. Cash and cash equivalents, as well as restricted cash balances, may exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insured limits or are invested in money market accounts with investment banks that are not FDIC insured. The Company places cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash in what it believes to be credit-worthy financial institutions and certain of the money market accounts invest in U.S. Treasury securities or other obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Management does not believe there is significant risk to the Company relating to the financial institutions. The Company sells power to Sherwin Alumina, L.P. and Fortis Energy Marketing, Inc. under power purchase contracts and accounts receivable are concentrated with these customers. The Company has exposure to trends within the power industry, including declines in the creditworthiness of its significant customers. The Company generally has not collected collateral or
F-159
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
other security to support its power-related accounts receivable; however, the Company may require collateral in the future. Management does not believe there is significant credit risk to the Company associated with its significant customers.
The Company has significant customers for 2009 and 2008, as follows:
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sherwin Alumina, L.P. |
|||||||
Percentage of combined total revenue |
36 | % | 45 | % | |||
Percentage of combined accounts receivable |
21 | % | 9 | % | |||
Constellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc. |
|||||||
Percentage of combined total revenue |
0 | % | 55 | % | |||
Percentage of combined accounts receivable |
0 | % | 87 | % | |||
Fortis Energy Marketing, Inc. |
|||||||
Percentage of combined total revenue |
62 | % | 0 | % | |||
Percentage of combined accounts receivable |
79 | % | 0 | % | |||
Other |
|||||||
Percentage of combined total revenue |
2 | % | <1 | % | |||
Percentage of combined accounts receivable |
0 | % | 4 | % |
Accounting and Reporting Developments
Accounting Standards Codification and GAAP Hierarchy Effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009, the Accounting Standards Codification and related disclosure requirements issued by the FASB became the single official source of authoritative, nongovernmental GAAP. The ASC simplifies GAAP, without change, by consolidating the numerous, predecessor accounting standards and requirements into logically organized topics. All other literature not included in the ASC is non-authoritative. We adopted the ASC as of December 31, 2009, which did not have any impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows as it does not represent new accounting literature or requirements; however, it did change our references to authoritative sources of GAAP to the new ASC nomenclature.
Fair Value Measurements of Non-Financial Assets and Non-Financial Liabilities Effective for interim and annual periods beginning after November 15, 2008, GAAP established new standards related to fair value measurements for non-financial assets and liabilities. These new standards do not apply to assets and liabilities that were not previously required to be recorded at fair value, but do apply when other accounting pronouncements require fair value measurements. The new standards also define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and enhance disclosures about fair value measurements. We adopted the new standards with respect to non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities as of January 1, 2009, which had no effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows; however, adoption may impact measurements of asset impairments and asset retirement obligations if they occur in the future.
F-160
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Determining Fair Value in Inactive Markets Effective for interim and annual periods beginning after June 15, 2009, GAAP established new accounting standards for determining fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and the identifying transactions are not orderly. The new standards apply to all fair value measurements when appropriate. Among other things, the new standards:
These new accounting standards must be applied prospectively and retrospective application is not permitted. We adopted these new standards during 2009, which resulted in a clarification of existing accounting guidance with no change to our accounting policies and had no effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position. See Note 11 for disclosure of our fair value measurements.
Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Effective for interim and annual periods beginning after November 15, 2008, GAAP established enhanced disclosure requirements relating to an entity's derivative and hedging activities to enable investors to better understand their effects on the entity's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. We adopted the new disclosure requirements as of January 1, 2009. Adoption resulted in additional disclosures related to our derivatives and hedging activities including additional disclosures regarding our objectives for entering into derivative transactions, increased balance sheet and financial performance disclosures, volume information and credit enhancement disclosures. See Note 9 for our derivative disclosures.
Subsequent Events Effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, GAAP established general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The new requirements do not change the accounting for subsequent events: however, they do require disclosure, on a prospective basis, of the date an entity has evaluated subsequent events. We adopted these new requirements during 2009, which had no impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. We have evaluated subsequent events up to the time of issuance of this Report on April 9, 2010.
F-161
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
4. Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement dated November 18, 1998 (as amended), the Company established certain reserve funds for the operation of the plant: operating account, debt payment account, major maintenance reserve account, DSR account, fuel account, distribution retention account, loss proceeds account, calculation holding account, PSA collateral account, IDR account, shortfall reserve account, and special reserve account. Restricted cash and cash equivalents consist of the following at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively:
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Debt Service Reserve |
$ | 10,000,200 | $ | 10,078,335 | |||
Distribution Retention |
1,288,940 | 1,606,778 | |||||
Calculation Holding |
1,169,591 | 3,556,426 | |||||
Major Maintenance |
12,920,245 | 20,301,049 | |||||
IDR |
500,010 | 564,726 | |||||
PSA Collateral |
| 8,381 | |||||
Javelin Equity Support |
4 | 7,289,448 | |||||
Project Equity Support |
| 383,572 | |||||
Special Reserve |
9,898,386 | | |||||
Total Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents |
$ | 35,777,376 | $ | 43,788,715 | |||
5. Property, Plant and Equipment
Plant and equipment consist of the following at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively:
|
Useful Lives | 2009 | 2008 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plant and related equipment |
5 - 30 years | $ | 246,907,519 | $ | 246,498,709 | |||||
Office and transportation equipment |
3 - 10 years | 1,333,292 | 1,168,525 | |||||||
|
248,240,811 | 247,667,234 | ||||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
(94,304,328 |
) |
(85,808,181 |
) |
||||||
Net plant and equipment |
$ | 153,936,483 | $ | 161,859,053 | ||||||
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $8,496,147 and $8,509,066, respectively. Approximately 14% of plant and related equipment is depreciated using the machine-hours method in 2009 and 2008.
6. Long-Term Debt
The Company has a 17 year loan, expiring September 30, 2017 with ING Capital, LLC that provides for quarterly principal payments and interest at LIBOR plus 1.375% during 2007 and through October 2, 2008. On October 2, 2008 the interest rate changed to LIBOR plus 1.5%. The effective interest rate at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was approximately 5.2% and 7.3% respectively.
Borrowings are obligations solely of the Company and the lender's collateral is substantially all of the assets of the Company. The lenders have no contractual recourse to the partners. The loan
F-162
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
6. Long-Term Debt (Continued)
agreement contains various affirmative and negative covenants involving the operation of the Facility, compliance with laws, and incurrence of additional debt and restricted payments.
The most restrictive covenants under the term loan are as follows:
Scheduled maturities of the long-term debt are as follows:
2010 |
$ | 9,424,991 | ||
2011 |
10,194,379 | |||
2012 |
10,963,766 | |||
2013 |
11,829,326 | |||
2014 |
12,791,060 | |||
After 2014 |
38,853,671 | |||
|
94,057,193 | |||
Less: Current portion |
(9,424,991 |
) |
||
|
$ | 84,632,202 | ||
The fair value of the debt as of December 31, 2009 was approximately $87,148,838.
In November 2008, the Company provided a notice letter to ING Capital, LLC advising that it was in a state of default under the Credit Agreement. The default situation was the result of the expiration of the Texas state authorization in March 2008 for its Prevention of Signification Deterioration ("PSD") Air Permit. The Company signed an Agreed Order with the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality ("TCEQ") on March 24, 2009 which provided the state's authority to operate under the terms of the former PSD Air Permit until a new permit was issued. The Company concurrently provided notice to ING Capital, LLC that the default situation was cured. On March 15, 2010, the new permit was issued.
7. Income Taxes
Under federal income tax rules, the Company is treated as a partnership and is not subject to any entity level federal income tax. However, the Company is subject to the Texas franchise tax which generally imposes a tax at the "margin" level. Income tax expense consists of the following components:
Current |
$ | 263,310 | ||
Deferred |
13,187 | |||
Prior year true up |
105,020 | |||
Total income tax expense |
$ | 381,517 | ||
F-163
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
7. Income Taxes (Continued)
The federal statutory income tax rate that applies to the Company in the present form is 0%. The income tax provision of $381,517 attributable to continuing operations is the result of applying Texas franchise tax provisions and is the only difference from the amount of income tax expense determined by applying the federal statutory income tax rate. The income tax expense for the Texas franchise tax reflected on the Company's combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009, includes an expense of $105,020 to revise prior year deferred tax estimates. The Company has an effective tax rate of 5.4% for the year ended December 31, 2009. Excluding the income tax expense that was recorded in 2009 due to revisions of prior year estimate, the Company would have an effective tax rate of 3.9%.
Deferred tax liabilities of $118,207 at December 31, 2009, result from book versus tax basis differences attributable to property, plant, and equipment, and is included in asset retirement obligation and other in the accompanying combined balance sheets.
8. Related Party Transactions
The Company entered into an agreement as of January 1, 2001, whereby it reimburses Delta for salaries and benefits for the General Manager and staff that are assigned to the Company. Payments to Delta for salaries and benefits totaled $559,389 and $497,215 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively and are included in general and administrative expense in the combined statements of operations. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, $137,099 and $138,978 were payable to Delta which was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying combined balance sheets.
9. Significant Agreements with Third Parties
Power Purchase Agreements
Sherwin Alumina, L.P. ("Sherwin")
The Company and Reynolds Metals Company entered into an Energy Services Agreement ("ESA") for a term of 35 years effective June 30, 1998, and ending on the 35-year anniversary of the Commercial Operations Date, ("COD" as defined in the ESA as August 1, 2000). The ESA affords Reynolds the right to purchase a portion of the Company's steam and electricity production for a term ending on the 20-year anniversary of the COD, with a right to extend this term for up to three additional 5-year terms upon providing the Company with at least two years' notice prior to the expiration date. On December 31, 2000, the ESA was assigned to and assumed by BPU Reynolds. On August 1, 2001, the ESA was assigned to and assumed by Sherwin Alumina, L.P. The provisions of the ESA allow Sherwin to provide natural gas in lieu of a cash payment as compensation for the steam they purchase for their production needs. The Partnership records the related steam revenue in revenue and an equivalent natural gas expense recorded in fuel purchased in the accompanying combined statements of operations.
Constellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc ("CCG")
The Company and CCG entered into a power sales agreement ("CCG PSA") as of August 29, 2005, whereby the Company agrees to sell and CCG agrees to purchase certain quantities of electricity
F-164
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
9. Significant Agreements with Third Parties (Continued)
capacity and energy, as well as ancillary service capabilities. The CCG PSA has a term of three years and four months from September 1, 2005, ending December 31, 2008.
The CCG PSA expired on December 31, 2008, and was replaced with a power sales agreement with Fortis Energy Marketing & Trading GP.
Fortis Energy Marketing & Trading GP ("Fortis")
The Company and Fortis entered into a power sales agreement ("Fortis PSA") as of July 23, 2007, whereby the Company agrees to sell and Fortis agrees to purchase certain quantities of electricity capacity and energy, as well as ancillary service capabilities. The Fortis PSA has a term of five years beginning January 1, 2009.
The Fortis PSA calls for a fixed capacity component and a variable energy component. The Fortis PSA includes a provision that requires the Company to provide Credit Support which was delivered to Fortis by the Company in July 2007 in the form of a letter of credit for $10 million. The letter of credit expired on July 23, 2008 Currently, Arroyo DP Holdings, LP, Delta's parent, provides an approximate $1.4 million cash collateral as credit support for this agreement.
The Company is subject to operational and contractual risks associated with the Fortis PSA. Risks include, but are not limited to, output capacity and availability. Management has taken steps to manage physical and contractual risks; however, such risks cannot be eliminated.
Energy Management Agreements
Tenaska Power Services Co. ("TPS")
On December 6, 2006, the Company and TPS entered into an Energy Management Agreement ("EMA") whereby TPS is to provide energy management services for the Facility by acting as the Company's qualified scheduling entity with ERCOT and marketing the excess power (~5 to 55 MWhs) from the Facility generated above the volumes committed to Sherwin, CCG and Fortis. The agreement primary term expired on December 31, 2008. The agreement automatically renewed and will continue to automatically renew for successive one year terms unless terminated by either party by giving a written notice to the other party. No termination notice was produced by either party in 2008 or 2009. The Company provided TPS a cash deposit in lieu of an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $500,000 which is included in deposits in the accompanying combined balance sheets.
Gas Purchase and Transportation Agreements
Kinder Morgan
Coral Energy Resources, L.P., Coral Energy, L.P. (together, "Coral") and the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Gas Sales Agreement (the "GSA"), as of November 20, 1998, whereby Coral agrees to sell, at an agreed upon price. to the Company up to 62,000 MMBtu per day of natural gas, the Facility's estimated maximum daily fuel requirement (net of gas supplied by Sherwin). On February 28, 2002, the GSA was assigned to and assumed by Kinder Morgan Tejas Gas Pipeline, which underwent a name change to Kinder Morgan Tejas Pipeline, LLC ("Kinder Morgan"). The Company has no obligation to purchase any gas under the GSA beyond the first two contract years.
F-165
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
9. Significant Agreements with Third Parties (Continued)
The GSA has a primary term of ten years from the COD (as defined in the ESA as August 1, 2000). The GSA includes a provision that requires the Company to provide additional credit support under certain circumstances.
Tejas Gas Pipeline L.P.
Tejas Gas Pipeline L.P., ("Tejas") and the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Intrastate Gas Transportation Agreement (the "Intrastate Agreement"), as of November 20, 1998, whereby Tejas agrees to provide firm transportation for the Facility of up to 62,000 MMBtu per day of gas.
The Intrastate Agreement has a primary term of ten years from the COD (as defined in the ESA as August 1, 2000), but the Company may terminate the Intrastate Agreement at the end of the fifth contract year upon at least 60 days notice to Tejas.
Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. ("CNE")
On April 27, 2006, the Company and CNE entered into a one year Master Retail Power Sales Agreement, whereby CNE agreed to supply full requirements for electric energy, including standby electricity and provide any additional energy and services as the Company may require in the event it is required to import electricity to support it and/or its steam hosts production requirements. The price of the electricity is the Market Clearing Price of Electricity plus $0.50, with a monthly fee of $3,000. On April 23, 2007, the agreement was extended until April 26, 2008. On February 6, 2008, the agreement was modified to change the term from one year to three years ending on April 26, 2009. On April 27, 2009, the agreement was extended for an additional one year term ending on April 26, 2010. The price of the electricity was also changed to ERCOT's applicable zonal market clearing price for energy for the Delivery Point as posted on its website plus $5.50.
San Patricio Municipal Water District
The Company and the San Patricio Municipal Water District ("SPMWD") entered into a Raw Water Contract (the "RWC") as of September 15, 1998, that provides, in part, that SPMWD will sell and deliver up to 2 million gallons of water per day to the Company. The initial term of the RWC is 20 years. Monthly billings for water sold to the Company are based on rates set annually to recover SPMWD's cost of service. Under the terms of the RWC, SPMWD will reserve specified capacity in its facilities to deliver water to the Facility.
General Electric International, Inc.
The Company and General Electric International, Inc. ("GE") entered into a Long-Term Service Agreement ("LTSA") as of September 30, 2001, whereby GE agrees to manage future planned maintenance and certain additional maintenance with respect to the two gas turbines at the Facility, including the combustion and turbine sections of the covered units and their Mark V control system. The initial term of the contract is the earlier of the time when covered units experience their second major inspection, as described under the contract or 17 years from the effective date of the contract. The contract was amended as of March 31, 2006 to extend the term of coverage until each covered unit
F-166
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
9. Significant Agreements with Third Parties (Continued)
reaches the later of 120,000 factored fired hours of operation or completion of the first hot path inspection after the second major inspection as defined in the contract.
Koch Supply & Trading, LP
On January 7, 2009 the Company entered into an agreement with Koch Supply & Trading, LP ("Koch") for the Company to sell 500 tons of 2009 CAIR Annual NOx Allowances at $5,000 per ton. The $2.5 million payment from Koch was received on February 6, 2009 and was a component of other revenues in the accompanying combined statement of operations.
10. Interest Rate Swap Contract
To protect the project lenders from the uncertainty of interest rate changes during the term of the loan, the Company was required by the project financing agreement to fix or hedge fifty percent (50%) of the original balance of the term loan by entering into an interest rate swap contract. The agreement with ING Capital LLC, dated November 23, 1998, requires the Company to make fixed interest payments at a rate of 5.95% for the term of the loan and the Company will receive interest at a variable rate equal to the rate on the debt hedged. The contract has a notional amount of approximately half of the outstanding principle balance of the loan. The interest rate swap contract matures at the time the related debt matures.
The effective portion of the unrealized gain or loss on an interest rate swap designated and qualifying as a cash flow hedging instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income ("OCI") and such gains and losses are reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses due to ineffectiveness on interest rate swaps are recognized currently in earnings as a component of interest expense. If it is determined that the forecasted transaction is probable of not occurring, then hedge accounting will be discontinued prospectively and the associated gain or loss previously deferred in OCI is reclassified into current income. If the hedging instrument is terminated or de-designated prior to the occurrence of the hedged forecasted transaction, the gain or loss associated with the hedge instrument remains deferred in OCI until such time as the forecasted transaction impacts earnings, or until it is determined that the forecasted transaction is probable of not occurring.
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had recorded cumulative losses of $6,463,451 and $9,895,188, respectively, in other comprehensive income. Upon termination of the loan and swap contract any amount recorded in other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings.
11. Natural Gas Swap Contracts
On June 15, 2007, the Company entered into a financial swap agreement with Sempra for a period of one year from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. The agreement requires the Partnership to sell 4,500,000 MMBtu of gas during the year at a fixed price of $8.70 per MMBtu. The agreement also includes a coincident gas purchase contract to purchase a like amount of gas at a Houston Ship Channel/Beaumont, Texas price index through the same period.
On March 3, 2008 the Company entered into another financial swap agreement with Sempra for a period of one year from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. The agreement requires the
F-167
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
11. Natural Gas Swap Contracts (Continued)
Partnership to sell 2,100,000 MMBtu of gas during the year at a fixed price of $9.10 per MMBtu. The agreement also includes a coincident gas purchase contract to purchase a like amount of gas at a Houston Ship Channel/Beaumont, Texas price index through the same period.
On June 9, 2008, the Company entered into another financial swap agreement with Sempra for a period of one year from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. The agreement requires the Partnership to self 2,100,000 MMBtu of gas during the year at a fixed price of $9.91 per MMBtu. The agreement also includes a coincident gas purchase contract to purchase a like amount of gas at a Houston Ship Channel/Beaumont, Texas price index through the same period.
These contracts are carried in the accompanying combined balance sheets at their fair value of $8,560,010 and $12,971,861 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively in derivative assetgas swap agreement, with changes in fair value recorded in current earnings in other income in the combined statements of operations.
12. Fair Value Disclosures
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and disclosures, effective January 1, 2008. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements.
Fair Value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value, as required by Topic 820 of the FASB ASC, must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
The standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.
The following table summarizes the fair values of the Company's derivatives based on the inputs used as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 in determining such fair values:
Description
|
Fair Market
Value on 12/31/2009 |
Quoted Prices in
Active markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Natural gas swaps |
$ | 8,560,010 | 8,560,010 | | |||||||||
Interest rate swaps |
$ |
(6,463,451 |
) |
|
(6,463,451 |
) |
|
||||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
35,777,376 |
35,777,376 |
|
|
||||||||
|
$ | 37,873,935 | $ | 35,777,376 | $ | 2,096,559 | $ | | |||||
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Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2009 and 2008
12. Fair Value Disclosures (Continued)
Description
|
Fair Market
Value on 12/31/2008 |
Quoted Prices in
Active markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Natural gas swaps |
$ | 12,971,861 | | 12,971,861 | | ||||||||
Interest rate swaps |
$ |
(9,895,188 |
) |
|
(9,895,188 |
) |
|
||||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
43,788,715 |
43,788,715 |
|
|
||||||||
|
$ | 46,865,388 | $ | 43,788,715 | $ | 3,076,673 | $ | | |||||
For derivatives for which fair value is determined based on multiple inputs, fair value accounting standards require that the measurement for an individual derivative to be categorized within a single level based on the lowest-level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
Fair value inputs for natural gas swaps in Level 2 are market prices. Fair value inputs for interest rate swaps in Level 2 are three month LIBOR future rates. Fair value inputs for restricted cash and cash equivalents in Level 1 are the Company's money market accounts.
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair value principally due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of the Company's long-term debt approximates the carrying amounts by virtue of the variable rate interest arrangements associated with the debt (See Note 6). The fair values of the interest rate swap contract and natural gas swap contracts equal the carrying value and were determined using the estimated amount the Company would receive to terminate the contracts. See Notes 10 and 11 for additional disclosure regarding the Company's accounting for its interest rate swap contract and natural gas swap contracts, respectively.
13. Ground Lease
The Company leases the land where the Facility is located from Sherwin under a 35-year term operating lease. The annual rent is $1 per year. The Company is required to pay all taxes, assessments, and fees on the leased property during the lease term. If the agreement is terminated prior to the 35-year term, the Company shall pay rent in equal monthly installments in an amount based on the market value of the unimproved land as determined at the time the agreement is terminated.
14. Commitments and Contingencies
There are commitments and contingencies arising from the ordinary course of business to which the Company is party. It is management's belief that the ultimate resolution of those commitments and contingencies will not have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
15. Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated events subsequent to December 31, 2009 through April 9, 2010, the date the financial statements were available to be issued, and identified no events to be disclosed.
F-169
Gregory Partners, LLC and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Combined Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
F-170
The combined financial statements of Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P., for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, are presented herein without the related report of independent accountants for the year ended December 31, 2008. The report of independent accountants is presented for the year ended December 31, 2007 pursuant to the requirements of Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X.
F-171
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
300 Atlantic Street Stamford CT 06901 Telephone (203) 539-3000 Facsimile (203) 207-3999 |
Report of Independent Auditors
To
the Board of Managers of
Gregory Partners, LLC and
Gregory Power Partners, L.P.:
In our opinion, the accompanying combined balance sheet and the related combined statements of operations, of changes in partners' and members' capital and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P., (the "Company") at December 31, 2007, and the combined results of their operations and their combined cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These combined financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
As discussed in Note 2 to the combined financial statements, the Company has adopted a new method of accounting for planned major maintenance.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
March 28, 2008
F-172
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Combined Balance Sheets
December 31, 2008 and 2007
|
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
|||||||||
Current assets |
|||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 5,189,868 | $ | 9,548,140 | |||||
Accounts receivable |
9,641,457 | 22,001,856 | |||||||
Spare parts inventories |
4,257,200 | 3,515,553 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
14,723,114 | 7,597,750 | |||||||
Total current assets |
33,811,639 | 42,663,299 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
161,859,053 |
169,589,429 |
|||||||
Other assets |
|||||||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
43,788,715 | 77,299,440 | |||||||
Deposits |
500,000 | 500,000 | |||||||
Deferred financing costs, net |
1,782,763 | 2,195,470 | |||||||
Total assets |
$ | 241,742,170 | $ | 292,247,638 | |||||
Liabilities and Partners' and Members' Capital |
|||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 11,024,545 | $ | 12,309,057 | |||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
9,644,306 | 9,042,396 | |||||||
Total current liabilities |
20,668,851 | 21,351,453 | |||||||
Derivative liabilityinterest rate swap contract |
9,895,188 |
4,902,579 |
|||||||
Asset retirement obligation |
1,926,091 | 1,733,479 | |||||||
Long-term debt |
101,435,444 | 112,626,931 | |||||||
Total liabilities |
133,925,574 | 140,614,442 | |||||||
Partners' and members' capital |
|||||||||
Contributed capital |
30,330,329 | 30,330,329 | |||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
(9,895,188 | ) | (4,902,579 | ) | |||||
Retained earnings |
87,381,455 | 126,205,446 | |||||||
Total partners' and members' capital |
107,816,596 | 151,633,196 | |||||||
Total liabilities and partners' and members' capital |
$ | 241,742,170 | $ | 292,247,638 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the combined financial statements.
F-173
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Combined Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
|
2008 | 2007 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues |
||||||||
Electricity |
$ | 195,978,663 | $ | 158,248,249 | ||||
Steam |
133,090,568 | 107,778,817 | ||||||
Other |
7,727,498 | 2,549,322 | ||||||
Total revenue |
336,796,729 | 268,576,388 | ||||||
Operating expenses |
||||||||
Fuel purchased |
279,552,454 | 221,549,966 | ||||||
Operation and maintenance |
20,705,193 | 15,396,854 | ||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |
9,114,384 | 9,133,264 | ||||||
General and administrative |
5,833,513 | 5,660,521 | ||||||
Total operating expenses |
315,205,544 | 251,740,605 | ||||||
Income from operations |
21,591,185 | 16,835,783 | ||||||
Other income (expense) |
||||||||
Interest income |
1,173,676 | 4,150,787 | ||||||
Interest expense |
(7,866,150 | ) | (9,494,485 | ) | ||||
Gain on derivative contract |
7,529,777 | 6,398,161 | ||||||
Net Income |
22,428,488 | 17,890,246 | ||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
||||||||
Change in the fair value in the interest rate swap contract |
(4,992,609 | ) | (1,852,692 | ) | ||||
Comprehensive Income |
$ | 17,435,879 | $ | 16,037,554 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the combined financial statements.
F-174
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Combined Statements of Changes in Partners' and Members' Capital
Years Ended
December 31, 2008 and 2007
|
Contributed
Capital |
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Retained
Earnings |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balance, December 31, 2006 |
$ | 30,330,329 | $ | (3,049,887 | ) | $ | 108,315,200 | $ | 135,595,642 | ||||
Net income |
|
|
17,890,246 |
17,890,246 |
|||||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
| (1,852,692 | ) | | (1,852,692 | ) | |||||||
Balance, December 31, 2007 |
30,330,329 | (4,902,579 | ) | 126,205,446 | 151,633,196 | ||||||||
Net income |
|
|
22,428,488 |
22,428,488 |
|||||||||
Distributions |
| | (61,252,479 | ) | (61,252,479 | ) | |||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
| (4,992,609 | ) | | (4,992,609 | ) | |||||||
Balance, December 31, 2008 |
$ | 30,330,329 | $ | (9,895,188 | ) | $ | 87,381,455 | $ | 107,816,596 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the combined financial statements.
F-175
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Combined Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
|
2008 | 2007 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash flows from operating activities |
||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 22,428,488 | $ | 17,890,246 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities |
||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |
9,114,384 | 9,133,264 | ||||||||
Net derivative activity |
(7,529,777 | ) | (6,398,161 | ) | ||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities |
||||||||||
Accounts receivable |
12,360,399 | 2,150,649 | ||||||||
Spare parts inventories |
(741,647 | ) | (1,193,244 | ) | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
246,913 | 1,135,144 | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
(1,284,512 | ) | 810,009 | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
34,594,248 | 23,527,907 | ||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
||||||||||
Purchases of plant and equipment |
(778,689 | ) | (651,713 | ) | ||||||
Net change in assets restricted as to use |
33,510,725 | (22,671,989 | ) | |||||||
Cash flows from derivatives |
157,500 | 10,312,500 | ||||||||
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities |
32,889,536 | (13,011,202 | ) | |||||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
||||||||||
Payment of long-term debt |
(10,589,577 | ) | (8,516,674 | ) | ||||||
Distributions to partners |
(61,252,479 | ) | | |||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(71,842,056 | ) | (8,516,674 | ) | ||||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
(4,358,272 | ) | 2,000,031 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
||||||||||
Beginning of the period |
9,548,140 | 7,548,109 | ||||||||
End of the period |
$ | 5,189,868 | $ | 9,548,140 | ||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information |
||||||||||
Cash paid for interest |
$ | 7,854,148 | $ | 9,538,497 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the combined financial statements.
F-176
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
1. Organization
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P. (collectively, the "Company," the "Partnership" or "Gregory") were organized on June 1, 1998, as a Delaware limited liability company and a Texas limited partnership, respectively, for the sole purpose of developing, financing, constructing, owning and operating a 500-megawatt (equivalent) cogeneration facility (the "Facility") at the Sherwin Alumina, L.P. (formerly Reynolds Metal Company) (BPU Reynolds, Inc.) plant near Gregory, Texas. The Facility commenced commercial operations on July 15, 2000. The Company operates as a Qualifying Facility ("QF") pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act ("PURPA"). The Partnership is operated pursuant to the Gregory Partnership Agreement dated June 1, 1998 (the "Partnership Agreement"). The operation and maintenance services are provided by subsidiaries of Babcock & Wilcox Company ("B&W"), an unaffiliated company.
Partnership interests are owned by subsidiaries of Javelin Holding, LLC ("Javelin Holding"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Javelin Energy, LLC ("Javelin Energy") and a subsidiary of DPC KY Energy LLC a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Power Company, LLC ("Delta") called KY Energy, LLC. KY Energy, LLC holds a 4% limited partner interest in Gregory Partners, LLC and Gregory Power Partners, L.P. KY Energy, LLC also holds through its subsidiaries KY Energy Power Gregory #1, Inc. and KY Energy Power Gregory #2, Inc. a 1% general partner interest in Gregory Partners, LLC and Gregory Power Partners, LP. Subsidiaries of Javelin Energy hold a 94% limited partnership interest and a 1% general partnership interest. Javelin Energy is owned by the following four entities: (1) DPC Javelin Energy, LLC (2) John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company; (3) Epsilon Power Funding, LLC; and (4) John Hancock Life Insurance Company.
Effective January 1, 2007, the membership interest in DPC Javelin Energy, LLC and DPC KY Energy, LLC were acquired by Arroyo DP Holdings, LP, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Under the terms of the Partnership Agreement, the Partnership's profits and losses are divided equally, based on ownership percentages, among the Gregory partners. No distributions were allowed to be made without lender consent through December 31, 2007. Starting in 2008 all distributions are divided based on ownership percentages.
Javelin Gregory General Corporation and KY Energy Power Gregory #1, Inc. (the "general partners") are responsible for the management, operation and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership, except in certain matters requiring a vote by the limited partners. Each of the general partners designated two representatives ("Designated Representatives") to represent it for purposes of making management decisions regarding the business of the Partnership. Each such Designated Representative has the authority to act for and bind the designating general partner in the affairs of the Partnership. The general manager, appointed by the general partners, is responsible for conducting all aspects of the ordinary, day-to-day business affairs and operation of the Partnership in accordance with the business plan approved by the general partners.
Javelin Gregory Remington Corporation and KY Energy Power Gregory #2, Inc, (the "member managers") manage the business, property and affairs of Gregory Partners, LLC. Except for certain matters outlined in the Gregory Partners, LLC Operating Agreement, the member managers may make all decisions and take all actions for Gregory Partners, LLC. Each of the member managers designated two representatives to represent it for purposes of making management decisions regarding business
F-177
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
1. Organization (Continued)
matters. The general manager appointed by the member managers is responsible for conducting all aspects of the ordinary day-to-day and usual business affairs and operations of Gregory Partners, LLC in accordance with the business plan approved by the member managers.
The following chart shows the general partners and members managers designated by an asterisk (*) and the Limited Partners and Members of the Company as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007:
|
|
Gregory
Partners, LLC |
Gregory
Power Partners, LP |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Javelin Holding, LLC | |||||||||
* | Javelin Gregory General Corporation | 1 | % | ||||||
Gregory Holdings #1, LLC | 94 | % | |||||||
* | Javelin Gregory Remington Corporation | 1 | % | ||||||
Gregory Holdings #2, LLC | 94 | % | |||||||
KY Energy, LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
* | KY Energy Power Gregory #1 Inc. | 1 | % | ||||||
KY Energy, LLC | 4 | % | |||||||
* | KY Energy Power Gregory #2 Inc. | 1 | % | ||||||
KY Energy, LLC | 4 | % |
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The combined financial statements include the accounts of Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon combination. The combination results from the fact that the companies operate under common control and have significant financial interests in one another. The significant financial interests relate to the cross collateralization of the assets of the Company's debt agreement as described in Note 5.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company's financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles necessarily requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting periods for certain accruals. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a term to maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
F-178
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are recorded based on power, steam, spray water, and ancillary services delivered to customers through period-end.
Included in 2007 revenues and net income is a $2.4 million charge relating to 2005 and 2006 billings to Constellation for ancillary services under the Power Purchase Agreement (Note 4). The Company and Constellation agreed to revise the rates for such services retroactive to 2005 as the PPA allows a 24-month true up for invoices. The Company refunded Constellation the amount in December 2007.
Spare Parts Inventory
Spare parts inventory of the Company is valued at the lower of cost or market.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method or machine-hours method. Property, plant and equipment accounts are relieved of the cost and related accumulated depreciation when assets are disposed of or otherwise retired.
Planned Major Maintenance Accounting
Effective with the commencement of the Facility's operations, the Company expensed major maintenance expense costs as incurred and depreciated major maintenance component capital costs over the useful lives of the components, rather than the lives of the assets in which they are installed.
Until recently, the AICPA Industry Audit Guide, Audits of Airlines ("Airline Guide") was the primary guidance for accounting for planned major maintenance in all industries. The accrue-in-advance methodology was an acceptable method based on the accounting guidance prior to the issuance of FSP AUG AIR-1. In September 2006, FASB issued FSP AUG AIR-1 (effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006), which prohibits the use of the accrue in-advance method of accounting for planned major maintenance. The Company has adopted this new pronouncement on January 1, 2007, and has changed its accrue-in-advance method to the direct method, recognizing all expenses related to the Long-Term Service Agreement ("LTSA") with General Electric International, Inc. when incurred. See more detail in Note 4. The impact on 2006 and prior years financial statements was not material.
Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company accounts for impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. SFAS No. 144 requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the book value of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates at each balance sheet date whether events and circumstances have occurred
F-179
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
that indicate possible operational impairment. There was no impairment of long-lived assets at December 31, 2008 or 2007.
Deferred Financing Costs
The Company has deferred the finance costs associated with the development, construction and start-up of the Facility. The deferred financing costs are being amortized over the life of the loan using the loans outstanding method. In August 2005, the Company obtained a $5 million working capital letter of credit facility due to requirements for credit support under its Power Sales Agreement ("PSA"). The expiration of the facility at December 31, 2008 is coincident with the termination of the PSA (Note 4). The Company has deferred the finance costs associated with this credit facility. These costs are being amortized over the life of the PSA. Accumulated amortization was $4,320,402 and $3,907,695 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Amortization expense was $412,707 and $438,438 in 2008 and 2007, respectively and was recorded in depreciation, amortization, and accretion expense on the accompanying combined statements of operations.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company has established escrow accounts held by a trustee pursuant to the terms of the project financing arrangement as described in Note 5. These funds are held by trustees and are restricted as to payments for future maintenance on property and equipment, future operating costs and future principal and interest payments, subject to the terms of the project financing arrangement.
Derivative Instruments
The Company is required by its project financing arrangement to utilize interest rate swap contracts to reduce its exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates on its long-term debt. Such swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedge transactions, with related gains and losses being recorded in interest expense as realized and changes in the fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income (Note 6).
The Company has entered into several natural gas swap contracts. These contracts are carried in the Company's Balance Sheet at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in current earnings in other income on the income statement.
The Company has certain commodity contracts for the physical delivery of purchase and sale quantities in the normal course of business. Since these activities qualify as normal purchase and normal sale activities, the Company has not recorded the value of the related contracts on the balance sheet as permitted under relevant accounting standards.
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company has recorded an asset retirement obligation under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 143 ("SFAS 143"), Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations and FIN 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations. Under these accounting methods, the Company recorded an asset of $829,112, representing the net present value of the Year 2030 asset retirement obligation utilizing a 10.0% risk free cost of capital and a liability of $1,023,595 for the asset retirement
F-180
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
obligation as of January 1, 2003. In addition, the Company will expense an amount equal to (a) the straight-line depreciation of the site dismantlement asset of $829,112 and (b) an amount equal to the annual increase in the site dismantlement liability, assuming a 2.5% annual inflation rate through the end of the lease term.
Accounting and Reporting Developments
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161 Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activitiesan Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 ("SFAS 161"). SFAS 161 amends SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, by requiring expanded disclosures about an entity's derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments. SFAS 161 is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 161 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
3. Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash and temporary investments. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions. Cash equivalents, restricted cash and temporary investments include investments in money market securities backed by the U.S. Government. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, substantially all of the deposits were in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporations Insured Limit of $250,000. The Company believes that no significant concentration of credit risk exists with respect to cash investments.
The Company has significant customers for 2008 and 2007, as follows:
|
2008 | 2007 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sherwin Alumina, L.P. |
|||||||
Percentage of combined total revenue |
45 | % | 45 | % | |||
Percentage of combined accounts receivable |
9 | % | 5 | % | |||
Constellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc. |
|||||||
Percentage of combined total revenue |
55 | % | 53 | % | |||
Percentage of combined accounts receivable |
87 | % | 94 | % | |||
Tenaska Power Marketing, Inc. |
|||||||
Percentage of combined total revenue |
<1 | % | 2 | % | |||
Percentage of combined accounts receivable |
4 | % | 1 | % |
Tenaska has provided security for their receivables in the form of a parent guaranty in the amount of $1.5 million as required by the contract.
During 2008 and 2007 the Company purchased about half of its gas from Kinder Morgan Tejas Pipeline, LLC. The remaining half of its gas during this period was delivered to the Company as payment for steam sales to Sherwin Alumina L.P.
F-181
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
4. Contracts
The Company has entered into several contracts pertaining to revenues, costs of revenues, operations and marketing. The contracts are described as follows:
Power Purchase Agreements
Sherwin Alumina, L.P.
The Company and Reynolds Metals Company entered into an Energy Services Agreement ("ESA") for a term of 35 years effective June 30, 1998, and ending on the 35-year anniversary of the Commercial Operations Date, ("COD" as defined in the ESA as August 1, 2000). The ESA affords Reynolds the right to purchase a portion of the Company's steam and electricity production for a term ending on the 20-year anniversary of the COD, with a right to extend this term for up to three additional 5-year terms upon providing the Company with at least two years' notice prior to the expiration date. The remaining obligations of the contract remain in effect for the full 35 year term. On December 31, 2000, the ESA was assigned to and assumed by BPU Reynolds. On August 1, 2001, the ESA was assigned to and assumed by Sherwin Alumina, L.P. The provisions of the ESA allow Sherwin Alumina L.P. to provide natural gas in lieu of a cash payment as compensation for the steam they purchase for their production needs. The Partnership records the related steam revenue which is offset by an equivalent natural gas expense recorded in fuel purchased in the accompanying combined statements of operations.
Constellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc ("CCG")
The Company and CCG entered into a power sales agreement ("CCG PSA") as of August 29, 2005, whereby the Company agrees to sell and CCG agrees to purchase certain quantities of electricity capacity and energy, as well as Ancillary Service capabilities. The CCG PSA has a term of three years and four months from September 1, 2005, ending December 31, 2008.
The CCG PSA calls for a fixed capacity component and a variable energy component. However, not all of the Capacity Payment was realized as a cash receipt during 2006 and in January 2007. The CCG PSA includes a provision that requires the Company to provide a Required Additional Credit Support Amount under certain circumstances. Rather than increasing the security instrument provided to CCG PSA, the contract allows for Deferred Payment Obligations to be granted to Constellation to a maximum of $12,750,000. Accordingly, the Company has included $8,760,917 in accounts receivable in the current asset section of the accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 2007. This represents the discounted value of $9 million contractual receivable using a discount rate of 5.0%. As of December 31, 2008, the entire balance of the receivable has been collected.
The Company is subject to operational and contractual risks associated with the Constellation PPA. Risks include, but are not limited to, output capacity and availability and heat rate guarantees. Management has taken steps to manage physical and contractual risks; however, such risks cannot be eliminated.
Fortis Energy Marketing & Trading GP ("Fortis")
The Company and Fortis entered into a power sales agreement ("Fortis PSA") as of July 23, 2007, whereby the Company agrees to sell and Fortis agrees to purchase certain quantities of electricity
F-182
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
4. Contracts (Continued)
capacity and energy, as well as Ancillary Service capabilities. The Fortis PSA has a term of five years from January 1, 2009.
The Fortis PSA calls for a fixed capacity component and a variable energy component. The Fortis PSA includes a provision that requires the Company to provide Credit Support which was delivered to Fortis by the Company in July 2007 in the form of a letter of credit for $10 million. The letter of credit expired on July 23, 2008 and was replaced by a cash deposit provided by the Company's partners.
The Company is subject to operational and contractual risks associated with the Fortis PPA. Risks include, but are not limited to, output capacity and availability. Management has taken steps to manage physical and contractual risks; however, such risks cannot be eliminated.
Energy Management Agreements
Tenaska Power Services Co. ("TPS")
On December 6, 2006, the Company and TPS entered into an EMA whereby TPS is to provide energy management services for the Facility by acting as the Company's qualified scheduling entity with ERCOT and marketing the excess power (~5 to 55 MWhs) from the Facility generated above the volumes committed to CCG. The agreement primary term expires on December 31, 2008. The agreement will automatically renew for successive one year terms unless terminated by either party by giving a written notice to the other party. No termination notice was produced by either party in 2008. The Company provided TPS a cash deposit in lieu of an irrevocable LOC in the amount of $500,000 which is included in deposits in the accompanying combined balance sheets.
Gas Purchase and Transportation Agreements
Kinder Morgan
Coral Energy Resources, L.P., Coral Energy, L.P. (together, "Coral") and the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Gas Sales Agreement (the "GSA"), as of November 20, 1998, whereby Coral agrees to sell, at an agreed upon price, to the Company up to 62,000 MMBtu per day of natural gas, the Facility's estimated maximum daily fuel requirement (net of gas supplied by Reynolds). On February 28, 2002, the GSA was assigned to and assumed by Kinder Morgan Tejas Gas Pipeline, which underwent a name change to Kinder Morgan Tejas Pipeline, LLC ("Kinder Morgan"). The Company has no obligation to purchase any gas under the GSA beyond the first two contract years.
The GSA has a primary term of ten years from the Commercial Operations Date (as defined in the ESA as August 1, 2000). The GSA includes a provision that requires the Company to provide additional credit support under certain circumstances.
Tejas Gas Pipeline L.P.
Tejas Gas Pipeline L.P., ("Tejas") and the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Intrastate Gas Transportation Agreement (the "Intrastate Agreement"), as of November 20, 1998, whereby Tejas agrees to provide firm transportation for the Facility of up to 62,000 MMBtu per day of gas.
F-183
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
4. Contracts (Continued)
The Intrastate Agreement has a primary term of ten years from the Commercial Operations Date (as defined in the ESA as August 1, 2000), but the Company may terminate the Intrastate Agreement at the end of the fifth contract year upon at least 60 days notice to Tejas.
Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. ("CNE")
On April 27, 2006, the Company and CNE entered into a one year Master Retail Power Sales Agreement, whereby CNE agreed to supply full requirements for electric energy, including standby electricity and provide any additional energy and services as the Company may require in the event it is required to import electricity to support it and/or its steam hosts production requirements. The price of the electricity is the Market Clearing Price of Electricity ("MCPE") plus $0.50, with a monthly fee of $3,000. On April 23, 2007, the agreement was extended until April 26, 2008. On February 6, 2008, the agreement was modified to change the term from one year to three years ending on April 26, 2009.
San Patricio Municipal Water District
The Company and the San Patricio Municipal Water District ("SPMWD") entered into a Raw Water Contract (the "RWC") as of September 15, 1998, that provides, in part, that SPMWD will sell and deliver up to 2 million gallons of water per day to the Company. The initial term of the RWC is 20 years. Monthly billings for water sold to the Company are based on rates set annually to recover SPMWD's cost of service. Under the terms of the RWC, SPMWD will reserve specified capacity in its facilities to deliver water to the Facility.
General Electric International, Inc.
The Company and General Electric International, Inc. ("GE") entered into a Long-Term Service Agreement ("LTSA") as of September 30, 2001, whereby GE agrees to fund future planned maintenance and certain additional maintenance with respect to the two gas turbines at the Facility, including the combustion and turbine sections of the covered units and their Mark V control system. The initial term of the contract is the earlier of the time when covered units experience their second major inspection, as described under the contract or 17 years from the effective date of the contract. The contract was amended as of March 31, 2006 to extend the term of coverage until each covered unit reaches the later of 120,000 factored fired hours of operation or completion of the first hot path inspection after the second major inspection as defined in the contract.
5. Long-Term Debt
The Company has a 17 year loan, expiring September 30, 2017 with ING Capital, LLC that provides for quarterly principal payments and interest at LIBOR plus 1.375% during 2007 and through October 2, 2008. On October 2, 2008 the interest rate changed to LIBOR plus 1.5%.
Borrowings are obligations solely of the Company and the lender's collateral is substantially all of the assets of the Company. The lenders have no contractual recourse to the partners. The loan agreement contains various affirmative and negative covenants involving the operation of the Facility, compliance with laws, and incurrence of additional debt and restricted payments.
F-184
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
5. Long-Term Debt (Continued)
The most restrictive covenants under the term loan are as follows:
Scheduled maturities of the long-term debt are as follows:
2009 |
$ | 9,644,306 | ||
2010 |
10,162,817 | |||
2011 |
10,992,434 | |||
2012 |
11,822,052 | |||
2013 |
12,755,372 | |||
After 2013 |
55,702,769 | |||
|
111,079,750 | |||
Less: Current portion |
(9,644,306 |
) |
||
|
$ | 101,435,444 | ||
In November 2008 the Company provided a notice letter to ING Capital, LLC advising that it is in a state of default under the Credit Agreement. The default situation was the result of the expiration of the Texas state authorization in March, 2008 for its Prevention of Signification Deterioration ("PSD") Air Permit. The Company signed an Agreed Order with the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality ("TCEQ") on March 24, 2009 which gives it the state's authority to operate under the terms of the PSD Air Permit. The Company concurrently provided notice to ING Capital, LLC that the Default situation has been cured.
6. Interest Rate Swap Contract
To protect the project lenders from the uncertainty of interest rate changes during the term of the loan, the Company was required by the project financing agreement to fix or hedge fifty percent (50%) of the original balance of the term loan by entering into an interest rate swap contract. The agreement with ING Capital LLC, dated November 23, 1998, requires the Company to make fixed interest payments at a rate of 5.95% for the term of the loan and will receive interest at a variable rate equal to the rate on the debt hedged. The contract has a notional amount of approximately half of the outstanding principle balance of the loan. The interest rate swap contract matures at the time the related debt matures. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had recorded cumulative losses of $9,895,188 and $4,902,579, respectively, in other comprehensive income. Upon termination of the loan and swap contract any amount recorded in other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings.
F-185
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
7. Natural Gas Swap Contracts
On July 31, 2006, the Company entered into a financial swap agreement with Sempra for a period of one year from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007. The agreement requires the Partnership to sell 4,500,000 MMBtu of gas during the year at a fixed price of $8.8725 per MMBtu. The agreement also includes a coincident gas purchase contract to purchase a like amount of gas at a Houston Ship Channel/Beaumont, Texas price index through the same period.
On June 15, 2007, the Company entered into another financial swap agreement with Sempra for a period of one year from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. The agreement requires the Partnership to sell 4,500,000 MMBtu of gas during the year at a fixed price of $8.70 per MMBtu. The agreement also includes a coincident gas purchase contract to purchase a like amount of gas at a Houston Ship Channel/Beaumont, Texas price index through the same period.
On March 3, 2008 the Company entered into another financial swap agreement with Sempra for a period of one year from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. The agreement requires the Partnership to sell 2,100,000 MMBtu of gas during the year at a fixed price of $9.10 per MMBtu. The agreement also includes a coincident gas purchase contract to purchase a like amount of gas at a Houston Ship Channel/Beaumont, Texas price index through the same period.
On June 9, 2008, the Company entered into another financial swap agreement with Sempra for a period of one year from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. The agreement requires the Partnership to sell 2,100,000 MMBtu of gas during the year at a fixed price of $9.91 per MMBtu. The agreement also includes a coincident gas purchase contract to purchase a like amount of gas at a Houston Ship Channel/Beaumont, Texas price index through the same period.
These contracts are carried in the accompanying combined balance sheets at their fair value of $12,971,861 and $5,599,584 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively in prepaid expense and other current assets, with changes in fair value recorded in current earnings in other income in the combined statements of operations.
8. Fair Value Disclosures
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, which provides a single definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Prior to SFAS 157, guidance for applying fair value was incorporated into several accounting pronouncements. SFAS 157 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and sets out a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and those based on an entity's own assumptions (unobservable inputs). Under SFAS 157, fair value measurements are disclosed by level within that hierarchy, with the highest priority being quoted prices in active markets. The Company adopted SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008.
F-186
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
8. Fair Value Disclosures (Continued)
The following table summarizes the fair values of the Company's derivatives based on the inputs used as of December 31, 2008 in determining such fair values:
Description
|
Fair Market
Value on December 31, 2008 |
Quoted Prices
in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Natural gas swaps |
$ | 12,971,861 | $ | | $ | 12,971,861 | $ | | |||||
Interest rate swaps |
(9,895,188 | ) | | (9,895,188 | ) | | |||||||
|
$ | 3,076,673 | $ | | $ | 3,076,673 | $ | | |||||
In February 2007 the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS 159 permits entities to elect to measure financial assets and liabilities (except for those that are specifically scoped out of the Statement) at fair value. The election to measure a financial asset or liability at fair value can be made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. The difference between the carrying value and the fair value at the election date is recorded as a transition adjustment to opening retained earnings. Subsequent changes in fair value are recognized in earnings. The Company adopted SFAS 159 effective January 1, 2008 with no material impact on the financial statements.
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair value principally due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of the Company's long-term debt approximates the carrying amounts by virtue of the variable rate interest arrangements associated with the debt. The fair values of the interest rate swap contract and natural gas swap contracts equal the carrying value and were determined using the estimated amount the Company would receive to terminate the contracts. See Notes 6 and 7 for additional disclosure regarding the Company's accounting for its interest rate swap contract and natural gas swap contracts, respectively.
9. Property, Plant and Equipment
Plant and equipment consist of the following at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively:
|
Useful Lives (Years) | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plant and related equipment |
5 - 30 | $ | 246,498,709 | $ | 245,872,627 | |||||
Office and transportation equipment |
3 - 10 | 1,168,525 | 1,015,917 | |||||||
|
247,667,234 | 246,888,544 | ||||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
85,808,181 |
77,299,115 |
||||||||
Net plant and equipment |
$ | 161,859,053 | $ | 169,589,429 | ||||||
F-187
Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P.
Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2008 and 2007
10. Ground Lease
The Company leases the land where the Facility is located from the BPU Reynolds under an operating lease for a 35-year term. The annual rent is $1 per year. The Company is required to pay all taxes, assessments, and fees on the leased property during the lease term. If the agreement is terminated prior to the 35-year term, the Company shall pay rent in equal monthly installments in an amount based on the market value of the unimproved land as determined at the time the agreement is terminated.
11. Related Party Transactions
Delta Power Company, LLC ("DPC")
The Company entered into an agreement as of January 1, 2001, whereby it reimburses DPC for salaries and benefits for the General Manager and staff that are assigned to the Company. Payments to DPC for salaries and benefits totaled $497,215 and $548,508 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively and are included in general and administrative expense in the combined statements of operations. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, $138,978 and $97,249 were payable to DPC which was included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the accompanying combined balance sheets. On May 1, 2007, JP Morgan Chase & Co. began providing accounting services for the Company.
12. Income Taxes
The Company is exempt from federal and state income taxes. Taxable income or loss from the Company is reportable by the partners and members on their respective income tax returns. Accordingly, there is no recognition of income taxes in the combined financial statements. Beginning in 2007, the Company is subject to a franchise tax in the state of Texas, and has recorded an amount representing the obligation in accordance with the State of Texas franchise tax.
13. Commitments and Contingencies
There are commitments and contingencies arising from the ordinary course of business to which the Company is party. It is management's belief that the ultimate resolution of those commitments and contingencies will not have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
14. Subsequent Events
On January 7, 2009 the Company entered into an agreement with Koch Supply & Trading, LP ("Koch") for the Company to sell 500 tons of 2009 CAIR Annual NOx Allowances at $5,000 per ton. The $2.5 million payment from Koch was received on February 6, 2009.
F-188
PASCO COGEN, LTD.
Financial Statements
December 31, 2007
(With Independent Auditors' Report Thereon)
F-189
The
Partners
Pasco Cogen, Ltd.:
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Pasco Cogen, Ltd. as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations and partners' capital and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Pasco Cogen, Ltd. as of December 31, 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
March 7,
2008
Tampa, Florida
Certified Public Accountants
F-190
PASCO COGEN, LTD.
Statement of Operations and Partners' Capital
Year ended December 31, 2007
Operating revenues |
$ | 57,331,633 | ||||
Operating costs and expenses: |
||||||
Fuel expenses |
22,111,732 | |||||
Operating expenses |
7,277,438 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization |
3,855,847 | |||||
Total operating expenses |
33,245,017 | |||||
Income from operations |
24,086,616 | |||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||
Other income |
299,415 | |||||
Interest expense |
(1,741,368 | ) | ||||
Interest income |
943,474 | |||||
Other expense, net |
(498,479 | ) | ||||
Net income |
23,588,137 | |||||
Partners' capital, beginning of year |
52,490,036 | |||||
Partnership distributions |
(18,395,423 | ) | ||||
Partners' capital, end of year |
$ | 57,682,750 | ||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-191
PASCO COGEN, LTD.
Balance Sheet
December 31, 2007
Assets |
||||||
Current assets: |
||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 3,549,810 | ||||
Accounts receivable |
5,223,629 | |||||
Prepaid expenses |
458,015 | |||||
Materials and supplies |
1,704,661 | |||||
Restricted investments, current portion |
7,500,000 | |||||
Total current assets |
18,436,115 | |||||
Restricted investments, net of current portion |
5,365,678 | |||||
Property, plant, and equipment, net |
48,024,584 | |||||
Other assets, net |
708,187 | |||||
Total assets |
$ | 72,534,564 | ||||
|
|
|||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
$ | 2,813,814 | ||||
Current installment of notes payable |
12,038,000 | |||||
Total current liabilities |
14,851,814 | |||||
Partners' capital |
57,682,750 | |||||
Total liabilities and partners' capital |
$ | 72,534,564 | ||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-192
PASCO COGEN, LTD.
Statement of Cash Flows
Year ended December 31, 2007
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 23,588,137 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation |
3,082,056 | |||||||
Amortization |
773,791 | |||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
(589,068 | ) | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
(66,965 | ) | ||||||
Materials and supplies |
(95,544 | ) | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
55,446 | |||||||
Accrued maintenance |
(322,560 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
26,425,293 | |||||||
Cash from investing activities: |
||||||||
Change in restricted investments |
4,203,563 | |||||||
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment |
(698,041 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by investing activities |
3,505,522 | |||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||
Principal payments of notes payable |
(11,574,998 | ) | ||||||
Partnership distributions |
(18,395,423 | ) | ||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(29,970,421 | ) | ||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
(39,606 | ) | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year |
3,589,416 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year |
$ | 3,549,810 | ||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
||||||||
Cash paid for interest |
$ | 1,741,368 |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-193
PASCO COGEN, LTD.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2007
(1) Organizational History and Ownership
Pasco Cogen Ltd. (the Partnership) is a limited partnership formed during 1991 to develop and operate a 109-megawatt gas and oil fired cogeneration facility in Dade City, Florida, which was placed into commercial service on July 1, 1993. The term of the Partnership will continue until December 31, 2015, which can be shortened or extended in accordance with the Limited Partnership Agreement. The Partnership is a qualifying facility under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) which entitles it to certain energy sales and purchase benefits as long as certain ownership and operating standards are maintained.
The facility's electricity is sold to Progress Energy Florida (PEF), and its steam was sold to the Pasco Beverage Company (PBC) and other steam users until March 2005 when PBC and the other steam users ceased steam purchases. Prior to the cessation of steam sales, the Partnership completed the installation of a water distillation system. Steam is used to manufacture distilled water, which is sold to an unaffiliated third party, ensuring compliance with the qualifying facility requirements set by the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978.
Each partner shares in operating income or loss of the Partnership on a basis proportionate to the partners' respective ownership percentage. Effective December 24, 2007, NCP Dade Power, LLC (NCP) and Dade Investment, L.P. acquired all but 0.2% of the remaining interest in the Partnership and the ownership allocation among the partners was adjusted accordingly.
At December 31, 2007, the respective partnership ownership percentages are as follows:
General Partner: |
|||||
NCP Dade Power, LLC |
2.0 | % | |||
Limited Partners: |
|||||
DCC Project Finance Ten, Inc. |
0.2 | % | |||
Dade Investment, L.P. |
97.8 | % |
The limited partners do not participate in management control of the Partnership and are limited to voting on certain matters described in the Limited Partnership Agreement. Except as otherwise required by law, each limited partners' liability for any debts, liabilities, contracts, or obligations of the Partnership is limited to its capital contribution and its share of any undistributed assets of the Partnership. No partner shall be required to make any additional capital contributions unless approved by the general partner.
(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements requires management of the Partnership to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying amount and useful lives of property, plant, and equipment. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
F-194
PASCO COGEN, LTD.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2007
(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(b) Income Taxes
The partners are required to report their share of the Partnership's net income or loss on their respective tax returns. Accordingly, no provision for income tax is reflected in the accompanying financial statements.
(c) Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Partnership to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, restricted investments, and accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2007, substantially all of the Partnership's cash and restricted investment balances were deposited with one financial institution assessed by management as being of high quality.
One customer, PEF, accounts for approximately 97% of the Partnership's revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007, and for approximately 93% of the accounts receivable (100% of the trade accounts receivable) as of December 31, 2007. The Partnership does not collateralize its accounts receivable.
One vendor supplied approximately 100% of the Partnership's gas purchases in 2007 and accounted for approximately 88% of the accounts payable as of December 31, 2007.
(d) Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Partnership considers all short-term highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
(e) Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Due to the limited number of customers and invoices, the Partnership determines the need for an allowance, if any, based on specific facts and circumstances. No such allowance was deemed necessary as of December 31, 2007.
(f) Materials and Supplies
Materials and supplies inventory consists of plant equipment components and recurring maintenance supplies required to be maintained in order to facilitate routine maintenance activities. Materials and supplies inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or market.
(g) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Partnership accounts for derivative instruments and hedging activities in accordance with Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities . SFAS No. 133, as amended, requires the fair value of derivative instruments to be recorded on the balance sheet as an asset or liability. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized periodically in income or partners' capital depending on whether the derivative is being used to hedge changes in fair value or cash flow. The Partnership identifies, and routinely analyzes various financial instruments and contracts. The Partnership had no
F-195
PASCO COGEN, LTD.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2007
(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
derivative instruments as of and during the year ended December 31, 2007. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) continues to issue guidance that could affect the Partnership's application of SFAS No. 133 and require adjustments to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
(h) Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment are stated at historical cost. Depreciation expense is provided on the straight-line method over the lesser of the useful lives of the asset or the lease term. The estimated useful lives of the plant and machinery are 30 years and 5 to 10 years, respectively. Leasehold improvements to the land site are amortized over the land lease commitment of 20 years.
(i) Restricted Investments
Restricted investments represent amounts set aside under the terms of the Disbursement Agreement (as amended and restated) and the Master Agreement (as amended and restated) between the Partnership and bank lenders, agent, and collateral agent (together, the Agreement) for future debt service, significant scheduled maintenance requirements, and distributions to partners pursuant to Section 3.5(e)(ii) of the Agreement. The three restricted accounts at December 31, 2007 are the Capital Expenditure Reserve Fund account, funded with $1,484,277; the Debt Service Reserve account, funded with $7,500,000; and the Special Reserve Account, funded with $3,881,401. All funds are held in highly rated money-market accounts, as determined by management, which approximates fair value at December 31, 2007.
(j) Revenue Recognition
Revenues from the sale of electricity consist of capacity payments and sale of energy to a single customer. Revenues are recorded at the time of billings and are based upon output delivered and capacity provided at rates specified under the contractual terms. Revenues for distilled water sales are recognized upon delivery.
Billings for electricity and distilled water sales are rendered monthly.
(k) Deferred Financing Costs
Financing costs, consisting primarily of commitment fees paid to the lenders, as well as legal fees and other direct costs incurred to obtain financing for the Partnership, are deferred and amortized over the term of the related loan. For the year ended December 31, 2007, amortization expense related to the deferred financing costs was approximately $317,000 per year.
(l) Asset Impairment
The Partnership accounts for its long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (SFAS 144). SFAS 144 addresses accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows and is measured as the difference between the carrying amount and fair value of the asset. The Partnership periodically
F-196
PASCO COGEN, LTD.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2007
(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
assesses whether there has been an impairment of its long-lived assets, held and used by the Partnership in accordance with SFAS 144. There were no impairment losses in 2007.
(m) Accrued Maintenance
Effective January 1, 2007, the Partnership adopted FASB Staff Position No. AUG AIR-1, Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities . Upon adoption, the Partnership no longer accrues and expenses estimated major maintenance in advance, rather major maintenance items are expensed as incurred.
(n) Asset Retirement Obligations
On January 1, 2003, the Partnership adopted SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations . This statement requires companies to record a liability relating to legal obligations to retire and remove assets used in their business. On January 1, 2005, the Partnership adopted FIN No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations , an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143. FIN No. 47 clarifies the term "conditional asset retirement obligation" as used in SFAS No. 143. The adoption of SFAS No. 143 and FIN No. 47 did not have a material impact on the Partnership's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows as of and for the year ended December 31, 2007.
(3) Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment consist of the following at December 31, 2007:
Land and leasehold improvements |
$ | 520,787 | ||
Machinery and equipment |
184,979 | |||
Cogeneration plant |
83,053,582 | |||
Accumulated depreciation |
(35,734,764 | ) | ||
|
$ | 48,024,584 | ||
Total depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 was approximately $3,082,000.
(4) Other Assets
Other assets consist of the following at December 31, 2007: |
||||
Financing costs |
$ | 5,760,063 | ||
Development costs |
5,999,779 | |||
Accumulated amortization on financing and development costs |
(11,085,155 | ) | ||
Utility deposit |
33,500 | |||
|
$ | 708,187 | ||
Development costs incurred during construction are amortized over the remaining terms of the sales contracts with PEF on a straight-line method, expiring on December 31, 2008. Financing costs are
F-197
PASCO COGEN, LTD.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2007
(4) Other Assets (Continued)
amortized over the respective loan period. Total amortization expense was approximately $774,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007.
(5) Notes Payable
Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 2007:
In compliance with the terms of the Agreement, the Partnership has established a reserve to fund future debt service. Through December 31, 2006, the debt service reserve was $12,000,000. During 2007, the Partnership obtained a waiver from the lender allowing a reduction to $7,500,000 at December 31, 2007.
The Master Agreement contains various positive and negative covenants. As of December 31, 2007, the Partnership was in compliance with its loan covenants and had obtained a waiver associated with insurance deductible requirements from the lenders.
The Partnership has a renewable letter of credit in favor of PEF issued by a financial institution in the amount of $4,350,000 expiring effective January 1, 2009. This letter of credit is required by the power sales contract with PEF as a guaranty of the Partnership's commitment to sell electricity. The financial institution is committed through December 31, 2008 to issue a letter of credit in an amount up to $4.5 million, and a 3 / 8 of 1% annual commitment fee is charged on the unutilized portion.
(6) Related Parties
Peaking gas supply and gas management services are provided by TECO Gas Services (TGS), a wholly owned subsidiary of TECO, which, until the December 24, 2007 sale transaction, indirectly owned the Pasco Project Investment Partnership, Ltd. (PPIP) partnership interest in the Partnership. The gas is transported by Florida Gas Transmission Company and Peoples Gas System Inc. (PGS).
The Partnership incurs fixed annual fees for administrative operating management functions payable to PPIP and NCP totaling approximately $465,000 in 2007. The total fees were split evenly between PPIP and NCP. Effective December 24, 2007, all of the fixed annual fees are paid to NCP. Related-party (income) expenses for gas sales and transportation for the year ended December 31, 2007 totaled approximately $(896,000) and $2,027,000 from TGS and PGS, respectively. Approximately $112,000 of accounts payables at December 31, 2007, were due to PGS. In addition, approximately $148,000 of accounts receivable at December 31, 2007, were due from PGS for imbalance book out gas.
F-198
PASCO COGEN, LTD.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2007
(6) Related Parties (Continued)
Teton Operating Services (Teton OS) became the contractual operator of the facility beginning March 12, 2004, succeeding Aquila Generation Services. Teton OS is an affiliate of Teton East Coast Generation, Inc., which owns the NCP Dade Power, LLC and Dade Investment, LP partnership interest in the Partnership. For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Partnership incurred operation and maintenance costs to Teton OS of approximately $3,891,000. Approximately, $467,000 of accounts payable was due to Teton OS as of December 31, 2007.
During 2004, the Partnership's affiliates formed Pasco Cogen Realty, L.P. (Realty). On December 30, 2004, Realty purchased the land where the Partnership's facility is located, which was previously leased to the Partnership by PBC. PBC assigned the site lease to Realty, which will continue leasing the land to the Partnership for the remainder of the lease term. The annual amount of these site lease payments are approximately $20,100 through the term of the lease expiring July 31, 2013.
(7) Commitments and Contingencies
(a) Leases
The Partnership has noncancelable operating leases on land and other equipment. Total rent expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 was approximately $442,000.
Aggregate minimum annual rental commitments under noncancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2007 are as follows:
2008 |
$ | 471,814 | ||
2009 |
471,814 | |||
2010 |
471,814 | |||
2011 |
358,886 | |||
2012 |
20,100 | |||
Thereafter |
11,725 | |||
|
$ | 1,806,153 | ||
(b) Contingencies
The Partnership is subject to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially affect the financial position, results of operations, or liquidity of the Partnership.
(8) Power Purchase Agreement
The Partnership sells all of the net electrical output of the facility to PEF pursuant to a 15 1 / 2 year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that commenced in July 1993. The PPA was restructured in October 1996, reducing the term (from 20 years to the 15 1 / 2 year term currently in effect) and providing for a special monthly payment through 2005. Revenue under the PPA is based on a payment for capacity, an energy payment, and an hourly performance adjustment for on-peak hours. Capacity payments have been contracted and range from $26.79/kW month in 2006 to $29.46/kW month in 2008. The capacity payment is subject to the Partnership maintaining an on-peak capacity during on-peak hours on a
F-199
PASCO COGEN, LTD.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2007
(8) Power Purchase Agreement (Continued)
12-month rolling average basis. The energy payment component of the PPA comprises a fuel component and a voltage adjustment for each kWh of electricity produced. The performance adjustment is an hourly calculation based upon PEF's avoided cost of all electricity provided to the system during that hour. For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Partnership has recorded electricity revenue of approximately $57,321,000 under the PPA.
On August 14, 2007, the Partnership entered into a tolling agreement with Tampa Electric Company (TEC), a business unit of TECO Energy, Inc. (TECO). The term of the tolling agreement is from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2018. Under the agreement, the Partnership will provide capacity and fuel conversion services.
(9) Fuel Agreements
PPM provides the Partnership with up to 20,472 MMBtu's of natural gas per day pursuant to a 15-year gas purchase agreement commencing in July 1993. The base purchase price under the agreement is adjusted monthly based on PEF's coal costs and capacity rates under the PPA between the Partnership and PEF.
F-200
Cdn$50,000,000
% Series B Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures due
PROSPECTUS
, 2010
BMO Capital Markets
ALTERNATE PAGE FOR CANADIAN PROSPECTUS
A copy of this preliminary short form prospectus has been filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada other than the province of Québec but has not yet become final for the purpose of the sale of securities. Information contained in this preliminary short form prospectus may not be complete and may have to be amended. The securities may not be sold until a receipt for the short form prospectus is obtained from the securities regulatory authorities.
No securities regulatory authority has expressed an opinion about these securities and it is an offence to claim otherwise. This short form prospectus constitutes a public offering of these securities only in those jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale and therein only by persons permitted to sell such securities. Atlantic Power Corporation has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to these securities. See "Plan of Distribution".
Information has been incorporated by reference in this short form prospectus from documents filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada. Copies of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be obtained on request without charge from the Corporate Secretary of Atlantic Power Corporation at 200 Clarendon Street, 25th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., 02116, telephone 617.977.2400, and are also available electronically at www.sedar.com
PRELIMINARY SHORT FORM PROSPECTUS
New Issue | August 13, 2010 |
Atlantic Power Corporation
Cdn$
% Series B Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures due
This short form prospectus qualifies the distribution of Cdn$ aggregate principal amount of % series B convertible unsecured subordinated debentures (the " Debentures ") of Atlantic Power Corporation (the " Company ") at the price of Cdn$1,000 per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of Debentures (the " Offering "). The Debentures have a maturity date of (the " Maturity Date ") and bear interest at an annual rate of % payable semi-annually in arrears on the day of and in each year (each, an " Interest Payment Date ") (or the immediately following business day if any Interest Payment Date would not otherwise be a business day) commencing on . The interest payment will represent accrued interest for the period from the closing date of the Offering up to, but excluding . Further particulars concerning the attributes of the Debentures are set out under "Description of Debentures" in the U.S. Prospectus (as defined below), which is included in this short form prospectus. The terms and offering price of the Debentures were determined by negotiation between the Company and BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. (the " Underwriter "). See "Plan of Distribution". The registered office of the Company is located at 355 Burrard Street, Suite 1900, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2G8 and the head office of the Company is located at 200 Clarendon Street, 25th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts, USA 02116.
A bank affiliate of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. is a lender to Atlantic Power Holdings, Inc. ("Holdings"), an indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, under an existing credit facility. Consequently, the Company may be considered a "connected issuer" of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. under applicable securities laws in certain Canadian provinces and territories. See "Relationship Between the Company and Certain Persons".
|
|
Conversion Privilege |
|
|
|
|
Each Debenture will be convertible into common shares of the Company (" Common Shares ") at the option of the holder at any time prior to the close of business on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the business day immediately preceding the date specified by the Company for redemption of the Debentures at a conversion price of Cdn$ per Common Share (the " Conversion Price "), being a conversion rate of approximately Common Shares per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of Debentures, subject to adjustment in accordance with the trust indenture governing the terms of the Debentures. Holders converting their Debentures will receive accrued and unpaid interest thereon for the period from the last interest payment date on their Debentures to, but not including, the date of conversion. Further particulars concerning the conversion privilege, including provisions for the adjustment of the Conversion Price in certain events, are set out under "Description of DebenturesConversion Privilege" in the U.S. Prospectus. |
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ALTERNATE PAGE FOR CANADIAN PROSPECTUS
The Debentures may not be redeemed by the Company on or before (except in certain limited circumstances following a Change of Control (as defined herein)). After and prior to , the Debentures may be redeemed by the Company, in whole or in part from time to time, on not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days prior notice, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, provided that the volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the " TSX ") for the 20 consecutive trading days ending five trading days preceding the date on which notice of redemption is given is not less than 125% of the Conversion Price. On or after and prior to the Maturity Date, the Debentures may be redeemed in whole or in part at the option of the Company on not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days prior notice at a price equal to their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Further particulars of the interest, redemption, repurchase and maturity provisions of the Debentures are set out under "Description of Debentures" in the U.S. Prospectus.
The Company has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333 ) (the " U.S. Registration Statement ") with respect to the Debentures and the Common Shares underlying the Debentures with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC ") under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " U.S. Securities Act "). The U.S. prospectus contained in the U.S. Registration Statement (the " U.S. Prospectus ") is included in and forms a part of this short form prospectus. This short form prospectus qualifies the Debentures for distribution in each of the provinces and territories of Canada other than the province of Québec.
Concurrently with the Offering of Debentures, the Company is conducting a separate public offering of Common Shares (plus up to an additional Common Shares if the underwriters exercise an option to purchase additional Common Shares) at a price of US $ per Common Share (the " Common Share Offering "). This Offering is not conditional upon completion of the Common Share Offering. See "Description of Concurrent Offering of Common Shares" and "Use of Proceeds" in the U.S. Prospectus.
There is currently no market through which the Debentures may be sold and purchasers may not be able to resell the Debentures purchased under this short form prospectus. This may affect the pricing of the Debentures in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading prices, the liquidity of the Debentures, and the extent of issuer regulation. See "Risk Factors" in the U.S. Prospectus.
The Underwriter, as principal, conditionally offers the Debentures, subject to prior sale, if, as and when issued by the Company and accepted by the Underwriter in accordance with the conditions contained in the Underwriting Agreement referred to under "Plan of Distribution" and subject to approval of certain legal matters on behalf of the Company by Goodmans LLP and on behalf of the Underwriter by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. The Debentures shall be taken up by the Underwriter, if at all, on or before a date not later than 42 days after the date of the receipt for the final short form prospectus.
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Price to the Public (1) | Underwriter's Fee | Net Proceeds (2)(3) | |||
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Per Debenture |
Cdn$1,000 | Cdn$ | Cdn$ | |||
Total Offering |
Cdn$ | Cdn$ | Cdn$ |
ii
ALTERNATE PAGE FOR CANADIAN PROSPECTUS
position is ultimately filled through the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option or secondary market purchases. See "Plan of Distribution".
Underwriter's Position | Maximum Size or Number | Exercise Period | Exercise Price | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Over-Allotment Option | Cdn$ | 30 days after closing of the Offering | Cdn$1,000 per Debenture |
Subscriptions for the Debentures will be received subject to rejection or allotment, in whole or in part, and the right is reserved to close the subscription books at any time without notice. Book-entry only certificates representing the Debentures will be issued in registered form to CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. (" CDS ") or its nominee as registered global securities and will be deposited with CDS on the date of issue of the Debentures, which is expected to occur on or about , 2010 or such later date as the Underwriter and the Company may agree, but in any event no later than , 2010. Holders of Debentures will not be entitled to receive physical certificates representing their Debentures.
In certain circumstances, the Underwriter may offer the Debentures at a price lower than the price stated above. The Underwriter may, in connection with the Offering, effect transactions that stabilize or maintain the market price of the Debentures at levels other than those that might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions, if commenced, may be interrupted or discontinued at any time. See "Plan of Distribution".
The Company's earnings coverage ratios for the twelve month periods ending December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2010, calculated on the basis of the Company's financial statements prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and included in this short form prospectus, were less than one to one. See "Earnings Coverage Ratios".
An investment in the Debentures is subject to a number of risks that should be considered by a prospective investor. An investment in the Debentures should only be made by persons who can afford the total loss of their investment. See "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information" in this short form prospectus and "Risk Factors" in the U.S. Prospectus.
The Debentures are not "deposits" within the meaning of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (Canada) and are not insured under the provisions of that act or any other legislation.
iii
ALTERNATE PAGE FOR CANADIAN PROSPECTUS
AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE SECURITIES
FOR PURPOSES OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS, NO BINDING COMMITMENT TO PURCHASE THE DEBENTURES OFFERED PURSUANT TO THIS PROSPECTUS IS MADE BY ANY INVESTOR, AND NO SALE OF THE DEBENTURES OFFERED PURSUANT TO THIS PROSPECTUS IS MADE TO ANY INVESTOR, UNTIL 5:00 P.M. (TORONTO TIME) ON THE SECOND BUSINESS DAY AFTER SUCH INVESTOR RECEIVES THIS PROSPECTUS. UNTIL SUCH TIME, ANY INVESTOR MAY CANCEL HIS OR HER INTENTION TO PURCHASE THE DEBENTURES WITHOUT PENALTY BY CONTACTING ANY OF THE UNDERWRITERS NAMED IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Information has been incorporated by reference in this short form prospectus from documents filed with the securities commissions or similar authorities in the provinces and territories of Canada. Copies of the documents incorporated in this short form prospectus by reference may be obtained on request without charge from the Corporate Secretary of the Company at 200 Clarendon Street, 25th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., 02116, telephone 617.977.2400. In addition, copies of the documents incorporated by reference herein may be obtained from the securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada through SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
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The following documents of the Company, filed with the securities commissions or similar authorities in the provinces and territories of Canada, are specifically incorporated by reference into and form an integral part of this short form prospectus:
Any documents of the type required by section 11.1 of Form 44-101F1 of National Instrument 44-101 Short Form Prospectus Distributions to be incorporated by reference in a short form prospectus, if filed by the Company with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in the provinces and territories of Canada in which this short form prospectus has been filed subsequent to the date of this short form prospectus and prior to the termination of the distribution, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this short form prospectus.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this short form prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this short form prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. The modifying or superseding statement need not state that it has modified or superseded a prior statement or include any other information set forth in the document that it modifies or supersedes. The making of a modifying or superseding statement shall not be deemed an admission for any purposes that the modified or superseded statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation, an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact that was required to be stated or that was necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the
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circumstances in which it was made. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this short form prospectus.
Concurrently with the filing of this short form prospectus, the Company has applied for and obtained an exemption from the requirement to incorporate by reference the fairness opinion contained in Schedule "G" of the Arrangement Circular and all references to the fairness opinion, including under the heading "Background to and Reasons for the ConversionFairness Opinion" contained in the Arrangement Circular on the basis that the exempted sections are no longer relevant.
SUPPLEMENTAL CANADIAN DISCLOSURE
In accordance with the requirements of applicable securities laws in each province and territory of Canada other than the province of Québec, the disclosure in the U.S. Prospectus incorporated in this short form prospectus is supplemented with the following additional disclosure.
CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
In this short form prospectus, references to "Cdn$" and "Canadian dollars" are to the lawful currency of Canada and references to "$", "US$" and "U.S. dollars" are to the lawful currency of the United States. All dollar amounts herein are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated.
The business of the Projects is conducted in major markets in the United States and their revenues and expenses are denominated, earned and incurred primarily in U.S. dollars. The following table sets forth, for each period indicated, the high and low exchange rates for one U.S. dollar, expressed in Canadian dollars, the average of such exchange rates on the last day of each month during such period and the exchange rate at the end of such period, based on the noon buying rate in Canadian dollars as quoted by the Bank of Canada (the " Noon Buying Rate "). On August 12, 2010, the Noon Buying Rate was US$1.00 = Cdn$1.0434.
|
Six Months Ended
June 30 |
Twelve Months Ended
December 31 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 | 2009 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||
High |
Cdn$1.0778 | Cdn$1.3000 | Cdn$1.3000 | Cdn$1.2969 | ||||
Low |
Cdn$0.9961 | Cdn$1.1827 | Cdn$1.0292 | Cdn$0.9719 | ||||
Average |
Cdn$1.0338 | Cdn$1.2062 | Cdn$1.1420 | Cdn$1.0660 | ||||
Period End |
Cdn$1.0606 | Cdn$1.1625 | Cdn$1.0466 | Cdn$1.2112 |
Source: Bank of Canada
NOTICE TO INVESTORS REGARDING GAAP
Beginning with the first quarter of 2010, the Company is now preparing its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Prior to 2010, the Company prepared its financial statements in accordance with Canadian GAAP, including the Annual Financial Statements and the corresponding Annual MD&A incorporated by reference in this short form prospectus. The Q2 Financial Statements and the corresponding Q2 MD&A incorporated by reference in this short form prospectus, and the annual and interim financial statements included in the U.S. Prospectus, have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which differ in certain material respects from Canadian GAAP. In accordance with Canadian securities laws, the Q2 Financial Statements and the corresponding Q2 MD&A incorporated by reference in this short form prospectus have been prepared with a reconciliation to Canadian GAAP.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain information in this short form prospectus may constitute "forward looking information", as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities legislation, about the Company including its business operations, strategy and future financial condition and results of operations. Prospective investors should refer to the heading, "Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in the U.S. Prospectus for further detail on such forward-looking information and statements.
Material factors or assumptions that were applied in providing forward-looking information, include, but are not limited to, the Company's future growth potential, its results of operations, future cash flows, the continued performance and business prospects and opportunities of the Company and the Projects, third party projections of regional fuel and electric capacity and energy prices, the completion of certain transactions, including the Offering, the Company's future levels of indebtedness, the tax laws as currently in effect remaining unchanged and the current general regulatory environment and economic conditions remaining unchanged.
Forward-looking information contained in this short form prospectus reflects current expectations regarding future events and operating performance, and speaks only as of the date of this short form prospectus. Such forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or general industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Recent events in global financial and credit markets have resulted in abnormally high market volatility and a level of uncertainty not seen in decades. Such uncertainty may continue to impact the global, North American and Canadian economies in unpredictable ways and may impact the results of the Company in a manner which is currently impossible to ascertain. Many other factors could also cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those expressed or inferred herein, including without limitation, a reduction in revenue upon expiration or termination of power purchase agreements, the dependence of the Projects on their electricity, thermal energy and transmission services customers, exposure of certain Projects to fluctuations in the price of electricity, Projects not operating to plan, the impact of significant environmental and other regulations on the Projects, increasing competition (including for acquisitions), the limited control by the Company over the operation of certain minority-owned Projects and changes in assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties could affect the Company's actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking information provided by the Company or on its behalf. The impact of any one factor on a particular piece of forward-looking information is not determinable with certainty as such factors are interdependent upon other factors, and management's course of action would depend upon its assessment of the future considering all information then available.
Should any risk factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Unless otherwise indicated, forward-looking information does not take into account the effect that transactions or non-recurring or other special items announced or occurring after the date it is provided may have on the business of the Company. All of the forward-looking information reflected in this short form prospectus and the documents incorporated herein are qualified by these cautionary statements. There can be no assurance that the results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences for the Company. Prospective investors should carefully consider the information contained under the heading "Risk Factors" in the U.S. Prospectus and other
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information included in this short form prospectus before making investment decisions with regard to the Debentures. Forward-looking information is provided and forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this short form prospectus and except as may be required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
In the opinion of Goodmans LLP, counsel for the Company, and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, counsel for the Underwriter, based on the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations thereunder (collectively, the " Tax Act ") as of the date hereof, provided the Debentures, or, in the case of the Common Shares issuable on the conversion, redemption, purchase for cancellation or maturity of the Debentures, the Common Shares, are listed on a "designated stock exchange" as defined in the Tax Act, which currently includes the TSX, the Debentures being offered pursuant to this short form prospectus, and the Common Shares issuable on the conversion, redemption, purchase for cancellation or maturity of the Debentures, if issued on the date hereof, would be qualified investments under the Tax Act for trusts governed by registered retirement savings plans, registered retirement income funds, deferred profit sharing plans (except, in the case of Debentures, a deferred profit sharing plan to which the Company, or an employer that does not deal at arm's length with the Company, has made a contribution), registered education savings plans, registered disability savings plans and tax-free savings accounts.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Debentures or Common Shares are "prohibited investments" for the purposes of a tax-free savings account, a holder of such a tax-free savings account will be subject to penalty taxes as set out in the Tax Act. Provided that the holder of a tax-free savings account deals at arm's length with the Company for the purposes of the Tax Act, and does not hold a "significant interest" (within the meaning of the Tax Act) in the Company or any corporation, partnership or trust with which the Company does not deal at arm's length for the purposes of the Tax Act, the Debentures, and the Common Shares issuable on the conversion, redemption, purchase for cancellation or maturity of the Debentures, will not be "prohibited investments" for such tax-free savings account for the purposes of the Tax Act. Holders of tax-free savings accounts should consult their own tax advisors to ensure that the Debentures and Common Shares issuable on the conversion, redemption, purchase for cancellation or maturity of the Debentures would not be a "prohibited investment" for the purposes of the Tax Act in their particular circumstances.
On December 17, 2009, the Company completed an offering of 6.25% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures due March 15, 2017 (the " 2009 Debentures ") at a price of Cdn$1,000 per 2009 Debenture for total gross proceeds of Cdn$75 million. On December 24, 2009, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full to purchase an additional Cdn$11,250,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2009 Debentures at the same price.
On November 27, 2009 the Company completed its conversion from an Income Participating Security structure to a traditional common share structure, and issued 60,517,981 Common Shares in exchange for the previously outstanding Income Participating Securities and common shares of the Company.
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The pro forma earnings coverage ratios set forth below have been prepared using pro forma financial information which has been prepared on the basis of the U.S. GAAP financial statements included in this short form prospectus. The pro forma earnings assume that there are no additional earnings derived from indebtedness incurred in connection with this Offering. Earnings coverage is equal to net income before interest expense on all long-term debt and income taxes, divided by interest expense on long-term debt (after giving effect to the Offering).
In accordance with the presentation and measurement requirements of U.S. GAAP and after giving effect to the Offering, the Company's pro forma interest requirements for all long term debt, including the current portion, would have amounted to approximately $ million and approximately $ million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2010, respectively. The Company's earnings before interest and income tax for the 12 months ended December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2010, respectively, was approximately $ million and $ million, which is $ and $ less than the Company's pro forma interest requirements for each respective period. The additional earnings required to achieve an earnings coverage ratio of 1.0 would have been approximately $ and approximately $ for the 12 months ended December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2010, respectively.
The Company's Common Shares began trading on the TSX on December 2, 2009, under the trading symbol "ATP" and on the NYSE on July 23, 2010 under the trading symbol "AT". The following table shows the monthly range of high and low prices per Common Share and the total volume of Common Shares traded on the TSX during the 12 month period before the date of this short form prospectus. On August 12, 2010, being the last day on which the Common Shares traded prior to the date of this short form prospectus, the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX was Cdn$13.25.
Date
|
High | Low | Volume | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
December 2 31, 2009 |
Cdn$11.90 | Cdn$10.21 | 9,292,827 | |||
January 2010 |
Cdn$12.35 | Cdn$11.52 | 5,207,417 | |||
February 2010 |
Cdn$12.79 | Cdn$11.50 | 3,361,681 | |||
March 2010 |
Cdn$13.85 | Cdn$12.10 | 11,976,401 | |||
April 2010 |
Cdn$12.90 | Cdn$11.28 | 4,041,640 | |||
May 2010 |
Cdn$12.85 | Cdn$11.20 | 4,147,728 | |||
June 2010 |
Cdn$12.85 | Cdn$12.11 | 1,949,091 | |||
July 2010 |
Cdn$13.39 | Cdn$12.11 | 1,873,091 | |||
August 1 12, 2010 |
Cdn$13.40 | Cdn$13.00 | 696,079 |
The following table shows the range of high and low prices per Common Share and the total volume of Common Shares traded on the NYSE during the 12 month period before the date of this short form prospectus. On August 12, 2010, being the last day on which the Common Shares traded prior to the date of this short form prospectus, the closing price of the Common Shares on the NYSE was U.S.$12.69.
Date
|
High | Low | Volume | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
July 23 31, 2010 |
U.S.$12.97 | U.S.$12.39 | 641,443 | |||
August 1 12, 2010 |
U.S.$13.48 | U.S.$12.30 | 1,198,901 |
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The 2006 Debentures were listed for trading on the TSX on October 11, 2006, under the trading symbol "ATP.DB". The following table shows the range of high and low prices per Cdn$100 principal amount of 2006 Debentures and total monthly volumes traded on the TSX during the 12 month period before the date of this short form prospectus. On August 12, 2010, being the last day on which the 2006 Debentures traded prior to the date of this short form prospectus, the closing price of the 2006 Debentures on the TSX was Cdn$107.25.
Month
|
High | Low | Volume | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 2009 |
Cdn$100.00 | Cdn$97.60 | 12,250 | |||
June 2009 |
Cdn$101.25 | Cdn$98.00 | 10,990 | |||
July 2009 |
Cdn$103.50 | Cdn$100.15 | 5,600 | |||
August 2009 |
Cdn$102.50 | Cdn$101.50 | 5,660 | |||
September 2009 |
Cdn$102.50 | Cdn$101.01 | 6,960 | |||
October 2009 |
Cdn$102.50 | Cdn$100.01 | 10,980 | |||
November 2009 |
Cdn$103.00 | Cdn$100.00 | 15,420 | |||
December 2009 |
Cdn$104.00 | Cdn$101.50 | 5,980 | |||
January 2010 |
Cdn$106.00 | Cdn$103.50 | 3,060 | |||
February 2010 |
Cdn$107.00 | Cdn$104.70 | 5,260 | |||
March 2010 |
Cdn$110.00 | Cdn$105.00 | 10,030 | |||
April 2010 |
Cdn$106.14 | Cdn$103.00 | 11,560 | |||
May 2010 |
Cdn$106.00 | Cdn$103.00 | 11,560 | |||
June 2010 |
Cdn$104.91 | Cdn$103.00 | 3,650 | |||
July 2010 |
Cdn$107.00 | Cdn$103.30 | 3,200 | |||
August 1 12, 2010 |
Cdn$108.00 | Cdn$106.00 | 3,080 |
The 2009 Debentures were listed for trading on the TSX on December 17, 2009, under the trading symbol "ATP.DB.A". The following table shows the monthly range of high and low prices per Cdn$100 principal amount of 2009 Debentures and total monthly volumes traded on the TSX during the 12 month period before the date of this short form prospectus. On August 12, 2010, being the last day on which the 2009 Debentures traded prior to the date of this short form prospectus, the closing price of the 2009 Debentures on the TSX was Cdn$105.00.
Month
|
High | Low | Volume | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
December 17 31, 2009 |
Cdn$101.00 | Cdn$99.90 | 86,010 | |||
January 2010 |
Cdn$103.00 | Cdn$100.03 | 52,070 | |||
February 2010 |
Cdn$104.00 | Cdn$102.05 | 25,630 | |||
March 2010 |
Cdn$107.50 | Cdn$103.00 | 57,330 | |||
April 2010 |
Cdn$104.00 | Cdn$101.50 | 27,920 | |||
May 2010 |
Cdn$106.97 | Cdn$101.00 | 19,880 | |||
June 2010 |
Cdn$104.99 | Cdn$101.00 | 17,540 | |||
July 2010 |
Cdn$105.49 | Cdn$101.99 | 42,510 | |||
August 1 12, 2010 |
Cdn$105.50 | Cdn$104.51 | 34,220 |
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Subject to the terms and conditions contained in the underwriting agreement dated as of , 2010 between the Company and the Underwriter (the " Underwriting Agreement "), the Company has agreed to issue and sell, and the Underwriter has agreed to purchase, as principal, on the closing date, being , 2010 or such other date as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Underwriter, but in any event not later than , 2010 an aggregate Cdn$ principal amount of Debentures at a price of Cdn $1,000 per Debenture, payable in cash against delivery by the Company of certificates evidencing the Debentures. The Debentures are being offered to the public in all of the provinces and territories of Canada other than the province of Québec. The terms and conditions were determined by negotiation between the Company and the Underwriter. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company will pay the Underwriter's fee of Cdn$ per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of Debentures in consideration for their services in connection with the Offering.
The Company has granted to the Underwriter the Over-Allotment Option to purchase up to an additional Cdn$ principal amount of the Debentures at a price of Cdn$1,000 per Debenture on the same terms and conditions as the Offering, exercisable in whole or in part, at the sole discretion of the Underwriter at any one time on or prior to the 30 th day after the Closing, for the purposes of covering the Underwriter's over-allotment position, if any. If the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full, the "Price to the Public", "Underwriter's Fee" and "Net Proceeds" (before deducting expenses of the Offering) will be Cdn$ , Cdn$ and Cdn$ , respectively. This short form prospectus also qualifies for distribution the grant of the Over-Allotment Option and the issuance of the Debentures pursuant to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option. A purchaser who accepts any Debentures forming part of the Over-Allotment Option acquires such Debentures under the short form prospectus regardless of whether the over-allotment position is filled through the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option or secondary market purchases.
The obligations of the Underwriter under the Underwriting Agreement may be terminated at its discretion upon the occurrence of certain stated events. The Underwriter is, however, obligated to take up and pay for all Debentures if any Debentures are purchased under the Underwriting Agreement. The Underwriter proposes to offer the Debentures to the public initially at the Offering price and in the principal amount, respectively, specified on the cover page of this short form prospectus. After the Underwriter has made a reasonable effort to sell all of the Debentures offered hereby at the Offering price and in the principal amount, respectively, specified on the cover page, the Offering price for the Debentures may be decreased and may be further changed from time to time to amounts not greater than those set forth on the cover page. The compensation realized by the Underwriter will be decreased by the amount that the aggregate price paid by the purchasers of the Debentures is less than the amount paid by the Underwriter to the Company.
Pursuant to policy statements of certain securities regulators, the Underwriter may not, throughout the period of distribution, bid for or purchase the Debentures. The foregoing restriction is subject to exceptions, on the condition that the bid or purchase is not engaged in for the purpose of creating actual or apparent active trading in, or raising the price of, any of the Debentures. These exceptions include bids or purchases permitted under the Universal Market Integrity Rules for Canadian Marketplaces of Market Regulation Services Inc. relating to market stabilization and passive market making activities and bids or purchases made for and on behalf of a customer where the order was not solicited during the period of distribution. Under the first mentioned exception, in connection with this Offering, the Underwriter may effect transactions that stabilize or maintain the market price of the Debentures at levels other than those which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Those transactions, if commenced, may be interrupted or discontinued at any time.
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The Company and the senior officers of the Company have agreed with the Underwriter, subject to certain exceptions, not to issue, offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Debentures or Common Shares of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Debentures or Common Shares of the Company or financial instruments convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Debentures or Common Shares of the Company, or announce any intention to effect any of the foregoing, for a period of 90 days from the date of Closing without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld.
The Debentures will be issued in "book-entry only" form and must be purchased or transferred through a CDS Participant. At closing, the Company will cause global certificates representing the Debentures to be delivered to, and registered in the name of, CDS or its nominee. All rights of holders of Debentures must be exercised through, and all payments or other property to which such holder is entitled will be made or delivered by, CDS or the CDS Participant through which the holder of Debentures holds such Debentures. Each person who acquires Debentures will receive only a customer confirmation of purchase from the Underwriter or registered dealer from or through which the Debentures are acquired in accordance with the practices and procedures of that Underwriter or registered dealer. The practices of registered dealers may vary, but generally customer confirmations are issued promptly after execution of a customer order. CDS is responsible for establishing and maintaining book-entry accounts for its CDS Participants having interests in the Debentures. See "Description of DebenturesBook Entry, Delivery and Form" in the U.S. Prospectus.
Certain Canadian legal matters in connection with the Offering will be passed upon on behalf of the Company by Goodmans LLP and on behalf of the Underwriter by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. As at the date hereof, the partners and associates of Goodmans LLP, as a group, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company, and the partners and associates of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, as a group, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company.
CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The discussion below is a general description of the Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to an investment in the Debentures. It does not take into account the individual circumstances of any particular investor. Therefore, prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the Debentures.
In the opinion of Goodmans LLP, counsel to the Company and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, counsel to the Underwriter (collectively, " Counsel "), the following summary describes the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations pursuant to the Tax Act generally applicable to a holder who acquires Debentures pursuant to the Offering and who, for purposes of the Tax Act and at all relevant times is, or is deemed to be, resident in Canada, holds the Debentures and will hold Common Shares issuable on the conversion, redemption, purchase for cancellation or maturity of the Debentures (collectively, the " Securities ") as capital property and deals at arm's length with the Company and the Underwriter and is not affiliated with the Company (a " Holder "). Generally, the Securities will be considered to be capital property to a Holder provided the Holder does not hold the Securities in the course of carrying on a business of trading or dealing in securities and has not acquired them in one or more transactions considered to be an adventure in the nature of trade. Certain Holders who might not otherwise be considered to hold their Securities as capital property may, in certain circumstances, be entitled to have the Securities, and all other "Canadian securities" (as defined in the Tax Act) owned
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by such Holders, treated as capital property by making the irrevocable election permitted by subsection 39(4) of the Tax Act.
This summary is not applicable to (i) a Holder that is a "financial institution", as defined in the Tax Act for the purposes of the mark-to-market rules, (ii) a Holder an interest in which would be a "tax shelter investment" as defined in the Tax Act, (iii) a Holder that is a "specified financial institution" as defined in the Tax Act or (iv) a Holder who makes or has made a functional currency reporting election pursuant to section 261 of the Tax Act. Any such Holder should consult its own tax advisor with respect to an investment in the Securities. In addition, this summary does not address the deductibility of interest by a Holder who has borrowed money or otherwise incurred debt in connection with the acquisition of Securities.
This summary is based upon the provisions of the Tax Act in force as of the date hereof, all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act that have been publicly announced prior to the date hereof (the " Proposed Amendments "), and Counsel's understanding of the current administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (" CRA ") made publicly available prior to the date hereof. This summary assumes the Proposed Amendments will be enacted in the form proposed; however, no assurance can be given that the Proposed Amendments will be enacted in the form proposed, or at all. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax considerations and, except for the Proposed Amendments, does not take into account any changes in the law or in administrative policies or assessing practices, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action, nor does it take into account provincial, territorial or foreign tax considerations, which may differ significantly from those discussed in this short form prospectus.
This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular holder or prospective holder of Securities, and no representations with respect to the income tax consequences to any Holder or prospective Holder are made. Consequently, Holders and prospective Holders of Securities should consult their own tax advisors for advice with respect to the tax consequences to them of acquiring Securities pursuant to the Offering, having regard to their particular circumstances.
Taxation of Interest on Debentures
A Holder of Debentures that is a corporation, partnership, unit trust or any trust of which a corporation or a partnership is a beneficiary will be required to include in computing its income for a taxation year any interest on the Debentures that accrues or is deemed to accrue to it to the end of the particular taxation year or that has become receivable by or is received by the Holder before the end of that taxation year, except to the extent that such interest was included in computing the Holder's income for a preceding taxation year.
Any other Holder, including an individual, will be required to include in computing income for a taxation year all interest on the Debentures that is received or receivable by the Holder in that taxation year (depending upon the method regularly followed by the Holder in computing income), except to the extent that the interest was included in the Holder's income for a preceding taxation year. In addition, if at any time a Debenture should become an "investment contract" (as defined in the Tax Act) in relation to a Holder, such Holder will be required to include in computing income for a taxation year any interest that accrues to the Holder on the Debenture up to any "anniversary day" (as defined in the Tax Act) in that year to the extent such interest was not otherwise included in the Holder's income for that year or a preceding year.
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A Holder of Debentures that throughout the relevant taxation year is a "Canadian-controlled private corporation", as defined in the Tax Act, may be liable to pay a refundable tax of 6 2 / 3 % on its "aggregate investment income", which is defined in the Tax Act to include interest income.
Exercise of Conversion Privilege
Generally, a Holder who converts a Debenture into Common Shares or Common Shares and cash delivered in lieu of a fraction of a Common Share pursuant to the conversion privilege will be deemed not to have disposed of the Debenture for purposes of the Tax Act and, accordingly, will not be considered to realize a capital gain (or capital loss) on such conversion. Under the current administrative practice of the CRA, a Holder who, upon conversion of a Debenture, receives cash not in excess of $200 in lieu of a fraction of a Common Share may elect to either treat this amount as proceeds of disposition of a portion of the Debenture, thereby realizing a capital gain (or capital loss), or reduce the adjusted cost base of the Common Shares that the Holder receives on the conversion by the amount of the cash received.
Upon a conversion of a Debenture, interest accrued thereon to the date of conversion will be included in computing the income of the Holder as described above under "Taxation of Interest on Debentures".
The aggregate cost to a Holder of the Common Shares acquired on the conversion of a Debenture will generally be equal to the aggregate of the Holder's adjusted cost base of the Debenture immediately before the conversion, subject to the discussion above regarding cash in lieu of a fraction of a Common Share. The adjusted cost base to a Holder of Common Shares acquired at any time will be determined by averaging the cost of such Common Shares with the adjusted cost base of any other Common Shares owned by the Holder as capital property at the time.
Disposition of Debentures
A disposition or deemed disposition of a Debenture by a Holder, including upon a redemption, payment on maturity or purchase for cancellation or pursuant to an agreement by a converting Holder to receive cash in lieu of Common Shares, but not including upon the conversion of a Debenture into Common Shares pursuant to the Holder's right of conversion as described above, will generally result in the Holder realizing a capital gain (or a capital loss) equal to the amount by which the proceeds of disposition (computed as described below) are greater (or less) than the aggregate of the Holder's adjusted cost base thereof and any reasonable costs of disposition. Such capital gain (or capital loss) will be subject to the tax treatment described below under "Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses".
Where the Company elects to satisfy the redemption or purchase price or payment on maturity by issuing Common Shares to a Holder instead of paying cash, the Holder will be considered to have received proceeds of disposition equal to the fair market value of such Common Shares at the date of disposition of the Debenture. The Holder's adjusted cost base of the Common Shares so received will be equal to the fair market value of such Common Shares. The adjusted cost base to a Holder of Common Shares at any time will be determined by averaging the cost of such Common Shares with the adjusted cost base of any other Common Shares owned by the Holder as capital property at that time.
Any amount paid by the Company as a penalty or bonus because of the redemption or purchase for cancellation of a Debenture (for example, where the redemption price or purchase price is in excess of the principal amount) will generally be deemed to be interest received at the time of the payment by the Holder to the extent that such amount can reasonably be considered to relate to, and does not exceed the value, at the time of the payment, of the interest that, but for the redemption or purchase for cancellation, would have been paid or payable by the Company on the Debenture for a taxation year of the Company ending after the time of the payment.
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ALTERNATE PAGE FOR CANADIAN PROSPECTUS
Upon a disposition or deemed disposition of a Debenture, a Holder will generally be required to include in income interest accrued on the Debenture to the date of disposition to the extent such amount has not otherwise been included in the Holder's income for the taxation year or a preceding taxation year, and such amount will be excluded in computing the Holder's proceeds of disposition of the Debenture.
If interest has accrued on a Debenture, a Holder who disposes of or converts the Debenture for consideration equal to its fair market value will generally be entitled to deduct in computing income for the year of disposition an amount equal to any such interest included in income for that or any preceding year to the extent that no amount was received or became receivable by the Holder in respect of the interest so accrued.
Receipt of Dividends on Common Shares
A Holder will be required to include in computing its income for a taxation year any dividends received (or deemed to be received) on the Common Shares, unless in the case of Canadian resident corporations, the application of a specific anti-avoidance rule re-characterizes such dividends as proceeds of disposition or a capital gain.
Dividends received or deemed to be received on the Common Shares by a Holder that is an individual (other than certain trusts) will be included in computing the individual's income for tax purposes and will be subject to the gross-up and dividend tax credit rules normally applicable to dividends received from taxable Canadian corporations (as defined in the Tax Act), including the enhanced gross-up and dividend tax credit for eligible dividends (as defined in the Tax Act) paid by taxable Canadian corporations such as the Company. A dividend will be eligible for the enhanced gross-up and dividend tax credit if the recipient receives written notice (which may include a notice published on the Company's website) from the Company designating the dividend as an "eligible dividend" (as defined in the Tax Act).
A Holder that is a corporation will include dividends received or deemed to be received on Common Shares in computing its income for tax purposes and generally will be entitled to deduct the amount of such dividends in computing its taxable income, with the result that no tax will be payable by it in respect of such dividends. Certain corporations, including a "private corporation" or a "subject corporation" (as such terms are defined in the Tax Act), may be liable to pay a refundable tax under Part IV of the Tax Act of 33 1 / 3 % on dividends received or deemed to be received on Common Shares to the extent such dividends are deductible in computing taxable income. This tax will generally be refunded to the company at a rate of $1 for every $3 of taxable dividends paid while it is a private corporation.
Taxable dividends received by an individual (including certain trusts) may give rise to a liability for alternative minimum tax as calculated under the detailed rules set out in the Tax Act.
Disposition of Common Shares
A disposition or a deemed disposition of a Common Share by a Holder (except to the Company) will generally result in the Holder realizing a capital gain (or a capital loss) equal to the amount by which the proceeds of disposition of the Common Share are greater (or less) than the aggregate of the Holder's adjusted cost base thereof and any reasonable costs of disposition. Such capital gain (or capital loss) will be subject to the tax treatment described below under "Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses".
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ALTERNATE PAGE FOR CANADIAN PROSPECTUS
Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses
Generally, one-half of any capital gain (a " taxable capital gain ") realized by a Holder in a taxation year must be included in the Holder's income for the year, and one-half of any capital loss (an " allowable capital loss ") realized by a Holder in a taxation year must be deducted from taxable capital gains realized by the Holder in that year. Allowable capital losses for a taxation year in excess of taxable capital gains for that year generally may be carried back and deducted in any of the three preceding taxation years or carried forward and deducted in any subsequent taxation year against net taxable capital gains realized in such years, to the extent and under the circumstances described in the Tax Act.
The amount of any capital loss realized by a Holder that is a corporation on the disposition of a Common Share may be reduced by the amount of dividends received or deemed to be received by it on such Common Share (or on a share for which the Common Share has been substituted) to the extent and under the circumstances described by the Tax Act. Similar rules may apply where a company is a member of a partnership or a beneficiary of a trust that owns Common Shares, directly or indirectly, through a partnership or a trust.
A Holder that is, throughout the relevant taxation year, a "Canadian-controlled private corporation", as defined in the Tax Act, may be liable for a refundable tax of 6 2 / 3 % on investment income, including taxable capital gains.
Capital gains realized by an individual (including certain trusts) may give rise to a liability for alternative minimum tax as calculated under the detailed rules set out in the Tax Act.
The only material contracts, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which the Company will become a party prior to or at the closing of the Offering are as follows:
Copies of these agreements will be available at www.sedar.com or may be examined at the registered office of the Company, at 355 Burrard Street, Suite 1900, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2G8, during normal business hours until the expiry of the 30-day period following the date of the final short form prospectus.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND CERTAIN PERSONS
A bank affiliate of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. is a lender to Holdings, an indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, under the Credit Facility. Consequently, the Company may be considered a connected issuer of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. under applicable securities laws in certain Canadian provinces and territories. As at August 12, 2010, outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility totalled $20 million, which the Company intends to repay from the proceeds of this Offering and the concurrent Common Share Offering. See "Use of Proceeds" in the U.S. Prospectus. Holdings is in compliance with the terms of the Credit Facility. Since the execution of the Credit Facility, the lenders have not waived a breach, on the part of Holdings, of the Credit Facility. Except as otherwise disclosed
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ALTERNATE PAGE FOR CANADIAN PROSPECTUS
in this short form prospectus, the financial position of the Company has not changed in any material manner since the Credit Facility was entered into. Indebtedness under the Credit Facility is secured by pledges of membership interests and capital stock of, and guarantees provided by certain subsidiaries of Holdings and by the Company and by Atlantic Power Generation, Inc., the direct parent of Holdings.
The decision to distribute the Debentures offered hereunder and the determination of the terms of the distribution were made through negotiations between the Company and the Underwriter. The lenders under the Credit Facility did not have any involvement in such decision or determination, but have been advised of the issuance and terms thereof. As a consequence of this issuance, the Underwriter will receive its share of the Underwriter's Fee.
AUDITORS, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR AND DEBENTURE TRUSTEE
The auditors of the Company are KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, Bay Adelaide Centre, 333 Bay Street, Suite 4600, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2S5.
The transfer agent and registrar for the Company's Common Shares is Computershare Investor Services Inc. at its principal office in Toronto, Ontario. The trustee of the 2006 Debentures, 2009 Debentures and the Debentures is Computershare Trust Company of Canada, at its principal office in Toronto, Ontario.
PURCHASERS' STATUTORY RIGHTS OF RESCISSION AND WITHDRAWAL
Securities legislation in certain of the provinces and territories of Canada provides purchasers with the right to withdraw from an agreement to purchase securities. This right generally may be exercised within two business days after receipt or deemed receipt of a short form prospectus and any amendment. In several of the provinces and territories, the securities legislation further provides a purchaser with remedies for rescission or, in some jurisdictions, revisions of the price or damages if the short form prospectus and any amendment contains a misrepresentation or is not delivered to the purchaser, provided that the remedies for rescission, revisions of the price or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for the particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
The text of the U.S. Prospectus, which forms part of the U.S. Registration Statement filed with the SEC, is attached and forms a part of this short form prospectus. All securities purchased under this short form prospectus, including securities purchased by Canadian investors, will also be registered pursuant to the U.S. Registration Statement under the U.S. Securities Act. The U.S. Securities Act affords certain protections in relation to the U.S. Prospectus.
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ALTERNATE PAGE FOR CANADIAN PROSPECTUS
We have read the short form prospectus of Atlantic Power Corporation (the " Company ") dated , 2010 relating to the issue and sale of % Series B Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures due . We have complied with Canadian generally accepted standards for an auditor's involvement with offering documents.
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the above-mentioned short form prospectus of our report to the shareholders of the Company on the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as at December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the consolidated statements of income (loss) and deficit, comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for each of the years then ended prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. Our report is dated March 29, 2010.
We also consent to the use in the above-mentioned short form prospectus of our report to the directors of the Company on the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as at December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 and the financial statement schedule "Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts" prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our report is dated April 12, 2010 except as to notes 2(a), 4, 9, 19 and 21, which are as of May 26, 2010, and as to notes 2(a), 18 and 21, which are as of June 16, 2010.
(Signed) "" | ||
Toronto, Canada | Chartered Accountants, | |
, 2010 | Licensed Public Accounts |
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ALTERNATE PAGE FOR CANADIAN PROSPECTUS
In this short form prospectus, the following terms will have the meanings set forth below, unless otherwise indicated. Words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa and words importing any gender include all genders:
" 2006 Debentures " means the 6.50% convertible secured debentures of the Company due October 31, 2014 issued pursuant to the trust indenture dated as of October 11, 2006 between the Company and the Debenture Trustee as amended by a first supplemental indenture dated as of November 27, 2009, and " 2006 Debenture " means any one of them.
" 2009 Debentures " means the 6.25% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures of the Company due March 15, 2017 issued pursuant to the trust indenture dated as of December 17, 2009 between the Company and the Debenture Trustee, and " 2009 Debenture " means any one of them.
" affiliate " has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Securities Act.
" allowable capital loss " means one-half of any capital loss.
" Annual Financial Statements " means the consolidated financial statements of the Company as at and for each of the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP, together with the notes thereto and the auditors' report thereon, filed on SEDAR on March 29, 2010.
" Annual MD&A " means the management's discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed on SEDAR on March 29, 2010.
" Arrangement Circular " means the management information circular dated October 16, 2009, distributed in connection with the plan of arrangement of the Company pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
" Canadian GAAP " means the accounting principles generally accepted in Canada.
" CDS " means CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc.
" CDS Participant " means a participant in the CDS depository service.
" Change of Control " will be deemed to occur upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
A Change of Control will not include a sale, merger, reorganization or other similar transaction if the previous holders of the Common Shares hold at least 50% of the voting control in such merged, reorganized or other continuing entity.
" Closing " means the closing of the Offering.
" Common Share Offering " means the Company's offering, concurrently with the Offering, of Common Shares at a price of U.S. $ per Common Share.
" Common Shares " means the common shares in the capital of the Company.
" Company " means Atlantic Power Corporation.
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ALTERNATE PAGE FOR CANADIAN PROSPECTUS
" Conversion Price " means, with respect the conversion of Debentures to Common Shares, a price of Cdn$ per Common Share, equivalent to Common Shares per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of Debentures.
" CRA " means the Canada Revenue Agency.
" Credit Facility " means the revolving senior credit facility provided to Holdings pursuant to a credit agreement dated November 18, 2004, as amended to the date hereof, among, inter alia, Holdings, as borrower, the various financial institutions as are or may become parties thereto and a bank affiliate of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., as agent, as amended by a certain first amendment to credit agreement dated as of April 29, 2005, as further amended by a certain second amendment to credit agreement dated as of November 18, 2005, as further amended by a certain third amendment to credit agreement dated as of September 15, 2006, as further amended by a certain fourth amendment to credit agreement dated as of October 11, 2006, as further amended by a certain fifth amendment to credit agreement dated as of August 13, 2007, as further amended by a certain sixth amendment to credit agreement dated as of August 13, 2007, as further amended by a certain consent and seventh amendment to credit agreement dated as of April 21, 2008, as further amended by a certain consent and eighth amendment to credit agreement dated as of November 20, 2008, as further amended by a certain consent and ninth amendment to credit agreement dated as of November 27, 2009 and as further amended by a certain consent and tenth amendment to credit agreement dated as of July 1, 2010.
" Debenture Trustee " means Computershare Trust Company of Canada.
" Debentures " means the % series B convertible unsecured subordinated debentures of the Company offered under this short form prospectus and " Debenture " means one of them.
" Holder " has the meaning ascribed thereto herein under "Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations".
" Holdings " means Atlantic Power Holdings, Inc.
" Interest Payment Date " means the date that interest will be paid on the Debentures, payable semi-annually on the day of and in each year, commencing on computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months.
" Maturity Date " means , the maturity date of the Debentures.
" Noon Buying Rate " means the noon buying rate of exchange between U.S. dollars and Canadian dollars as quoted by the Bank of Canada.
" NYSE " means the New York Stock Exchange.
" Offering " means the offering of the Debentures pursuant to this short form prospectus.
" person " includes an individual, corporation, company, partnership, joint venture, association, trust, trustee, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
" Projects " means the power projects described under "BusinessOur Power Projects" in the U.S. Prospectus, and " Project " means any one of them.
" Q2 Financial Statements " means the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of the Company for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, together with the notes thereto, filed on SEDAR on August 9, 2010.
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ALTERNATE PAGE FOR CANADIAN PROSPECTUS
" Q2 MD&A " means the management's discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, filed on SEDAR on August 9, 2010.
" Securities " means, collectively, the Debentures offered pursuant to this short form prospectus and the Common Shares issuable on the conversion, redemption, purchase for cancellation or maturity of the Debentures.
" Securities Act " means the Securities Act (Ontario), as amended.
" Subsidiary " has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Securities Act.
" Tax Act " means the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations thereunder, in each case in effect on the date hereof.
" taxable capital gain " means one-half of any capital gain.
" Transfer Agent " means Computershare Investor Services Inc. or its successor.
" TSX " means the Toronto Stock Exchange.
" Underwriter " means BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.
" Underwriter's Fee " means the fee of % of the principal amount of the Debentures paid to the Underwriter for its participation in the Offering.
" Underwriting Agreement " means the underwriting agreement among the Company and the Underwriter dated , 2010.
" U.S. GAAP " means the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
" U.S. Securities Act " means the United States Securities Act of 1933 , as amended.
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ALTERNATE PAGE FOR CANADIAN PROSPECTUS
Dated: August 13, 2010
This short form prospectus, together with the documents incorporated herein by reference, constitutes full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to the securities offered by this short form prospectus as required by the securities legislation of each of the provinces and territories of Canada other than the province of Québec.
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
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By: (Signed) BARRY WELCH Chief Executive Officer |
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By: (Signed) PATRICK WELCH Chief Financial Officer |
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION On Behalf of the Board of Directors |
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By: (Signed) KEN HARTWICK Director |
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By: (Signed) JOHN MCNEIL Director |
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ALTERNATE PAGE FOR CANADIAN PROSPECTUS
CERTIFICATE OF THE UNDERWRITER
Dated: August 13, 2010
To the best of our knowledge, information and belief, this short form prospectus, together with the documents incorporated herein by reference, constitutes full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to the securities offered by this short form prospectus as required by the securities legislation of each of the provinces and territories of Canada other than the province of Québec.
BMO NESBITT BURNS INC.
By: (Signed) STEVEN A. BRAUN
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses payable by the registrant in connection with the registration of securities being registered under this Registration Statement. All amounts except the SEC registration fee are estimates.
SEC registration fee |
$ | 3,931 | |||
Legal fees and expenses |
425,000 | ||||
Accounting fees and expenses |
225,000 | ||||
Printing and related expenses |
250,000 | ||||
Trustee fees and expenses |
5,000 | ||||
Miscellaneous expenses |
1,069 | ||||
Total |
$ | 910,000 | |||
Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), which we refer to as the "BC Act," we may indemnify a present or former director or officer or a person who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer of another corporation or one of our affiliates, and his or her heirs and personal representatives, against all costs, charges and expenses, including legal and other fees and amounts paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, actually and reasonably incurred by him or her including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment in respect of any legal proceeding or investigative action to which he or she is made a party by reason of his or her position and provided that the director or officer acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of Atlantic Power Corporation or such other corporation, and, in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding, had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. Other forms of indemnification may be made with court approval.
In accordance with our Articles, we shall indemnify every director or former director, or may, subject to the BC Act, indemnify any other person. We have entered into indemnity agreements with our directors and executive officers, whereby we have agreed to indemnify the directors and officers to the extent permitted by our Articles and the BC Act.
Our Articles permit us, subject to the limitations contained in the BC Act, to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person, as the board of directors may from time to time determine. Our directors and officers liability insurance coverage consists of three policies with aggregate limits of $30 million.
The foregoing summaries are necessarily subject to the complete text of the statute and our Articles, and the arrangements referred to above are qualified in their entirety by reference thereto.
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
We completed our initial public offering on the TSX in November 2004 in a transaction exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. At the time of the IPO, our public security was an IPS. Each IPS was comprised of one common share and Cdn$5.767 principal value of 11% subordinated notes due 2016. We sold 32,000,000 IPSs in this offering, at a price of Cdn$10.00 per IPS, for gross proceeds of Cdn$320 million. The principal underwriter was BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and aggregate underwriting commissions were Cdn$16.8 million. In December 2004, the underwriters of our initial public offering exercised their over-allotment option to purchase 4,800,000 additional IPSs, at a price of Cdn$10.00 per IPS, for gross proceeds of Cdn$48 million. We used the proceeds from our initial public offering to acquire a 58% interest in Atlantic Power Holdings, Inc. ("Atlantic Holdings") from two private equity funds managed by ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC and from Caithness.
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In October 2005, we issued 7,500,000 IPSs in a private placement to a Canadian pension fund and 39,500 IPSs to Barry Welch, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and to our then-current managing director in a transaction exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. The IPSs were sold at a price of Cdn$10.00 per IPS for aggregate gross proceeds of Cdn$75.4 million. We used the net proceeds from this private placement to increase our interest in Atlantic Holdings to 70%.
In October 2006, we completed a follow-on public offering in Canada of IPSs and convertible debentures for gross proceeds of Cdn$150 million in a transaction exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The offering consisted of 8,531,000 IPSs sold at a price of Cdn$10.55 per IPS for gross proceeds of Cdn$90 million and Cdn$60 million aggregate principal amount of 6.25% convertible subordinated debentures due 2011. The terms of the debentures provide that they can be converted into IPSs at the option of the holder at a conversion price of Cdn$12.40 per IPS, or approximately 80.6452 IPSs per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of debentures, subject to adjustment in accordance with the trust indenture governing the terms of the debentures. The principal underwriter was BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and aggregate underwriting commissions were Cdn$6.9 million. The net proceeds of the offering were used to partially repay $37 million of the credit facility arranged in connection with our acquisition of an interest in the Path 15 project and to increase our ownership in Atlantic Holdings from 70% to approximately 86%.
In December 2006, we completed a private placement of 8,600,000 IPSs, at a price of Cdn$10.00 per IPS, and Cdn$3.0 million principal amount of separate subordinated notes in a transaction exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act to three institutional investors for aggregate gross proceeds of Cdn$89.0 million. In February 2007, we used the net proceeds of the private placement to increase our ownership in Atlantic Holdings to 100%, whereupon Atlantic Holdings became our wholly-owned subsidiary.
Since January 1, 2007, we have issued 87,701 IPSs to three employees pursuant to our LTIP. These issuances were exempt from registration either pursuant to Rule 701 under the Securities Act, as a transaction pursuant to a compensatory benefit plan, or pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
On November 27, 2009, we completed the conversion of all of our IPSs to common shares. The exchange of IPSs for common shares was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act, which exempts offers and sales of securities in exchange transactions where a reviewing court or authorized governmental entity approves the fairness of the exchange following an open hearing. The IPSs were exchanged for common shares and the Supreme Court of British Columbia approved the terms and conditions of the exchange after a hearing upon the fairness of such terms and conditions at which all holders of IPSs had the right to appear.
In December 2009, we completed a public offering in Canada of an aggregate of Cdn$86.25 million of our 6.25% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures due 2017 in a transaction exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The terms of the debentures provide that they can be converted into our common shares at the option of the holder at a conversion price of Cdn$13.00 per common share, or approximately 76.9231 common shares per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of debentures, subject to adjustment in accordance with the trust indenture governing the terms of the debentures. The principal underwriter was BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and aggregate underwriting commissions were Cdn$3.45 million. We used the net proceeds of the offering principally to redeem all or substantially all of our outstanding 11.0% subordinated notes, and the remainder for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions.
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) Financial Statements. See the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
(b) The following is a list of all exhibits filed as part of this Registration Statement, including those incorporated by reference.
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Exhibit
No. |
Description | ||
---|---|---|---|
1.1 | * | Form of Underwriting Agreement | |
3.1 | Articles of Continuance of Atlantic Power Corporation, dated November 24, 2009, as amended on June 29, 2010(2) | ||
3.2 | Certificate of Incorporation of Atlantic Power Corporation, dated June 18, 2004(1) | ||
3.3 | Articles of Amendment of Atlantic Power Corporation, dated September 13, 2004 | ||
4.1 | Form of common share certificate(1) | ||
4.2 | Trust Indenture, dated as of October 11, 2006 between Atlantic Power Corporation and Computershare Trust Company of Canada(1) | ||
4.3 | First Supplemental Indenture to the Trust Indenture Providing for the Issue of Convertible Secured Debentures, dated November 27, 2009, between Atlantic Power Corporation and Computershare Trust Company of Canada(1) | ||
4.4 | Trust Indenture Providing for the Issue of Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures, dated as of December 17, 2009, between Atlantic Power Corporation and Computershare Trust Company of Canada(1) | ||
4.5 | Form of First Supplemental Indenture to the Trust Indenture Providing for the Issue of Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures, between Atlantic Power Corporation and Computershare Trust Company of Canada | ||
5.1 | Opinion of Goodmans LLP | ||
10.1 | Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2004 among Atlantic Power Holdings, Inc. as Borrower, Bank of Montreal as Administrative Agent, LC issuer and collateral agent and the Other Lenders party thereto, and Harris Nesbitt Corp. as arranger(1) | ||
10.2 | Employment Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2009 between Atlantic Power Corporation and Barry Welch(1) | ||
10.3 | Employment Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2009 between Atlantic Power Corporation and Patrick Welch(1) | ||
10.4 | Employment Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2009 between Atlantic Power Corporation and Paul Rapisarda(1) | ||
10.5 | Deferred Share Unit Plan, dated as of April 24, 2007 of Atlantic Power Corporation(1) | ||
10.6 | Third Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan, adopted June 29, 2010(2) | ||
10.7 | Second Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan, adopted June 4, 2008(1) | ||
21.2 | Subsidiaries of Atlantic Power Corporation(1) | ||
23.1 | Consent of Goodmans LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) | ||
23.2 | Consent of KPMG LLP | ||
23.3 | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP | ||
23.4 | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP | ||
23.5 | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP | ||
23.6 | Consent of KPMG LLP | ||
24.1 | Powers of Attorney, included on signature page of the Registrant's Form S-1(3) | ||
25.1 | Form T-6 Statement of Eligibility |
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(a) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(i) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(ii) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
II-4
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-1 and that it has duly caused this Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 27th day of September, 2010.
Atlantic Power Corporation | ||||
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By: |
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/s/ PATRICK J. WELCH Patrick J. Welch Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
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Title
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Date
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*
Barry E. Welch |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer) | September 27, 2010 | ||||||
/s/ PATRICK J. WELCH Patrick J. Welch |
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Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer) |
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September 27, 2010 |
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* Irving R. Gerstein |
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Chairman of the Board |
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September 27, 2010 |
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* Kenneth M. Hartwick |
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Director |
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September 27, 2010 |
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* Richard Foster Duncan |
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Director |
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September 27, 2010 |
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* John A. McNeil |
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Director |
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September 27, 2010 |
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* Holli Nichols |
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Director |
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September 27, 2010 |
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*By: |
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/s/ PATRICK J. WELCH Patrick J. Welch Attorney-in-Fact |
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II-5
Exhibit
No. |
Description | ||
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1.1 | * | Form of Underwriting Agreement | |
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3.1 |
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Articles of Continuance of Atlantic Power Corporation, dated November 24, 2009, as amended on June 29, 2010(2) |
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3.2 |
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Certificate of Incorporation of Atlantic Power Corporation, dated June 18, 2004(1) |
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3.3 |
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Articles of Amendment of Atlantic Power Corporation, dated September 13, 2004 |
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4.1 |
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Form of common share certificate(1) |
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4.2 |
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Trust Indenture, dated as of October 11, 2006 between Atlantic Power Corporation and Computershare Trust Company of Canada(1) |
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4.3 |
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First Supplemental Indenture to the Trust Indenture Providing for the Issue of Convertible Secured Debentures, dated November 27, 2009, between Atlantic Power Corporation and Computershare Trust Company of Canada(1) |
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4.4 |
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Trust Indenture Providing for the Issue of Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures, dated as of December 17, 2009, between Atlantic Power Corporation and Computershare Trust Company of Canada(1) |
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4.5 |
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Form of First Supplemental Indenture to the Trust Indenture Providing for the Issue of Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures, between Atlantic Power Corporation and Computershare Trust Company of Canada |
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5.1 |
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Opinion of Goodmans LLP |
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10.1 |
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Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2004 among Atlantic Power Holdings, Inc. as Borrower, Bank of Montreal as Administrative Agent, LC issuer and collateral agent and the Other Lenders party thereto, and Harris Nesbitt Corp. as arranger(1) |
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10.2 |
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Employment Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2009 between Atlantic Power Corporation and Barry Welch(1) |
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10.3 |
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Employment Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2009 between Atlantic Power Corporation and Patrick Welch(1) |
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10.4 |
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Employment Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2009 between Atlantic Power Corporation and Paul Rapisarda(1) |
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10.5 |
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Deferred Share Unit Plan, dated as of April 24, 2007 of Atlantic Power Corporation(1) |
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10.6 |
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Third Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan, adopted June 29, 2010(2) |
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10.7 |
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Second Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan, adopted June 4, 2008(1) |
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21.2 |
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Subsidiaries of Atlantic Power Corporation(1) |
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23.1 |
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Consent of Goodmans LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) |
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23.2 |
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Consent of KPMG LLP |
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23.3 |
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Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
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23.4 |
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Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
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23.5 |
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Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
II-6
Exhibit
No. |
Description | ||
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23.6 | Consent of KPMG LLP | ||
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24.1 |
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Powers of Attorney, included on signature page of the Registrant's Form S-1(3) |
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25.1 |
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Form T-6 Statement of Eligibility |
II-7
Exhibit 3.3
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[ILLEGIBLE] Ministry of consumer and Ontario Business Services CERTIFICATE This is to certify that these articles are effective on Ministére des Services aux consommateurs et aux entreprises CERTIFICAT Ceci certifie que les présents status entrent en vigueur le Ontario Corporation Number Numéro de la société en Ontario 2048921 SEPTEMBER 13 SEPTEMBRE, 2004 Director/Directrice Business Corporations Act / Loi sur les sociétés par actions ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT STATUTS DE MODIFICATION Form 3 Business Corporations Act Formule 3 Loi sur les sociétés par actions 1. The name of the corporation is: (Set out in BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS) Dénomination sociale actuelle de la société: (écrire en LETTRES MAJUSCULES SEULEMENT): 2048921 ONTARIO LIMITED 2. The name of the corporation is changed to (if applicable): (Set out in BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS) Nouvelle dénomination sociale de la société (sil y a lieu): (écrire en LETTRES MAJUSCULES SEULEMENT): ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION 3. Date of incorporation/amalgamation: Date de la constitution ou de la fusion: 2004/06/18 (Year, Month, Day) (année, mois, jour) 4. Complete only if there is a change in the number of directors or the minimum / maximum number of directors. II faut remplir cette partie seulement sl le nombre dadministrateurs ou si le nombre minimal ou maximal dadministrateurs a changé. Number of directors is/are: or minimum and maximum number of directors is/are: Nombre dadministrateurs: ou nombres minimum et maximum dadministrateurs: Number or minumum and maximum Nombre ou minimum et maximum 5. The articles of the corporation are amended as follows: Les statuts de la société sont modifiés de la façon suivante: By changing the name of the Corporation from 2048921 Ontario Limited to ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION. CLN Highlander 07119 (03/2003) |
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6. The amendment has been duly authorized as required by sections 168 and 170 (as applicable) of the Business Corporations Act. La modification a été dûment autorisée conformément aux articles 168 et 170 (selon le cas) de la Loi sur les sociétés par actions. 7. The resolution authorizing the amendment was approved by the shareholders/directors (as applicable) of the corporation on Les actionnaires ou les administrateurs (selon le cas) de la société ont approuvé la résolution autorisant la modification le 2004/09/03 (Year, Month, Day) (année, mois, jour) These articles are signed in duplicate. Les présents statuts sont signés en double exemplaire. 2048921 ONTARIO LIMITED (Name of Corporation) (If the name is to be changed by these articles set out current name) (Dénomination sociale de la société) (Si lon demande un changement de nom, indiquer ci-dessus la dénomination sociale actuelle). By/[ILLEGIBLE] Par: (Signature) (Signature) DIRECTOR (Description of Office) (Fonction) CLN Highlander 07119 (03/2003) GOODMANS\\5059277.1 |
Exhibit 4.5
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
AND
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO TRUST INDENTURE DATED DECEMBER 17, 2009
PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUE OF SERIES B CONVERTIBLE UNSECURED SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
SEPTEMBER · , 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1 INTERPRETATION |
2 |
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1.1 |
Interpretation |
2 |
1.2 |
Additional Definitions |
2 |
1.3 |
Headings Etc. |
2 |
1.4 |
Day not a Business Day |
3 |
1.5 |
Applicable Law |
3 |
1.6 |
Monetary References |
3 |
1.7 |
Invalidity/Severability |
3 |
1.8 |
Time of Essence |
3 |
1.9 |
Language |
3 |
1.10 |
Successors and Assigns |
3 |
1.11 |
Benefits of Supplemental Indenture |
4 |
ARTICLE 2 TERMS OF SERIES B DEBENTURES |
4 |
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2.1 |
Terms of Series B Debentures |
4 |
2.2 |
Delivery |
13 |
2.3 |
Legends and Certification |
13 |
ARTICLE 3 CONFIRMATION OF TRUST INDENTURE |
13 |
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3.1 |
Confirmation of Trust Indenture |
13 |
ARTICLE 4 ACCEPTANCE OF TRUST BY DEBENTURE TRUSTEE |
14 |
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4.1 |
Acceptance of Trust |
14 |
ARTICLE 5 EXECUTION AND FORMAL DATE |
14 |
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5.1 |
Execution |
14 |
5.2 |
Formal Date |
14 |
SCHEDULE A FORM OF SERIES B DEBENTURES
SCHEDULE B FORM OF REDEMPTION NOTICE
SCHEDULE C FORM OF MATURITY NOTICE
SCHEDULE D FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION
SCHEDULE E FORM OF NOTICE OF PUT EXERCISE
ATLANTIC
POWER CORPORATION
·
% SERIES B CONVERTIBLE UNSECURED SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES DUE 20
·
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
This First Supplemental Indenture is made as of the · day of September , 2010.
B E T W E E N:
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION , a corporation continued under the laws of the Province of British Columbia
(the Company )
- and -
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA , a trust company authorized to carry on business in all of the provinces and territories of Canada
(the Debenture Trustee )
WHEREAS:
A. By a Trust Indenture made as of December 17, 2009 between the Company and the Debenture Trustee (the Trust Indenture ), provision was made for the issuance of debentures in one or more series, unlimited as to aggregate principal amount but issuable only upon and subject to the conditions and limitations therein set forth;
B. Pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated September · , 2010 (the Underwriting Agreement ) among the Company, BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and certain other parties, the Company has agreed to create and issue pursuant to the Trust Indenture and this first supplemental indenture to the Trust Indenture (the Supplemental Indenture ), a series of debentures in aggregate principal amount of up to $ · to be designated as the · % Series B Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures due · (the Series B Debentures ) comprised of $ · principal amount of Series B Debentures to be issued contemporaneously herewith and up to $ · principal amount of Series B Debentures to be issued under the Over-Allotment Option (as defined below);
C. When certified by the Debenture Trustee and issued as provided in this Supplemental Indenture, all necessary steps in relation to the Company will have been duly enacted, passed and/or confirmed and other proceedings taken and conditions complied with to make the creation and issue of the Series B Debentures proposed to be issued hereunder legal, valid and binding on the Company in accordance with the laws relating to the Company;
D. This Supplemental Indenture is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the First Supplemental Indenture; and
E. The foregoing recitals are made as representations and statements of fact by the Company and not by the Debenture Trustee;
NOW THEREFORE it is hereby covenanted, agreed and declared as follows:
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
1.1 Interpretation
This First Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Trust Indenture and shall be read in conjunction therewith. Except only insofar as the Trust Indenture may be inconsistent with the express provisions of this First Supplemental Indenture, in which case the terms of this First Supplemental Indenture shall govern and supersede those contained in the Trust Indenture only to the extent of such inconsistency, this First Supplemental Indenture shall henceforth have effect so far as practicable as if all the provisions of the Trust Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture were contained in one instrument. The expressions used in this First Supplemental Indenture and in the Series B Debentures that are defined in the Trust Indenture shall, except as otherwise provided herein, have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Trust Indenture. Unless otherwise stated, any reference in this First Supplemental Indenture to an Article, Section or Schedule shall be interpreted as a reference to the stated Article, Section of or Schedule to, this First Supplemental Indenture.
1.2 Additional Definitions
In this First Supplemental Indenture and in the Series B Debentures, unless there is something in the subject matter or context inconsistent therewith, the expressions following shall have the following meanings, namely:
2010 Offering means the public offering under a Canadian short form prospectus dated September · , 2010 and a U.S. prospectus dated September · , 2010 of $ · aggregate principal amount of Series B Debentures and up to an additional $ · principal amount of Series B Debentures pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option.
Maturity Date means · .
Over Allotment Option means the option granted to the Underwriters to purchase up to an additional $ · aggregate principal amount of Series B Debentures upon exercise of such option at any time or from time to time until 30 days after the date hereof.
Underwriters means BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., · , · and · .
1.3 Headings Etc.
The division of this First Supplemental Indenture into Articles and Sections, the provision of a Table of Contents and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this First Supplemental Indenture or of the Series B Debentures.
1.4 Day not a Business Day
In the event that any day on which any action required to be taken hereunder is not a Business Day, then such action shall be required to be taken on or before the requisite time on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day.
1.5 Applicable Law
This First Supplemental Indenture and the Series B Debentures shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein and shall be treated in all respects as Ontario contracts. The Company hereby irrevocably attorns to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario.
1.6 Monetary References
Whenever any amounts of money are referred to herein, such amounts shall be deemed to be in lawful money of Canada unless otherwise expressed.
1.7 Invalidity/Severability
In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture or in the Series B Debentures shall be invalid, illegal, prohibited or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed to be severed herefrom or therefrom and shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability. The validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected, prejudiced or impaired thereby.
1.8 Time of Essence
Time shall be of the essence of this Supplemental Indenture.
1.9 Language
Each of the parties hereto hereby acknowledges that it has consented to and requested that this Supplemental Indenture and all documents relating thereto, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the form of Debenture attached hereto as Schedule A, be drawn up in the English language only.
Les parties aux présents reconnaissent avoir accepté et demandé que le présent acte de fiducie et tous les documents sy rapportant, y compris, sans restreindre la portée générale de ce qui précède, le formulaire de débenture joint aux présents à titre dannexe A, soient rédigés en langue anglaise seulement.
1.10 Successors and Assigns
All covenants and agreements in this Supplemental Indenture by the Company shall bind its respective successors and assigns, whether expressed or not. All covenants and agreements in this Supplemental Indenture by the Trustee shall bind its successors, whether expressed or not.
1.11 Benefits of Supplemental Indenture
Nothing in this First Supplemental Indenture or in the Series B Debentures, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, any paying agent, the holders of Series B Debentures, the Senior Creditors (to the extent provided in Article 5 of the Trust Indenture only), and (to the extent provided in Section 8.11 of the Trust Indenture) the holders of Common Shares, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this First Supplemental Indenture.
ARTICLE 2
TERMS OF SERIES B DEBENTURES
2.1 Terms of Series B Debentures
(a) The Series B Debentures, being the second series of Debentures authorized under the Trust Indenture, as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, for issue, is limited to an aggregate principal amount of not more than $ · and shall be designated as · % Series B Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures due · . For the avoidance of doubt, the Series B Debentures include any and all such Debentures issued under the Over-Allotment Option.
(b) The Series B Debentures shall be dated as of the date hereof and shall mature on the Maturity Date. The Series B Debentures shall bear interest from the date of issue at the rate of · % per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on the · day of · and · in each year (each, an Interest Payment Date ) computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. The first such payment will fall due on · , · and the last such payment (representing interest payable from and including the last Interest Payment Date to, but excluding, the Maturity Date or the earlier date of redemption or conversion of the Series B Debentures) will fall due on the Maturity Date or the earlier date of redemption or conversion, payable after as well as before maturity and after as well as before default, with interest on amounts in default at the same rate, compounded semi-annually, computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. For certainty, the first interest payment will include interest accrued and unpaid from and including · , 2010 up to, but excluding, · , · which will be equal to $ · for each $1,000 principal amount of the Series B Debentures.
(c) The Series B Debentures will be redeemable at the option of the Company in accordance with the terms of Article 4 of the Trust Indenture, provided that the Series B Debentures will not be redeemable on or prior to · (except in certain limited circumstances following a Change of Control as defined in the Trust Indenture). After · and prior to · , the Series B Debentures may be redeemed by the Company, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, on notice as provided for in Section 4.3 of the Trust Indenture, provided that the Current Market Price is not less than 125% of the Conversion Price at the time notice of redemption is given. On or after · and prior to the Maturity Date, the Series B Debentures may be redeemed by the Company, in whole or in part from time to time, on notice as provided for in Section 4.3 of the Trust Indenture. In such
circumstances, the Series B Debentures will be redeemable at a price equal to their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Redemption Notice for the Series B Debentures shall be substantially in the form of Schedule B. In connection with the redemption of the Series B Debentures, the Company may, at its option and subject to the provisions of Section 4.6 of the Trust Indenture and subject to regulatory approval, elect to satisfy its obligation to pay all or a portion of the aggregate Redemption Price of the Series B Debentures to be redeemed by issuing and delivering to the holders of such Series B Debentures, such number of Freely Tradeable Common Shares as is obtained by dividing the principal amount of the Series B Debentures which are to be redeemed by 95% of the Current Market Price on the Redemption Date. If the Corporation elects to exercise such option, it shall so specify and provide details in the Redemption Notice.
(d) The Series B Debentures will be subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 of the Trust Indenture. In accordance with Section 2.12 of the Trust Indenture, the Series B Debentures and each other series of Debentures issued under the Trust Indenture or under indentures supplemental to the Trust Indenture, will rank pari passu with each other (regardless of their actual date or terms of issue) and, except as prescribed by law, with all other present and future subordinated indebtedness and unsecured indebtedness of the Company, other than Senior Indebtedness.
(e) Upon and subject to the provisions and conditions of Article 6 of the Trust Indenture, the holder of each Series B Debenture shall have the right, at such holders option, at any time prior to the close of business on the earlier of: (i) the Maturity Date; and (ii) the last Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date specified by the Company for redemption of the Series B Debentures by notice to the holders of Series B Debentures in accordance with Section 2.1(c) of this Supplemental Indenture and Section 4.3 of the Trust Indenture (the earlier of which will be the Time of Expiry for the purposes of Article 6 of the Trust Indenture in respect of the Series B Debentures), to convert the whole or, in the case of a Debenture of a denomination in excess of $1,000, any part which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, of the principal amount of such Debenture into Common Shares at the Conversion Price in effect on the Date of Conversion (as defined in Section 6.4(b) of the Trust Indenture). To the extent a redemption is a redemption in part only of the Series B Debentures, such right to convert, if not exercised prior to the applicable Time of Expiry, shall survive as to any Series B Debentures not redeemed or converted and be applicable to the next succeeding Time of Expiry.
The Conversion Price in effect on the date hereof for each Common Share to be issued upon the conversion of Series B Debentures shall be equal to $ · per Common Share being a conversion ratio of approximately · Common Shares for each $1,000 principal amount of Series B Debentures so converted. No adjustment to the Conversion Price will be made for dividends or distributions payable on Common Shares issuable upon conversion or for interest accrued or accruing on Series B Debentures surrendered for conversion. Holders converting their Series B Debentures will receive interest which has accrued but not been
paid from the date of the most recent Interest Payment Date on which interest was paid in full in accordance with this Supplemental Indenture to, but not including, the Date of Conversion. The Conversion Price applicable to, and the Common Shares, securities or other property receivable on the conversion of, the Series B Debentures is subject to adjustment pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.5 of the Trust Indenture.
(f) The Series B Debentures shall be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 and the Debenture Trustee is hereby appointed as registrar and transfer agent for the Series B Debentures. Each Series B Debenture and the certificate of the Debenture Trustee endorsed thereon shall be issued in substantially the form set out in Schedule A, with such insertions, omissions, substitutions or other variations as shall be required or permitted by the Trust Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture, and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends or endorsements, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Trust Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture, as may be required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto or with any rules or regulations of any securities exchange or securities regulatory authority or to conform with general usage, all as may be determined by the Directors or an Authorized Officer executing such Series B Debenture in accordance with Section 2.7 of the Trust Indenture, as conclusively evidenced by his or her execution of a Series B Debenture. Each Series B Debenture shall additionally bear such distinguishing letters and numbers as the Debenture Trustee shall approve. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Series B Debenture may be in such other form or forms as may, from time to time, be approved by a resolution of the Directors or as specified in a Certificate. The Series B Debentures may be engraved, lithographed, printed, mimeographed or typewritten or partly in one form and partly in another.
The Series B Debentures shall be issued as one or more Global Debentures and the Global Debentures will be registered in the name of the Depository which, as of the date hereof, shall be CDS (or any nominee of the Depository). No Beneficial Holder will receive definitive certificates representing its interest in Debentures except as provided in Section 3.2 of the Trust Indenture. A Global Debenture may be exchanged for Debentures in registered form that are not Global Debentures, or transferred to and registered in the name of a Person other than the Depository for such Global Debentures or a nominee thereof as provided in Section 3.2 of the Trust Indenture.
(g) Upon and subject to the provisions and conditions of Article 10 of the Trust Indenture, and provided no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company may elect, from time to time, to raise funds to satisfy all or part of an Interest Obligation on the Series B Debentures on any Interest Payment Date (including, for greater certainty, following conversion or upon maturity or redemption) by delivering Common Shares to an agent, including the Debenture Trustee, for sale through the facilities of a registered broker/dealer.
(h) Subject to Applicable Securities Legislation and any required regulatory approval, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control and subject to the provisions and conditions of this Section 2.1(h) and Article 5 of the Trust Indenture, Debentureholders have a right to require the Company to purchase all of their Series B Debentures. The terms and conditions of such right are set forth below.
(i) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series B Debentures shall have the right (the Put Right ) to require the Company to purchase, on the date (the Put Date ) which is 30 days following the date upon which the Debenture Trustee delivers a Change of Control Notice (as defined below) to the holders of Series B Debentures, all or any part of such holders Series B Debentures at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (the Put Price ) plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Series B Debenture up to, but excluding, the Put Date (collectively, the Total Put Price ).
(ii) The Company will, as soon as practicable, and in any event no later than two Business Days after the occurrence of a Change of Control, give written notice to the Debenture Trustee of the Change of Control. The Debenture Trustee will, as soon as practicable thereafter, and in any event no later than four Business Days after receiving notice from the Company of the Change of Control, provide written notice to the holders of Series B Debentures of the Change of Control (a Change of Control Notice ). The Change of Control Notice shall include a description of the Change of Control, details of the Debentureholders Put Right under the terms of the Trust Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture (including identifying the Put Date), a statement that each holder will be entitled to withdraw his election to require the Company to purchase if the Debenture Trustee receives, no later than the close of business on the third Business Day immediately preceding the Put Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such holder, the principal amount of the Series B Debentures tendered for purchase and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have the Series B Debentures purchased and a description of the rights of the Company to redeem untendered Series B Debentures in accordance with Section 2.1(h)(iv) hereof.
(iii) To exercise the Put Right the Debentureholder must deliver to the Debenture Trustee, not less than five Business Days prior to the Put Date, written notice of the holders exercise of such right in the form attached as Schedule E.
(iv) If 90% or more in aggregate principal amount of Series B Debentures outstanding on the date the Company provides notice of a Change of Control to the Debenture Trustee have been tendered for purchase pursuant to the Put Right on the Put Date, the Company shall have the right, upon written notice provided to the Debenture Trustee within 10 days following the Put Date, to redeem all the remaining outstanding Series B Debentures effective as of the Put Date at the Total Put Price (the 90% Redemption Right ).
(v) Upon receipt of notice that the Company shall exercise the 90% Redemption Right and acquire the remaining Series B Debentures, the Debenture Trustee shall as soon as reasonably practicable provide written notice to all Debentureholders that did not previously exercise the Put Right that:
(A) the Company has exercised the 90% Redemption Right and will purchase all outstanding Series B Debentures effective as of the Put Date at the Total Put Price, including a calculation of such holders Total Put Price;
(B) each holder must transfer their Series B Debentures to the Debenture Trustee on the same terms as those holders that exercised the Put Right and must send their respective Series B Debentures, duly endorsed for transfer, to the Debenture Trustee within 10 days after the sending of such notice and the Depository shall make notations on the Global Debenture of the principal amount thereof so transferred; and
(C) the rights of such holder under the terms of the Series B Debentures, the Trust Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture shall cease to be effective as of the Put Date provided the Company has paid the Total Put Price to, or to the order of, the Debenture Trustee and thereafter the Series B Debentures shall not be considered to be outstanding and the holder shall not have any right except to receive such holders Total Put Price upon surrender and delivery of such holders Series B Debentures in accordance with the Trust Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture.
(vi) The Company shall, on or before 11:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on the Business Day immediately prior to the Put Date, deposit with the Debenture Trustee or any paying agent to the order of the Debenture Trustee, such sums of money as may be sufficient to pay the Total Put Price of the Series B Debentures to be purchased or redeemed by the Company on the Put Date, provided the Company may elect to satisfy this requirement by providing the Debenture Trustee with a certified cheque or wire transfer for such amounts required under this Section 2.1(h)(vi). The Company shall also deposit with the Debenture Trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay any charges or expenses that may be incurred by the Debenture Trustee in connection with such purchase and/or redemption, as the case may be. Every such deposit shall be irrevocable. From the sums so deposited, the Debenture Trustee shall pay or cause to be paid to the holders of such Series B Debentures, the Total Put Price to which they are entitled (less any tax required by law to be deducted in respect of accrued and unpaid interest) on the Companys purchase or redemption.
(vii) In the event that one or more of such Series B Debentures being purchased in accordance with this Section 2.1(h) becomes subject to purchase in part only, upon surrender of such Series B Debentures for payment of the Total
Put Price, the Depository shall make notations on the Global Debenture of the principal amount thereof so purchased.
(viii) Series B Debentures for which holders have exercised the Put Right and Series B Debentures which the Company has elected to redeem in accordance with the 90% Redemption Right shall become due and payable at the Total Put Price on the Put Date, in the same manner and with the same effect as if it were the date of maturity specified in such Series B Debentures, anything therein or herein to the contrary notwithstanding, and from and after such Put Date, if the money necessary to purchase or redeem the Series B Debentures shall have been deposited as provided in this Section 2.1(h) and affidavits or other proofs satisfactory to the Debenture Trustee as to the publication and/or mailing of such notices shall have been lodged with it, interest on the Series B Debentures shall cease. If any question shall arise as to whether any notice has been given as above provided and such deposit made, such question shall be decided by the Debenture Trustee whose decision shall be final and binding upon all parties in interest.
(ix) In case the holder of any Series B Debenture to be purchased or redeemed in accordance with this Section 2.1(h) shall fail on or before the Put Date to surrender such holders Series B Debenture or shall not within such time accept payment of the money payable; or give such receipt therefor, if any, as the Debenture Trustee may require, such monies may be set aside in trust, either in the deposit department of the Debenture Trustee or in a chartered bank, and such setting aside shall for all purposes be deemed a payment to the Debentureholder of the sum so set aside and, to that extent, the Series B Debenture shall thereafter not be considered as outstanding hereunder and the Debentureholder shall have no other right except to receive payment of the monies so paid and deposited, upon surrender and delivery up of such holders Series B Debenture, of the Total Put Price. In the event that any money required to be deposited hereunder with the Debenture Trustee or any depository or paying agent on account of the Total Put Price shall remain so deposited for a period of six years from the Put Date, then such monies shall at the end of such period be paid over or delivered over by the Debenture Trustee or such depository or paying agent to the Company and the Debenture Trustee shall not be responsible to Debentureholders for any amounts owing to them.
(x) Subject to the provisions above related to Series B Debentures purchased in part, all Series B Debentures redeemed and paid under this Section 2.1(h) shall forthwith be delivered to the Debenture Trustee and cancelled and no Series B Debentures shall be issued in substitution therefor.
(i) In addition to the requirements of Section 2.1(h) in respect of a Change of Control, the following provisions shall apply in respect of the occurrence of a Cash Change of Control:
(i) In the event of the occurrence of a Cash Change of Control, then subject to regulatory approval, during the period (the Cash Change of Control Conversion Period ) beginning 10 trading days before the anticipated effective date of the Change of Control (the Effective Date ) and ending on the date that is 30 days after the Change of Control Notice and Change of Control Purchase Offer are delivered or mailed to holders of Series B Debentures in accordance with Section 2.1(h), holders of Series B Debentures will be entitled to convert their Series B Debentures, in whole or in part, and receive, in addition to the number of Common Shares (or cash or other property or securities in substitution therefor) that such holders are entitled to receive upon such conversion in accordance with the provisions and conditions of Sections 2.1(e) and 2.1(i) of this First Supplemental Indenture and Article 6 of the Trust Indenture, an additional number of Common Shares (or cash or other property or securities in substitution therefor) per $1,000 principal amount of Series B Debentures converted as set forth below (the Make Whole Premium ).
(ii) The number of additional Common Shares (or cash or other property or securities in substitution therefor) per $1,000 principal amount of Series B Debentures constituting the Make Whole Premium (the Make Whole Premium Shares ) shall be determined by reference to the table following subsection (iii) below, based on the actual Effective Date and the price (the Stock Price ) paid per Common Share in the transaction constituting the Change of Control. If holders of Common Shares receive only cash in the transaction constituting the Change of Control, the Stock Price shall be the cash amount paid per Common Share. Otherwise, the Stock Price shall be equal to the Current Market Price of the Common Shares immediately preceding the actual Effective Date of such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no circumstances can the effective Conversion Price (calculated by dividing $1,000 by the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion, including the maximum number of Make Whole Premium Shares hereunder) be less than the maximum permitted discounted price permitted by the TSX at the time of announcement of the 2010 Offering (estimated by the Company to be $ · ), prior to any adjustments that may be made to the Stock Price to correspond to an adjustment to the Conversion Price under the Trust Indenture or this First Supplemental Indenture.
(iii) The following table shows the number of Make Whole Premium Shares for each hypothetical Stock Price and Effective Date set forth below, expressed as additional Common Shares per $1,000 principal amount of Debentures. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not be obliged to pay the Make Whole Premium otherwise than by issuance of Common Shares (or cash or other property or securities in substitution therefor) upon conversion of the Series B Debentures in accordance with the provisions and conditions of Section 2.1(e) of this First Supplemental Indenture and Article 6 of the Trust Indenture. If the Stock Price or
Effective Date are not set forth on the table then: (i) if the actual Stock Price on the Effective Date is between two Stock Prices on the table or the Effective Date is between two Effective Dates on the table, the number of Make Whole Premium Shares will be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the amounts set forth for the two Stock Prices and the two Effective Dates on the table based on a 365-day year, as applicable, (ii) if the Stock Price on the Effective Date exceeds $ · per Common Share, subject to adjustment as set forth herein, the number of Make Whole Premium Shares to be issued will be zero, and (iii) if the Stock Price on the Effective Date is less than $ · per Common Share, subject to adjustment as set forth herein, the number of Make Whole Premium Shares to be issued will be zero.
Make
Whole Premium Upon a Cash Change of Control
(Number of Additional Common Shares per $1,000 Series B Debenture)
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(iv) The Stock Prices set forth in the first row of table above will be adjusted as of any date on which the Conversion Price of the Series B Debentures is adjusted. The adjusted Stock Prices will equal the Stock Prices applicable immediately preceding such adjustment multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Conversion Price immediately preceding the adjustment giving rise to the Stock Price adjustment and the denominator of which is the Conversion Price as so adjusted. The number of additional Make Whole Premium Shares set forth in the table above will be adjusted in the same manner as the Conversion Price as set forth in Section 6.5 of the Trust Indenture, other than as a result of an adjustment of the Conversion Price by adding the Make Whole Premium as described above.
(v) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Date of Conversion of any Series B Debentures occurs during the period beginning on the 10 th trading day prior to the Effective Date and ending at the close of business on the actual Effective Date, the holders of such Series B Debentures shall, on conversion of their Series B Debentures, only be entitled to receive that number of Make Whole Premium Shares (as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 6.5 of the Trust Indenture) on the Business Day immediately following the actual Effective Date and, for greater certainty, only if the Change of Control occurs.
(vi) The Make Whole Premium Shares shall be deemed to have been issued to a holder of Series B Debentures who exercises conversion rights on or prior to the Effective Date upon conversion of Series B Debentures on the Business Day immediately following the Effective Date. Section 6.5 of the Trust Indenture shall apply to such conversion and, for greater certainty, the former holders of Series B Debentures in respect of which the Make Whole Premium Shares are issuable shall be entitled to receive and shall accept, in lieu of the Make Whole Premium Shares, the number of shares or other securities or cash or other property of the Company or of the Person or other entity resulting from the transaction that constitutes the Cash Change of Control that such holders would have been entitled to receive if such holders had been the registered holders of the applicable number of Make Whole Premium Shares on the Effective Date.
(vii) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.1(h), all other provisions of this First Supplemental Indenture and the Trust Indenture applicable to a conversion of Series B Debentures shall apply to a conversion of Series B Debentures during the Cash Change of Control Conversion Period.
(j) The Debenture Trustee shall be provided with the documents and instruments referred to in Sections 2.5(b), (c) and (d) of the Trust Indenture with respect to the Series B Debentures prior to the issuance of the Series B Debentures.
2.2 Delivery
The Series B Debentures shall be executed by the Company and delivered to the Debenture Trustee accompanied by the documentation contemplated in Section 2.5 of the Trust Indenture. Series B Debentures issued in connection with the Over Allotment Option shall require only a Written Direction of the Company and an Officers Certificate. The opinion of counsel delivered on the date hereof will include an opinion in respect of the Series B Debentures to be issued in connection with the Over Allotment Option.
2.3 Legends and Certification
The Series B Debentures shall contain the legend as set out in Schedule A and the Debenture Trustees certificate of authentication shall be in the form annexed to that Schedule A.
ARTICLE 3
CONFIRMATION OF TRUST INDENTURE
3.1 Confirmation of Trust Indenture
The Trust Indenture, as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, shall be and continue in full force and effect and is hereby confirmed.
ARTICLE 4
ACCEPTANCE OF TRUST BY DEBENTURE TRUSTEE
4.1 Acceptance of Trust
The Debenture Trustee hereby accepts the trusts in this Supplemental Indenture and in the Trust Indenture declared and provided for and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth and to hold all rights, privileges and benefits conferred hereby and by law in trust for the various persons who shall from time to time be Debentureholders, subject to all the terms and conditions herein set forth.
ARTICLE 5
EXECUTION AND FORMAL DATE
5.1 Execution
This First Supplemental Indenture may be simultaneously executed in several counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
5.2 Formal Date
For the purpose of convenience this First Supplemental Indenture may be referred to as bearing the formal date of September · , 2010 irrespective of the actual date of execution hereof.
[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank. Signature page follows. ]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this First Supplemental Indenture by the hands of their proper officers.
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ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION |
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COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA |
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SCHEDULE A
TO
THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO THE TRUST INDENTURE DATED DECEMBER 17, 2009 AMONG
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
- and -
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
Form of Debenture
SCHEDULE A
FORM OF GLOBAL DEBENTURE
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF CDS CLEARING AND DEPOSITORY SERVICES INC. ( CDS ) TO ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION (THE ISSUER ) OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN RESPECT THEREOF IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CDS & CO., OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF CDS (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CDS & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF CDS), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED HOLDER HEREOF, CDS & CO., HAS A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HEREIN AND IT IS A VIOLATION OF ITS RIGHTS FOR ANOTHER PERSON TO HOLD, TRANSFER OR DEAL WITH THIS CERTIFICATE.
Certificate No. ·
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ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
(A corporation continued under and governed by the laws of the Province of British Columbia)
· % SERIES B CONVERTIBLE UNSECURED SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE
DUE · ( Series B Debenture )
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION (the Company ) for value received hereby acknowledges itself indebted and, subject to the provisions of the trust indenture (the Indenture ) dated as of December 17, 2009 between the Company and Computershare Trust Company of Canada (the Debenture Trustee ) as amended and supplemented by the first supplemental indenture dated as of September · , 2010 between the Company and the Debenture Trustee (the Supplemental Indenture ), promises to pay to the registered holder hereof on · (the Maturity Date ) or on such earlier date as the principal amount hereof may become due in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture the principal sum of · dollars in lawful money of Canada (CDN$ · ) on presentation and surrender of this Debenture at the principal offices of the Debenture Trustee in Toronto, Ontario in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture and, subject as hereinafter provided, to pay interest on the principal amount hereof from the date hereof, or from the last Interest Payment Date to which interest shall have been paid or made available for payment hereon, whichever is later, at the rate of · % per annum, in like money, in arrears semi-annually (less any withholding tax required or permitted by law to be deducted) on · and · in each year commencing on · and the last payment (representing interest payable from the last Interest Payment Date to, but excluding, the Maturity Date or the earlier date of redemption) to fall due on the Maturity Date and, should the Company at any time make default in the payment of any principal, premium or interest, to pay interest on the amount in default at the same rate, in like
money and on the same dates. For certainty, the first interest payment will include interest accrued from · to, but excluding, · , which will be equal to CDN$ · for each CDN$1,000 principal amount of the Series B Debentures.
Reference is hereby expressly made to the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture for a description of the terms and conditions upon which the Series B Debentures are or are to be issued and held and the rights and remedies of the holders of the Series B Debentures and of the Company and of the Debenture Trustee, all to the same effect as if the provisions of the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture were herein set forth, and to all of which provisions the holder of this Series B Debenture by acceptance hereof assents. To the extent that the terms and conditions stated in this Debenture conflict with the terms and conditions of the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture shall prevail. All capitalized terms used herein have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture unless otherwise indicated.
Interest hereon shall be payable by electronic transfer of funds to the registered holder hereof or such other means provided in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture and, subject to the provisions of the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture, the sending of such electronic transfer of funds shall, to the extent of the sum represented thereby (plus the amount of any tax withheld), satisfy and discharge all liability for interest on this Series B Debenture.
This Series B Debenture is one of the Debentures of the Company issued or issuable in one or more series under the provisions of the Indenture. The Series B Debentures authorized for issue are limited to an aggregate principal amount of · dollars in lawful money of Canada (CDN$ · ). The Series B Debentures are issuable only in denominations of CDN$1,000 and integral multiples thereof. Upon compliance with the provisions of the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture, Debentures of any denomination may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of Debentures in any other authorized denomination or denominations.
Any part, being CDN$1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, of the principal of this Series B Debenture, provided that the principal amount of this Series B Debenture is in a denomination in excess of CDN$1,000, is convertible, at the option of the holder hereof, upon surrender of this Series B Debenture at the principal offices of the Debenture Trustee in the City of Toronto, Ontario, at any time prior to the close of business on the Maturity Date or, if this Series B Debenture is called for redemption on or prior to such date, then up to but not after the close of business on the last Business Day immediately preceding the date specified for redemption of this Series B Debenture, into Common Shares (without adjustment for interest accrued hereon or for dividends, distributions or interest payments on the Common Shares issuable upon conversion) at a conversion price of CDN$ · per Common Share (the Conversion Price ), being a conversion ratio of approximately · for each CDN$1,000 principal amount of Debentures so converted, all subject to the terms and conditions and in the manner set forth in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture. The Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture make provision for the adjustment of the Conversion Price in the events therein specified, including the delivery of additional Common Shares (or cash or other property or securities in substitution therefor) for a limited time following a change of control. No fractional Common Shares will be issued on any conversion but in lieu thereof, the Company will satisfy such fractional interest by a cash payment equal to the market price of such fractional interest determined in accordance with the Indenture. No adjustment to the Conversion Price will be made for dividends or distributions payable on Common Shares issuable upon conversion or for interest accrued or accruing on Series B Debentures surrendered for conversion. Holders converting their Series B Debentures will receive interest which has accrued and is unpaid in respect thereof from the
most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid to, but not including, the Date of Conversion.
This Series B Debenture may be redeemed at the option of the Company on the terms and conditions set out in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture at the Redemption Price therein and herein set out provided that this Series B Debenture is not redeemable prior to or on · . After · and prior to · , this Series B Debenture is redeemable at the option of the Company provided that the Current Market Price is at least 125% of Conversion Price. On or after · and prior to the Maturity Date, the Series B Debentures may be redeemed at any time by the Company. In such circumstances, the Series B Debentures will be redeemable at a price equal to their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. In connection with the redemption of the Series B Debentures, the Company may, at its option and subject to regulatory approval, elect to satisfy its obligation to pay all or a portion of the aggregate principal amount of Debentures due upon redemption of the Series B Debentures by issuing and delivering to the holders of such Series B Debentures, such number of Freely Tradeable Common Shares as is obtained by dividing the principal amount of the Series B Debentures which are to be redeemed by 95% of the Current Market Price on the Redemption Date. If the Company elects to exercise such option, it shall so specify and provide details in the Redemption Notice.
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series B Debentures may subject to the terms and provisions of Section 2.1(h) of the Supplemental Indenture and Article 5 of the Indenture require the Company to purchase the whole or any part of such holders Series B Debentures at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Series B Debentures plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the date the Series B Debentures are so repurchased (the Put Right ). The Company shall satisfy such purchase price by payment in cash. If 90% or more of the principal amount of all Series B Debentures outstanding on the date the Company provides notice of a Change of Control to the Debenture Trustee have been tendered for purchase pursuant to the Put Right, the Company has the right to redeem all the remaining outstanding Series B Debentures on the same date and at the same price.
If an Offer for outstanding Debentures of a series (other than Debentures held by or on behalf of the Offeror, Associates or Affiliates of the Offeror or anyone acting jointly or in concert with the Offeror) is made and 90% or more of the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures is taken up and paid for by the Offeror, the Offeror wil1 be entitled to acquire the Debentures of those holders who did not accept the offer on the same terms as the Offeror acquired the first 90% of the principal amount of the Debentures.
The Company may, on notice as provided in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture, at its option and subject to any applicable regulatory approval, elect to satisfy the obligation to repay all or any portion of the principal amount of this Series B Debenture due on the Maturity Date by the issue of that number of Freely Tradeable Common Shares obtained by dividing the principal amount of the outstanding Series B Debentures which have matured by 95% of the Current Market Price on the Maturity Date.
The indebtedness evidenced by this Series B Debenture, and by all other Series B Debentures now or hereafter certified and delivered under the Indenture, is a direct unsecured obligation of the Company, and is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of the Supplemental Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed.
The principal hereof may become or be declared due and payable before the stated maturity in the events, in the manner, with the effect and at the times provided in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture.
Any payment of money to any holder of Debentures will be reduced by the amount of applicable withholding taxes, if any. The Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture contain provisions making binding upon all holders of Debentures outstanding thereunder (or in certain circumstances specific series of Debentures) resolutions passed at meetings of such holders held in accordance with such provisions and instruments signed by the holders of a specified majority of Debentures outstanding (or specific series), which resolutions or instruments may have the effect of amending the terms of this Series B Debenture or the Indenture or the Supplemental Indenture.
This Series B Debenture may only be transferred, upon compliance with the conditions prescribed in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture, in one of the registers to be kept at the principal offices of the Debenture Trustee in Toronto and in such other place or places and/or by such other registrars (if any) as the Company with the approval of the Debenture Trustee may designate. No transfer of this Series B Debenture shall be valid unless made on the register by the registered holder hereof and upon compliance with such reasonable requirements as the Debenture Trustee and/or other registrar may prescribe and upon surrender of this Series B Debenture for cancellation. Thereupon a new Series B Debenture or Series B Debentures in the same aggregate principal amount shall be issued to the transferee in exchange hereof.
This Series B Debenture shall not become obligatory for any purpose until it shall have been certified by the Debenture Trustee under the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture.
The Indenture, Supplemental Indenture and this Debenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
Capitalized words or expressions used in this Series B Debenture shall, unless otherwise defined herein, have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture. In the event that the terms and conditions stated in this Debenture conflict, or are inconsistent, with the terms and conditions of the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture and Supplemental Indenture, as applicable, shall prevail and take priority.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION has caused this Debenture to be signed by its authorized signatories as of the · day of September , 2010.
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ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION |
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(FORM OF DEBENTURE TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE)
This Series B Debenture is one of the · % Series B Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures due · referred to in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture within mentioned.
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COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA |
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(FORM OF REGISTRATION PANEL)
(No writing hereon except by Debenture Trustee or other registrar)
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Signature of Debenture Trustee or |
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Registrar |
CDS &
Co.
85 Richmond Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 2C9
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Date of Registration: |
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In Whose Name Registered: CDS & Co. |
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto · , whose address, if applicable, is set forth below, this Series B Debenture (or $ · principal amount hereof*) of ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION standing in the name(s) of the undersigned in the register maintained by or on behalf of ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION with respect to such Series B Debenture and does hereby irrevocably authorize and direct the Debenture Trustee to transfer such Series B Debenture in such register, with full power of substitution in the premises.
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(*) If less than the full principal amount of the within Series B Debenture is to be transferred, indicate in the space provided the principal amount (which must be CDN$1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, unless you hold a Series B Debenture in a non-integral multiple of CDN$1,000, in which case such Series B Debenture is transferable only in its entirety) to be transferred.
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Signature of transferring registered holder |
EXHIBIT 1
TO CDS GLOBAL DEBENTURE
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
· % SERIES B CONVERTIBLE UNSECURED SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES DUE ·
Initial Principal Amount: |
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ADJUSTMENTS
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SCHEDULE B
TO
THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO THE TRUST INDENTURE DATED DECEMBER 17, 2009 AMONG
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
- and -
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
Form of Redemption Notice
SCHEDULE B
FORM OF REDEMPTION NOTICE
To: Holders of · % Series B Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures due · (the Debentures ) of Atlantic Power Corporation (the Company )
Note: All capitalized terms used herein have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture mentioned below, unless otherwise indicated.
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 4.3 of the trust indenture (the Indenture ) dated as of December 17, 2009 between the Company and Computershare Trust Company of Canada (the Debenture Trustee ), as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture to the Indenture (the Supplemental Indenture ) dated as of September · , 2010 between the Company and the Debenture Trustee, that the aggregate principal amount of CDN$ · of the CDN$ · of Debentures outstanding will be redeemed as of · , 20 · (the Redemption Date ), upon payment of a redemption amount of CDN$ · for each CDN$1,000 principal amount of Debentures, being equal to the aggregate of (i) CDN$ · (the Redemption Price ), and (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such redeemed Debentures to but excluding the Redemption Date, in each case less any withholding taxes required to be deducted (collectively, the Total Redemption Price ).
The Total Redemption Price will be payable upon presentation and surrender of the Debentures called for redemption at the following corporate trust office:
Computershare Trust
Company of Canada
100 University Ave., 9
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Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1
Attention:
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The interest upon the principal amount of Debentures called for redemption shall cease to be payable from and after the Redemption Date, unless payment of the Redemption Price shall not be made on presentation for surrender of such Debentures at the above-mentioned corporate trust office on or after the Redemption Date or prior to the setting aside of the Redemption Price pursuant to the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture.
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ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION |
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Authorized Signatory |
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SCHEDULE C
TO
THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO THE TRUST INDENTURE DATED DECEMBER 17, 2009 AMONG
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
- and -
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
Form of Maturity Notice
SCHEDULE C
FORM OF MATURITY NOTICE
TO: |
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Holders of · % Series B Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures due · (the Debentures ) of Atlantic Power Corporation (the Company ) |
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AND TO: |
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Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Debenture Trustee |
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All capitalized terms used herein have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture mentioned below, unless otherwise indicated. |
Notice is hereby given pursuant to the trust indenture (the Indenture ) dated as of December 17, 2009 between the Company and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as debenture trustee (the Debenture Trustee ) as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture to the Indenture (the Supplemental Indenture ) dated as of September · , 2010 between the Company and the Debenture Trustee, that the Debentures are due and payable as of · (the Maturity Date ) and the Company hereby advises the holders of Debentures that it will deliver to holders of Debentures a cash payment upon presentation and surrender of the Debentures representing any principal amount and all accrued and unpaid interest to the Maturity Date, to which the holder is entitled.
DATED: |
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ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION |
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Per: |
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SCHEDULE D
TO THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO THE TRUST INDENTURE
DATED DECEMBER 17, 2009
AMONG
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
- and -
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
Form of Notice of Conversion
SCHEDULE D
FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION
TO: ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
Note: All capitalized terms used herein have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture mentioned below, unless otherwise indicated.
The undersigned registered holder of · % Series B Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures due · (the Debentures ) in the principal amount of CDN$ · irrevocably elects to convert such Debentures (or CDN$ · principal amount thereof*) in accordance with the terms of the trust indenture (the Indenture ) dated as of December 17, 2009 between Atlantic Power Corporation (the Company ) and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as debenture trustee (the Debenture Trustee ) as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture to the Indenture (the Supplemental Indenture ) dated as of September · , 2010 between the Company and the Debenture Trustee and tenders herewith the Debentures, and, if applicable, directs that the Common Shares of the Company (or cash or other property or securities in substitution therefor, if applicable) issuable upon a conversion (net of applicable withholding taxes, if any) be issued and delivered to the person indicated below. (If Common Shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the holder, all requisite transfer taxes must be tendered by the undersigned.)
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(*) If less than the full principal amount of the Debentures, indicate in the space provided the principal amount (which must be CDN$1,000 or integral multiples thereof).
(Print name in which Common Shares are to be issued, delivered and registered)
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SCHEDULE E
TO
THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO THE TRUST INDENTURE DATED DECEMBER 17, 2009 AMONG
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
- and -
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
Form of Notice of Put Exercise
SCHEDULE E
FORM OF NOTICE OF PUT EXERCISE
(Change of Control)
PUT EXERCISE
TO: ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION (the Company )
Note: All capitalized terms used herein have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture mentioned below, unless otherwise indicated.
The undersigned registered holder of · % Series B Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures due · (the Debentures ) in the principal amount of CDN$ · irrevocably elects to put such Debentures (or CDN$ · principal amount thereof*) to the Company to be purchased by the Company on · (the Put Date ) in accordance with the terms of the trust indenture (the Indenture ) dated as of December 17, 2009 between the Company and Computershare Trust Company of Canada (the Debenture Trustee ), as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture to the Indenture (the Supplemental Indenture ) dated as of September · , 2010 between the Company and the Debenture Trustee at a price of CDN$ · for each CDN$1,000 principal amount of Debentures plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (net of applicable withholding tax, if any) to, but excluding, the Put Date (collectively, the Total Put Price ) and tenders herewith the Debentures.
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* If less than the full principal amount of the Debentures, indicate in the space provided the principal amount (which must be CDN$1,000 or integral multiples thereof).
The total Put Price (after deduction of applicable taxes) will be payable upon presentation and surrender of the Debentures with this form on or after the Put Date at the following corporate trust office:
Computershare Trust
Company of Canada
100 University Ave., 9
th
Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1
The interest upon the principal amount of Debentures put to the Company shall cease to be payable from and after the Put Date unless payment of the Total Put Price shall not be made on presentation for surrender of such Debentures at the above mentioned corporate trust office on or after the Put Date or prior to the setting aside of the Total Put Price pursuant to the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture.
Exhibit 5.1
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September 16, 2010
Atlantic Power Corporation
200 Clarendon St., Floor 25
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Dear Sirs/Mesdames:
Re: Atlantic Power Corporation
We are acting as counsel to Atlantic Power Corporation (the Company ) in the Providence of British Columbia (the Providence ) in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended or supplemented, (the Registration Statement ) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC ) in connection with the registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in respect of the aggregate principal amount of the Companys series B convertible unsecured subordinated debentures set out in the Registration Statement (the Debentures ). The Debentures will be issued under an indenture dated as of December 17, 2009, between the Company and Computershare Trust Company of Canada (the Trustee ), as debenture trustee, as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture to be entered into between the Company and the Trustee (collectively, the Indenture ). The Debentures will be convertible into common shares of the Company (the Common Shares ) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture, the Debentures and as contemplated by the Registration Statement.
We have examined such records and proceedings of the Company, the originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of certificates of public officials and officers or directors of the Company and such other documents, and have considered such questions of law and made such other investigations, as we have deemed relevant or necessary as a basis for the opinion hereinafter expressed.
In rendering the opinion expressed herein we have assumed:
(a) the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, photostatic, notarized or true copies or facsimiles, and the authenticity of the originals of such documents;
(b) the identity and capacity of all individuals acting or purporting to act as public officials; and
(c) that any party to any agreement or instrument referred to herein who is a natural person has the legal capacity to enter into, execute and deliver such agreement or
instrument and has not entered into, executed or delivered the same under duress or as a result of undue influence.
Our opinion is given to you as of the date hereof and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change after such date in or affecting any matter set forth herein.
For the purposes of opinion 2 below, with respect to the enforceability of the Debentures, we have relied exclusively on an opinion of Goodmans LLP, Toronto, addressed to us and dated as of the date hereof, which is attached hereto as Schedule A.
The opinion hereinafter expressed relates only to the laws of the Province and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein and is based upon legislation in effect on the date hereof.
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company.
2. The Debentures have been duly authorized by all necessary corporation action of the Company and, upon issuance and delivery in accordance with the terms of the Indenture against payment therefor, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the limitations under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, equitable subordination, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
3. The Common Shares initially issuable upon conversion of the Debentures have been authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company and, when issued upon conversion of the Debentures pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Debentures and the Indenture, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name where it appears in the Registration Statement.
Yours very truly,
/s/ Goodmans
Goodmans
SCHEDULE A
GOODMANS LLP ENFORCEABILITY OPINION
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September 16, 2010
Goodmans
355 Burrard Street Suite 1900
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6C 2G8
Dear Sirs:
Re: Atlantic Power Corporation
You have asked us to provide you with our opinion with respect to the enforceability of the series B convertible unsecured subordinated debentures (the Debentures ) of Atlantic Power Corporation (the Company ) to be issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of December 17, 2009, between the Company and Computershare Trust Company of Canada (the Trustee ), as debenture trustee, to be supplemented by a first supplemental indenture to be entered into between the Company and the Trustee providing for the issuance of the Debentures (collectively, the Indenture ). In connection with the opinion set out below, we have examined such records and proceedings of the Company, the originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of certificates of public officials and officers or directors of the Company and such other documents, and have considered such questions of law and made such other investigations, as we have deemed relevant or necessary as a basis for the opinion hereinafter expressed.
Assumptions
We have assumed the following with respect to the opinion expressed herein:
(a) the genuineness of all signatures on documents examined by us, the legal capacity of individuals signing any documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, faxed, electronic or photostatic copies;
(b) the Company is validly incorporated and existing pursuant to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, has the corporate power and capacity to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Indenture and that the Indenture and the Debentures have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with all applicable laws; and
(c) the Trustee is validly incorporated and existing pursuant to the laws of Canada, has the corporate power and capacity to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under
the Indenture and that the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with all applicable laws.
Law
Our opinion set out below is limited to the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein as of the date of this opinion letter.
Opinion
Based upon and relying on the assumptions set out above, and subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that, upon issuance and delivery in accordance with the terms of the Indenture against payment therefor, the Debentures will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the limitations under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, equitable subordination, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
Limitation
This opinion is provided to you solely for your own use and benefit in connection with your opinion of even date herewith relating to the Company and the Debentures. Without our prior consent, it may not be used for any other purpose or disclosed to or relied upon by any other person.
Yours truly,
/s/ Goodmans LLP
Goodmans LLP
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accountant
The Board of Directors of Atlantic Power Corporation
We consent to the use of our report to the directors of Atlantic Power Corporation (the "Company") on the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as at December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 and the financial statement schedule "Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts." dated April 12, 2010 except as to notes 4, 9 and 19 which are as of May 26, 2010 and as to notes 2(a), 18 and 21 which are as of June 16, 2010 contained in this S-1 registration statement. and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.
Our audit report on the consolidated financial statements of the Company contains an explanatory paragraph stating that: on January 1, 2009, the Company adopted FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations; on January 1, 2008, the Company changed its method of accounting for fair value measurements in accordance with FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements; and on January 1, 2007, the Company changed its method of accounting for income tax uncertainties in accordance with guidance provided in FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes.
/s/ KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP
Chartered Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto,
Canada
September 16, 2010
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Atlantic Power Corporation of our report dated March 10, 2008 relating to the financial statements of Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. as of December 31, 2007 and for the year then ended, which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.
/s/
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 16, 2010
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Atlantic Power Corporation of our report dated March 13, 2009 relating to the financial statements of Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership as of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008 and for the years then ended, which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.
/s/
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 16, 2010
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Atlantic Power Corporation of our report dated March 28, 2008 relating to the combined financial statements of Gregory Partners, LLC, and Gregory Power Partners, L.P. as of December 31, 2007 and for the year then ended, which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.
/s/
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
September 16, 2010
Consent of Independent Accountants
We consent to the use of our report dated March 7, 2008, with respect to the balance sheet of Pasco Cogen, Ltd. as of December 31, 2007, and the related statements of operations and partners' capital and cash flows for the year then ended, included herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.
/s/ KPMG LLP
September
15, 2010
Tampa, Florida
Certified Public Accountants
Exhibit 25.1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM T-6
APPLICATION UNDER
SECTION 310(a)(1) OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
FOR DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY OF A FOREIGN PERSON
TO ACT AS INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
CANADA
(Jurisdiction of incorporation of organization)
100 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, 11 TH FLOOR, SOUTH TOWER, TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, M5J2YI (4l6) 263-9200
(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
350 Indiana Street, Suite 800, Golden, CO 80401
Telephone: (303) 262-0707
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
ATLANTIC POWER CORPORATION
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
55-0886410
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
200 CLARENDON ST., FLOOR 25, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
(Address of principal executive offices)
02116
(Zip code)
CONVERTIBLE UNSECURED SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
(Title of Indenture Securities)
Item 1. General Information.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
a) Name and address of each examining or supervisory authority to which it is subject:
Office of the Superintendent of Financial institutions (OSFI) 255 Albert Street Ottawa, Ontario,
K1A OH2, Canada
b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers
Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.
No affiliation
Items 3-14. Items 3-14 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustees knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee.
Item 15. Foreign Trustee.
Identify the order or rule pursuant to which the trustee is authorized to act as sole trustee under indentures qualified or to be qualified under the Act.
(a) In SEC Release Nos. 33-6889, 39-2661 (Mar. 22, 1991) (the Release), the Commission proposed permitting certain Canadian indenture trustees (including Montreal Trust, whose corporate trust business was subsequently acquired by Applicant) to act as sole trustees under indentures qualified or to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the Act) in connection with offerings under the multijurisdictional disclosure system with Canada. That proposal was adopted with the issuance of Rule 10a-5 pursuant to SEC Release Nos. 33-6902, 34-29354, 29-2267 (June 21, 1991). In the Release, the Commission described the regulation in Canada relating to the supervision and examination of indenture trustees under the Trust Companies Act (Canada) (CTCA), the Loan and Trust Corporations Act (Ontario) (OTCA) and the Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (CDICA). The Release states (footnotes and citations omitted):
The first prerequisite under Section 310(a) for the Commission to be able to exercise its authority to permit a foreign entity to act as a sole trustee is that such entity be authorized to exercise trust powers in its home country. In both the United States and Canada, corporations authorized to exercise trust powers are predominantly depositary institutions. Trust companies are organized under federal law in both countries, under state law in the United States, and under provincial law in Canada....
Trust companies eligible to act as indenture trustees under the CTCA and Canadian provincial law are authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers. Under the CTCA, no company may commence the business of exercising trust powers unless it obtains a certificate from the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI). Powers specified in the CTCA include the power to accept and execute all such trusts of every description and nature as are entrusted to it by any government or person, or committed or transferred to it by the order of a judge or by the order, judgment or decree of any court in Canada or elsewhere.
The second prerequisite under Section 310(a) for the Commission to exercise its authority to permit trusteeship by a foreign entity is that the foreign trustee be subject to supervision or examination substantially equivalent to that applicable to U.S. trustees. In the United States and Canada, regulation of trust companies that are also depositary institutions may be effected through federal agencies, through state or provincial agencies, or concurrently by federal and state or provincial agencies. In all cases, the depositary institutions are subject to substantive regulation of
business under the supervision and examination of the responsible agencies. The common objective of these regulatory systems is the safety and soundness of the depositary institution. To this end, U.S. and Canadian examination procedures and the licensing and chartering procedures referred to earlier are designed to assess the financial condition, management and systems of internal control of the supervised institution. ...
Depending on where the trustee is incorporated, a Canadian trust company is subject to supervision and examination by a responsible authority under either the CTCA or parallel provincial law. The conduct of corporate trusteeships under indentures is within the regulatory and supervisory power of the federal and provincial authorities. Canadian trust companies formed under provincial laws that participate in the Canadian deposit insurance system are subject to supervision and examination under the CDICA in addition to concurrent provincial regulation.
The CTCA provides an extensive regulatory scheme for corporate trustees subject to federal law. At least annually, such trustees are examined by OSFI. The OSFI describes its fundamental objectives in the examination process to include assessing of financial solvency and ensuring compliance with legislative obligations. The examination of the trust companys condition is required to include inspection of the books of such trustees officers, agents, and employees. The enforcement powers of OSFI include cease and refrain power to correct unsafe or unsound practices and the power to order remedial action as deemed necessary.[n33]
Note 33: [citation omitted] A similar regulatory structure is applicable to Ontario trust companies. For example, Ontario trust companies are subject to supervisory prescriptions including the requirement to file financial and other information with the Superintendent of Deposit Institutions. [citation omitted] Ontario trust companies are subject to annual examinations by the superintendent. [citation omitted] The corporations annual return, which includes financial statements and an auditors report, is required to outline the financial condition and affairs of the corporation for the fiscal year. [citation omitted] Regulations under the Ontario statute prescribe forms, fees, retention of records by the trustee, financial statements and method of preparation, calculation of capital base, auditors reports, and qualifications for officers of the trustee. [citation omitted]
Provincially incorporated trust companies that are members of the Canadian deposit insurance system must be examined annually by a representative of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC). The examination report for a CDIC member is required to include the examiners opinion whether the operations of the member institution are conducted according to standards of sound business and financial practice, and whether the institution is in satisfactory financial condition. [citation omitted] If the CDIC finds any deficiency in these matters, the CDIC will notify the member of the matter requiring remedial action. If corrective measures are not satisfactory, the institutions membership may be revoked and its deposit insurance terminated.
In June 1992, the Trust and Loan Companies Act (Canada) (the TLCA) replaced the CTCA and the Loan Companies Act (Canada). The TLCA expands the powers of Canadian trust companies, as limited by the business and powers section of the TLCA, to include the capacity of a natural person. In the TLCA, legislators have attempted to provide further requirements with respect to self-dealing transactions involving Canadian trust companies and with respect to the supervision and examination of Canadian indenture trustees.
(b) In the Release, the Commission determined that the supervision and examination of indenture trustees and Canada and the United States is substantially equivalent. The Release states:
As early as 1946, the Commission noted the substantial comparability in the treatment of indenture trusteeships by the United States and Canada, including the authorization to exercise trust powers and the system of supervision or examination. In Gatineau Power Company, the Commission, acting pursuant to its exemptive authority under Section 304(d) of the Trust
Indenture Act (then limited to the indentures of foreign obligors), permitted the Royal Trust Company of Montreal to act as sole indenture trustee under the qualified indenture of a Canadian obligor. In granting its order, the Commission stated that, except for the requirement of domestic organization, the Canadian institutional trustee otherwise met the requirements of eligibility and qualification under Section 310 of the Act.....
Based on a review of Canadian law, it appears that the supervision or examination under the CTCA or the CDICA applicable to institutional trustees in Canada is substantially equivalent to supervision or examination applicable to institutional trustees in the United States. (Release at 648-50)....
(c) The Canadian system of multijurisdictional disclosure permits United States institutional trustees to be appointed as a trustee under a trust indenture if
(a) the trust indenture under which the obligations are issued or guaranteed is subject to and complies with the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the United States of America; and
(b) at least one person or company appointed as trustee under the trust indenture
(i) is resident in the local jurisdiction,
(ii) is authorized to do business in the local jurisdiction, or
(iii) has filed a duly executed submission to jurisdiction and appointment of agent for service of process in section 3 of the required form.
Item 16. List of Exhibits.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this statement of eligibility.
Exhibit 1. Articles of Incorporation of the Applicant.
Exhibit 2. Certificate of Authority for the Applicant to commence business.
Exhibit 3. Authorization of the Applicant to exercise corporate trust powers.
Exhibit 4. By-laws of the Applicant.
Exhibit 5. Not applicable.
Exhibit 6. Attached: a Summary Income Statement for the period ended Q2 2010; and a Consolidated Monthly Balance Sheet as of July 2010.
Exhibit 7. Applicants consent to services of process on Form F-X.
Exhibit 8(a). SEC Release Nos. 33-6889, 39-2661 (Mar. 22, 1991)
Exhibit 8(b). Trust and Loan Companies Act (Canada)
Exhibit 8(c). Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act
Exhibit 8(d). Business Corporations Act (Ontario)
Exhibit 8(e). National Instrument 71-101; see Part 19.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee, Computershare Trust Company of Canada, a trust company organized and existing under the laws of Canada, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Toronto, Province of Ontario on the 18th day of August, 2010.
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By: |
/s/ Charles Gauthier |
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Charles Gauthier |
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General Manager, Corporate Trust |
Exhibit 1 to Form T-6
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Industry Canada |
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Industrie Canada |
Certificate of Incorporation |
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Certificate de constitution |
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Canada Business |
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Loi canadienne sur |
Corporations Act |
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les sociétés par actions |
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3725529 Canada Inc. |
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372552-9 |
Name of corporation-Dénomination de la société |
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Corporation number-Numéro de la société |
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I hereby certify that the above-named corporation, the articles of incorporation of which are attached, was incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act. |
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Je certifie que la société susmentionnée, dont les statuts constitutifs sont joints, a été constituée en société en vertu de la Loi canadienne sur les sociétés par actions. |
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/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] |
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February 29, 2000 / le 29 février 2000 |
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Director - Directeur |
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Date of Incorporation - Date de constitution |
CANADA BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
FORM 1
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
(SECTION 6)
1. Name of corporation:
3725529 Canada Inc.
2. The place in Canada where the registered office is to be situated:
City of Toronto, Province of Ontario
3. The classes and any maximum number of shares that the Corporation is authorized to issue:
An unlimited number of common shares.
4. Restrictions, if any, on share transfers:
No share shall be transferred without either (a) the consent of the directors of the Corporation expressed by a resolution passed by the board of directors or by an instrument or instruments in writing signed by all of such directors, or (b) the consent of the holders of shares to which are attached more than 50% of the voting rights attaching to all shares for the time being outstanding entitled to vote at such time expressed by a resolution passed by such shareholders at a meeting duly called and constituted for that purpose or by an instrument or instruments in writing signed by all of such shareholders.
5. Number (or minimum and maximum number) of directors:
A minimum of one (1) and a maximum of ten (10).
6. Restrictions, if any, on business the corporation may carry on:
None.
7. Other provisions, if any:
(a) The number of shareholders of the Corporation, exclusive of persons who are in its employment and exclusive of persons who, having been formerly in the employment of the Corporation, were, while in that employment, and have continued after the termination of that employment to be, shareholders of the Corporation, is limited to not
more than 50, 2 or more persons who are the joint registered owners of 1 or more shares being counted as 1 shareholder;
(b) Any invitation to the public to subscribe for any securities of the Corporation is prohibited; and
(c) The directors may appoint one or more directors, who shall hold office for a term expiring not later than the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders, but the total number of directors so appointed may not exceed one third of the number of directors elected at the previous annual meeting of shareholders.
8. Incorporator:
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Brian M. Pukier |
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46 Alcina Avenue |
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Toronto, Ontario M6G 2E8 |
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/s/ Brian M. Pukier |
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Brian M. Pukier |
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FEB |
29 2000 |
Corp No. 372552-9 |
FEV |
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Industry Canada |
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Industrie Canada |
Certificate of Amendment |
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Certificat de Modification |
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Canada Business |
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Loi canadienne sur |
Corporations Act |
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les sociétés par actions |
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Computershare Investor Services Inc. |
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372552-9 |
Name of corporation-Dénomination de la société |
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Corporation number-Numéro de la société |
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I hereby certify that the articles of the above-named corporation were amended: |
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Je certifie que les statuts de la société susmentionnée ont été modifiés: |
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a) under section 13 of the Canada Business Corporations Act in accordance with the attached notice; |
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a) en vertu de larticle 13 de la Loi canadienne sur les sociétés par actions , conformément à lavis ci-joint; |
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b) under section 27 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of amendment designating a series of shares; |
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b) en vertu de larticle 27 de la Loi canadienne sur les sociétés par actions , tel quil est indiqué dans les clauses modificatrices ci-jointes désignant une série dactions; |
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c) under section 179 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of amendment; |
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c) en vertu de larticle 179 de la Loi canadienne sur les sociétés par actions , tel quil est indiqué dans les clauses modificatrices ci-jointes; |
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d) under section 191 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of reorganization; |
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d) en vertu de larticle 191 de la Loi canadienne sur les sociétés par actions , tel quil est indiqué dans les clauses de réorganisation ci-jointes; |
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/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] |
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m ay 1, 2000 / le 1 mai 2000 |
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Director - Directeur |
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Date of Amendment - Date de modification |
Industry Canada |
Industrie Canada |
FORM 4 |
FORMULE 4 |
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ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT |
CLAUSES MODIFICATRICES |
Canada Business |
Loi canadienne sur |
(SECTION 27 OR 177) |
(ARTICLES 27 OU 177) |
Corporations Act |
les sociétés par actions |
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1 - Name of corporation - Dénomination de la société |
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2 - Corporation No.-Nde la société |
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3725529 Canada Inc. |
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372552-9 |
3 - The articles of the above-named corporation are amended as follows: |
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Les statuts de la société mentionnée ci-dessus sont modifiés de la façon suivante: |
To change the name of the Corporation to Computershare Investor Services Inc.
Date |
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Signature |
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Title - Titre |
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April 19, 2000 |
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/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] |
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Chairman of the Board |
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[ILLEGIBLE] |
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Industry Canada |
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Industrie Canada |
Certificate of Amendment |
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Certificat de modification |
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Canada Business
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Loi canadienne sur
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Computershare Investor Services Inc. |
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Services aux investisseurs Computershare inc. |
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372552-9 |
Name of corporation-Dénomination de la société |
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Corporation number-Numéro de la société |
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I hereby certify that the articles of the above-named corporation were amended: |
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Je certifie que les statuts de la société susmentionnée ont été modifiés: |
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a) under section 13 of the Canada Business Corporations Act in accordance with the attached notice; |
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a) en vertu de larticle 13 de la Loi canadienne sur les sociétés par actions , conformément à lavis ci-joint; |
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b) under section 27 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of amendment designating a series of shares; |
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b) en vertu de larticle 27 de la Loi canadienne sur les sociétés par actions , tel quil est indiqué dans les clauses modificatrices ci-jointes désignant une série dactions; |
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c) under section 179 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of amendment; |
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c) en vertu de larticle 179 de la Loi canadienne sur les sociétés par actions , tel quil est indiqué dans les clauses modificatrices ci-jointes; |
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d) under section 191 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of reorganization; |
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d) en vertu de larticle 191 de la Loi canadienne sur les sociétés par actions , tel quil est indiqué dans les clauses de réorganisation ci-jointes; |
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/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] |
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June 29, 2000 / le 29 juin 2000 |
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Director - Directeur |
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Date of Amendment - Date de modification |
Industry Canada |
Industrie Canada |
FORM 4 |
FORMULE 4 |
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ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT |
CLAUSES MODIFICATRICES |
Canada Business |
Loi canadienne sur |
(SECTION 27 OR 177) |
(ARTICLES 27 OU 177) |
Corporations Act |
les sociétés par actions |
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1 Name of corporation - Dénomination de la société |
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2 - Corporation No. - Nde la société |
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Computershare Investor Services Inc. |
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372552-9 |
The articles of the above-named corporation are amended as follows: |
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Les statuts de la société mentionnée ci-dessus sont modifi é s de la façon suivante: |
The articles of the Corporation be amended to authorize the Corporation to use its corporate name in either the existing English version or in the following French version:
Services aux investisseurs Computershare inc.
Date |
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Signature |
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Title - Titre |
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June 27, 2000 |
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/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] |
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Chairman |
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[ILLEGIBLE] |
Letters Patent of |
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Lettres patentes de |
Continuance |
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prorogation |
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Trust and Loan |
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Loi sur les sociétés |
Companies Act |
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de fiducie et de prét |
The Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions), on behalf of the Minister of Finance and pursuant to section 33 of the Trust and Loan Companies Act: |
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Au nom du ministre des Finances, et en vertu de Particle 33 de la Loi sur les sociétés de fiducie et de prét, le secr é taire dÉtat (Institutions financi é res internationales) : |
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· continues Computershare Investor Services Inc., a company incorporated under Canada Business Corporations Act, as a company under the Trust and Loan Companies Act; |
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· proroge Computershare Investor Services Inc., une société constituée aux termes de la Loi sur les sociétés par actions, comme une société sous le regime de la Loi sur les sociétés de fiducie et de prét; |
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· declares that the name of the company is Computershare Trust Company of Canada: |
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· Statue que la dénomination sociale de la société est Société de fiducie Computershare du Canada; |
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· declares that the head office of the company shall be in the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario; and |
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· fixe le siege de la société dans la ville de Toronto, dans la province de IOntario; |
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· declares that these letters patent arc effective on January 9, 2001. |
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· Statue que ces lettres patentes entrent en vigueur le 9 janvier 2001. |
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Date: January 9, 2001 |
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Date: Le 9 janvier 2001 |
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/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] |
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Secretary of State |
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(International Financial Institutions) |
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Le secrétaire dÉtat |
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(Institutions financiéres internationales) |
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Exhibit 2 to Form T-6
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Office of the Superintendent of Financial
Institutions
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Order to Commence and Carry |
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Autorisation de fonctionnement |
on Business |
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Trust and Loan Companies Act |
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Loi sur les sociétés de fiducie et |
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de prêt |
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Whereas on January 9, 2001, Computershare Trust Company of Canada was continued as a company under the Trust and Loan Companies Act, and therefore, pursuant to subsection 52(4) of the Act, I approve the commencement and carrying on of business by Computershare Trust Company of Canada and authorise the company to carry on the activities referred to in section 412 of that Act. |
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Attendu que le 9 janvier 2001, Société de fiducie Computershare du Canada a été prorogée comme une société sous la Loi sur les sociétés de fiducie et de prêt, et à ces causes, en vertu du paragraphe 52(4) de ladite Loi, jautorise la Société de fiducie Computershare du Canada à commencer a fonctionner ainsi quà exercer les activités mentionnées à larticle 412 de la Loi. |
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This Order is effective on January 9, 2001. |
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La présente ordonnance entre en vigueur le 9 janvier 2001. |
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/s/ John Palmer |
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John Palmer |
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Superintendent/Surintendant |
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Exhibit 3 to Form T-6
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
BY-LAW NO. 4, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED
Section 2.4 Execution of Instruments
Deeds, transfers, assignments, contracts, obligations, certificates and other instruments may be signed on behalf of the Company by any two of the directors, Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, Executive Vice-Presidents, Senior Vice-Presidents, Regional Vice-Presidents or Vice-Presidents. In addition, the board of directors or any two of the Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, Executive Vice-Presidents, Senior Vice-Presidents, Regional Vice-Presidents or Vice-Presidents may from time to time direct the manner in which and the person or persons by whom any particular instrument or class of instruments may or shall be signed. Any signing officer may affix the corporate seal to any instrument requiring the same.
CERTIFIED to be a true and exact copy of an extract from By-Law No. 4 of the By-Laws of Computershare Trust Company of Canada, which By-Law is in full force and effect as of the date hereof.
DATED at Toronto, this 13 th day of August, 2010.
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/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] |
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Assistant Secretary |
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA (the Company)
RESOLUTION REGARDING
EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS AND COUNTERSIGNATURES
RESOLVED that pursuant to the authority of the Board of Directors under the terms of Section 2.4 of By-Law No. 4 of the Company, the Company hereby makes the following designations, which shall supersede any previous designations pursuant to such By-law:
1. THAT for the purposes of this designation each person listed on the attached pages shall be designated as a Signing Officer of the Company as a holder of the positions set out next to his or her name for so long as each person remains an employee of the Company.
2. THAT for the purposes of this designation the Officers and Signing Officers of the Company shall be divided into the following classes:
CLASS A |
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CLASS B |
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CLASS C |
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President |
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General Manager |
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Manager, Administration |
Chief Executive Officer |
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Branch Manager |
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Manager, Disbursements |
Chief Financial Officer |
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Director, Broker Products |
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Manager, Investor Services |
Controller |
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Regional Manager, Service |
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Manager, Trade Processing |
Executive Vice President |
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Delivery |
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Manager, Transfer Processing |
Senior Vice President |
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Manager, Client Services |
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Professional, Administrative Services |
Vice President |
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Manager, Corporate Actions |
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Professional, Product Specialist |
Treasurer |
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Manager, Corporate |
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Professional, SEDAR |
Secretary |
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Administration |
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Professional, Transfers |
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Manager, Corporate Trust |
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Team Leader, Corporate Actions |
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Manager, Employee Plans |
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Team Leader, Legals |
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Manager, MBS |
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Team Leader, Research |
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Manager, Oil Royalties |
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Team Leader, Security Flow |
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Manager, Stock Transfer |
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Team Leader, Trust Investments |
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Manager, Stock Transfer & |
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Administrator, Audit |
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Client Services |
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Administrator, Client Services |
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Manager, Stock |
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Administrator, Corporate Actions |
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Transfer/Operations |
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Administrator, Corporate Trust |
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Professional, Client Services |
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Administrator, Escrows |
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Professional, Corporate Actions |
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Administrator, Stock Transfer |
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Professional, Corporate Trust |
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Professional, Employee Plans |
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Professional, MBS |
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Professional, Service Delivery |
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Professional, Stock Transfer |
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3. THAT, any two Signing Officers listed in Class A or B, or both, or any one Class A or B Signing Officer together with one Class C Signing Officer may represent and act in the name of the Company, but only in the ordinary course of the Companys trust and agency services business activities including, without limitation, transfer agency, record keeping, plan administration and debt trusteeship. The above mentioned Signing Officers, on behalf of the Company, shall be authorized:
(a) to execute and deliver all affidavits, agreements, certificates, contracts, deeds, indentures, notices, undertakings, conveyances or other documents required in the course of its operations including, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, documents evidencing any assignment, charge, co-ownership of immoveable, conveyance, deposit, exchange, habitation, hypothec, insurance, lease, lien, loan, mortgage, partnership, pledge, privilege, purchase, registration of real rights, retrocession, sale, suretyship, usufruct or other like documents;
(b) to secure any loans or other sums owed by way of mortgage, hypothec, lien or other charges upon property, real or personal, moveable or immovable;
(c) to acquire, convey, dispose or sell, in whole or in part, by way of public or private sale, by auction or otherwise, of said property so mortgaged, hypothecated or otherwise given as security;
(d) to grant easements, encumbrances, servitudes, rights of way and other charges and liens upon immovable or real property;
(e) to grant partial or total acquittances, discharges, mainlevées and releases, with or without consideration, of charges, hypothecs, liens, mortgages, pledges, privileges and of any effect of a giving-in-payment clause or of a resolutory clause;
(f) to execute and deliver all agreements, contracts, deeds or other documents pertaining to the administration, the custody or the transfer of bonds, certificates of deposits, debentures, notes, options, shares, warrants or like securities and to receive funds and invest same in said instruments; and
(g) to accept, convey, issue, purchase, receive, sell, subscribe for or transfer bonds, certificates of deposits, debentures, notes, options, shares, warrants or like securities.
The Signing Officers are authorized to exercise all powers, responsibilities and rights and to execute all obligations required under the terms of any affidavit, agreement, certificate, contract, deed, indenture, notice or other empowering document in the course of the Companys operations and generally to do all such things as are necessary and useful to the fulfillment of the above objects, subject to any limitations imposed by law, in order to give full effect and purpose to the foregoing.
4. THAT the authorization contained herein does not include contracts and agreements for the purchase of goods and services by the Company for its own use which are excluded from the operation of this authorization.
5. THAT any one Signing Officer from Classes A, B or C, or any combination thereof, may sign and counter-sign bonds, debentures, stock certificates and other securities on behalf of the Company, when it acts as trustee, transfer agent and/or registrar.
6. THAT any Signing Officer may affix the corporate seal to any instrument requiring same.
7. THAT any officer holding a dual position shall sign only once.
DATED at Toronto, Ontario, as of the 3 rd day of March, 2009.
CERTIFIED TRUE COPY
I, Magdalena Autea, Assistant Secretary of Computershare Trust Company of Canada, hereby certify that this copy of the Resolution Regarding Execution Of Documents And Countersignatures for Computershare Trust Company of Canada is a true copy of the original which was passed by the Board of Directors on March 3, 2009 and is of full force and effect as of the date hereof.
Certified at Toronto on this 13 th day of August, 2010.
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/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] |
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Assistant Secretary |
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES
/s/ Morag Abraham |
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/s/ Ron Binge |
Morag Abraham, Professional, Corporate Trust |
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Ron Binge, Professional, Corporate Trust |
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/s/ Shelley Bloomberg |
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/s/ Charles Cuschieri |
Shelley Bloomberg, Manager, Corporate Trust |
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Charles Cuschieri, Administrator, Corporate Trust |
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/s/ Cheryl Davidson |
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/s/ Charles Eric Gauthier |
Cheryl Davidson, Administrator, Corporate Trust |
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Charles Eric Gauthier, General Manager, Corporate Trust |
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/s/ David Ha |
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/s/ Lisa M. Kudo |
David Ha, Professional, Corporate Trust |
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Lisa M. Kudo, Professional, Corporate Trust |
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/s/ Lina Latorre |
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/s/ Annie Yang Lu |
Lina Latorre, Professional, MBS |
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Annie Yang Lu, Professional, MBS |
I, Magdalena Autea, Assistant Secretary of Computershare Trust Company of Canada, hereby certify that each of the above named persons holds the office set out beside his or her name and that the facsimile signature appearing with the name of each such person is a true exact copy of the signature of such person.
Certified at Toronto on this 13 th day of August, 2010.
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/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] |
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Assistant Secretary |
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES
/s/ Scott Markham |
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/s/ Daniel Marz |
Scott Markham, Manager, Corporate Trust |
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Daniel Marz, Professional, Corporate Trust |
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/s/ Michelle Mendonca |
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/s/ Mircho Mirchev |
Michelle Mendonca, Professional, Corporate Trust |
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Mircho Mirchev, Professional, Corporate Trust |
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/s/ Chris Nitsis |
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/s/ Sean Pigott |
Chris Nitsis, Professional, Corporate Trust |
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Sean Pigott, Professional, Corporate Trust |
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/s/ Susanne Pynn |
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/s/ Ann Samuel |
Susanne Pynn, Professional, MBS |
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Ann Samuel, Administrator, Corporate Trust |
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/s/ Michelle Schultz |
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/s/ Mohanie Shivprasad |
Michelle Schultz, Administrator, Corporate Trust |
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Mohanie Shivprasad Administrator, Corporate Trust |
I, Magdalena Autea, Assistant Secretary of Computershare Trust Company of Canada, hereby certify that each of the above named persons holds the office set out beside his or her name and that the facsimile signature appearing with the name of each such person is a true exact copy of the signature of such person.
Certified at Toronto on this 13 th day of August, 2010.
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/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] |
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Assistant Secretary |
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES
/s/ Diane Small |
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/s/ Danny Snider |
Diane Small, Manager, MBS |
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Danny Snider, Professional, Corporate Trust |
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/s/ Stuart Swartz |
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/s/ Patricia Wakelin |
Stuart Swartz, Senior Vice President, Corporate Trust |
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Patricia Wakelin, Professional, Corporate Trust |
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/s/ Kelly Wood |
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/s/ Kemi Atawo |
Kelly Wood, Manager, Administration |
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Kemi Atawo, Professional, Corporate Trust |
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/s/ Stanley Kwan |
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Stanley Kwan, Administrator, Corporate Trust |
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I, Magdalena Autea, Assistant Secretary of Computershare Trust Company of Canada, hereby certify that each of the above named persons holds the office set out beside his or her name and that the facsimile signature appearing with the name of each such person is a true exact copy of the signature of such person.
Certified at Toronto on this 13 th day of August, 2010.
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/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] |
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Assistant Secretary |
Exhibit 4 to Form T-6
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
(the Company )
BY-LAW NO. 4, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED
A by-law relating generally to the transaction of the business and affairs of the Company.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE 1 |
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INTERPRETATION |
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Section 1.1 |
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Definitions |
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1 |
Section 1.2 |
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Conflict With Unanimous Shareholder Agreement |
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2 |
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ARTICLE 2 |
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BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY |
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Section 2.1 |
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Registered Office |
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3 |
Section 2.2 |
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Corporate Seal |
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3 |
Section 2.3 |
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Financial Year |
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3 |
Section 2.4 |
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Execution of Instruments |
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3 |
Section 2.5 |
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Banking Arrangements |
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3 |
Section 2.6 |
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Voting Rights in Other Bodies Corporate |
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3 |
Section 2.7 |
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Divisions |
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4 |
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ARTICLE 3 |
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BORROWING AND SECURITIES |
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Section 3.1 |
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Borrowing Power |
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4 |
Section 3.2 |
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Delegation |
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5 |
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ARTICLE 4 |
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DIRECTORS |
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Section 4.1 |
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Number of Directors and Quorum |
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5 |
Section 4.2 |
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Qualification |
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5 |
Section 4.3 |
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Election and Term |
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6 |
Section 4.4 |
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Removal of Directors |
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6 |
Section 4.5 |
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Termination of Office |
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6 |
Section 4.6 |
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Vacancies |
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6 |
Section 4.7 |
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Action by the Board |
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6 |
Section 4.8 |
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Canadian Majority at Meetings |
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7 |
Section 4.9 |
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Meeting by Telephone |
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7 |
Section 4.10 |
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Place of Meetings |
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7 |
Section 4.11 |
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Calling of Meetings |
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7 |
Section 4.12 |
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Notice of Meeting |
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7 |
Section 4.13 |
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First Meeting of New Board |
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8 |
Section 4.14 |
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Adjourned Meeting |
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8 |
Section 4.15 |
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Regular Meetings |
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8 |
Section 4.16 |
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Chairman |
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8 |
Section 4.17 |
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Votes to Govern |
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9 |
Section 4.18 |
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Conflict of Interest |
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9 |
Section 4.19 |
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Remuneration and Expenses |
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9 |
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ARTICLE 5 |
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COMMITTEES |
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Section 5.1 |
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Committees of the Board |
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9 |
Section 5.2 |
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Conduct Review Committee |
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9 |
Section 5.3 |
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Audit Committee |
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10 |
Section 5.4 |
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Transaction of Business |
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10 |
Section 5.5 |
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Advisory Bodies |
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10 |
Section 5.6 |
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Procedure |
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10 |
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ARTICLE 6 |
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OFFICERS |
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Section 6.1 |
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Appointment |
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10 |
Section 6.2 |
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Chairman of the Board |
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11 |
Section 6.3 |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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11 |
Section 6.4 |
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President |
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11 |
Section 6.5 |
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Vice-President |
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11 |
Section 6.6 |
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Secretary |
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11 |
Section 6.7 |
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Treasurer |
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11 |
Section 6.8 |
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Powers and Duties of Other Officers |
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12 |
Section 6.9 |
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Variation of Powers and Duties |
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12 |
Section 6.10 |
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Term of Office |
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12 |
Section 6.11 |
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Terms of Employment and Remuneration |
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12 |
Section 6.12 |
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Conflict of Interest |
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12 |
Section 6.13 |
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Agents and Attorneys |
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12 |
Section 6.14 |
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Fidelity Bonds |
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12 |
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ARTICLE 7 |
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PROTECTION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND OTHERS |
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Section 7.1 |
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Limitation of Liability |
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13 |
Section 7.2 |
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Indemnity |
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13 |
Section 7.3 |
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Insurance |
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14 |
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ARTICLE 8 |
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SHARES |
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Section 8.1 |
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Allotment of Shares |
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14 |
Section 8.2 |
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Commissions |
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14 |
Section 8.3 |
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Registration of Share Transfer |
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14 |
Section 8.4 |
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Transfer Agents and Registrars |
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14 |
Section 8.5 |
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Non-Recognition of Trusts |
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15 |
Section 8.6 |
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Share Certificates |
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15 |
Section 8.7 |
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Replacement of Share Certificates |
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15 |
Section 8.8 |
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Joint Holders |
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15 |
Section 8.9 |
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Deceased Shareholders |
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16 |
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ARTICLE 9 |
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DIVIDENDS AND RIGHTS |
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Section 9.1 |
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Dividends |
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16 |
Section 9.2 |
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Dividend Cheques |
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16 |
Section 9.3 |
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Non-Receipt of Cheques |
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16 |
Section 9.4 |
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Record Date for Dividends and Rights |
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16 |
Section 9.5 |
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Unclaimed Dividends |
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17 |
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ARTICLE 10 |
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MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS |
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Section 10.1 |
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Annual Meetings |
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17 |
Section 10.2 |
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Special Meetings |
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17 |
Section 10.3 |
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Place of Meetings |
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17 |
Section 10.4 |
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Notice of Meetings |
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17 |
Section 10.5 |
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List of Shareholders Entitled to Notice |
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18 |
Section 10.6 |
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Record Date for Notice |
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18 |
Section 10.7 |
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Meetings Without Notice |
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18 |
Section 10.8 |
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Chairman, Secretary and Scrutineers |
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19 |
Section 10.9 |
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Persons Entitled to be Present |
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19 |
Section 10.10 |
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Quorum |
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19 |
Section 10.11 |
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Right to Vote |
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20 |
Section 10.12 |
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Proxyholders and Representatives |
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20 |
Section 10.13 |
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Time for Deposit of Proxies |
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20 |
Section 10.14 |
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Joint Shareholders |
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21 |
Section 10.15 |
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Votes to Govern |
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21 |
Section 10.16 |
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Show of Hands |
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21 |
Section 10.17 |
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Ballots |
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21 |
Section 10.18 |
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Adjournment |
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22 |
Section 10.19 |
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Resolution in Writing |
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22 |
Section 10.20 |
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Only One Shareholder |
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22 |
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ARTICLE 11 |
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NOTICES |
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Section 11.1 |
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Method of Giving Notices |
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22 |
Section 11.2 |
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Notice to Joint Holders |
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23 |
Section 11.3 |
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Computation of Time |
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23 |
Section 11.4 |
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Undelivered Notices |
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23 |
Section 11.5 |
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Omissions and Errors |
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23 |
Section 11.6 |
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Persons Entitled by Death or Operation of Law |
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23 |
Section 11.7 |
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Waiver of Notice |
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23 |
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ARTICLE 12 |
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EFFECTIVE DATE |
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Section 12.1 |
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Effective Date |
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24 |
Section 12.2 |
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Repeal |
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24 |
BE IT ENACTED as a by-law of the Company as follows:
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
Section 1.1 Definitions.
(1) In the by-laws of the Company, unless the context otherwise requires:
Act means the Trust and Loan Companies Act, and any statute that may be substituted therefor, as from time to time amended.
appoint includes elect and vice versa.
board means the board of directors of the Company.
by-laws means this by-law and all other by-laws of the Company from time to time in force and effect.
cheque includes a draft.
Company means the Company continued under the Act on January 9th, 2001.
letters patent means the letters patent of the Company as from time to time amended or restated.
meeting of shareholders includes an annual meeting of shareholders and a special meeting of shareholders.
non-business day means Saturday, Sunday and any other day that is a holiday as defined in the Interpretation Act (Canada) as from time to time amended.
ordinary resolution means a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders who voted in respect of that resolution or signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote on that resolution.
recorded address means in the case of a shareholder his address as recorded in the securities register; and in the case of joint shareholders the address appearing in the securities register in respect of such joint holding or the first address so appearing if there are more than one; and in the case of a director (subject to the provisions of Section 11.1), officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board, his latest address as recorded in the records of the Company.
resident Canadian means an individual who is:
(a) A Canadian citizen ordinarily resident in Canada;
(b) A Canadian citizen not ordinarily resident in Canada who is a member of a class of persons prescribed in the regulations to the Act, as amended from time to time; or
(c) A permanent resident within the meaning of the Immigration Act and ordinarily resident in Canada, except a permanent resident who has been ordinarily resident in Canada for more than one year after the time at which he first became eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.
signing officer means, in relation to any instrument, any person authorized to sign the same on behalf of the Company by or pursuant to section 2.4.
special meeting of shareholders includes a meeting of any class or classes of shareholders and a special meeting of all shareholders entitled to vote at an annual meeting of shareholders.
special resolution means a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders who voted in respect of that resolution or signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote on that resolution.
unanimous shareholder agreement means a written agreement among all the shareholders of the Company or among all such shareholders and a person who is not a shareholder or a written declaration of the beneficial owner of all of the issued shares of the Company that restricts, in whole or in part, the powers of the directors to manage the business and affairs of the Company, as from time to time amended.
(2) Save as aforesaid, words and expressions defined in the Act have the same meanings when used herein. Words importing the singular number include the plural and vice versa; words importing gender include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders; and words importing a person include an individual, partnership, association, body corporate, unincorporated organization, trustee, executor, administrator and legal representative.
Section 1.2 Conflict With Unanimous Shareholder Agreement.
Where any provision in the by-laws conflicts with any provision of a unanimous shareholder agreement the provision of such unanimous shareholder agreement shall govern.
ARTICLE 2
BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY
Section 2.1 Registered Office.
The registered office of the Company shall be at the place within Canada from time to time specified in the articles and at such address therein as the board may from time to time determine.
Section 2.2 Corporate Seal.
Until changed by the board, the corporate seal of the Company shall be in the form impressed hereon.
Section 2.3 Financial Year.
Until changed by the board, the financial year of the Company shall end on the last day of December in each year.
Section 2.4 Execution of Instruments.
Deeds, transfers, assignments, contracts, obligations, certificates and other instruments may be signed on behalf of the Company by any two of the directors, Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, Executive Vice-Presidents, Senior Vice-Presidents, Regional Vice-Presidents or Vice-Presidents. In addition, the board of directors or any two of the Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, Executive Vice-Presidents, Senior Vice-Presidents, Regional Vice-Presidents or Vice-Presidents may from time to time direct the manner in which and the person or persons by whom any particular instrument or class of instruments may or shall be signed. Any signing officer may affix the corporate seal to any instrument requiring the same.
Section 2.5 Banking Arrangements.
The banking business of the Company including, without limitation, the borrowing of money and the giving of security therefor, shall be transacted with such banks, trust companies or other bodies corporate or organizations or persons as may from time to time be designated by or under the authority of the board. Such banking business or any part thereof shall be transacted under such agreements, instructions and delegations of powers as the board may from time to time prescribe or authorize.
Section 2.6 Voting Rights in Other Bodies Corporate.
The person or persons authorized under Section 2.4 may execute and deliver proxies and arrange for the issuance of voting certificates or other evidence of the right to exercise the voting rights attaching to any securities held by the Company. Such instruments, certificates or other evidence shall be in favour of such person or
persons as may be determined by the said person or persons executing such proxies or arranging for the issuance of voting certificates or such other evidence of the right to exercise such voting rights. In addition, the board may from time to time direct the manner in which and the person or persons by whom any particular voting rights or class of voting rights may or shall be exercised.
Section 2.7 Divisions.
The board may cause the business and operations of the Company or any part thereof to be divided or segregated into one or more divisions upon such basis, including without limitation, character or type of businesses or operations, geographical territories, product lines or goods or services as the board may consider appropriate in each case. From time to time the board or, if authorized by the board, the chief executive officer may authorize, upon such basis as may be considered appropriate in each case:
(a) Sub-Division and Consolidation. The further division of the business and operations of any such division into sub-units and the consolidation of the business and operations of any such divisions and sub-units;
(b) Name. The designation of any such division or sub-unit by, and the carrying on of the business and operations of any such division or sub-unit under, a name other than the name of the Company; provided that the Company shall set out its name in legible characters in all contracts, invoices, negotiable instruments and orders for goods or services issued or made by or on behalf of the Company; and
(c) Officers. The appointment of officers for any such division or sub-unit, the determination of their powers and duties, and the removal of any such officer so appointed without prejudice to such officers rights under any employment contract or in law, provided that any such officers shall not, as such, be officers of the Company, unless expressly designated as such.
ARTICLE 3
BORROWING AND SECURITIES
Section 3.1 Borrowing Power.
(1) Without limiting the borrowing powers of the Company as set forth in the Act, the board may from time to time on behalf of the Company, without authorization of the shareholders:
(a) Borrow money upon the credit of the Company;
(b) Issue, reissue, sell or pledge bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness or guarantee of the Company, whether secured or unsecured;
(c) To the extent permitted by the Act, give a guarantee on behalf of the Company to secure performance of any present or future indebtedness, liability or obligation of any person; and
(d) Charge, mortgage, hypothecate, pledge, or otherwise create a security interest in all or any currently owned or subsequently acquired real or personal, movable or immovable, property of the Company, including book debts, rights, powers, franchises and undertakings, to secure any such bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness or guarantee or any other present or future indebtedness, liability or obligation of the Company.
(2) Nothing in this section limits or restricts the borrowing of money by the Company on bills of exchange or promissory notes made, drawn, accepted or endorsed by or on behalf of the Company.
Section 3.2 Delegation.
The board may from time to time delegate to a committee of the board, one or more directors or officers of the Company or any other person as may be designated by the board all or any of the powers conferred on the board by section 3.1 or by the Act to such extent and in such manner as the board shall determine at the time of each such delegation.
ARTICLE 4
DIRECTORS
Section 4.1 Number of Directors and Quorum.
Until changed in accordance with the Act, the board shall consist of not fewer than one (1) director and not more than ten (10) directors. Subject to section 4.8, the quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the board shall consist of a majority of the number of directors or such greater number of directors as the board may from time to time determine.
Section 4.2 Qualification.
No person shall be qualified for election as a director if he is less than 18 years of age; if he is of unsound mind and has been so found by a court in Canada or elsewhere; if he is not an individual; or if he has the status of a bankrupt. A director need not be a shareholder. A majority of the directors shall be resident Canadians.
Section 4.3 Election and Term.
The election of directors shall take place at the first meeting and thereafter at each annual meeting of shareholders and all the directors then in office shall retire but, if qualified, shall be eligible for re-election. The number of directors to be elected at any such meeting shall, if a minimum and maximum number of directors is authorized, be the number of directors then in office unless the directors or the shareholders otherwise determine or shall, if a fixed number of directors is authorized, be such fixed number. The election shall be by ordinary resolution. If an election of directors is not held at the proper time, the incumbent directors shall continue in office until their successors are elected.
Section 4.4 Removal of Directors.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, the shareholders may by ordinary resolution passed at a special meeting of shareholders called for such purpose remove any director from office and the vacancy created by such removal may be filled at the same meeting, failing which it may be filled by the board.
Section 4.5 Termination of Office.
A director ceases to hold office when he dies; he is removed from office by the shareholders; he ceases to be qualified for election as a director; or his written resignation is sent or delivered to the Company, or, if a time is specified in such resignation, at the time so specified, whichever is later.
Section 4.6 Vacancies.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, a quorum of the board may fill a vacancy in the board, except a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number or minimum number of directors specified in the articles or from a failure of the shareholders to elect the number or minimum number of directors specified in the articles. In the absence of a quorum of the board, or if the vacancy has arisen from a failure of the shareholders to elect the number or minimum number of directors specified in the articles, the directors then in office shall forthwith call a special meeting of shareholders to fill the vacancy. If such directors fail to call such meeting or if there are no such directors then in office, any shareholder may call the meeting.
Section 4.7 Action by the Board.
Subject to any unanimous shareholder agreement, the board shall manage the business and affairs of the Company. Subject to sections 4.8 and 4.9, the powers of the board may be exercised by resolution passed at a meeting at which a quorum is present or by resolution in writing signed by all the directors entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of the board. Where there is a vacancy in the board, the remaining directors may exercise all the powers of the board so long as a quorum remains in office. Where the Company has only one director, that director may constitute a meeting.
Section 4.8 Canadian Majority at Meetings.
The board shall not transact business at a meeting, other than filling a vacancy in the board, unless a majority of the directors present are resident Canadians, except where:
(a) A resident Canadian director who is unable to be present approves in writing or by telephone or other communications facilities the business transacted at the meeting; and
(b) A majority of resident Canadians would have been present had that director been present at the meeting.
Section 4.9 Meeting by Telephone.
If all the directors of the Company consent, a director may participate in a meeting of the board or of a committee of the board by means of such telephone or other communications facilities as permit all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other, and a director participating in such a meeting by such means is deemed to be present at the meeting. Any such consent shall be effective whether given before or after the meeting to which it relates and may be given with respect to all meetings of the board and of committees of the board.
Section 4.10 Place of Meetings.
Meetings of the board may be held at any place in or outside Canada.
Section 4.11 Calling of Meetings.
Meetings of the board shall be held from time to time at such time and at such place as the board, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or any two directors may determine.
Section 4.12 Notice of Meeting.
Notice of the time and place of each meeting of the board shall be given in the manner provided in Article Eleven to each director not less than 48 hours before the time when the meeting is to be held. A notice of a meeting of directors need not specify the purpose of or the business to be transacted at the meeting except where the Act requires such purpose or business to be specified, including, if required by the Act, any proposal to:
(a) Submit to the shareholders any question or matter requiring approval of the shareholders;
(b) Fill a vacancy among the directors or in the office of auditor;
(c) Issue securities, except in the manner and on the terms authorized by the directors;
(d) Declare dividends;
(e) Purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares issued by the Company;
(f) Pay a commission for the sale of shares;
(g) Approve a management proxy circular referred to in the Act;
(h) Approve a take-over bid circular or directors circular referred to in the Act;
(i) Approve any annual financial statements referred to in the Act; or
(j) Adopt, amend or repeal by-laws.
Section 4.13 First Meeting of New Board.
Provided a quorum of directors is present, each newly elected board may hold its first meeting, without notice, immediately following the meeting of shareholders at which such board is elected.
Section 4.14 Adjourned Meeting.
Notice of an adjourned meeting of the board is not required if the time and place of the adjourned meeting is announced at the original meeting.
Section 4.15 Regular Meetings.
The board may appoint a day or days in any month or months for regular meetings of the board at a place and hour to be named. A copy of any resolution of the board fixing the place and time of such regular meetings shall be sent to each director forthwith after being passed, but no other notice shall be required for any such regular meeting except where the Act requires the purpose thereof or the business to be transacted thereat to be specified.
Section 4.16 Chairman.
The chairman of any meeting of the board shall be the first mentioned of such of the following officers as have been appointed and who is a director and is present at the meeting: chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president or a vice-president. If no such officer is present, the directors present shall choose one of their number to be chairman. If the secretary of the Company is absent, the chairman shall appoint some person, who need not be a director, to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4.17 Votes to Govern.
At all meetings of the board every question shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast on the question. In case of an equality of votes the chairman of the meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote.
Section 4.18 Conflict of Interest.
A director or officer who is a party to, or who is a director or officer of or has a material interest in any person who is a party to, a material contract or proposed material contract with the Company shall disclose the nature and extent of his interest at the time and in the manner provided by the Act and such material interest shall be entered in the minutes of the meetings of directors or otherwise noted in the records of the Company. Any such contract or proposed contract shall be referred to the board or shareholders for approval even if such contract is one that in the ordinary course of the Companys business would not require approval by the board or shareholders. Such a director shall not vote on any resolution to approve the same except as provided by the Act.
Section 4.19 Remuneration and Expenses.
Subject to any unanimous shareholder agreement, the directors shall be paid such remuneration for their services as the board may from time to time determine. The directors shall also be entitled to be reimbursed for travelling and other expenses properly incurred by them in attending meetings of the board or any committee thereof. Nothing herein contained shall preclude any director from serving the Company in any other capacity and receiving remuneration therefor.
ARTICLE 5
COMMITTEES
Section 5.1 Committees of the Board.
The board may appoint one or more committees of the board, however designated, and delegate to any such committee any of the powers of the board except those which pertain to items which, under the Act, a committee of the board has no authority to exercise. A majority of the members of any such committee shall be resident Canadians.
Section 5.2 Conduct Review Committee.
The board shall establish a conduct review committee. The conduct review committee shall have such duties, powers and responsibilities as may be conferred upon it by the Act and such further duties, powers and responsibilities as the board may, by resolution delegate to it. Subject to the Act, the board may from time to time determine the size and composition of the conduct review committee.
Section 5.3 Audit Committee.
The board shall establish an audit committee. The audit committee shall have such duties, powers and responsibilities as may be conferred upon it by the Act and such further duties, powers and responsibilities as the board may, by resolution delegate to it. Subject to the Act, the board may from time to time determine the size and composition of the audit committee.
Section 5.4 Transaction of Business.
Subject to the provisions of section 4.9, the powers of a committee of the board may be exercised by a meeting at which a quorum is present or by resolution in writing signed by all members of such committee who would have been entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of the committee. Meetings of any such committee may be held at any place in or outside of Canada.
Section 5.5 Advisory Bodies.
The board may from time to time appoint such advisory bodies as it may deem advisable.
Section 5.6 Procedure.
Unless otherwise determined by the board, each committee and advisory body shall have power to fix its quorum at not less than a majority of its members, to elect its chairman, and to regulate its procedure.
ARTICLE 6
OFFICERS
Section 6.1 Appointment.
The board shall appoint from their number a chief executive officer. Subject to any unanimous shareholder agreement, the board may from time to time appoint a president, one or more vice-presidents (to which title may be added words indicating seniority or function), a secretary, a treasurer and such other officers as the board may determine, including one or more assistants to any of the officers so appointed. The board may specify the duties of and, in accordance with this by-law and subject to the provisions of the Act, delegate to such officers powers to manage the business and affairs of the Company. The chief executive officer may appoint such officers as he or she may determine and specify such officers duties. At the next meeting of the board of directors following any such appointment by the chief executive officer, the board of directors may confirm the appointment of such officer. In the event that such appointment is not confirmed, such officer shall cease to hold the office appointed by the chief executive officer. Subject to sections 6.2 and 6.3, an officer may but need not be a director and one person may hold more than one office.
Section 6.2 Chairman of the Board.
The board may from time to time also appoint a chairman of the board who shall be a director. If appointed, the board may assign to him any of the powers and duties that are by any provisions of this by-law assigned to the chief executive officer or to the president, and he shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, have such other powers and duties as the board may specify. During the absence or disability of the chairman of the board, his duties shall be performed and his powers exercised by the chief executive officer.
Section 6.3 Chief Executive Officer.
The chief executive officer shall be ordinarily resident in Canada and shall be a director. The chief executive officer, subject to the authority of the board, shall have general supervision of the business and affairs of the Company; and he shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, have such other powers and duties as the board may specify.
Section 6.4 President.
If appointed, the president shall be the chief operating officer and, subject to the authority of the board, shall have such other powers and duties as the board may specify.
Section 6.5 Vice-President.
A vice-president shall have such powers and duties as the board or the chief executive officer may specify.
Section 6.6 Secretary.
The secretary shall enter or cause to be entered minutes of all proceedings of all meetings of the board, shareholders and committees of the board in records kept for that purpose; he shall give or cause to be given, as and when instructed, all notices to shareholders, directors, officers, auditors and members of committees of the board; he shall be the custodian of the stamp or mechanical device generally used for affixing the corporate seal of the Company and of all books, papers, records, documents, and instruments belonging to the Company, except when some other officer or agent has been appointed for that purpose; and he shall have such other powers and duties as the board or the chief executive officer may specify.
Section 6.7 Treasurer.
The treasurer shall keep or cause to be kept proper accounting records in compliance with the Act and shall be responsible for the deposit of money, the safekeeping of securities and the disbursement of the funds of the Company; he shall render or cause to be rendered to the board whenever required an account of all his transactions as treasurer and of the financial position of the Company; and he
shall have such other powers and duties as the board or the chief executive officer may specify.
Section 6.8 Powers and Duties of Other Officers.
The powers and duties of all other officers shall be such as the terms of their engagement call for or as the board or the chief executive officer may specify. Any of the powers and duties of an officer to whom an assistant has been appointed may be exercised and performed by such assistant, unless the board or the chief executive officer otherwise directs.
Section 6.9 Variation of Powers and Duties.
The board may from time to time and subject to the provisions of the Act, vary, add to or limit the powers and duties of any officer.
Section 6.10 Term of Office.
The board, in its discretion, may remove any officer of the Company, without prejudice to such officers rights under any employment contract. Otherwise each officer appointed by the board shall hold office until his successor is appointed, or until his earlier resignation.
Section 6.11 Terms of Employment and Remuneration.
The terms of employment and the remuneration of an officer appointed by the board shall be settled by it from time to time.
Section 6.12 Conflict of Interest.
An officer shall disclose his interest in any material contract or proposed material contract with the Company in accordance with section 4.18.
Section 6.13 Agents and Attorneys.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Company, by or under the authority of the board shall have power from time to time to appoint agents or attorneys for the Company in or outside Canada with such powers of management, administration or otherwise (including the power to sub-delegate) as may be thought fit.
Section 6.14 Fidelity Bonds.
The board may require such officers, employees and agents of the Company as the board deems advisable to furnish bonds for the faithful discharge of their powers and duties, in such form and with such surety as the board may from time to time determine.
ARTICLE 7
PROTECTION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND OTHERS
Section 7.1 Limitation of Liability.
Every director and officer of the Company in exercising his powers and discharging his duties shall act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company and exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. Subject to the foregoing, no director or officer shall be liable for the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of any other director, officer or employee, or for joining in any receipt or other act for conformity, or for any loss, damage or expense happening to the Company through the insufficiency or deficiency of title to any property acquired for or on behalf of the Company, or for the insufficiency or deficiency of any security in or upon which any of the monies of the Company shall be invested, or for any loss or damage arising from the bankruptcy, insolvency or tortious acts of any person with whom any of the monies, securities or effects of the Company shall be deposited, or for any loss occasioned by any error of judgment or oversight on his part, or for any other loss, damage or misfortune whatever which shall happen in the execution of the duties of his office or in relation thereto; provided that nothing herein shall relieve any director or officer from the duty to act in accordance with the Act and the regulations thereunder or from liability for any breach thereof.
Section 7.2 Indemnity.
(1) Subject to the limitations contained in the Act, the Company shall indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer, or a person who acts or acted at the Companys request as a director or officer of a body corporate of which the Company is or was a shareholder or creditor, and his heirs and legal representatives, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of the Company or such body corporate, if:
(a) He acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company; and
(b) In the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, he had reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful.
(2) The Company shall also indemnify such person in such other circumstances as the Act permits or requires. Nothing in this by-law shall limit the right of any person entitled to indemnity to claim indemnity apart from the provisions of this by-law.
Section 7.3 Insurance.
Subject to the Act, the Company may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person referred to in section 7.2 against such liabilities and in such amounts as the board may from time to time determine and as are permitted by the Act.
ARTICLE 8
SHARES
Section 8.1 Allotment of Shares.
Subject to the Act, the articles and any unanimous shareholder agreement, the board may from time to time allot or grant options to purchase the whole or any part of the authorized and unissued shares of the Company at such times and to such persons and for such consideration as the board shall determine, provided that no share shall be issued until it is fully paid as provided by the Act.
Section 8.2 Commissions.
The board may from time to time authorize the Company to pay a reasonable commission to any person in consideration of his purchasing or agreeing to purchase shares of the Company, whether from the Company or from any other person, or procuring or agreeing to procure purchasers for any such shares.
Section 8.3 Registration of Share Transfer.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, no transfer of a share in respect of which a certificate has been issued shall be registered in a securities register except upon presentation of the certificate representing such share with an endorsement which complies with the Act made thereon or delivered therewith duly executed by an appropriate person as provided by the Act, together with such reasonable assurance that the endorsement is genuine and effective as the board may from time to time prescribe, upon payment of all applicable taxes and any reasonable fee, not to exceed $3, prescribed by the board, upon compliance with such restrictions on transfer as are authorized by the articles.
Section 8.4 Transfer Agents and Registrars.
The board may from time to time appoint one or more agents to maintain, in respect of each class of securities of the Company issued by it in registered form, a central securities register and one or more branch securities registers. Such a person may be designated as transfer agent or registrar according to his functions and one person may be designated both registrar and transfer agent. The board may at any time terminate such appointment.
Section 8.5 Non-Recognition of Trusts.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Company may treat as absolute owner of any share the person in whose name the share is registered in the securities register as if that person had full legal capacity and authority to exercise all rights of ownership, irrespective of any indication to the contrary through knowledge or notice or description in the Companys records or on the share certificate.
Section 8.6 Share Certificates.
Every holder of one or more shares of the Company shall be entitled, at his option, to a share certificate, or to a non-transferable written certificate of acknowledgement of his right to obtain a share certificate, stating the number and class or series of shares held by him as shown on the securities register. Such certificates and certificates of acknowledgement of a shareholders right to a share certificate, respectively, shall be in such form as the board may from time to time approve. Any share certificate shall be signed in accordance with section 2.4 and need not be under the corporate seal; provided that, unless the board otherwise determines, certificates representing shares in respect of which a transfer agent and/or registrar has been appointed shall not be valid unless countersigned by or on behalf of such transfer agent and/or registrar. The signature of one of the signing officers or, in the case of a certificate which is not valid unless countersigned by or on behalf of a transfer agent and/or registrar, and in the case of a certificate which does not require manual signature under the Act, the signatures of both signing officers, may be printed or mechanically reproduced in facsimile thereon. Every such facsimile signature shall for all purposes be deemed to be the signature of the officer whose signature it reproduces and shall be binding upon the Company. A certificate executed as aforesaid shall be valid notwithstanding that one or both of the officers whose facsimile signature appears thereon no longer holds office at the date of issue of the certificate.
Section 8.7 Replacement of Share Certificates.
The board or any officer or agent designated by the board may in its or his discretion direct the issue of a new share or other such certificate in lieu of and upon cancellation of a certificate that has been mutilated or in substitution for a certificate claimed to have been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken on payment of such reasonable fee, not to exceed $3, and on such terms as to indemnity, reimbursement of expenses and evidence of loss and of title as the board may from time to time prescribe, whether generally or in any particular case.
Section 8.8 Joint Holders.
If two or more persons are registered as joint holders of any share, the Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate in respect thereof, and delivery of such certificate to one of such persons shall be sufficient delivery to all of them. Any one of such persons may give effectual receipts for the certificate
issued in respect thereof or for any dividend, bonus, return of capital or other money payable or warrant issuable in respect of such share.
Section 8.9 Deceased Shareholders.
In the event of the death of a holder, or of one of the joint holders, of any share, the Company shall not be required to make any entry in the securities register in respect thereof or to make any dividend or other payments in respect thereof; except upon production of all such documents as may be required by law and upon compliance with the reasonable requirements of the Company and its transfer agents.
ARTICLE 9
DIVIDENDS AND RIGHTS
Section 9.1 Dividends.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, the board may from time to time declare dividends payable to the shareholders according to their respective rights and interest in the Company. Dividends may be paid in money or property or by issuing fully paid shares of the Company.
Section 9.2 Dividend Cheques.
A dividend payable in money shall be paid by cheque drawn on the Companys bankers or one of them to the order of each registered holder of shares of the class or series in respect of which it has been declared and mailed by prepaid ordinary mail to such registered holder at his recorded address, unless such holder otherwise directs. In the case of joint holders the cheque shall, unless such joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of all of such joint holders and mailed to them at their recorded address. The mailing of such cheque as aforesaid, unless the same is not paid on due presentation, shall satisfy and discharge the liability for the dividend to the extent of the sum represented thereby plus the amount of any tax which the Company is required to and does withhold.
Section 9.3 Non-Receipt of Cheques.
In the event of non-receipt of any dividend cheque by the person to whom it is sent as aforesaid, the Company shall issue to such person a replacement cheque for a like amount on such terms as to indemnity, reimbursement of expenses, and evidence of non-receipt and of title as the board may from time to time prescribe, whether generally or in any particular case.
Section 9.4 Record Date for Dividends and Rights.
The board may fix in advance a date, preceding by not more than 50 days the date for the payment of any dividend or the date for the issue of any warrant or
other evidence of the right to subscribe for securities of the Company, as a record date for the determination of the persons entitled to receive payment of such dividend or to exercise the right to subscribe for such securities; and notice of any such record date shall be given not less than 7 days before such record date in the manner provided for by the Act. If no record date is so fixed, the record date for the determination of the persons entitled to receive payment of any dividend or to exercise the right to subscribe for securities of the Company shall be at the close of business on the day on which the resolution relating to such dividend or right to subscribe is passed by the board.
Section 9.5 Unclaimed Dividends.
Any dividend unclaimed after a period of 6 years from the date on which the same has been declared to be payable shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company.
ARTICLE 10
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Section 10.1 Annual Meetings.
The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held at such time in each year and, subject to section 10.3, at such place as the board, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, or the president may from time to time determine, for the purpose of considering the financial statements and reports required by the Act to be placed before the annual meeting, electing directors, appointing an auditor, and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.
Section 10.2 Special Meetings.
The board, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, or the president shall have power to call a special meeting of shareholders at any time.
Section 10.3 Place of Meetings.
Meetings of shareholders shall be held at the registered office of the Company or elsewhere in the municipality in which the registered office is situate or, if the board shall so determine, at some other place in Canada or, if all the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting so agree, at some place outside Canada.
Section 10.4 Notice of Meetings.
Notice of the time and place of each meeting of shareholders shall be given in the manner provided in Article Eleven not less than 21 nor more than 50 days before the date of the meeting to each director, to the auditor, and to each shareholder who at the close of business on the record date for notice is entered in the securities
register as the holder of one or more shares carrying the right to vote at the meeting. Notice of a meeting of shareholders called for any purpose other than consideration of the financial statements and auditors report, election of directors and reappointment of the incumbent auditor shall state the nature of such business in sufficient detail to permit the shareholder to form a reasoned judgment thereon and shall state the text of any special resolution to be submitted to the meeting. A shareholder and any other person entitled to attend a meeting of shareholders may in any manner waive notice of or otherwise consent to a meeting of shareholders.
Section 10.5 List of Shareholders Entitled to Notice.
For every meeting of shareholders, the Company shall prepare a list of shareholders entitled to receive notice of the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the number of shares held by each shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting. If a record date for the meeting is fixed pursuant to section 10.6, the shareholders listed shall be those registered at the close of business on such record date. If no record date is fixed, the shareholders listed shall be those registered at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which notice of the meeting is given or, where no such notice is given, on the day on which the meeting is held. The list shall be available for examination by any shareholder during usual business hours at the registered office of the Company or at the place where the central securities register is maintained and at the meeting for which the list was prepared. Where a separate list of shareholders has not been prepared, the names of persons appearing in the securities register at the requisite time as the holder of one or more shares carrying the right to vote at such meeting shall be deemed to be a list of shareholders.
Section 10.6 Record Date for Notice.
The board may fix in advance a date, preceding the date of any meeting of shareholders by not more than 50 days and not less than 21 days, as a record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of the meeting, and notice of any such record date shall be given not less than 7 days before such record date, by newspaper advertisement in the manner provided in the Act. If no record date is so fixed, the record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to receive notice of the meeting shall be at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which the notice is given or, if no notice is given, the day on which the meeting is held.
Section 10.7 Meetings Without Notice.
A meeting of shareholders may be held without notice at any time and place permitted by the Act (a) if all the shareholders entitled to vote thereat are present in person or represented by proxy or if those not present or represented by proxy waive notice of or otherwise consent to such meeting being held, and (b) if the auditors and the directors are present or waive notice of or otherwise consent to
such meeting being held; so long as such shareholders, auditors or directors present are not attending for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called. At such a meeting any business may be transacted which the Company at a meeting of shareholders may transact. If the meeting is held at a place outside Canada, shareholders not present or represented by proxy, but who have waived notice of or otherwise consented to such meeting, shall also be deemed to have consented to the meeting being held at such place.
Section 10.8 Chairman, Secretary and Scrutineers.
The chairman of any meeting of shareholders shall be the first mentioned of such of the following officers as have been appointed and who is present at the meeting: chief executive officer, president, chairman of the board, or a vice-president who is a shareholder. If no such officer is present within 15 minutes from the time fixed for holding the meeting, the persons present and entitled to vote shall choose one of their number to be chairman. If the secretary of the Company is absent, the chairman shall appoint some person, who need not be a shareholder, to act as secretary of the meeting. If desired, one or more scrutineers, who need not be shareholders, may be appointed by a resolution or by the chairman with the consent of the meeting.
Section 10.9 Persons Entitled to be Present.
The only persons entitled to be present at a meeting of shareholders shall be those entitled to vote thereat, the directors and auditor of the Company and others who, although not entitled to vote, are entitled or required under any provision of the Act or the articles or by-laws to be present at the meeting. Any other person may be admitted only on the invitation of the chairman of the meeting or with the consent of the meeting.
Section 10.10 Quorum.
Subject to the Act, a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of shareholders shall be one person present in person, being a shareholder entitled to vote thereat or a duly appointed proxyholder or representative for an absent shareholder so entitled, and holding or representing by proxy not less than 51% of the outstanding shares of the Company carrying voting rights at the meeting. If a quorum is present at the opening of any meeting of shareholders, the shareholders present or represented by proxy may proceed with the business of the meeting notwithstanding that a quorum is not present throughout the meeting. If a quorum is not present at the opening of any meeting of shareholders, the shareholders present or represented by proxy may adjourn the meeting to a fixed time and place but may not transact any other business.
Section 10.11 Right to Vote.
Subject to the provisions of the Act as to authorized representatives of any other body corporate or association, at any meeting of shareholders for which the Company has prepared the list referred to in section 10.5, every person who is named in such list shall be entitled to vote the shares shown thereon opposite his name at the meeting to which such list relates except to the extent that, where the Company has fixed a record date in respect of such meeting pursuant to section 10.6, such person has transferred any of his shares after such record date and the transferee, having produced properly endorsed certificates evidencing such shares or having otherwise established that he owns such shares, has demanded not later than 10 days before the meeting that his name be included in such list. In any such case the transferee shall be entitled to vote the transferred shares at the meeting. At any meeting of shareholders for which the Company has not prepared the list referred to in section 10.5, every person shall be entitled to vote at the meeting who at the time of the commencement of the meeting is entered in the securities register as the holder of one or more shares carrying the right to vote at such meeting.
Section 10.12 Proxyholders and Representatives.
(1) Every shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders may appoint a proxyholder, or one or more alternate proxyholders, who need not be shareholders, to attend and act as his representative at the meeting in the manner and to the extent authorized and with the authority conferred by the proxy. A proxy shall be in writing executed by the shareholder or his attorney and shall conform with the requirements of the Act.
(2) Alternatively, every such shareholder which is a body corporate or association may authorize by resolution of its directors or governing body an individual to represent it at a meeting of shareholders and such individual may exercise on the shareholders behalf all the powers it could exercise if it were an individual shareholder. The authority of such an individual shall be established by depositing with the Company a certified copy of such resolution, or in such other manner as may be satisfactory to the secretary of the Company or the chairman of the meeting. Any such representative need not be a shareholder.
Section 10.13 Time for Deposit of Proxies.
The board may specify in a notice calling a meeting of shareholders a time, preceding the time of such meeting by not more than 48 hours exclusive of non-business days, before which time proxies to be used at such meeting must be deposited. A proxy shall be acted upon only if, prior to the time so specified, it shall have been deposited with the Company or an agent thereof specified in such notice or if, no such time having been specified in such notice, it has been received by the
secretary of the Company or by the chairman of the meeting or any adjournment thereof prior to the time of voting.
Section 10.14 Joint Shareholders.
If two or more persons hold shares jointly, any one of them present in person or duly represented by proxy at a meeting of shareholders may, in the absence of the other or others, vote the shares; but if two or more of those persons are present in person or represented by proxy and vote, they shall vote as one the shares jointly held by them.
Section 10.15 Votes to Govern.
At any meeting of shareholders every question shall, unless otherwise required by the articles or by-laws or by law, be determined by a majority of the votes cast on the question. In case of an equality of votes either upon a show of hands or upon a poll, the chairman of the meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote.
Section 10.16 Show of Hands.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, any question at a meeting of shareholders shall be decided by a show of hands, unless a ballot thereon is required or demanded as hereinafter provided. Upon a show of hands every person who is present and entitled to vote shall have one vote. Whenever a vote by show of hands shall have been taken upon a question, unless a ballot thereon is so required or demanded, a declaration by the chairman of the meeting that the vote upon the question has been carried or carried by a particular majority or not carried and an entry to that effect in the minutes of the meeting shall be prima facie evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against any resolution or other proceeding in respect of the said question, and the result of the vote so taken shall be the decision of the shareholders upon the said question.
Section 10.17 Ballots.
On any question proposed for consideration at a meeting of shareholders, and whether or not a show of hands has been taken thereon, the chairman or any person who is present and entitled to vote, whether as shareholder or proxyholder, on such question at the meeting may demand a ballot. A ballot so required or demanded shall be taken in such manner as the chairman shall direct. A requirement or demand for a ballot may be withdrawn at any time prior to the taking of the ballot. If a ballot is taken each person present shall be entitled, in respect of the shares which he is entitled to vote at the meeting upon the question, to that number of votes provided by the Act or the articles, and the result of the ballot so taken shall be the decision of the shareholders upon the said question.
Section 10.18 Adjournment.
The chairman at a meeting of shareholders may, with the consent of the meeting and subject to such conditions as the meeting may decide, adjourn the meeting from time to time and place to place. If a meeting of shareholders is adjourned for less than 30 days, it shall not be necessary to give notice of the adjourned meeting, other than by announcement at the earliest meeting that is adjourned. Subject to the Act, if a meeting of shareholders is adjourned by one or more adjournments for an aggregate of 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as for an original meeting.
Section 10.19 Resolution in Writing.
A resolution in writing signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of shareholders is as valid as if it had been passed at a meeting of the shareholders unless a written statement with respect to the subject matter of the resolution is submitted by a director or the auditor in accordance with the Act.
Section 10.20 Only One Shareholder.
Where the Company has only one shareholder or only one holder of any class or series of shares, the shareholder present in person or duly represented by proxy constitutes a meeting.
ARTICLE 11
NOTICES
Section 11.1 Method of Giving Notices.
Any notice or document to be given pursuant to the Act, the regulations thereunder, the articles or the by-laws to a shareholder or director of the Company may be sent by prepaid mail addressed to, or may be delivered personally to the shareholder at his latest address as shown in the records of the Company or its transfer agent and the director at his latest address as shown on the records of the Company or in the last notice of directors or notice of change of directors filed under the Act. A notice or document sent in accordance with the foregoing to a shareholder or director of the Company shall be deemed to be received by him at the time it would be delivered in the ordinary course of mail unless there are reasonable grounds for believing that the shareholder or director did not receive the notice or document at the time or at all. The secretary may change or cause to be changed the recorded address of any shareholder, director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board in accordance with any information believed by him to be reliable. The foregoing shall not be construed so as to limit the manner or effect of giving notice by any other means of communication otherwise permitted by law.
Section 11.2 Notice to Joint Holders.
If two or more persons are registered as joint holders of any share, any notice shall be addressed to all of such joint holders but notice addressed to one of such persons shall be sufficient notice to all of them.
Section 11.3 Computation of Time.
In computing the date when notice must be given under any provision requiring a specified number of days notice of any meeting or other event, the date of giving the notice shall be excluded and the date of the meeting or other event shall be included.
Section 11.4 Undelivered Notices.
If any notice given to a shareholder pursuant to section 11.1 is returned on three consecutive occasions because he cannot be found, the Company shall not be required to give any further notices to such shareholder until he informs the Company in writing of his new address.
Section 11.5 Omissions and Errors.
The accidental omission to give any notice to any shareholder, director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board or the non-receipt of any notice by any such person or any error in any notice not affecting the substance thereof shall not invalidate any action taken at any meeting held pursuant to such notice or otherwise founded thereon.
Section 11.6 Persons Entitled by Death or Operation of Law.
Every person who, by operation of law, transfer, death of a shareholder or any other means whatsoever, shall become entitled to any share, shall be bound by every notice in respect of such share which shall have been duly given to the shareholder from whom he derives his title to such share prior to his name and address being entered on the securities register (whether such notice was given before or after the happening of the event upon which he became so entitled) and prior to his furnishing to the Company the proof of authority or evidence of his entitlement prescribed by the Act.
Section 11.7 Waiver of Notice.
Any shareholder, proxyholder, other person entitled to attend a meeting of shareholders, director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board may at any time waive any notice, or waive or abridge the time for any notice, required to be given to him under any provision of the Act, the regulations thereunder, the articles, the by-laws or otherwise and such waiver or abridgement, whether given before or after the meeting or other event of which notice is required to be given, shall cure any default in the giving or in the time of such notice, as the case may be. Any such waiver or abridgement shall be in writing except a waiver of notice of a
meeting of shareholders or of the board or of a committee of the board which may be given in any manner.
ARTICLE 12
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section 12.1 Effective Date.
This by-law shall come into force when made by the board in accordance with the Act.
Section 12.2 Repeal.
All previous by-laws of the Company are repealed as of the coming into force of this by-law. Such repeal shall not affect the previous operation of any by-law so repealed or affect the validity of any act done or right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired or incurred under, or the validity of any contract or agreement made pursuant to, or the validity of any articles or predecessor charter documents of the Company obtained pursuant to, any such by-law prior to its repeal. All officers and persons acting under any by-law so repealed shall continue to act as if appointed under the provisions of this by-law and all resolutions of the shareholders or the board or a committee of the board with continuing effect passed under any repealed by-law shall continue good and valid except to the extent inconsistent with this by-law and until amended or repealed.
Exhibit 6 to Form T-6
Summary Income Statement
Computershare Trust Company of Canada
STATEMENT
OF INCOME, RETAINED EARNINGS AND AOCI
Year to date: End of Q2 - 2010
(in thousands of dollars)
Interest and dividends income |
|
|
|
Deposits with regulated financial institutions |
|
62 |
|
Securities issued or guaranteed by Government of Canada, provinces, municipal or school |
|
|
|
Other Securities |
|
|
|
Loans |
|
|
|
Non-mortgage loans |
|
|
|
Individuals for non-business purposes |
|
|
|
Others |
|
|
|
Mortgages |
|
|
|
Residential |
|
|
|
Non-residential |
|
0 |
|
Other |
|
20,657 |
|
Total interest income |
|
20,719 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
Demand and notice deposits |
|
|
|
Fixed term deposits |
|
|
|
Subordinated debt |
|
0 |
|
Other |
|
4,350 |
|
Total interest expense |
|
4,350 |
|
Net interest income |
|
16,369 |
|
Charge for impairment |
|
101 |
|
Net interest income after charge for impairment |
|
16,268 |
|
Trading Income |
|
0 |
|
Gains (Losses) on instruments held for other than trading purposes |
|
0 |
|
Other Income |
|
|
|
Service charges on retail and commercial deposit accounts |
|
|
|
Credit and debit card service fees |
|
0 |
|
Mortgage, standby, commitment and other loan fees |
|
|
|
Acceptance, guarantees and letter of credit fees |
|
|
|
Investment management and custodial services |
|
31,475 |
|
Mutual(investment) fund, underwriting on new issues and securities commissions and fees |
|
|
|
Foreign exchange revenue other than trading |
|
0 |
|
Insurance related non-interest income (net) |
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
Total non-interest income |
|
31,475 |
|
Net interest and other income |
|
47,743 |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-interest expenses |
|
|
|
Salaries, pensions and other staff benefits |
|
14,040 |
|
Premises and equipment |
|
|
|
Rental of real estate, premises, furniture & fixtures |
|
4,398 |
|
Computers & equipment |
|
1,446 |
|
Other expenses |
|
|
|
Advertising, public relations & business development |
|
275 |
|
Office and general expenses |
|
694 |
|
Capital and business taxes |
|
312 |
|
Professional fees |
|
865 |
|
Other |
|
4,869 |
|
Total non-interest expenses |
|
26,899 |
|
Net income before provision for income taxes |
|
20,844 |
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
|
Current |
|
7,726 |
|
Future Taxes |
|
-1,137 |
|
Net income before equity earnings and non-controlling interests |
|
14,255 |
|
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries |
|
0 |
|
Net income before extraordinary items & discontinued operations |
|
14,255 |
|
Extraordinary items and discontinued operations (net of taxes) |
|
|
|
Net income |
|
14,255 |
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
Net income |
|
14,255 |
|
Other Comprehensive Income (loss) |
|
|
|
Available for sale securities |
|
|
|
Change in unrealized gains and losses |
|
|
|
Equities |
|
0 |
|
Debt |
|
0 |
|
Loans |
|
0 |
|
Reclassification to earnings of (gains)losses |
|
0 |
|
Derivatives designed as cash flow hedges |
|
|
|
Change in unrealized gains and losses |
|
0 |
|
Reclassification to earnings of (gains)losses |
|
0 |
|
Foreign currency translation |
|
|
|
Change in unrealized gains and losses |
|
0 |
|
Impact of hedging |
|
|
|
Other |
|
0 |
|
Total other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
0 |
|
Total comprehensive income (loss) |
|
14,255 |
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net after taxes |
|
|
|
Accumulated gains (losses) on: |
|
|
|
Available for sale securities |
|
|
|
Equities |
|
0 |
|
Debt |
|
0 |
|
Loans |
|
0 |
|
Derivatives designed as cashflow hedges |
|
0 |
|
Foreign currency translation, net of hedging activities |
|
0 |
|
Other |
|
0 |
|
Total |
|
0 |
|
Consolidated Monthly Balance Sheet - Banks, Trust and Loan
Computershare Trust Company of Canada
CONSOLIDATED
MONTHLY BALANCE SHEET
As At July 31, 2010
(in thousands of dollars)
Section I - Assets |
|
Foreign
|
|
Total Currency |
|
1 . Cash and cash equivalent |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Gold, bank notes, deposits with Bank of Canada, cheques and other items in transit |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(b) Deposits with regulated financial institutions, less allowances for impairment |
|
803 |
|
67,197 |
|
(c) Total cash and cash equivalent |
|
803 |
|
|
|
2. Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Securities issues or guaranteed by Canada/Canadian Province/Canadian Municipal or School Corporation |
|
|
|
|
|
(i) Treasury Bills and other short term paper |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(ii)Other securities |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(b) Other securities, less allowance for impairment |
|
|
|
|
|
(i) Debt |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(ii) Shares |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(c) Total securities |
|
0 |
|
|
|
3. Loans |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Non-Mortgage Loans, less allowance for impairment |
|
|
|
|
|
(i) Call and other short loans to investment dealers and brokers, secured |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(ii) To regulated financial institutions |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(iii) To Canadian federal government, provinces, municipal or school corporations |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(iv) To foreign governments |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(v) Lease receivables |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(vi) To individuals for non-business purposes |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(vii) Reverse repurchase agreements |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(viii) To individuals and others for business purposes |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(b) Mortgages, less allowance for impairment |
|
|
|
|
|
(i) Residential |
|
|
|
|
|
(A) Insured |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(B) Of which: NHA MBS reported as mortgages |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(C) Uninsured |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(D) Reverse Mortgages |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(ii) Non-residential |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(c) Total Loans |
|
0 |
|
|
|
4. Customers liability under acceptances, less allowances for impairment |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
5. Land, buildings, and equipment, less accumulated depreciation |
|
0 |
|
3,247 |
|
6. Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Insurance-related assets |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(b) Accrued interest |
|
0 |
|
5,118 |
|
(c) Prepaid and deferred charges |
|
0 |
|
1,994 |
|
(d) Goodwill |
|
0 |
|
6,055 |
|
(e) Intangibles |
|
|
|
|
|
(i) with definite lives |
|
0 |
|
58,163 |
|
(ii) with indefinite lives |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(f) Future Income Taxes |
|
0 |
|
2,041 |
|
(g) Derivatives related amounts |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(h) Due from Head Office and related Canadian regulated Financial Institutions |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(i) Other |
|
30 |
|
27,639 |
|
(j) Total other assets |
|
30 |
|
|
|
Total Assets |
|
833 |
|
171,454 |
|
Computershare Trust Company of Canada
CONSOLIDATED
MONTHLY BALANCE SHEET
As At July 31, 2010
(in thousands of dollars)
Section II - Liabilities |
|
Foreign Currency |
|
Total Currency |
|
1. Demand and notice deposits |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Federal and Provincial |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(b) Municipal or School Corporations |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(c) Deposit-taking institutions |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(d) Individuals |
|
|
|
|
|
(i) Tax sheltered |
|
0 |
|
23,635 |
|
(ii) Other |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(e) Other |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(f) Total demand and notice deposits |
|
0 |
|
|
|
2. Fixed-term deposits |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Federal and Provincial |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(b) Municipal or School Corporations |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(c) Deposit-taking institutions |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(d) Individuals |
|
|
|
|
|
(i) Tax-sheltered |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(ii) Other |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(e) Others |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(f) Total fixed-term deposits |
|
0 |
|
|
|
3. Cheques and other items in transit |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
4. Advances from the Bank of Canada |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
5. Acceptances |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
6. Other liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Liabilities of subsidiaries, other than deposits |
|
|
|
|
|
(i) Call and other short loans payable |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(ii) Other |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(b) Insurance-related liabilities |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(c) Accrued interest |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(d) Mortgages and loans payable |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(e) Income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
(i) Current |
|
0 |
|
1,867 |
|
(ii) Future |
|
0 |
|
1,149 |
|
(f) Obligations related to borrowed securities |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(g) Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(h) Deferred income |
|
0 |
|
5,378 |
|
(i) Derivative related amounts |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(j) Due to Head Office and related Canadian regulated Financial Institutions |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(k) Other |
|
999 |
|
7,625 |
|
(l) Total other liabilities |
|
999 |
|
|
|
7. Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
8. Subordinated debt |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
9. Shareholders equity |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Preferred shares |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(b) Common shares |
|
0 |
|
70,622 |
|
(c) Contributed surplus |
|
0 |
|
17,173 |
|
(d) Retained earnings |
|
|
|
44,005 |
|
(e) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
|
|
|
0 |
|
(f) Total foreign currency shareholders equity |
|
0 |
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
|
999 |
|
171,454 |
|
Exhibit 7 to Form T-6
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM F-X
APPOINTMENT OF AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS AND UNDERTAKING
A. Name of issuer or person filing (Filer): Computershare Trust Company of Canada
B. (1) This is [check one]:
x an original filing for the Filer
o an amended filing for the Filer
(2) Check the following box if you are filing the Form F-X in paper in accordance with Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(9) o
C. Identify the filing in conjunction with which this Form being filed:
D. The Filer is incorporated or organized under the laws of Canada and has its principal place of business at 100 University Avenue, 11th Floor, North Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5J 2Y1 Telephone No.416-263-9200
E. The Filer designates and appoints Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (Agent) located at 350 Indiana Street, Suite 750, Golden, Colorado, 80401 as agent of the Filer upon whom may be served any process, pleadings, subpoenas, or other papers in:
(a) any investigation or administrative proceeding conducted by the Commission; and
(b) any civil suit or action brought against the Filer or to which the Filer has been joined as defendant or respondent, in any appropriate court in any place subject to the jurisdiction of any state or of the United States or of any of its territories or possessions or of the District of Columbia, where the investigation, proceeding or cause of action arises out of or related to or concerns (i) any offering made or purported to be made in connection with the securities registered or qualified by the Filer on Form F-10 on June 17, 2009, or any purchases or sales of any security in connection therewith; (ii) the securities in relation to which the
obligation to file an annual report on Form 40-F arises, or any purchases or sales of such securities; (iii) any tender offer for the securities of a Canadian issuer with respect to which filings are made by the Filer with the Commission on Schedule 13E-4F, 14D-1F or 14D-9F; or (iv) the securities in relation to which the Filer acts as trustee pursuant to an exemption under Rule 10a-5 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The Filer stipulates and agrees that any such civil suit or action or administrative proceeding may be commenced by the service of process upon, and that service of an administrative subpoena shall be effected by service upon such agent for service of process, and that service as aforesaid shall be taken and held in all courts and administrative tribunals to be valid and binding as if personal service thereof had been made.
F. The Filer stipulates and agrees to appoint a successor agent for service of process and file an amended Form F-X if the Filer discharges the Agent or the Agent is unwilling or unable to accept service on behalf of the Filer at any time until six years have elapsed from the date the issuer of the securities to which such forms and schedules relate has ceased reporting under the Exchange Act.
The Filer further undertakes to advise the Commission promptly of any change to the Agents name and address during the applicable period by amendment of this Form, referencing the file number of the relevant form in conjunction with which the amendment is being filed.
G. Each person filing this Form, other than a trustee filing in accordance with General Instruction I.(e) of this Form, undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the Commission staff, information relating to: the Forms, Schedules, and offering statements described in General Instructions I.(a), I.(b), I.(c), I.(d) and I.(f) of this Form, as applicable; the securities to which such Forms, Schedules and offering statements relate; and the transactions in such securities.
The Filer certifies that it has duly caused this power of attorney, consent, stipulation and agreement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Toronto, Canada, this 16th day of August, 2010.
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COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA |
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By: |
/s/ Chris Nitsis |
|
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Name: Chris Nitsis |
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Title: Corporate Trust Officer |
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By: |
/s/ Patricia Wakelin |
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Name: Patricia Wakelin |
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Title: Corporate Trust Officer |
This statement has been signed by the following person in the capacity and on the date indicated.
Authorized Agent in the United States
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
By: |
/s/ John Wahl |
|
|
Name: John Wahl |
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Title: Corporate Trust Officer |
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Date: August 16, 2010 |
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Exhibit 8(a) to Form T-6
MULTIJURISDICTIONAL DISCLOSURE; ELIGIBILITY OF CANADIAN TRUSTEES AND EXEMPTION FOR CANADIAN TRUST INDENTURES FROM SPECIFIED PROVISIONS OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT
File No. S7-19-89 International Series Release No. 244, RIN: 3235-AC64
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Release Nos. 33-6889 , 39-2261; 17 CFR PART 260
1991 SEC LEXIS 395
March 22, 1991
ACTION: Proposed Rules.
SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) is publishing for comment a proposed rule under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (Trust Indenture Act) to permit persons authorized to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to federal supervision or examination under the laws of Canada to act as sole trustees under indentures qualified or to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act in connection with offerings under the Commissions proposed multijurisdictional disclosure system with Canada. If the new proposal, which implements authority recently granted to the Commission by the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990 (Reform Act), is adopted, it appears that the rule changes relating to indenture trusteeships in the Commissions reproposal of the multijurisdictional disclosure system would not be necessary. In addition, public comment is sought on a proposed rule under the general exemptive authority of recently amended Section 304(d) of the Trust Indenture Act to exempt trust indentures of Canadian issuers filing registration statements in the United States under the multijurisdictional disclosure system from the operation of specified [*2] provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. The rule would be available for trust indentures subject to the Canada Business Corporations Act or to the Business Corporations Act, 1982 (Ontario).
DATES: Comment letters should be received on or before [30 days after publication in the Federal Register].
ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Mail Stop 6-9, Washington, D.C. 20549. Comment letters should refer to File No. S7-19-89. All comment letters received will be made available for public inspection and copying in the Commissions Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Felicia Smith or Michael Hyatte, (202) 272-2573, Division of Corporation Finance, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission is proposing for comment new Rules 4d-9 and 10a-5 under the Trust Indenture Act.(1) n1
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND
The Commission is proposing two new rules under the Trust Indenture Act intended to facilitate the implementation of the Commissions proposed Multijurisdictional Disclosure System with Canada (MJDS).(2) Proposed Rule 10a-5 would permit Canadian trustees subject to supervision or examination
(1) 15 U.S.C. 77aaa et seq.
(2) See Release Nos. 33-6879 (October 22, 1990) [ 55 FR 46288 ] (Reproposing Release) and 33-6841 (July 24, 1989) [ 54 FR 32226 ] (Proposing Release).
under the Trust Companies Act (Canada) (CTCA) n3(3) or the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (CDICA)(4) to act as sole indenture trustees for offerings under the MJDS. Proposed Rule 4d-9 would exempt trust indentures subject to the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA)(5) or the Business Corporations Act, 1982 (Ontario) (OBCA)(6) from the operation of specified provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. In proposing these rules, the Commission is exercising authority granted under the amendments to the Trust Indenture Act included in the Reform Act.(7)
The reproposed MJDS would permit Canadian issuers meeting eligibility criteria to satisfy certain securities registration and reporting requirements under the securities laws of the United States through disclosure documents prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian regulatory authorities. Under the Commissions October 1990 reproposal of the MJDS, debt offerings would be subject to all the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act except, as discussed below, the requirement that there be a United States trustee.
In proposing the MJDS, the Commission noted that the U.S. trustee requirement could create an impediment to the efficient use of the multijurisdictional system by Canadian issuers and disrupt established Canadian business practices, because Canadian trust indentures invariably provide for all trustees to be Canadian registered trust companies. . . .(8) Noting that its existing exemptive authority under Section 304(d) of the Trust Indenture Act (9) was limited to case-by-case determinations, and exercisable only through orders, the Commission proposed rules and forms creating procedures for application to the Commission for exemptions from the U.S. trustee requirement for offerings made under the MJDS.(10)
The Reform Act has provided the Commission with the authority to permit foreign persons to act as sole indenture trustees as a class or on a case-by-case basis. This change has eliminated the need for Canadian issuers conducting debt offerings under the MJDS to seek orders for exemption from the U.S. trustee requirement on a case-by-case basis as would have been required under the reproposed MJDS. As the Senate Report notes, [r]ecognizing developments in the internationalization of the securities markets, [amended Section 310(a)(1) (11) authorizes] the Commission to allow, by rule or order, foreign persons to act as sole trustees under a qualified indenture if the foreign persons can exercise trust powers and are subject to regulation substantially equivalent to that applicable to United States trustees.(12) The amended statute further provides that, in granting such permission, the Commission shall consider the eligibility of U.S. institutional trustees to act as sole trustee in the foreign jurisdiction.
The Commission is publishing for public comment proposed Rule 10a-5 relating to the eligibility of Canadian trustees. The rule would permit a Canadian trust company subject to supervision or examination by Canadian federal authorities under the CTCA or the CDICA to act as sole trustee in connection with offerings under the MJDS. It is contemplated that if proposed Rule 10a-5 is adopted previously proposed Rules 4d-1 through 4d-6 would not be necessary.
As a further step toward implementing the MJDS with Canada, the Commission is proposing to exempt trust indentures that are subject to the CBCA or the OBCA from the operation of specified provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. Under its expanded statutory authority, the Commission may, by rule or order, exempt conditionally or unconditionally any indenture from one or more provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. Section 304(d) provides that such exemptive authority may be exercised by the Commission if and to the extent that such exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection
(3) Trust Companies Act (Canada), R.S.C. 1985.
(4) Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, R.S.C. 1985.
(5) Canada Business Corporations Act, R.S.C. 1985 §§ 82 - 93.
(6) Business Corporations Act, 1982 (Ontario), S.O. 1982 §§ 46 - 52.
(7) Title IV, P.L. No. 101-550, 1990 U.S. CONG. AND AD. NEWS (104 Stat.) 2713, 2721-32.
(8) Proposing Release at 32246.
(9) 15 U.S.C. 77ddd (d).
(10) Proposed Rules 4d-1 through 4d-6 and proposed Form T-5. See Proposing Release at 32246-48 and Reproposing Release at 45909-10.
(11) 15 U.S.C. 77jjj (a)(1).
(12) Senate Report No. 101-155, 101st Cong., 2d Sess., 35 (1989) (Senate Report).
of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the Trust Indenture Act. Proposed Rule 4d-9 would exempt trust indentures of issuers that are subject to the CBCA or the OBCA from the operation of Sections 310 through 318 of the Trust Indenture Act,(13) except for paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(5) of Section 310,(14) which specify eligibility standards for institutional trustees, and Section 316(b),(15) which protects the unconditional right of any holder of any indenture security to receive payment of principal and interest when due and payable, and to institute suit for the enforcement of past due payments of principal and interest.
II. DISCUSSION
A. ELIGIBILITY OF CANADIAN TRUSTEES
1. Statutory Requirements
Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act requires that there shall at all times be at least one corporate trustee domiciled in the United States, authorized to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. Through the Reform Act, Congress has recognized that the legislative objectives of the Trust Indenture Act may be fulfilled by corporate trustees organized outside the United States. As amended by the Reform Act, Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act empowers the Commission by rule or by order to permit a corporation or other person organized and doing business under the laws of a foreign country to act as sole trustee under a qualified indenture if such person is authorized under the laws of its domicile to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by the foreign government substantially equivalent to the supervision or examination applicable to institutional trustees in the United States. The amendment requires the Commission to consider the extent to which under the laws of the foreign government a United States institutional trustee is eligible to act as sole trustee in the foreign jurisdiction. (16)
As early as 1946, the Commission noted the substantial comparability in the treatment of indenture trusteeships by the United States and Canada, including the authorization to exercise trust powers and the system of supervision or examination. In Gatineau Power Company,(17) the Commission, acting pursuant to its exemptive authority under Section 304(d) of the Trust Indenture Act (then limited to the indentures of foreign obligors),(18) permitted the Royal Trust Company of Montreal to act as sole indenture trustee under the qualified indenture of a Canadian obligor. In granting its order, the Commission stated that, except for the requirement of domestic organization, the Canadian institutional trustee otherwise met the requirements of eligibility and qualification under Section 310 of the Act.(19)
The first prerequisite under Section 310(a) for the Commission to be able to exercise its authority to permit a foreign entity to act as a sole trustee is that such entity be authorized to exercise trust powers in its home country. In both the United States and Canada, corporations authorized to exercise trust powers are predominantly depositary institutions. Trust companies are organized under federal law in both countries, under state law in the United States, and under provincial law in Canada.
Under the U.S. regulatory scheme for institutional trustees, the Comptroller of the Currency, who has supervisory responsibility for national banks, is authorized to grant special permits to national banks authorizing the exercise of trust powers to the same extent as such powers are allowed to state banks in the
(13) 15 U.S.C. 77jjj - 77rrr.
(14) 15 U.S.C. 77jjj (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(5).
(15) 15 U.S.C. 77ppp (b).
(16) See infra Section II.A.2.
(17) Commission File Nos. 2-6439, 22-548 (June 27, 1946).
(18) Section 304(d) in its original form authorized the Commission, acting on the application of a foreign obligor, to issue orders exempting the issuer from one or more provisions of the Act on a case-by-case basis. The Reform Act generalized the Commissions authority. P.L. 101-550 § 403(2).
(19) Securities and Exchange Commission, Manual of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (1958) (Trust Indenture Act Manual) at 4. See also Trans-Canada Pipe Lines Limited, Commission File Nos. 2-12927 (January 17, 1957).
same jurisdiction.(20) State banking laws create licensing authority for the conduct of corporate trust powers for banks chartered under their authority. For example, a bank that is also authorized as a trust company under New York law has the fiduciary power [t]o take, accept and execute any and all such trusts, duties and powers of whatever nature and description as may be conferred upon or entrusted or committed to it by any persons, or any . . . corporation. (21)
Trust companies eligible to act as indenture trustees under the CTCA and Canadian provincial law(22) are authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers. Under the CTCA, no company may commence the business of exercising trust powers unless it obtains a certificate from the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI).(23) Powers specified in the CTCA include the power to accept and execute all such trusts of every description and nature as are entrusted to it by any government or person, or committed or transferred to it by the order of a judge or by the order, judgment or decree of any court in Canada or elsewhere. (24)
The second prerequisite under Section 310(a) for the Commission to exercise its authority to permit trusteeship by a foreign entity is that the foreign trustee be subject to supervision or examination substantially equivalent to that applicable to U.S. trustees. In the United States and Canada, regulation of trust companies that are also depositary institutions may be effected through federal agencies, through state or provincial agencies, or concurrently by federal and state or provincial agencies. In all cases, the depositary institutions are subject to substantive regulation of business under the supervision and examination of the responsible agencies. The common objective of these regulatory systems is the safety and soundness of the depositary institution. To this end, U.S. and Canadian examination procedures and the licensing and chartering procedures referred to earlier are designed to assess the financial condition, management and systems of internal control of the supervised institution.
National banks in the United States are subject to examination at least annually by the Comptroller of the Currency, (25) a process that includes preparation of an annual report of the banks conduct of trust activities. (26) National banks acting as trustees must segregate assets held in fiduciary capacities from general assets and maintain separate books and records for assets held in fiduciary capacities.(27) Trust powers granted by the Comptroller are subject to revocation if, in the Comptrollers opinion, such powers have been exercised unlawfully or unsoundly. (28)
Depending on where the trustee is incorporated, a Canadian trust company is subject to supervision and examination by a responsible authority under either the CTCA or parallel provincial law. The conduct of corporate trusteeships under indentures is within the regulatory and supervisory power of the federal and provincial authorities. Canadian trust companies formed under provincial laws that participate in the Canadian
(20) National Banking Act, 12 U.S.C. 92a (a).
(21) New York Banking Law, § 100 (McKinneys 1990). The New York statute makes specific reference to indenture trusteeships (To act as trustee under any mortgage or bonds . . . ); such explicit references are not found in all state banking laws.
(22) See, e.g., Loan and Trust Corporations Act (Ontario), 1987, Ont. Stat. c. 33 (OTCA).
(23) CTCA § 15(1).
(24) Id. § 71(b). Similarly, an Ontario corporation may not exercise trust powers unless it has been registered as a trust company. Section 30(1) of the OTCA requires the supervising authority to determine, distinguish, and register corporations required to be registered by the statute. Furthermore, under Section 33 of the OTCA, an application must be rejected if the corporation has not demonstrated that it has the capacity and power to engage in activities of a trust corporation.
(25) National Banking Act, 12 U.S.C. 161, 12 CFR 4.11(a).
(26) 12 CFR 4.11(b)(4).
(27) National Banking Act, 12 U.S.C. 92a (c).
(28) National Banking Act, 12 U.S.C. 92a (k); 12 CFR 9.17(b). Virtually all state-chartered banks that act as trustees under qualified indentures are also subject to federal supervision or examination for standards of safety and soundness through the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Reserve Act, 12 U.S.C. 248 (a), 325, 481, or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Id. 12 U.S.C. 1817.
deposit insurance system are subject to supervision and examination under the CDICA(29) in addition to concurrent provincial regulation.
The CTCA provides an extensive regulatory scheme for corporate trustees subject to federal law. At least annually, such trustees are examined by OSFI.(30) The OSFI describes its fundamental objectives in the examination process to include assessing of financial solvency and ensuring compliance with legislative obligations.(31) The examination of the trust companys condition is required to include inspection of the books of such trustees officers, agents, and employees.(32) The enforcement powers of OSFI include cease and refrain power to correct unsafe or unsound practices and the power to order remedial action as deemed necessary.(33)
Provincially incorporated trust companies that are members of the Canadian deposit insurance system must be examined annually by a representative of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC).(34) The examination report for a CDIC member is required to include the examiners opinion whether the operations of the member institution are conducted according to standards of sound business and financial practice, and whether the institution is in satisfactory financial condition.(35) If the CDIC finds any deficiency in these matters, the CDIC will notify the member of the matter requiring remedial action.(36) If corrective measures are not satisfactory, the institutions membership may be revoked and its deposit insurance terminated.(37)
Based on a review of Canadian law, it appears that the supervision or examination under the CTCA or the CDICA applicable to institutional trustees in Canada is substantially equivalent to supervision or examination applicable to institutional trustees in the United States. Commenters are specifically requested to address the substantial equivalence of the supervision and examination of institutional trustees in Canada to that in the United States. In particular, commenters are invited to identify the significant requirements and procedures, employed in the supervision or examination of institutional trustees by U.S. authorities, that the Commission should consider in determining whether institutional trustees are subject to substantially equivalent supervision and examination by Canadian authorities. Commenters should be aware that these requirements and practices may also have applicability as the Commission considers issuance of rules or orders permitting institutions from other jurisdictions to act as sole trustees.
2. Eligibility of U.S. Institutions to Serve as Trustees in Canada
In addition to the two conditions for the Commission to allow foreign institutions to act as sole trustees, the Trust Indenture Act, as amended, directs that the Commission consider whether under the laws of the foreign jurisdiction a United States institutional trustee would be eligible to act as sole trustee under an indenture
(29) CDICA, §§ 27-30.
(30) CTCA, § 92(1).
(31) OSFI, Examination Framework for Deposit-Taking Institutions at 2.
(32) CTCA § 92(2).
(33) CTCA § 91.1(1). A similar regulatory structure is applicable to Ontario trust companies. For example, Ontario trust companies are subject to supervisory prescriptions including the requirement to file financial and other information with the Superintendent of Deposit Institutions. OTCA § 134. Ontario trust companies are subject to annual examinations by the superintendent. Id. § 184(1). The corporations annual return, which includes financial statements and an auditors report, is required to outline the financial condition and affairs of the corporation for the fiscal year. Id. § 135. Regulations under the Ontario statute prescribe forms, fees, retention of records by the trustee, financial statements and method of preparation, calculation of capital base, auditors reports, and qualifications for officers of the trustee. Id. § 223.
(34) CDICA § 28(1). Provincial trust company regulators in the province of incorporation usually conduct the examination on behalf of CDIC pursuant to arrangements between CDIC and the responsible provincial agency. OSFI conducts some examinations on behalf of CDIC under similar arrangements.
(35) Id. § 29(b) and (c).
(36) Id. § 30(1).
(37) Id. 31.
relating to securities sold in the foreign jurisdiction in question.
The Canadian proposal for a system of multijurisdictional disclosure parallel to MJDS will allow United States issuers to comply with Canadian registration and reporting requirements with the use of disclosure documents prepared in conformity with United States regulations. The system under consideration in Canada also would generally permit United States institutional trustees to serve as sole indenture trustees in offerings under the system by dispensing with requirements that the trustee be a Canadian resident.(38) However, as currently drafted, British Columbia law concerning the residence of the trustee would not be subject to that dispensation.(39) Thus, an issuer offering or selling debt securities in the province of British Columbia would be required to use a trustee that is eligible under British Columbia law.(40) The British Columbia authorities have advised that they intend to seek legislative amendments that would allow United States trustees to serve under indentures in such offerings. However, any such amendment is unlikely to be effected prior to adoption of the MJDS. Comment is requested as to the impact of the current British Columbia requirement. Should adoption of proposed Rule 10a-5 be deferred until a comparable change in British Columbia requirements is adopted? Alternatively, should the rule be revised so that it does not apply to trustees organized under British Columbia law or for securities of obligors organized under British Columbia law?
3. Proposed Rule 10a-5
Proposed Rule 10a-5 would permit a trust company incorporated under the laws of Canada or a political subdivision of Canada that is authorized to carry on the business of a trust company and subject to supervision or examination pursuant to the CTCA or the CDICA (Canadian Trustee) to act as sole trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act for offerings under MJDS by relieving the Canadian Trustee from the requirement of U.S. domicile. The Commission anticipates that adoption of the rule will be considered concurrently with adoption of the MJDS.
Under the proposed rule, each eligible Canadian Trustee would file a consent to service of process and power of attorney on Form F-X, with the registration statement covering the indenture securities to which the trusteeship relates. Otherwise, the rule will be self-executing, requiring no further action by the obligor or the trustee to establish the trustees eligibility under amended Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
No statement of eligibility on Form T-1(41) would be required, because the remaining requirements of Section 310(a) for authorization to exercise corporate trust powers and minimum capitalization would necessarily have been satisfied by a Canadian Trustee. As discussed previously, the Canadian system for registration and incorporation of trust companies effectively provides that only a company so registered or incorporated is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. The $ 150,000 minimum combined capital and surplus requirement of Section 310(a)(2)(42) is met because, under Canadian law, a federally incorporated trust company must have a minimum unimpaired paid-up capital stock of $ 1,000,000 (Can.).(43) Provincially regulated trust companies are similarly subject to capitalization requirements exceeding the amount required by Section 310(a)(2). In Ontario, a minimum capital base of $ 10,000,000 (Can.) is required.(44) In Quebec, the minimum is $ 5,000,000 (Can.) in common shareholders equity.(45) The final standard of Section 310(a), the proscription of trusteeships by the obligor itself or any of its affiliates, is met because, according to Canadian authorities, such a trusteeship would be a fatally impermissible conflict of interest under the CBCA and comparable provincial law.(46) In light of these factors, comment is requested concerning whether Canadian
(38) Draft National Policy Statement No. 45 Multijurisdictional Disclosure System at 24.
(39) Id.
(40) Under Section 98(1) of the Company Act (British Columbia), 1979, (British Columbia Company Act) at least one indenture trustee is required to be eligible to do business in British Columbia, or authorized to conduct trust business under the Financial Institutions Act.
(41) 17 CFR 269.1.
(42) 15 U.S.C. 77jjj (a)(2).
(43) See CTCA § 15(2)(e).
(44) OTCA, § 33(a).
(45) Trust Companies and Savings Companies Act (Quebec), 1987, Rev. Stat. Chap. 95 § 227(4).
(46) See CBCA § 83(1); OBCA § 48(1).
Trustees should nevertheless be required to file the Form T-1 as an exhibit to registration statements under the MJDS, to provide information concerning eligibility under Section 310(a).
As noted above, it appears that, on adoption of proposed Rule 10a-5, the Commissions prior proposal for case-by-case determination of Canadian Trustee eligibility would not be necessary. Commenters are nonetheless requested to address whether it would be preferable to adopt both approaches, as alternative methods of authorizing service by Canadian trustees.
As proposed, the rule would limit the use of Canadian Trustees to offerings under the MJDS. Comment is requested as to whether this limitation is appropriate, or whether Canadian Trustees should be permitted to act as trustees under indentures for offerings other than those eligible under the MJDS.
Comment is also requested on the rules limitation to trustees supervised or examined under the CTCA or the CDICA. The four trust companies that, at the present time, conduct virtually all of the indenture trusteeships in Canada are subject to supervision and examination under either the CTCA or the CDICA.(47) Nonetheless, comments are requested as to whether proposed Rule 10a-5 should be expanded to cover provincially incorporated trust companies not subject to any form of Canadian federal supervision or examination. In this regard, commenters should address the substantial equivalence of the provincial regulatory systems to the system of supervision or examination applicable to institutional trustees in the United States.
B. EXEMPTION OF CANADIAN TRUST INDENTURES FROM SPECIFIED PROVISIONS OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT
1. Trust Indenture Regulation in the United States and Canada
The primary focus of the Trust Indenture Act is the protection of investors in debt securities, including the provision of a means for enforcing the collective rights of holders of such debt securities.(48) Enacted to provide a regulatory scheme for publicly-offered securities issued under trust indentures, the Trust Indenture Act was designed to eliminate those corporate trust practices that were viewed as injurious to the capital markets, to investors, and to the general public,(49) and to provide a mechanism for correcting perceived deficiencies in the trust indenture instrument.(50) In general, the statute provides for appointment of an independent and qualified trustee, (51) fixes preferential collection rights in favor of indenture security holders (holders),(52) establishes means for communication among holders,(53) requires reports to holders from both the obligor(54) and the trustee,(55) prescribes a high standard of care for the trustee, (56) and confers legal standing on the trustee to enforce indenture provisions. (57) As a result of the Reform Act amendments, the statutory
(47) The Canadian securities regulators have advised that currently virtually all of the indenture trustee business is conducted by Central Guaranty Trust Company, a Canada corporation; Montreal Trust, through Montreal Trust Company of Canada, a Canada corporation, and Montreal Trust Company, a Quebec corporation; the National Trust Company, an Ontario corporation; and The Royal Trust Company, a Quebec corporation. Each of the provincially incorporated trust companies is a member of the CDIC.
(48) See Section 302(a) [ 15 U.S.C. 77bbb (a)]; House Report No. 1016, 76th Cong., 1st Sess., (June 30, 1939) (H. Rep. 1016) A. General Statement. Scope of the bill. and B. Objectives and Method of Operation of the Bill. Method of operation of the bill. See also Securities and Exchange Commission, Report on the Study and Investigation of the Work, Activities, Personnel and Functions of Protective and Reorganization Committees. Part VI: Trustees under Indentures (June 18, 1936).
(49) See Section 302(b) [ 15 U.S.C. 77bbb (b)].
(50) H. Rep. 1016 B. Objectives and Method of Operation of the Bill. Correction of trust indenture.
(51) Section 310(a) and (b) [ 15 U.S.C. 77jjj (a) and (b)].
(52) Section 311(a) [ 15 U.S.C. 77kkk (a)].
(53) Section 312(b) and (c) [ 15 U.S.C. 77lll (b) and (c)].
(54) Section 314(a) [ 15 U.S.C. 77nnn (a)].
(55) Section 313(a) and (b) [ 15 U.S.C. 77mmm (a) and (b)].
(56) Section 315 [ 15 U.S.C. 77ooo] .
(57) Section 317(a) [ 15 U.S.C. 77qqq (a)]. See Senate Report at 30-31.
provisions in Sections 310 through 318(a) of the Trust Indenture Act(58) are now deemed part of each indenture to be qualified under the Act by operation of law, and indenture provisions inconsistent with required provisions of the Act have no legal effect.
The Trust Indenture Act provides that debt security holders, as third-party beneficiaries of the indenture contract, will have specific rights under the indenture and the Act. Preeminent among those rights is that no provision of the indenture or of the security may impair or affect the right of any holder of a security issued under the indenture to receive payment of principal and interest, when due and payable, or to sue for past due payments. This right to pursue remedies upon payment default cannot be impaired or affected without such holders individual consent.(59) In addition, the Reform Act clarified that a holder has a private right of action to enforce the rights and duties prescribed by Sections 310-318(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.(60)
The CBCA governs trust indentures (61) n61 for debt obligations issued or to be issued thereunder by a company incorporated or continued (62) under the CBCA in a public distribution.(63) To the extent the trust indenture, indenture securities, or the lien created by the indenture is subject to the law of a province or another country that is substantially equivalent to the CBCA, the Director General of Corporations appointed under Section 260 of the CBCA (64) may exempt the trust indenture from the requirements of the CBCA.(65) The CBCA, among other things, prohibits appointment of any person as indenture trustee with a material conflict of interest, (66) sets forth a high standard of care by the trustee in the exercise of its powers,(67) and provides means for communication among holders.(68)
The CBCA and OBCA provisions governing trust indentures are modeled on the investor protection provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.(69) Several of the legislative objectives of the CBCA are drawn from the Necessity for Regulation embodied in Section 302 of the Trust Indenture Act,(70) including providing (a) full and fair disclosure at issuance and throughout the life of the indenture securities, (b) means by which holders may on the basis of the disclosure provided take concerted action to protect their interests, and (c) the services of a disinterested trustee who in the administration of its trust will conform to the high standards of conduct now observed by the more conscientious trust institutions.(71) The CBCA, which requires the parties to the indenture to adhere to standards and obligations imposed by the statute, is
(58) 15 U.S.C. 77aaa - 77rrr(a).
(59) Section 316(b) [ 15 U.S.C. 77ppp (b)].
(60) Section 322(b) [ 15 U.S.C. 77vvv (b)].
(61) CBCA § 82(1) (any deed, indenture or other instrument, including any supplement or amendment thereto, made by a corporation after its incorporation or continuance under this Act, under which the corporation issues debt obligations and in which a person is appointed as trustee for the holders of the debt obligations issued thereunder). See also OBCA § 46(1)(b).
(62) See id. § 3(1) (making the CBCA applicable to every corporation incorporated thereunder and every body corporate continued as a corporation under the CBCA that has not been discontinued thereunder). Thus, those corporations incorporated by Act of Parliament or by provincial acts and who would become subject to the CBCA were not required to dissolve and form de novo under the CBCA, but instead would be deemed to have continued their corporate existence under the new statute.
(63) Id. § 82(2). Compare OBCA § 46(2) (applicable if debt securities are offered by prospectus in Ontario).
(64) See id. § 2(1).
(65) Id. § 82(3). See infra note 93 for a discussion of the limited use of this authority.
(66) Id. § 83(1). See also OBCA § 48(1).
(67) Id. § 91 (trustee required to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the holders and exercise the care, diligence and skill of a reasonably prudent trustee). See also OBCA § 47.
(68) Id. § 85(1) (a holder of indenture securities may require the trustee to furnish information on holders of securities issued under the indenture). See also, OBCA § 52 (providing that any person may require the trustee to provide a list containing information similar to that required by CBCA § 85(1)).
(69) 15 U.S.C. 77jjj -77rrr(a).
(70) 15 U.S.C. 77bbb .
(71) Canada Business Corporations Act (CCH) Canada Corp. L. Rep. P4910 at 1390-1391 (1989) (Canada Corp. L. Rep.).
self-executing.(72)
The Trust Indenture Act and the CBCA include many comparable investor protection provisions. For example, each statute recognizes the pivotal role of an independent trustee in the administration of the indenture on behalf of widely-dispersed public debt security holders. While the Trust Indenture Act establishes a finite list of enumerated relationships (73) that upon default under the indenture would be disqualifying conflicts of interest, (74) the CBCA has a general prohibition on any material conflict of interest. (75)
Similarly, the reasonably prudent trustee standard of care (76) mandated by the CBCA provides that trustees under Canadian indentures are subject to standards comparable to those applicable to trustees under the Trust Indenture Act.(77) Neither statute permits exculpatory provisions in the indenture; (78) the prohibition under the CBCA is extended to include any agreement between the trustee and holders of debt obligations, or the trustee and issuers or guarantors. (79)
Finally, investors under each statute are provided timely information on the securities and obligor, (80) and afforded the means to collectively enforce their rights under the trust indenture. For example, each statute requires the trustee to provide information on security holders to persons who satisfy the statutory prerequisites.(81) Thus, information on defaults and the means to communicate with other holders concerning common interests under the indenture are present.
In one important respect, however, CBCA regulation of trust indentures does not correspond to the investor protection mandated by Sections 310 to 318 of the Trust Indenture Act. The CBCA does not contain a provision comparable to Section 316(b) of the Trust Indenture Act,(82) which affords substantive protection to holders. (83) That section provides that each holder has a right to receive payments of principal and interest, when due and payable, and to institute suit therefor. It is intended to protect minority holders from debt readjustment plans that are not supervised by a bankruptcy court, (84) and is a central part of the protections afforded by the Trust Indenture Act.
The OBCA(85) contains provisions that are virtually identical to the provisions of the CBCA. The OCBA is applicable to all trust indentures used in connection with debt offerings made by prospectus in Ontario
(72) Id. at 1390 (the federal act and the OBCA establish a basic code of behavior for trustees under trust indentures). The CBCA imposes statutory standards that are applicable irrespective of any contradictory term in a trust indenture, R. A. Kingston, Canada Corporation Manual at 6-101; and the provisions with respect to the conduct of trustees applies to all current trust indentures, whether or not other provision has been made in this regard, see Canada Corp. L. Rep. P5085 at 1409.
(73) Id. P4935 at 1397-1398. See also, Trust Indenture Act Manual at 10-11.
(74) Sections 310(b)(1)-310(b)(10) [ 15 U.S.C. 77jjj (b)(1)-77jjj(b)(10)].
(75) CBCA § 83(1). See also OBCA § 48(1).
(76) See id. § 91. See also OBCA § 47(1).
(77) Section 315(c) [ 15 U.S.C. 77ooo (c)].
(78) Section 315(d) [ 15 U.S.C. 77ooo (d)].
(79) CBCA § 93. See also, Canada Corp. L. Rep. P5085.
(80) Section 315(b) [ 15 U.S.C. 77ooo (b)]; CBCA § 90. See also OBCA § 51(1). While the Trust Indenture Act does not authorize a trustee to withhold notice of payment defaults, the CBCA and the OBCA would authorize the trustee to withhold notice, if such trustee believes that to be in the best interests of the holders. In any event, such trustee would be required to notify the issuer or guarantor of its determination.
(81) Section 312(b) [ 15 U.S.C. 77lll (b)]; CBCA § 85(1). See OBCA § 52. See also, supra note 68.
(82) 15 U.S.C. 77ppp (b).
(83) Trust Indentures. Hearings on H.R. 2191 and H.R. 5220 before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. House of Representatives, 76th Cong., 1st Sess. 284-85 (1939).
(84) Id. at 285.
(85) OBCA §§ 46-52.
whether or not made by an Ontario corporation. Several other Canadian political subdivisions(86) also have enacted statutes regulating trust indentures, which appear to be modeled on the CBCA. With the exception of the British Columbia Company Act, these statutes are applicable only to issuers incorporated under such statutes. The OBCA(87) has a provision permitting exemptions from its requirements relating to trust indentures for indentures prepared in accordance with the trust indenture regulations in other jurisdictions, but that exemptive authority has never been used.
Certain Canadian political subdivisions have no legislation regulating trust indentures (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec). Most debt offerings made in those provinces by prospectus are also made by prospectus in Ontario, in which case the trust indenture requirements of the OBCA apply.
The British Columbia Company Act appears to have several variations from the CBCA. While a number of those variations appear to be insignificant,(88) there may be substantive differences relating to the conflict of interest standard(89) and the duty of care by the trustee in exercising its powers and discharging its duties(90) under the indenture.
2. Proposed Rule 4d-9.
In light of the comparability of the investor protection of the Act, the CBCA and the OBCA, it appears to be in the public interest to facilitate offerings under the MJDS by exempting indentures subject to the CBCA or the OBCA from most provisions of the Act. As proposed, Rule 4d-9 would exempt from the operation of Sections 310(a)(3) and (4), Sections 310(b) through 316(a), and Sections 316(c) through 318(a) of the Trust Indenture Act any trust indenture subject to the CBCA or the OBCA. Thus, where an MJDS issuer was not federally incorporated, but was incorporated in a Canadian province, the exemption would be available provided debt securities were being offered by prospectus in Ontario, because the trust indenture would be subject to the OBCA. Because neither the CBCA nor the OBCA contains a provision comparable to Section 316(b) of the Act, Rule 4d-9 as proposed would not contain an exemption from Section 316(b), and Section 316(b) would be applicable to indentures for MJDS offerings as a matter of law. Thus, protection against impairment of the right to principal and interest without an individual holders consent would be in force. In addition, the proposed Rule would not provide an exemption from the trustee eligibility standards of Section 310(a)(1), (a)(2) and (a)(5) concerning authority to exercise corporate trust powers, capital and surplus, and prohibited obligor-trustee conflicts. A trustee permitted to serve under proposed Rule 10a-5 would meet those
(86) See Business Corporations Act of Alberta, Alta. Stat. c. B-15 (1981) §§ 77-88; The Company Act of British Columbia, B.C. Rev. Stat. c. 59 (1979) (British Columbia Company Act) §§ 96-107; The Corporations Act of Manitoba, Man. Rev. Stat. c. C225 (1987) §§ 77-88; The Corporations Act of Newfoundland, Nfld. Stat. c. 12 (1986) (Newfoundland Corporations Act) §§ 141-154; The Business Corporations Act of Saskatchewan, Sask. Rev. Stat. c. B-10 (1978) §§ 77-88; and Business Corporations Act of the Yukon, Yuk. Rev. Stat. c. 15 (1986) §§ 82-93.
(87) OBCA § 46(4). This exemptive authority may be exercised to the extent the Ontario Securities Commission is satisfied that it would not be prejudicial to the public interest.
(88) Section 97 of the British Columbia Company Act makes the provisions regulating trust indentures applicable, unless certain limited securities act exemptions are available, which has the effect of excluding coverage if no public distribution occurs. See CBCA § 82(2). Rather than imposing monetary fines and/or imprisonment for misuse of an indenture security holders list (compare CBCA § 85(6)), Section 99(4) of the BCCA provides that an indenture security holder may apply to the court for an order compelling the trustee to furnish the bondholders list.
(89) Section 98(2) of the British Columbia Company Act prohibits appointment of a trustee if a material conflict of interest exists in its fiduciary role as trustee, which differs from the CBCA restriction of a conflict in such trustees role in any other capacity. Compare CBCA § 83(1).
(90) The trustee is required by Section 105(a) of the British Columbia Company Act to act in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner. Compare CBCA § 91(a) (trustee to act honestly and in good faith). It appears that to the extent the prudent trustee standard is modified by a requirement that such trustee act in a commercially reasonable manner, the British Columbia Company Act may not offer protection to investors comparable to that provided by the prudent man standard of Section 315(c) of the Trust Indenture Act [ 15 U.S.C. 77ooo (c)].
standards.
Trust indenture laws of several Canadian political subdivisions appear to offer investor protection comparable to that provided by the CBCA and OBCA.(91) Comment is specifically requested concerning whether the proposed exemption should be expanded to include trust indentures subject to other comparable Canadian political subdivisions laws.
The Ontario authorities have advised that in connection with MJDS they intend to use their existing exemptive authority under Section 46(4)(92) to provide a blanket exemption from the OBCAs requirements for trust indentures subject to the Trust Indenture Act which are used by United States issuers in connection with offerings under the multijurisdictional disclosure system. With the exception of British Columbia, those other Canadian political subdivisions that have statutes regulating trust indentures would not be required to take similar action because those statutes are only applicable to companies incorporated in those jurisdictions.(93)
With respect to British Columbia, the British Columbia Company Act currently does not contain exemptive authority. Thus, any trust indenture for a debt offering made in British Columbia would be subject to that statute, and United States issuers would not automatically be able to make debt offerings in British Columbia because they have indentures that comply with the Trust Indenture Act. In addition, it appears that there may be substantive differences between the British Columbia Company Act and the CBCA with respect to the standards for conflict of interest and duty of care applicable. Comment is specifically requested on whether the differences in the conflict of interest and duty of care standards of the British Columbia Company Act and the CBCA are substantial and whether the proposed exemption should be expanded to include indentures subject to the British Columbia Company Act. Comment is further requested on whether adoption of proposed Rule 4d-9 should be deferred until such time as United States issuers offering securities under the multijurisdictional system in British Columbia would be eligible to use trust indentures complying with the Trust Indenture Act.
Comment is requested on the analysis of provisions of Canadian statutes that afford protection to holders of indenture securities and whether investors enjoy protection comparable to that provided by the Trust Indenture Act as a result of applicable Canadian and provincial law. Specifically, comment is requested on the conflict of interest standard applicable under the CBCA and each provincial act and, in particular, whether or not judicial interpretation of material conflict of interest is comparable to the enumerated conflicts proscribed by paragraph (b)(1) through (10) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act. Comment is requested concerning whether the discretion of the trustee to withhold notice of payment defaults under the CBCA and the OBCA is comparable to the notice requirement of Section 315(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Comment also is requested concerning the scope of the proposed exemptive rule, specifically whether the exemption proposed by Rule 4d-9 is too broad (i.e., should Canadian trust indentures continue to be subject to the operation of other provisions of the Trust Indenture Act), or too narrow (i.e., should Canadian trust indentures be exempt from the operation of additional provisions of the Trust Indenture Act). Finally, comment is requested concerning whether, as drafted, the proposed rule should be limited to offerings under the MJDS or expanded to other offerings by Canadian issuers.
(91) See supra note 86.
(92) OBCA § 46(4). This exemptive authority may be exercised to the extent the Ontario Securities Commission is satisfied that it would not be prejudicial to the public interest.
(93) Section 82(3) of the CBCA grants to the Director discretionary authority to exempt a trust indenture from regulation under the CBCA, provided that such indenture is subject to the law of another province or foreign jurisdiction that is substantially equivalent to the CBCA. That authority has been used only in connection with offerings by issuers incorporated under the CBCA, when they were making offerings in the United States. In connection with such offerings, the Director has granted exemptions from the CBCA for Canadian issuers that complied with the Trust Indenture Act. In granting those exemptions, the Director determined that the Trust Indenture Act was substantially equivalent to the CBCA.
III. COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
To evaluate the benefits and costs associated with the described rules, the Commission requests views and data as to the costs and benefits associated with procedures under the rules. The rules relate to a determination that Canadian trustees are eligible to act as sole trustees under qualified indentures, as a result of the amendment to Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act modifying eligibility standards for institutional trustees, and provides an exemption from specified provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. The benefit to Canadian obligors and Canadian trustees (the only entities eligible for exemption under the proposed rules) of permitting appointment of Canadian trustees for offerings made in the United States by Canadian obligors and exempting trust indentures of such obligors from the operation of specified provisions of the Trust Indenture Act greatly outweighs any burden. Any impact on such entities would be minimal.
The rules will also benefit public security holders by facilitating the expansion of investment opportunities for United States citizens by removing barriers to public issuances of debt securities by Canadian registrants in the United States.
IV. REQUEST FOR COMMENTS
Any interested persons wishing to submit written comments on the proposed rules on other matters that might have an impact on the rules are requested to do so.
Persons wishing to submit written comments should file three copies thereof with Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Comment letters should refer to File No. S7-19-89. All comments received will be available for public inspection and copying in the Commissions Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
V. INITIAL REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ACT ANALYSIS
The Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has been prepared in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 603 . It relates to proposed rules to effectuate the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, as amended by the Reform Act. As proposed, Rule 4d-9 under Section 304(d) of the Trust Indenture Act would provide an exemption for trust indentures of Canadian issuers filing registration statements in the United States under the MJDS from the operation of specified provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. The proposed rule would be available for trust indentures that are subject to either the CBCA or the OBCA. Proposed Rule 10a-5 under the Trust Indenture Act would permit persons authorized to exercise corporate trust powers under Canadian federal or provincial law and subject to federal supervision or examination in Canada to act as institutional trustees under indentures qualified or to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.
Both proposals reflect the development of global securities markets that was a basis for recent amendments to the Trust Indenture Act, and are proposed to be promulgated to remove barriers to and effectuate increased participation by foreign issuers in the securities markets of the United States. As a result, it is expected that public security holders resident in the United States would have expanded investment opportunities.
The only persons eligible for exemption under the proposals are Canadian issuers and Canadian trustees, none of which qualify as small entities within the meaning of 17 CFR 260.0-7 under the Trust Indenture Act. Furthermore, underwriters are unaffected by the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act related to exemption of the trust indenture and appointment of a foreign institutional trustee. Accordingly, on the basis of the Commissions initial analysis, it does not appear that the proposals, if adopted, would have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Copies of the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, which is summarized herein, are available from Felicia Smith, Division of Corporation Finance, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission requests views and data as to the impact on small entities, within the meaning of 17 CFR 260.0-7 under the Trust Indenture Act, which may assist it in preparation of the Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis.
VI. STATUTORY BASIS AND TEXT OF PROPOSED REGULATIONS AND FORM
Rules 4d-9 and 10a-5 are proposed pursuant to the authority of Sections 304, 305, 307, 308, 310, 314, and
319 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended [ 15 U.S.C. 77ddd , 77eee, 77ggg, 77hhh, 77jjj, 77nnn, and 77sss].
LIST OF SUBJECTS IN 17 CFR Part 260
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Securities, Trusts and trustees.
VII. TEXT OF REGULATIONS AND FORMS
In accordance with the foregoing, Title 17, Chapter II of the Code of Federal Regulations is proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 260 GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS, TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
1. The authority citation for Part 260 continues to read:
AUTHORITY: 15 U.S.C. 77ddd , 77eee, 77ggg, 77hhh, 77jjj, 77nnn, 77sss.
2. By adding new § 260.4d-9 as follows:
§ 260.4d-9 Exemption for Canadian Trust Indentures from Specified Provisions of the Act.
Any trust indenture filed in connection with offerings on a registration statement on Form F-7, F-8, F-9, or F-10 [§§ 239.37 through 239.40 of this chapter] shall be exempt from the operation of sections 310(a)(3) and 310(a)(4), sections 310(b) through 316(a), and sections 316(c) through 318
(a) of the Act; provided that the trust indenture is subject to
(a) the Canada Business Corporations Act, R.S.C. 1985; or
(b) the Business Corporations Act, 1982 (Ontario), S.O. 1982.
3. By adding new § 260.10a-5 as follows:
§ 260.10a-5 Eligibility of Canadian Trustees.
(a) Subject to paragraph (b) of this rule [17 CFR 260.10a-5], any trust company, acting as trustee under an indenture qualified or to be qualified under the Act and filed in connection with offerings on a registration statement on Form F-7, F-8, F-9, or F-10 [§§ 239.37 through 239.40 of this chapter] that is incorporated and regulated as a trust company under the laws of Canada or any of its political subdivisions and that is subject to supervision or examination pursuant to the Trust Companies Act (Canada), R.S.C. 1985, or the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, R.S.C. 1985 shall not be subject to the requirement of domicile in the United States under section 310(a) of the Act [ 15 U.S.C. 77jjj (a)].
(b) Each trustee eligible for appointment under this rule shall file as part of the registration statement for the securities to which the trusteeship relates a consent to service of process and power of attorney on Form F-X [§ 249.250 of this chapter].
* * *
By the Commission.
Exhibit 8(b) to Form T-6
Trust and Loan Companies Act
1991, c. 45
[Assented to December 13, 1991]
An Act to revise and amend the law governing federal trust and loan
companies
and to provide for related and consequential matters
Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House
of
Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
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SHORT TITLE |
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Short title |
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1. This Act may be cited as the Trust and Loan Companies Act . |
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PART I |
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INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION |
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DEFINITIONS |
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Definitions |
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2. In this Act, |
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affairs
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affairs, with respect to a company, means the relationships among the company and its affiliates and the shareholders, directors and officers of the company and its affiliates, but does not include the business of the company or any of its affiliates; |
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affiliate
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affiliate means an entity that is affiliated with another entity within the meaning of section 6; |
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Agency
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Agency means the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada established under section 3 of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act ; |
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annual statement
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annual statement means the annual financial statement of a company within the meaning of paragraph 313(1)( a ); |
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assets
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assets, in respect of a company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2), includes assets held by the company in respect of guaranteed trust money; |
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auditor
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auditor includes a firm of accountants; |
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bank holding company
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bank holding company means a body corporate that is incorporated or formed under Part XV of the Bank Act ; |
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bearer
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bearer, in relation to a security, means the person in possession of a security payable to bearer or |
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endorsed in blank; |
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bearer
form
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bearer form, in respect of a security, means a security in bearer form as determined in accordance with subsection 86(2); |
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beneficial ownership
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beneficial ownership includes ownership through one or more trustees, legal representatives, agents or other intermediaries; |
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body corporate
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body corporate means an incorporated body wherever or however incorporated; |
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branch
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branch, in respect of a company, means an agency, the head office and any other office of the company; |
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Canadian financial
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Canadian financial institution means a financial institution that is incorporated or formed by or under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province; |
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central securities register or securities register « registre central des valeurs mobilières » ou « registre des valeurs mobilières » |
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central securities register or securities register means the register referred to in section 253; |
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Commissioner
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Commissioner means the Commissioner of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada appointed under section 4 of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act ; |
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common-law partner
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common-law partner, in relation to an individual, means a person who is cohabiting with the individual in a conjugal relationship, having so cohabited for a period of at least one year; |
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company
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company means a body corporate to which this Act applies; |
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complainant |
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complainant, in relation to a company or any matter concerning a company, means |
« plaignant » |
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( a ) a registered holder or beneficial owner, and a former registered holder or beneficial owner, of a security of a company or any of its affiliates, |
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( b ) a director or an officer, or a former director or officer, of a company or any of its affiliates, or |
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( c ) any other person who, in the discretion of a court, is a proper person to make an application under section 339, 343 or 537; |
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consumer provision
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consumer provision means a provision referred to in paragraph ( d ) of the definition consumer provision in section 2 of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act ; |
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court |
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court means |
« tribunal » |
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( a ) in the Province of Ontario, the Superior Court of Justice, |
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( b ) in the Province of Quebec, the Superior Court of the Province, |
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( c ) in the Provinces of Nova Scotia and British Columbia, the Supreme Court of the Province, |
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( d ) in the Provinces of New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, the Court of Queens Bench for the Province, |
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( e ) in the Provinces of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, the trial division of the Supreme Court of the Province, and |
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( f ) in Yukon and the Northwest Territories, the Supreme Court, and in Nunavut, the Nunavut Court of Justice; |
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court of appeal
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court of appeal means the court to which an appeal lies from a decision or order of a court; |
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creditor
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creditor, in respect of a company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2), includes a person who has money deposited with the company as guaranteed trust money; |
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debt obligation
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debt obligation means a bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness of an entity, whether secured or unsecured; |
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deposit
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deposit, in respect of money received by a company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2), means money received as guaranteed trust money; |
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deposit liabilities
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deposit liabilities, in respect of a company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2), means liabilities of the company in respect of guaranteed trust money; |
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director, board of directors
or directors
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director means a natural person occupying the position of director, by whatever name called, of a body corporate, and board of directors or directors refers to the directors of a body corporate as a body; |
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entity
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entity means a body corporate, trust, partnership, fund, an unincorporated association or organization, Her Majesty in right of Canada or of a province, an agency of Her Majesty in either of such rights and the government of a foreign country or any political subdivision thereof and any agency thereof; |
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equity
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equity, in respect of a company, means its equity as determined in accordance with the regulations; |
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federal financial institution |
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federal financial institution means |
« institution financière |
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fédérale » |
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( a ) a company, |
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( b ) a bank, |
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( c ) an association to which the Cooperative Credit Associations Act applies or a central cooperative credit society for which an order has been made under subsection 473(1) of that Act, or |
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( d ) an insurance company or a fraternal benefit society incorporated or formed under the Insurance Companies Act ; |
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fiduciary
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fiduciary means any person acting in a fiduciary capacity and includes a personal representative of a deceased person; |
financial institution |
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financial institution means |
« institution financière » |
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( a ) a company, |
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( b ) a bank or an authorized foreign bank within the meaning of section 2 of the Bank Act , |
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( c ) an association to which the Cooperative Credit Associations Act applies or a central cooperative credit society for which an order has been made under subsection 473(1) of that Act, |
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( d ) an insurance company or a fraternal benefit society incorporated or formed under the Insurance Companies Act , |
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( e ) a trust, loan or insurance corporation incorporated by or under an Act of the legislature of a province, |
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( f ) a cooperative credit society incorporated and regulated by or under an Act of the legislature of a province, |
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( g ) an entity that is incorporated or formed by or under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province and that is primarily engaged in dealing in securities, including portfolio management and investment counselling, and |
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( h ) a foreign institution; |
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foreign institution |
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foreign institution means an entity that is |
« institution étrangère » |
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( a ) engaged in the business of banking, the trust, loan or insurance business, the business of a cooperative credit society or the business of dealing in securities or is otherwise engaged primarily in the business of providing financial services, and |
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( b ) incorporated or formed otherwise than by or under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province; |
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former Act |
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former Act means the Trust Companies Act or the Loan Companies Act ; |
« loi antérieure » |
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former-Act company |
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former-Act company means a body corporate referred to in paragraph 12( b ) or ( c ); |
« société antérieure » |
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form of proxy
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form of proxy means a written or printed form that, when completed and executed by or on behalf of a shareholder, constitutes a proxy; |
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guarantee |
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guarantee includes a letter of credit; |
« garantie » |
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guaranteed trust money
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guaranteed trust money means money that is received in trust for investment by a company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2) and that is subject to a guarantee by the company in respect of the payment of interest or repayment of the principal or both; |
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head office
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head office means the office required to be maintained by a company pursuant to section 242; |
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holder |
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holder means |
« détenteur » |
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( a ) in respect of a security certificate, the person in possession of the certificate issued or endorsed to that person or to bearer or in blank, and |
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( b ) in respect of the ownership of a share, the shareholder of the share within the meaning of |
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section 7; |
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holding body corporate « société mère » |
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holding body corporate means a holding body corporate within the meaning of section 4; |
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incorporated « constitué en personne morale » |
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incorporated, when used with reference to a body corporate that is incorporated by or under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province, also refers to a body corporate that is continued by or under any such Act; |
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incorporating instrument
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incorporating instrument means the special Act, letters patent, instrument of continuance or other constating instrument by which a body corporate was incorporated or continued and includes any amendment to or restatement of the constating instrument; |
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incorporator
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incorporator, in relation to a company, means a person who applied for letters patent to incorporate the company; |
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insurance holding company « société de portefeuille dassurances » |
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insurance holding company means a body corporate that is incorporated or formed under Part XVII of the Insurance Companies Act ; |
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issuer |
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issuer, in respect of a security, means the entity that issues or issued the security; |
« émetteur » |
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letters patent
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letters patent, in respect of an instrument authorized to be issued under this Act, means letters patent in a form approved by the Superintendent; |
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Minister |
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Minister means the Minister of Finance; |
« ministre » |
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non-WTO Member foreign institution |
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non-WTO Member foreign institution means a foreign institution that is not controlled by a WTO Member resident; |
« institution étrangère dun non-membre de lOMC » |
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officer |
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officer means |
« dirigeant » |
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( a ) in relation to a body corporate, a chief executive officer, president, vice-president, secretary, controller, treasurer and any other natural person designated as an officer of the body corporate by by-law or by resolution of the directors of the body corporate, and |
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( b ) in relation to any other entity, any natural person designated as an officer of the entity by by-law, by resolution of the members thereof or otherwise; |
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order form
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order form, in respect of a security, means a security in order form as determined in accordance with subsection 86(3); |
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ordinary resolution
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ordinary resolution means a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast by or on behalf of the shareholders who voted in respect of that resolution; |
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person |
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person means a natural person, an entity or a personal representative; |
« personne » |
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personal |
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personal representative means a person who stands in place of and represents another person and, |
representative
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without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes, as the circumstances require, a trustee, an executor, an administrator, a committee, a guardian, a tutor, a curator, an assignee, a receiver, an agent or an attorney of any person; |
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prescribed |
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prescribed means prescribed by regulation; |
Version anglaise seulement |
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property
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property, in respect of a company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2), includes property held by the company in respect of guaranteed trust money; |
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proxy
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proxy means a completed and executed form of proxy by means of which a shareholder appoints a proxyholder to attend and act on the shareholders behalf at a meeting of shareholders; |
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proxyholder
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proxyholder means the person appointed by proxy to attend and act on behalf of a shareholder at a meeting of shareholders; |
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real property
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real property includes a leasehold interest in real property; |
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recorded address |
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recorded address means |
« adresse enregistrée » |
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( a ) in relation to a person who is a shareholder of a company, the latest postal address of the person according to the central securities register of the company, and |
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( b ) in relation to a person in any other respect, the latest postal address of the person according to the records of the branch concerned; |
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registered form
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registered form, in respect of a security, means a security in registered form as determined in accordance with subsection 86(4); |
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regulatory capital
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regulatory capital, in respect of a company, has the meaning given that expression by the regulations; |
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resident Canadian |
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resident Canadian means a natural person who is |
« résident canadien » |
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( a ) a Canadian citizen ordinarily resident in Canada, |
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( b ) a Canadian citizen not ordinarily resident in Canada who is a member of a prescribed class of persons, or |
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( c ) a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and ordinarily resident in Canada, except a permanent resident who has been ordinarily resident in Canada for more than one year after the time at which the individual first became eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship; |
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residential property
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residential property means real property consisting of buildings that are used, or are to be used, to the extent of at least one half of the floor space thereof, as one or more private dwellings; |
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securities underwriter
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securities underwriter means a person who, as principal, agrees to purchase securities with a view to the distribution of the securities or who, as agent for a body corporate or other person, offers for sale or sells securities in connection with a distribution of the securities, and includes a person who participates, directly or indirectly, in a distribution of securities, other than a person whose interest in the distribution of securities is limited to receiving a distributors or sellers commission payable |
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by a securities underwriter; |
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security |
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security means |
« titre » ou « valeur mobilière » |
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( a ) in relation to a body corporate, a share of any class of shares of the body corporate or a debt obligation of the body corporate, and includes a warrant of the body corporate, but does not include a deposit with a financial institution or any instrument evidencing such a deposit, and |
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( b ) in relation to any other entity, any ownership interest in or debt obligation of the entity; |
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security interest
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security interest means an interest in or charge on property by way of mortgage, lien, pledge or otherwise taken by a creditor or guarantor to secure the payment or performance of an obligation; |
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send |
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send includes deliver; |
« envoyer » |
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series |
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series, in respect of shares, means a division of a class of shares; |
« série » |
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significant interest
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significant interest means a significant interest determined in accordance with section 8; |
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special resolution
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special resolution means a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two thirds of the votes cast by or on behalf of the shareholders who voted in respect of that resolution or signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote on that resolution; |
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subordinated indebtedness
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subordinated indebtedness means an instrument evidencing an indebtedness of a company that by its terms provides that the indebtedness will, in the event of the insolvency or winding-up of the company, be subordinate in right of payment to all deposit liabilities of the company and all other liabilities of the company except those that, by their terms, rank equally with or are subordinate to such indebtedness; |
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subsidiary
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subsidiary means an entity that is a subsidiary of another entity within the meaning of section 5; |
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substantial investment
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substantial investment means a substantial investment determined in accordance with section 10; |
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Superintendent
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Superintendent means the Superintendent of Financial Institutions appointed pursuant to the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act ; |
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trade
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trade, in respect of securities, means any sale or disposition of securities for valuable consideration; |
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transfer
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transfer, in respect of securities, includes a transmission by operation of law; |
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voting share
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voting share means a share of any class of shares of a body corporate carrying voting rights under all circumstances or by reason of an event that has occurred and is continuing or by reason of a condition that has been fulfilled; |
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WTO Member resident
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WTO Member resident
means a WTO Member resident within the meaning of section 11.1.
1991, c . 45, s. 2, c. 47, s. 753, c. 48, s. 493; 1992, c. 51, s. 66; 1998, c. 30, ss. 13(F), 15(E); 1999, c. 3, |
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in that provision shall be interpreted in accordance with the guidelines. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 3; 2001, c. 9, s. 480. |
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Holding body corporate |
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4. A body corporate is the holding body corporate of any entity that is its subsidiary. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 4; 2001, c. 9, s. 481. |
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Subsidiary |
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5. An entity is a subsidiary of another entity if it is controlled by the other entity. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 5; 2001, c. 9, s. 481. |
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Affiliated entities |
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6. (1) One entity is affiliated with another entity if one of them is controlled by the other or both are controlled by the same person. |
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Affiliated entities |
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(2) Despite subsection (1), for the purposes of subsections 270(1) and 288(1), one entity is affiliated with another entity if one of them is controlled, determined without regard to paragraph 3(1)( d ), by the other or both are controlled, determined without regard to paragraph 3(1)( d ), by the same person. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 6; 2001, c. 9, s. 482. |
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Shareholder |
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7. (1) For the purposes of this Act, a person is a shareholder of a body corporate when, according to the securities register of the body corporate, the person is the owner of one or more shares of the body corporate or is entitled to be entered in the securities register or like record of the body corporate as the owner of the share or shares. |
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Holder of a share |
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(2) A reference in this Act to the holding of a share by or in the name of any person is a reference to the fact that the person is registered or is entitled to be registered in the securities register or like record of the body corporate as the holder of that share. |
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Significant interest |
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8. (1) A person has a significant interest in a class of shares of a company where the aggregate of |
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( a ) any shares of that class beneficially owned by the person, and |
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( b ) any shares of that class beneficially owned by entities controlled by the person |
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exceeds 10 per cent of all of the outstanding shares of that class of shares of the company. |
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Increasing significant interest |
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(2) A person who has a significant interest in a class of shares of a company increases that significant interest in the class of shares where the person or any entity controlled by the person |
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( a ) acquires beneficial ownership of additional shares of that class, or |
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( b ) acquires control of any entity that beneficially owns shares of that class, |
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in such number as to increase the percentage of shares of that class that are beneficially owned by the person and by any entities controlled by the person. |
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Acting in concert |
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9. (1) For the purposes of Part VII, if two or more persons have agreed, under any agreement, commitment or understanding, whether formal or informal, verbal or written, to act jointly or in concert in respect of |
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( a ) shares of a company that they beneficially own, |
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( b ) shares or ownership interests that they beneficially own of any entity that beneficially owns |
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shares of a company, or |
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( c ) shares or ownership interests that they beneficially own of any entity that controls any entity that beneficially owns shares of a company, |
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those persons shall be deemed to be a single person who is acquiring beneficial ownership of the aggregate number of shares of the company or shares or ownership interests of the entity that are beneficially owned by them. |
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Idem |
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(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), any agreement, commitment or understanding by or between two or more persons who beneficially own shares of a company or shares or ownership interests of any entity referred to in paragraph (1)( b ) or ( c ), |
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( a ) whereby any of them or their nominees may veto any proposal put before the board of directors of the company, or |
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( b ) pursuant to which no proposal put before the board of directors of the company may be approved except with the consent of any of them or their nominees, |
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shall be deemed to be an agreement, commitment or understanding referred to in subsection (1). |
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Exceptions |
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(3) For the purposes of this section, persons shall be presumed not to have agreed to act jointly or in concert solely by reason of the fact that |
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( a ) one is the proxyholder of one or more of the others in respect of shares or ownership interests referred to in subsection (1); or |
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( b ) they vote the voting rights attached to shares or ownership interests referred to in subsection (1) in the same manner. |
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Designation |
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(4) Where in the opinion of the Superintendent it is reasonable to conclude that an agreement, commitment or understanding referred to in subsections (1) and (2) exists by or among two or more persons, the Superintendent may designate those persons as persons who have agreed to act jointly or in concert. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 9; 2001, c. 9, s. 483. |
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Substantial investment in body corporate |
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10. (1) A person has a substantial investment in a body corporate where
( a ) the voting rights attached to the aggregate of any voting shares of the body corporate beneficially owned by the person and by any entities controlled by the person exceed 10 per cent of the voting rights attached to all of the outstanding voting shares of the body corporate; or |
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( b ) the aggregate of any shares of the body corporate beneficially owned by the person and by any entities controlled by the person represents ownership of greater than 25 per cent of the shareholders equity of the body corporate. |
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Increasing substantial investment in body corporate |
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(2) A person who has a substantial investment in a body corporate pursuant to paragraph (1)( a ) increases that substantial investment when the person or any entity controlled by the person |
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( a ) acquires beneficial ownership of additional voting shares of the body corporate in such number as to increase the percentage of voting rights attached to the aggregate of the voting shares of the body corporate beneficially owned by the person and by any entities controlled by the person; or |
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( b ) acquires control of any entity that beneficially owns any voting shares of the body corporate in such number as to increase the percentage of voting rights attached to the aggregate of the voting shares of the body corporate beneficially owned by the person and by any entities |
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controlled by the person. |
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Idem |
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(3) A person who has a substantial investment in a body corporate pursuant to paragraph (1)( b ) increases that substantial investment when the person or any entity controlled by the person |
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( a ) acquires beneficial ownership of additional shares of the body corporate in such number as to increase the percentage of the shareholders equity of the body corporate represented by the aggregate of the shares of the body corporate beneficially owned by the person and by any entities controlled by the person; or |
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( b ) acquires control of any entity that beneficially owns any shares of the body corporate in such number as to increase the percentage of the shareholders equity of the body corporate represented by the aggregate of the shares of the body corporate beneficially owned by the person and by any entities controlled by the person. |
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New substantial investment |
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(4) For greater certainty, |
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( a ) where a person has a substantial investment in a body corporate pursuant to paragraph (1)( a ) and the person, or any entity controlled by the person, |
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(i) purchases or otherwise acquires beneficial ownership of shares of the body corporate, or |
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(ii) acquires control of any entity that beneficially owns shares of the body corporate, |
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in such number as to cause the shareholders equity of the body corporate represented by the aggregate of the shares of the body corporate beneficially owned by the person and by any entities controlled by the person to exceed 25 per cent of the shareholders equity of the body corporate, or |
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( b ) where a person has a substantial investment in a body corporate pursuant to paragraph (1)( b ) and the person or any entity controlled by the person |
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(i) purchases or otherwise acquires beneficial ownership of voting shares of the body corporate, or |
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(ii) acquires control of any entity that beneficially owns voting shares of the body corporate, |
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in such number as to cause the voting rights attached to the aggregate of the voting shares beneficially owned by the person and by any entities controlled by the person to exceed 10 per cent of the voting rights attached to all of the outstanding voting shares of the body corporate, |
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the acquisition is deemed to cause the person to increase a substantial investment in the body corporate. |
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Substantial investment in unincorporated entity |
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(5) A person has a substantial investment in an unincorporated entity where the aggregate of any ownership interests, however designated, into which the entity is divided, beneficially owned by the person and by any entities controlled by the person exceeds 25 per cent of all of the ownership interests into which the entity is divided. |
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Increasing substantial investment in unincorporated entities |
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(6) A person who has a substantial investment in an unincorporated entity increases that substantial investment when the person or any entity controlled by the person
( a ) acquires beneficial ownership of additional ownership interests in the unincorporated entity in such number as to increase the percentage of ownership interests in the unincorporated entity beneficially owned by the person and by any entities controlled by the person; or
( b ) acquires control of any entity that beneficially owns ownership interests in the unincorporated entity in such number as to increase the percentage of ownership interests beneficially owned by the person and by any entities controlled by the person. |
Distribution to the public |
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11. (1) Subject to subsection (2), for the purposes of this Act, a security of a body corporate or an unincorporated entity |
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( a ) is part of a distribution to the public where, in respect of the security, there has been a filing of a prospectus, statement of material facts, registration statement, securities exchange take-over bid circular or similar document under the laws of Canada, a province or a jurisdiction outside Canada; or |
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( b ) is deemed to be part of a distribution to the public where the security has been issued and a filing referred to in paragraph ( a ) would be required if the security were being issued currently. |
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Exemption |
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(2) On application therefor by a company, the Superintendent may determine that a security of the company is not or was not part of a distribution to the public if the Superintendent is satisfied that the determination would not prejudice any security holder of the company. |
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Securities deemed part of distribution |
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(3) For the purposes of this Act, securities of a company
( a ) issued on the conversion of other securities, or
( b ) issued in exchange for other securities |
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are deemed to be securities that are part of a distribution to the public if those other securities were part of a distribution to the public. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 11; 1997, c. 15, s. 340. |
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WTO Member resident |
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11.1 (1) For the purposes of this Act, a WTO Member resident is |
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( a ) a natural person who is ordinarily resident in a country or territory that is a WTO Member as defined in subsection 2(1) of the World Trade Organization Agreement Implementation Act , other than Canada; |
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( b ) a body corporate, association, partnership or other organization that is incorporated, formed or otherwise organized in a country or territory that is a WTO Member, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the World Trade Organization Agreement Implementation Act , other than Canada, and that is controlled, |
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(i) directly or indirectly, by one or more persons referred to in paragraph ( a ), or |
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(ii) by a government of a WTO Member, whether federal, state or local, or an agency of one of those governments; |
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( c ) a trust established by one or more persons referred to in paragraph ( a ) or ( b ) or a trust in which one or more of those persons have more than 50 per cent of the beneficial interest; or |
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( d ) a body corporate, association, partnership or other organization that is controlled, directly or indirectly, by a trust referred to in paragraph ( c ). |
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Interpretation |
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(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), |
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( a ) a body corporate is controlled by one or more persons if |
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(i) securities of the body corporate to which are attached more than 50 per cent of the votes that may be cast to elect directors of the body corporate are beneficially owned by the person or persons, and |
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(ii) the votes attached to those securities are sufficient to elect a majority of the directors of the body corporate; |
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Act. |
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By-law not necessary |
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16. It is not necessary for a company to pass a by-law in order to confer any particular power on the company or its directors. |
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No personal liability |
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17. The shareholders of a company are not, as shareholders, liable for any liability, act or default of the company except as otherwise provided by this Act. |
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No constructive notice |
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18. No person is affected by or is deemed to have notice or knowledge of the contents of a document concerning a company by reason only that the document has been filed with the Superintendent or the Minister or is available for inspection at a branch of the company. |
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Authority of directors and officers |
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19. A company or a guarantor of an obligation of a company may not assert against a person dealing with the company or with any person who has acquired rights from the company that |
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( a ) the companys incorporating instrument or any by-laws of the company have not been complied with, |
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( b ) the persons named as directors of the company in the most recent return sent to the Superintendent under section 499 are not the directors of the company, |
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( c ) the place named in the incorporating instrument or the by-laws of the company is not the head office of the company, |
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( d ) a person held out by the company as a director, an officer or a representative of the company has not been duly appointed or has no authority to exercise the powers and perform the duties that are customary in the business of the company or usual for such director, officer or representative, or |
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( e ) a document issued by any director, officer or representative of the company with actual or usual authority to issue the document is not valid or not genuine, |
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except where the person has or ought to have by virtue of the persons position with or relationship to the company knowledge to that effect. |
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Sunset provision |
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20. (1) Subject to subsection (2), companies shall not carry on business after the day that is five years after this section comes into force, except that if Parliament dissolves on that day or at any time within the three-month period before that day, companies may continue to carry on business, until the day that is one hundred and eighty days after the first day of the first session of the next Parliament. |
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Extension |
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(2) The Governor in Council may, by order, extend by up to six months the time during which companies may continue to carry on business. No more than one order may be made under this subsection. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 20; 1997, c. 15, s. 341; 2001, c. 9, s. 484. |
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PART III |
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INCORPORATION, CONTINUANCE AND DISCONTINUANCE |
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FORMALITIES OF INCORPORATION |
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Incorporation of company |
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21. On the application of one or more persons made in accordance with this Act, the Minister may, subject to this Part, issue letters patent incorporating a company. |
Restrictions on incorporation |
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22. Letters patent incorporating a company may not be issued if the application therefor is made by or on behalf of
( a ) Her Majesty in right of Canada or in right of a province, an agency of Her Majesty in either of those rights, or an entity controlled by Her Majesty in either of those rights;
( b ) the government of a foreign country or any political subdivision thereof;
( c ) an agency of the government of a foreign country or any political subdivision thereof; or
( d ) an entity, other than a foreign institution or any subsidiary of a foreign institution, that is controlled by the government of a foreign country or any political subdivision thereof. |
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Subsidiary of foreign institution |
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23. If a proposed company would be a subsidiary of a foreign institution that is engaged in trust or loan business and the application for letters patent to incorporate the company is made by a non-WTO Member foreign institution, letters patent to incorporate the company may not be issued unless the Minister is satisfied that treatment as favourable for companies to which this Act applies exists or will be provided in the jurisdiction in which the foreign institution principally carries on business, either directly or through a subsidiary.
1991, c. 45, s. 23; 1999, c. 28, s. 138; 2001, c. 9, s. 485. |
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Application for incorporation |
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24. (1) An application for letters patent to incorporate a company setting out the names of the first directors of the company shall be filed with the Superintendent, together with such other information, material and evidence as the Superintendent may require. |
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Publishing notice of intent |
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(2) Before filing an application referred to in subsection (1), the applicant or one of the applicants, as the case may be, shall, at least once a week for a period of four consecutive weeks, publish, in a form satisfactory to the Superintendent, a notice of intention to make the application in the Canada Gazette and in a newspaper in general circulation at or near the place where the head office of the company is to be situated. |
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Objections to incorporation |
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25. (1) Any person who objects to the proposed incorporation of a company may, within thirty days after the date of the last publication under subsection 24(2) in respect of the proposed company, submit the objection in writing to the Superintendent. |
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Minister to be informed |
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(2) On receipt of an objection under subsection (1), the Superintendent shall inform the Minister of the objection. |
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Inquiry into objection and report |
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(3) On receipt of an objection under subsection (1), and if the application for the issuance of the letters patent to which the objection relates has been received, the Superintendent shall, if satisfied that it is necessary and in the public interest to do so, hold or cause to be held a public inquiry into the objection as it relates to the application and, on completion of the inquiry, the Superintendent shall report the findings of the inquiry to the Minister. |
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Report to be made available |
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(4) Within thirty days after receiving a report under subsection (3), the Minister shall make the report available to the public. |
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Rules governing proceedings |
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(5) Subject to the approval of the Governor in Council, the Superintendent may make rules governing the proceedings at public inquiries held under this section. |
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Matters for consideration |
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26. Before issuing letters patent to incorporate a company, the Minister shall take into account all matters that the Minister considers relevant to the application, including |
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( a ) the nature and sufficiency of the financial resources of the applicant or applicants as a source of continuing financial support for the company;
( b ) the soundness and feasibility of the plans of the applicant or applicants for the future conduct and development of the business of the company;
( c ) the business record and experience of the applicant or applicants;
( d ) the character and integrity of the applicant or applicants or, if the applicant or any of the applicants is a body corporate, its reputation for being operated in a manner that is consistent with the standards of good character and integrity;
( e ) whether the company will be operated responsibly by persons with the competence and experience suitable for involvement in the operation of a financial institution;
( f ) the impact of any integration of the businesses and operations of the applicant or applicants with those of the company on the conduct of those businesses and operations; and
( g ) the best interests of the financial system in Canada.
1991, c. 45, s. 26; 2001, c. 9, s. 486. |
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Contents of letters patent |
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27. (1) There shall be set out in the letters patent incorporating a company
( a ) the name of the company;
( b ) the place in Canada where the head office of the company is to be situated; and
( c ) the date that the company came, or is to come, into existence. |
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Provisions in letters patent |
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(2) The Minister may set out in the letters patent incorporating a company any provision not contrary to this Act that the Minister considers advisable in order to take into account the particular circumstances of the proposed company. |
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Terms and conditions |
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(3) The Minister may impose such terms and conditions in respect of the issuance of letters patent incorporating a company as the Minister considers necessary or appropriate. |
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Notice of issue of letters patent |
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28. The Superintendent shall cause to be published in the Canada Gazette a notice of the issuance of letters patent incorporating a company. |
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First directors |
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29. The first directors of a company are the directors named in the application for letters patent to incorporate the company. |
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Effect of letters patent |
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30. A company comes into existence on the date provided therefor in its letters patent.
CONTINUANCE |
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Federal corporations |
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31. (1) A body corporate incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act or any other Act of Parliament may apply to the Minister for letters patent continuing the body corporate as a company under this Act. |
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Other corporations |
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(2) A body corporate incorporated otherwise than by or under an Act of Parliament may, if so authorized by the laws of the jurisdiction where it is incorporated, apply to the Minister for letters patent continuing the body corporate as a company under this Act.
1991, c. 45, s. 31; 1994, c. 24, s. 34(F). |
Application for continuance |
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32. (1) Where a body corporate applies for letters patent under subsection 31(1) or (2), sections 22 to 26 apply in respect of the application, with such modifications as the circumstances require. |
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Special resolution approval |
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(2) Where a body corporate applies for letters patent under subsection 31(1) or (2), the application must be duly authorized by a special resolution. |
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Copy of special resolution |
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(3) A copy of the special resolution referred to in subsection (2) shall be filed with the application. |
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Power to issue letters patent |
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33. (1) On the application of a body corporate under subsection 31(1) or (2), the Minister may, subject to this Part, issue letters patent continuing the body corporate as a company under this Act. |
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Issue of letters patent |
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(2) Where letters patent are issued to a body corporate under subsection (1), section 27 applies in respect of the issue of letters patent, with such modifications as the circumstances require. |
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Effect of letters patent |
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34. On the day set out in the letters patent continuing a body corporate as a company under subsection 33(1),
( a ) the body corporate becomes a company as if it had been incorporated under this Act; and
( b ) the letters patent are deemed to be the incorporating instrument of the continued company. |
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Copy of letters patent |
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35. (1) Where a body corporate is continued as a company under this Part, the Superintendent shall forthwith send a copy of the letters patent to the appropriate official or public body in the jurisdiction in which the body corporate was authorized to apply to be continued under this Act. |
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Notice of issuance of letters patent |
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(2) The Superintendent shall cause to be published in the Canada Gazette a notice of the issuance of letters patent continuing a body corporate as a company under this Act. |
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Effects of continuance |
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36. Where a body corporate is continued as a company under this Part,
( a ) the property of the body corporate continues to be the property of the company;
( b ) the company continues to be liable for the obligations of the body corporate;
( c ) an existing cause of action or claim by or against the body corporate or any liability of the body corporate to prosecution is unaffected;
( d ) a civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding pending by or against the body corporate may continue to be prosecuted by or against the company;
( e ) a conviction against, or any ruling, order or judgment in favour of or against the body corporate may be enforced by or against the company;
( f ) a person who, on the day the body corporate becomes a company, was the holder of a security issued by the body corporate is not deprived of any right or privilege available to the person at that time in respect of the security or relieved of any liability in respect thereof, but any such right or privilege may be exercised only in accordance with this Act; and
( g ) the by-laws of the body corporate, except those that are in conflict with this Act, continue as the by-laws of the company. |
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Transitional |
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37. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or the regulations, the Minister may, on the recommendation of the Superintendent, by order, grant to a company in respect of which letters |
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patent were issued under subsection 33(1) permission to
( a ) engage in a business activity specified in the order that a company is not otherwise permitted by this Act to engage in and that the body corporate continued as the company was engaging in at the time the application for the letters patent was made;
( b ) continue to have issued and outstanding debt obligations the issue of which is not authorized by this Act if the debt obligations were outstanding at the time the application for the letters patent was made;
( c ) [Repealed, 1994, c. 47, s. 202]
( d ) hold assets that a company is not otherwise permitted by this Act to hold if the assets were held by the body corporate continued as the company at the time the application for the letters patent was made;
( e ) acquire and hold assets that a company is not otherwise permitted by this Act to acquire or hold if the body corporate continued as the company was obliged, at the time the application for the letters patent was made, to acquire those assets; and
( f ) maintain outside Canada any records or registers required by this Act to be maintained in Canada and maintain and process outside Canada information and data relating to the preparation and maintenance of such records or registers. |
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Duration |
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(2) The permission granted under subsection (1) shall be expressed to be granted for a period specified in the order not exceeding |
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( a ) with respect to any activity described in paragraph (1)( a ), thirty days after the date of issue of the letters patent or, where the activity is conducted pursuant to an agreement existing on the date of issue of the letters patent, the expiration of the agreement;
( b ) with respect to any matter described in paragraph (1)( b ), ten years; and
( c ) with respect to any matter described in any of paragraph (1)( d ) to ( f ), two years. |
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Renewal |
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(3) Subject to subsection (4), the Minister may, on the recommendation of the Superintendent, by order, renew a permission granted by order under subsection (1) with respect to any matter described in paragraphs (1)( b ) to ( e ) for such further period or periods as the Minister considers necessary. |
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Limitation |
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(4) The Minister shall not grant to a company any permission
( a ) with respect to matters described in paragraph (1)( b ), that purports to be effective more than ten years after the date of the approval for the company to commence and carry on business, unless the Minister is satisfied on the basis of evidence on oath provided by an officer of the company that the company will not be able at law to redeem at the end of the ten years the outstanding debt obligations to which the permission relates; and
( b ) with respect to matters referred to in paragraphs (1)( d ) and ( e ), that purports to be effective more than ten years after the date of the approval for the company to commence and carry on business.
1991, c. 45, s. 37; 1994, c. 47, s. 202; 1997, c. 15, s. 342; 1999, c. 31, s. 213(F).
DISCONTINUANCE |
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Transferring to other federal Acts |
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38. (1) A company may
( a ) apply, with the approval in writing of the Minister, for a certificate of continuance under |
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section 187 of the Canada Business Corporations Act ;
( b ) apply for letters patent continuing the company as a bank under subsection 35(1) of the Bank Act or amalgamating and continuing the company as a bank under subsections 223(1) and 229(1) of that Act; or
( c ) apply for letters patent continuing the company as an association under subsection 31.1(1) of the Cooperative Credit Associations Act if
(i) the companys shareholders are limited to entities incorporated or formed by or under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province that are, in the opinion of the Minister, operating as credit unions or cooperative associations, and
(ii) the application for letters patent complies with prescribed terms and conditions, if any are prescribed. |
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Conditions for approval |
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(2) No approval referred to in paragraph (1)( a ) may be given to a company unless the Minister is satisfied that
( a ) the application has been authorized by a special resolution;
( b ) the company
(i) holds no deposits that are insured under the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act , and
(ii) is not carrying on any of the fiduciary activities referred to in section 412;
and
( c ) unless authorized pursuant to section 48, the company will not use the word fiduciaire, fiduciary, fiducie, loan, loanco, prêt, trust or trustco in its name after a certificate of continuance in respect of the company is issued under the Canada Business Corporations Act .
1991, c. 45, ss. 38, 559; 1994, c. 24, s. 34(F); 1997, c. 15, s. 343; 2001, c. 9, s. 487. |
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Effect of certificate or letters patent |
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39. On the day specified in
( a ) the certificate of continuance issued under the Canada Business Corporations Act , or
( b ) the letters patent issued under the Bank Act ,
pursuant to an application referred to in subsection 38(1), the Canada Business Corporations Act or the Bank Act , as the case may be, applies and this Act ceases to apply to the body corporate continued under that Act.
1991, c. 45, s. 39; 1994, c. 24, s. 34(F). |
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Withdrawing application |
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40. Where a special resolution authorizing the application for a certificate or for letters patent referred to in subsection 38(1) so states, the directors of a company may, without further approval of the shareholders, withdraw the application before it is acted on.
CORPORATE NAME |
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Prohibited names |
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41. (1) A company may not be incorporated under this Act with a name
( a ) that is prohibited by an Act of Parliament;
( b ) that is, in the opinion of the Superintendent, deceptively misdescriptive; |
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( c ) that is the same as or, in the opinion of the Superintendent, substantially the same as or confusingly similar to, any existing
(i) trade-mark or trade name, or
(ii) corporate name of a body corporate,
except where the trade-mark or trade name is being changed or the body corporate is being dissolved or is changing its corporate name and consent to the use of the trade-mark, trade name or corporate name is signified to the Superintendent in such manner as the Superintendent may require;
( d ) that is the same as or, in the opinion of the Superintendent, substantially the same as or confusingly similar to, the known name under or by which any entity carries on business or is identified; or
( e ) that is reserved under section 45 for another company or a proposed company. |
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Exception |
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(2) Paragraph (1)( a ) does not apply with respect to any former-Act company incorporated by or under an Act of Parliament that expressly authorizes the use of any name that would otherwise be prohibited.
1991, c. 45, s. 41; 1996, c. 6, s. 112; 1997, c. 15, s. 344. |
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Trust company |
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42. A company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2) must have the word fiduciaire, fiduciary, fiducie, trust or trustco included in its name. |
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Affiliated company |
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43. Despite section 41, a company that is affiliated with another entity may, with the consent of that entity and the approval of the Superintendent, be incorporated with, or change its name to, substantially the same name as that of the affiliated entity.
1991, c. 45, s. 43; 1996, c. 6, s. 113; 2001, c. 9, s. 488. |
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French or English form of name |
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44. (1) The name of a company may be set out in its letters patent in an English form, a French form, an English form and a French form or in a combined English and French form, and the company may use and be legally designated by any such form. |
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Alternate name |
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(2) A company may identify itself outside Canada by its name in any language and the company may use and be legally designated by any such form of its name outside Canada. |
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Other name |
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(3) Subject to subsection (4) and section 260, a company may carry on business under or identify itself by a name other than its corporate name. |
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Directions |
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(4) Where a company is carrying on business under or identifying itself by a name other than its corporate name, the Superintendent may, by order, direct the company not to use that other name if the Superintendent is of the opinion that that other name is a name referred to in any of paragraphs 41(1)( a ) to ( e ).
1991, c. 45, s. 44; 1996, c. 6, s. 114. |
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Reserved name |
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45. The Superintendent may, on request, reserve for ninety days a name for a proposed company or for a company that intends to change its name. |
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Directing change of name |
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46. (1) If through inadvertence or otherwise a company |
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( a ) comes into existence or is continued with a name, or
( b ) on an application to change its name, is granted a name
that is prohibited by section 41, the Superintendent may, by order, direct the company to change its name and the company shall comply with that direction. |
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Revoking name |
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(2) If a company has been directed under subsection (1) to change its name and has not, within sixty days after the service of the direction, changed its name to a name that is not prohibited by this Act, the Superintendent may revoke the name of the company and assign to it a name and, until changed in accordance with section 220 or 222, the name of the company is thereafter the name so assigned.
1991, c. 45, s. 46; 1996, c. 6, s. 115; 2001, c. 9, s. 489. |
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Restriction re trust company name |
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47. (1) No entity incorporated or formed by or under an Act of Parliament other than this Act shall use the word fiduciaire, fiduciary, fiducie, trust or trustco or any word or words of import equivalent to any of those words in its name. |
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Restriction re loan company name |
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(2) No entity incorporated or formed by or under any Act of Parliament other than this Act shall use the word loan, loanco or prêt or any word or words of import equivalent to any of those words in its name. |
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Exception |
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(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to
( a ) an entity the business of which is not financial activities; or
( b ) an entity that was, on the day immediately preceding the day on which
(i) subsection (1) comes into force, using the word fiduciaire, fiduciary, fiducie, trust or trustco or any word or words of import equivalent to any of those words in its name, or
(ii) subsection (2) comes into force, using the word loan, loanco or prêt or any word or words of import equivalent to any of those words in its name.
1991, c. 45, s. 47; 1996, c. 6, s. 115. |
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Subsidiaries |
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48. Despite subsections 47(1) and (2), a subsidiary of a company may use the companys name in its name.
1991, c. 45, s. 48; 1996, c. 6, s. 115; 2001, c. 9, s. 490. |
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Definition of reserved name |
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48.1 (1) In this section, reserved name means a name that includes as part thereof the word assurance, assurances, insurance, lifeco, fiduciaire, fiduciary, fiducie, trust, trustco, loan, loanco or prêt or any word or words of import equivalent to any of those words. |
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Termination of control required in certain cases |
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(2) No person, other than a financial institution, who
( a ) is carrying on business in Canada under a reserved name, and
( b ) has control or acquires control of a company,
shall control the company on the later of
( c ) one year after this section comes into force, and
( d ) one year after the date of acquisition of the control. |
Calling shareholders meeting |
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50. (1) If at least five million dollars, or any greater amount that the Minister may specify, has been received by a company in respect of which letters patent were issued under section 21 from the issue of its shares, the directors of the company shall without delay call a meeting of the shareholders of the company. |
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Meeting of shareholders |
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(2) The shareholders of a company shall, by resolution at the meeting of shareholders called pursuant to subsection (1),
( a ) approve, amend or reject any by-law made by the directors of the company;
( b ) subject to section 172, elect directors to hold office for a term expiring not later than the close of the third annual meeting of shareholders following the election; and
( c ) appoint an auditor to hold office until the close of the first annual meeting of shareholders.
1991, c. 45, s. 50; 2001, c. 9, s. 491. |
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Term of first directors |
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51. A director named in the application for letters patent to incorporate a company holds office until the election of directors at the meeting of shareholders called pursuant to subsection 50(1). |
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COMMENCEMENT AND CARRYING ON OF BUSINESS |
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Order to commence and carry on business |
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52. (1) A company shall not carry on any business until the Superintendent has, by order, approved the commencement and carrying on of business by the company. |
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Former-Act companies Loan Companies Act |
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(2) A licence that was issued to a company under section 76 of the Loan Companies Act and that is in effect immediately before the coming into force of this Part is deemed to be an order of the Superintendent of indeterminate duration under subsection 53(1) and the company remains subject to any and all other restrictions and conditions in the licence. |
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Former-Act companies |
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(3) A licence that was issued to a company under section 87 of the Trust Companies Act or under section 112 of the Loan Companies Act and that is in effect immediately before the coming into force of this Part is deemed to be an order of the Superintendent of indeterminate duration under subsection 53(1) containing the authorization referred to in subsection 57(1) or the designation referred to in subsection 57(3), as the case may be, and the company remains subject to any and all other restrictions and conditions contained in the licence. |
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Continued company |
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(4) Except in respect of a body corporate that is continued as a company under this Act for the purposes of forthwith amalgamating with one or more bodies corporate and continuing as a company under this Act, where letters patent continuing a body corporate as a company under this Act are issued, the Superintendent shall make an order approving the commencement and carrying on of business by the company. |
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Amalgamated company |
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(5) Where letters patent amalgamating and continuing two or more bodies corporate as a company under this Act are issued, the Superintendent shall make an order approving the commencement and carrying on of business by the company. |
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Subsection 53(2) and section 56 do not apply |
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(6) For greater certainty, subsection 53(2) and section 56 do not apply in respect of a company referred to in subsections (4) and (5). |
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Authority to make order |
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53. (1) On application by a company, the Superintendent may make an order approving the commencement and carrying on of business by the company. |
Statement of payments |
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(2) An application by a company for an order under subsection (1) must contain a statement setting out the amounts paid or to be paid by the company in connection with its incorporation and organization. |
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No payments before order |
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54. Until an order approving the commencement and carrying on of business is made for a company, the company shall not make any payment on account of incorporation or organization expenses out of moneys received from the issue of the shares of the company and interest thereon, except reasonable sums
( a ) for the remuneration of not more than two officers;
( b ) for the payment of costs related to the issue of shares of the company; and
( c ) for the payment of clerical assistance, legal services, accounting services, office accommodation at one location, office expenses, advertising, stationery, postage and travel expenses. |
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Deposits and investments before order |
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55. Where a company comes into existence but no order approving the commencement and carrying on of business is made for the company, the company may only
( a ) deposit, in Canada, paid-in capital of the company in another deposit-taking Canadian financial institution; or
( b ) invest paid-in capital of the company in unencumbered securities of the Government of Canada or the government of any province. |
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Conditions for order |
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56. (1) The Superintendent shall not make an order approving the commencement and carrying on of business by a company until it has been shown to the satisfaction of the Superintendent that
( a ) the meeting of shareholders of the company referred to in subsection 50(1) has been duly held;
( b ) the company has paid-in capital of at least five million dollars or any greater amount that is specified by the Minister under subsection 50(1);
( c ) the expenses of incorporation and organization to be borne by the company are reasonable; and
( d ) all other relevant requirements of this Act have been complied with. |
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Time limit |
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(2) The Superintendent shall not make an order approving the commencement and carrying on of business by a company more than one year after the day on which the company comes into existence.
1991, c. 45, s. 56; 2001, c. 9, s. 492. |
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Authorization in order |
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57. (1) An order approving the commencement and carrying on of business by a company may, at the discretion of the Superintendent, contain the authorization for the company to carry on the activities referred to in section 412. |
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Trust company |
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(2) Where an order approving the commencement and carrying on of business by a company contains the authorization referred to in subsection (1), subsection 52(3) or paragraph 58(1)( a ), the company is a trust company under this Act. |
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Mortgage investment company |
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(3) An order approving the commencement and carrying on of business by a company, other than a company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection (2), may, at the discretion of the |
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Superintendent, contain a designation that the company is a mortgage investment company under this Act. |
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Conditions of order |
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(4) An order approving the commencement and carrying on of business by a company may contain such conditions or limitations that are consistent with this Act and relate to the business of the company as the Superintendent deems expedient and necessary. |
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Variations |
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58. (1) In respect of the order approving the commencement and carrying on of business by a company, the Superintendent may at any time, by further order,
( a ) add to the order the authorization for the company to carry on the activities referred to in section 412, or the designation referred to in subsection 57(3),
( b ) make the order subject to such conditions or limitations that are consistent with this Act and that relate to the business of the company as the Superintendent deems expedient and necessary,
( c ) amend or revoke any authorization contained in the order or any condition or limitation to which the order is subject, or
( d ) revoke any designation contained in the order,
but before making any such further order the Superintendent shall provide the company with an opportunity to make representations regarding that further order.
(2) to (6) [Repealed, 1996, c. 6, s. 116]
1991, c. 45, s. 58; 1996, c. 6, s. 116. |
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Public notice |
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59. (1) On the making of an order approving the commencement and carrying on of business by a company, the company shall publish a notice of the making of the order in a newspaper in general circulation at or near the place where the head office of the company is located. |
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Notice in Canada Gazette |
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(2) The Superintendent shall cause to be published in the Canada Gazette a notice of the making of an order approving the commencement and carrying on of business by a company. |
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Non-application to former-Act company |
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(3) For greater certainty, this section does not apply to a company referred to in subsections 52(2) and (3). |
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Cessation of existence |
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60. Except for the sole purpose of winding up the companys affairs, a company ceases to exist one year after the day on which its incorporating instrument became effective if it does not obtain an order approving the commencement and carrying on of business within that year. |
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Allowed disbursements |
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61. (1) Where an order approving the commencement and carrying on of business is not made for a company, no part of the moneys of the company shall be used for the payment of incorporation and organization expenses, other than remuneration and costs referred to in section 54, unless the payment has been approved by a special resolution. |
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Application to court to settle disbursements |
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(2) If the amount allowed by a special resolution for the payment of any incorporation and organization expenses referred to in subsection (1) is considered insufficient by the directors or if no special resolution for the payment of such expenses is passed, the directors may apply to any court having jurisdiction in the place where the head office of the company is situated to settle and determine the amounts to be paid out of any moneys of the company before distribution of the balance to the shareholders or, where there are no shareholders, to the incorporators. |
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Notice of application to |
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(3) The directors shall, at least twenty-one days prior to the date fixed for the hearing of the |
court |
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application referred to in subsection (2), send to the shareholders or incorporators, as the case may be, a notice of the application, which notice shall contain a statement of the amounts that are proposed to be settled and determined by the court. |
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Ratio payable |
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(4) In order that the amounts paid and payable under this section may be equitably borne by the shareholders or incorporators, as the case may be, the directors shall, after the amounts of the payments have been approved by special resolution or settled and determined by a court, fix the proportionate part thereof chargeable to each shareholder or incorporator as the ratio of the amount paid in by the shareholder or incorporator to the aggregate of all the amounts paid in by the shareholders or incorporators. |
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Return of excess |
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(5) After the amounts referred to in this section have been paid, the directors shall pay, with any interest earned thereon, to the shareholders or incorporators, the respective balances of the moneys paid in by them, less the amount chargeable to each shareholder or incorporator under subsection (4).
PART V
CAPITAL STRUCTURE
SHARE CAPITAL |
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Power to issue shares |
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62. (1) Subject to this Act and the by-laws of the company, shares of a company may be issued at such times and to such persons and for such consideration as the directors of the company may determine. |
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Shares |
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(2) Shares of a company shall be in registered form and shall be without nominal or par value. |
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Shares of former-Act company |
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(3) Shares with nominal or par value of a former-Act company are deemed to be shares without nominal or par value. |
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Shares of continued company |
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(4) Where a body corporate is continued as a company under this Act, shares with nominal or par value issued by the body corporate before it was so continued are deemed to be shares without nominal or par value. |
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Deemed share conditions |
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(5) Where any right of a holder of a share with nominal or par value of a former-Act company or a body corporate continued as a company under this Act, other than a voting right, was stated or expressed in terms of the nominal or par value of the share immediately before the coming into force of this Part or the continuance under this Act, as the case may be, that right is thereafter deemed to be the same right stated or expressed without reference to the nominal or par value of the share. |
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Common shares |
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63. (1) A company shall have one class of shares, to be designated as common shares, which are non-redeemable and in which the rights of the holders thereof are equal in all respects, and those rights include
( a ) the right to vote at all meetings of shareholders except where only holders of a specified class of shares are entitled to vote;
( b ) the right to receive dividends declared on those shares; and
( c ) the right to receive the remaining property of the company on dissolution. |
Designations of shares |
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(2) No company shall designate more than one class of its shares as common shares or any variation of that term. |
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Former-Act company |
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(3) A former-Act company that is not in compliance with subsection (2) on the coming into force of this Part shall, within twelve months after the coming into force of this Part, redesignate its shares to comply with that subsection. |
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Continued company |
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(4) A body corporate continued as a company under this Act that is not in compliance with subsection (2) on the date letters patent continuing it as a company are issued shall, within twelve months after that date, redesignate its shares to comply with that subsection. |
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Exception |
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(5) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in respect of a former-Act company whose shareholders are confined to entities incorporated or formed by or under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province that are, in the opinion of the directors, operating as credit unions or cooperative associations. |
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Classes of shares |
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64. (1) The by-laws of a company may provide for more than one class of shares and, if they so provide, shall set out
( a ) the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the shares of each class; and
( b ) the maximum number, if any, of shares of any class that the company is authorized to issue. |
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Shareholder approval |
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(2) Where a by-law referred to in subsection (1) is made, the directors of the company shall submit the by-law to the shareholders at the next meeting of shareholders. |
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Effective date |
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(3) A by-law referred to in subsection (1) is not effective until it is confirmed or confirmed with amendments by special resolution of the shareholders at the meeting referred to in subsection (2).
1991, c. 45, s. 64; 2001, c. 9, s. 493. |
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Shares in series |
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65. (1) The by-laws of a company made pursuant to section 64 may authorize the issue of any class of shares in one or more series and may authorize the directors of the company to fix the maximum number, if any, of shares in each series and to determine the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the shares of each series, subject to the limitations set out in the by-laws. |
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Series participation |
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(2) If any cumulative dividend or amounts payable on return of capital in respect of a series of shares are not paid in full, the shares of all series of the same class participate rateably in respect of accumulated dividends and return of capital. |
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Voting rights |
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(3) Where voting rights are attached to any series of a class of shares, the shares of every other series of that class shall have the same voting rights. |
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Restriction on series |
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(4) No rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions attached to a series of shares authorized under this section confer on the series a priority in respect of dividends or return of capital over any other series of shares of the same class that are then outstanding. |
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Material to Superintendent |
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(5) Before the issue of shares of a series of shares authorized under this section, the directors shall send to the Superintendent a copy of the by-law authorizing the directors to fix the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of those shares and shall provide the Superintendent with |
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particulars of the proposed series of shares. |
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One share, one vote |
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66. (1) Where voting rights are attached to a share of a company, the voting rights may confer only one vote in respect of that share. |
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Exception |
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(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of
( a ) a share of a former-Act company issued on or before September 27, 1990 that entitled the holder to more than one vote, or to a fraction of a vote, in respect of that share; and
( b ) any share of a former-Act company that is issued after September 27, 1990 pursuant to the conversion of a security of the former-Act company that was issued with such a conversion privilege prior to that date. |
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Shares non-assessable |
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67. Shares issued by a company after the coming into force of this section are non-assessable and the shareholders are not liable to the company or to its creditors in respect thereof. |
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Consideration for share |
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68. (1) No share of any class of shares of a company shall be issued until it is fully paid for in money or, with the approval of the Superintendent, in property. |
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Transitional |
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(2) Where any share of a company is not fully paid for on the day this Part comes into force, the provisions of the Trust Companies Act or the Loan Companies Act that applied to the company immediately prior to that day and that relate to
( a ) the liability of holders of shares of a company that are not fully paid for and the enforcement of that liability,
( b ) the forfeiture of the share, and
( c ) the forfeiture of the right to vote the share
continue to apply in respect of that share. |
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Other currencies |
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(3) When issuing shares, a company may provide that any aspect of the shares relating to money or involving the payment of or the liability to pay money be in a currency other than the currency of Canada. |
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Stated capital account |
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69. (1) A company shall maintain a separate stated capital account for each class and series of shares it issues. |
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Addition to stated capital account |
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(2) A company shall record in the appropriate stated capital account the full amount of any consideration it receives for any shares it issues. |
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Exception |
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(2.1) Notwithstanding subsection (2), a company may record in the appropriate stated capital account part of the amount of any consideration it receives for shares it issues
( a ) in exchange for
(i) property of a person who immediately before the exchange did not deal with the company at arms length within the meaning of the Income Tax Act , or
(ii) shares of a body corporate that immediately before the exchange, or because of the exchange, did not deal with the company at arms length within the meaning of the Income Tax Act ; or
( b ) under an agreement referred to in subsection 229(1), to shareholders of an amalgamating |
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body corporate who receive the shares in addition to or instead of securities of the amalgamated company. |
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Limit on addition to a stated capital account |
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(2.2) On the issuance of a share, a company shall not add to the stated capital account in respect of the share an amount greater than the amount of the consideration it receives for the share. |
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Constraint on addition to a stated capital account |
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(2.3) Where a company that has issued any outstanding shares of more than one class or series proposes to add to a stated capital account that it maintains in respect of a class or series of shares an amount that was not received by the company as consideration for the issue of shares, the addition must be approved by special resolution unless all the issued and outstanding shares are of not more than two classes of convertible shares referred to in subsection 80(4). |
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Stated capital of former-Act company |
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(3) On the coming into force of this Part, a former-Act company shall record in the stated capital account maintained for each class and series of shares then outstanding an amount that is equal to the aggregate of
( a ) the aggregate amount paid up on the shares of each class and series of shares immediately before the coming into force of this Part, and
( b ) the amount of the contributed surplus of the company that is attributable to those shares. |
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Contributed surplus entry |
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(4) The amount of any contributed surplus recorded in the stated capital account pursuant to paragraph (3) ( b ) shall be deducted from the contributed surplus account of the company. |
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Share issued before coming into force |
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(5) Any amount unpaid in respect of a share issued by a former-Act company before the coming into force of this Part and paid after the coming into force of this Part shall be recorded in the stated capital account maintained by the company for the shares of that class or series.
1991, c. 45, s. 69; 1997, c. 15, s. 345. |
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Stated capital of continued company |
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70. (1) Where a body corporate is continued as a company under this Act, the company shall record in the stated capital account maintained for each class and series of shares then outstanding an amount that is equal to the aggregate of
( a ) the aggregate amount paid up on the shares of each class and series of shares immediately before the body corporate was so continued, and
( b ) the amount of the contributed surplus of the company that is attributable to those shares. |
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Contributed surplus entry |
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(2) The amount of any contributed surplus recorded in the stated capital account pursuant to paragraph (1) ( b ) shall be deducted from the contributed surplus account of the company. |
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Shares issued before continuance |
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(3) Any amount unpaid in respect of a share issued by a body corporate before it was continued as a company under this Act and paid after it was so continued shall be recorded in the stated capital account maintained by the company for the shares of that class or series. |
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Pre-emptive right |
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71. (1) Where the by-laws of a company so provide, no shares of any class shall be issued unless the shares have first been offered to the shareholders holding shares of that class, and those shareholders have a pre-emptive right to acquire the offered shares in proportion to their holdings of the shares of that class, at such price and on such terms as those shares are to be offered to others. |
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Exception |
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(2) Notwithstanding the existence of a pre-emptive right, a shareholder of a company has no |
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pre-emptive right in respect of shares of a class to be issued
( a ) for a consideration other than money;
( b ) as a share dividend; or
( c ) pursuant to the exercise of conversion privileges, options or rights previously granted by the company. |
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Idem |
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(3) Notwithstanding the existence of a pre-emptive right, a shareholder of a company has no pre-emptive right in respect of shares to be issued
( a ) where the issue of shares to the shareholder is prohibited by this Act; or
( b ) where, to the knowledge of the directors of the company, the offer of shares to a shareholder whose recorded address is in a country other than Canada ought not to be made unless the appropriate authority in that country is provided with information in addition to that submitted to the shareholders at the last annual meeting. |
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Conversion privileges |
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72. (1) A company may issue conversion privileges, options or rights to acquire securities of the company, and shall set out the conditions thereof
( a ) in the documents that evidence the conversion privileges, options or rights; or
( b ) in the securities to which the conversion privileges, options or rights are attached. |
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Transferable rights |
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(2) Conversion privileges, options and rights to acquire securities of a company may be made transferable or non-transferable, and options and rights to acquire such securities may be made separable or inseparable from any securities to which they are attached. |
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Reserved shares |
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(3) Where a company has granted privileges to convert any securities issued by the company into shares, or into shares of another class or series, or has issued or granted options or rights to acquire shares, if the by-laws limit the number of authorized shares, the company shall reserve and continue to reserve sufficient authorized shares to meet the exercise of such conversion privileges, options and rights. |
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Holding of own shares |
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73. Except as provided in sections 74 to 77, or unless permitted by the regulations, a company shall not
( a ) hold shares of the company or of any body corporate that controls the company;
( b ) hold any ownership interests of any unincorporated entity that controls the company;
( c ) permit any of its subsidiaries to hold any shares of the company or of any body corporate that controls the company; or
( d ) permit any of its subsidiaries to hold any ownership interests of any unincorporated entity that controls the company. |
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Purchase and redemption of shares |
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74. (1) Subject to subsection (2) and to its by-laws, a company may, with the consent of the Superintendent, purchase, for the purpose of cancellation, any shares issued by it, or redeem any redeemable shares issued by it at prices not exceeding the redemption price thereof calculated according to a formula stated in its by-laws or the conditions attaching to the shares. |
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Restrictions on purchase and redemption |
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(2) A company shall not make any payment to purchase or redeem any shares issued by it if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the company is, or the payment would cause the company to be, in contravention of any regulation referred to in subsection 473(1) or (2) or any |
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direction made pursuant to subsection 473(3). |
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Donated shares |
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(3) A company may accept from any shareholder a share of the company surrendered to it as a gift, but may not extinguish or reduce a liability in respect of an amount unpaid on any such share except in accordance with section 78. |
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Holding as personal representative |
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75. (1) A company may, and may permit its subsidiaries to, hold, in the capacity of a personal representative, shares of the company or of any body corporate that controls the company or ownership interests in any unincorporated entity that controls the company, but only where the company or the subsidiary does not have a beneficial interest in the shares or ownership interests. |
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Security interest |
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(2) A company may, and may permit its subsidiaries to, by way of a security interest
( a ) hold shares of the company or of any body corporate that controls the company, or
( b ) hold any ownership interests of any entity that controls the company,
where the security interest is nominal or immaterial when measured by criteria established by the company that have been approved in writing by the Superintendent. |
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Saving |
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(3) Nothing in subsection (2) precludes a former-Act company or any of its subsidiaries from holding any security interest held immediately prior to the coming into force of this Part. |
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Cancellation of shares |
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76. (1) Subject to subsection (2), where a company purchases shares of the company or fractions thereof or redeems or otherwise acquires shares of the company, the company shall cancel those shares. |
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Requirement to sell |
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(2) Where a company or any of its subsidiaries, through the realization of security, acquires any shares of the company or of any body corporate that controls the company or any ownership interests in an unincorporated entity that controls the company, the company shall, or shall cause its subsidiaries to, as the case may be, within six months after the day of the realization, sell or otherwise dispose of the shares or ownership interests. |
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Subsidiary holding shares |
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77. Subject to the regulations, a former-Act company shall cause any subsidiary of the company that holds shares of the company, or of any body corporate that controls the company, or any ownership interests of any unincorporated entity that controls the company to sell or otherwise dispose of those shares or ownership interests within six months after the day this section comes into force. |
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Reduction of capital |
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78. (1) The stated capital of a company may be reduced by special resolution. |
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Limitation |
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(2) A company shall not reduce its stated capital by special resolution if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the company is, or the reduction would cause the company to be, in contravention of any regulation referred to in subsection 473(1) or (2) or any direction made pursuant to subsection 473(3). |
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Contents of special resolution |
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(3) A special resolution to reduce the stated capital of a company shall specify the stated capital account or accounts from which the reduction of stated capital effected by the special resolution will be deducted. |
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Approval by Superintendent |
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(4) A special resolution to reduce the stated capital of a company has no effect until it is approved in writing by the Superintendent. |
Conditions for approval |
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(5) No approval to reduce the stated capital of a company may be given by the Superintendent unless application therefor is made within three months after the time of the passing of the special resolution and a copy of the special resolution, together with a notice of intention to apply for approval, has been published in the Canada Gazette . |
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Statements to be submitted |
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(6) In addition to evidence of the passing of a special resolution to reduce the stated capital of a company and of the publication thereof, statements showing
( a ) the number of the companys shares issued and outstanding,
( b ) the results of the voting by class of shares of the company,
( c ) the companys assets and liabilities, and
( d ) the reason why the company seeks the reduction of capital
shall be submitted to the Superintendent at the time of the application for approval of the special resolution. |
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Recovery by action |
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79. (1) Where any money or property was paid or distributed to a shareholder or other person as a consequence of a reduction of capital made contrary to section 78, a creditor of the company may apply to a court for an order compelling the shareholder or other person to pay the money or deliver the property to the company. |
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Shares held by personal representative |
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(2) No person holding shares in the capacity of a personal representative and registered on the records of the company as a shareholder and therein described as the personal representative of a named person is personally liable under subsection (1), but the named person is subject to all the liabilities imposed by that subsection. |
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Limitation |
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(3) An action to enforce a liability imposed by subsection (1) may not be commenced more than two years after the date of the act complained of. |
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Remedy preserved |
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(4) This section does not affect any liability that arises under section 212. |
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Adjustment of stated capital account |
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80. (1) On a purchase, redemption or other acquisition by a company of shares or fractions thereof issued by it, other than shares acquired pursuant to section 75 or acquired through the realization of security and sold pursuant to subsection 76(2), the company shall deduct from the stated capital account maintained for the class or series of shares so purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired an amount equal to the result obtained by multiplying the stated capital in respect of the shares of that class or series by the number of shares of that class or series so purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired and dividing by the number of shares of that class or series outstanding immediately before the purchase, redemption or other acquisition. |
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Idem |
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(2) A company shall adjust its stated capital account or accounts in accordance with any special resolution referred to in section 78. |
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Shares converted to another class |
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(3) On a conversion of outstanding shares of a company into shares of another class or series, or on a change of outstanding shares of the company into shares of another class or series, the company shall
( a ) deduct from the stated capital account maintained for the class or series of shares converted or changed an amount equal to the result obtained by multiplying the stated capital of the shares of that class or series by the number of shares of that class or series converted or changed, and dividing by the number of outstanding shares of that class or series immediately before the |
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conversion or change; and
( b ) record the result obtained under paragraph ( a ) and any additional consideration received pursuant to the conversion or change in the stated capital account maintained or to be maintained for the class or series of shares into which the shares have been converted or changed. |
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Stated capital of convertible shares |
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(4) For the purposes of subsection (3) and subject to the companys by-laws, where a company issues two classes of shares and there is attached to each class a right to convert a share of one class into a share of the other class and a share is so converted, the amount of stated capital attributable to a share in either class is the aggregate of the stated capital of both classes divided by the number of outstanding shares of both classes immediately before the conversion. |
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Conversion or change of shares |
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(5) Shares issued by a company and converted into shares of another class or series, or changed under subsection 222(1) into shares of another class or series, become issued shares of the class or series of shares into which the shares have been converted or changed. |
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Addition to stated capital account |
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81. On a conversion of any debt obligation of a company into shares of a class or series of shares, the company shall
( a ) deduct from the liabilities of the company the nominal value of the debt obligation being converted; and
( b ) record the result obtained under paragraph ( a ) and any additional consideration received for the conversion in the stated capital account maintained or to be maintained for the class or series of shares into which the debt obligation has been converted. |
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Declaration of dividend |
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82. (1) The directors of a company may declare and a company may pay a dividend by issuing fully paid shares of the company or options or rights to acquire fully paid shares of the company and, subject to subsections (4) and (5), the directors of a company may declare and a company may pay a dividend in money or property, and where a dividend is to be paid in money, the dividend may be paid in a currency other than the currency of Canada. |
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Notice to Superintendent |
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(2) The directors of a company shall notify the Superintendent of the declaration of a dividend at least ten days prior to the day fixed for its payment. |
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Share dividend |
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(3) If shares of a company are issued in payment of a dividend, the company shall record in the stated capital account maintained or to be maintained for the shares of the class or series issued in payment of the dividend the declared amount of the dividend stated as an amount of money. |
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When dividend not to be declared |
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(4) The directors of a company shall not declare and a company shall not pay a dividend if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the company is, or the payment would cause the company to be, in contravention of any regulation referred to in subsection 473(1) or (2) or any direction made pursuant to subsection 473(3). |
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When dividend not to be declared |
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(5) The directors of a company shall not declare and a company shall not pay a dividend in any financial year without the approval of the Superintendent if, on the day the dividend is declared, the total of all dividends declared by the company in that year would exceed the aggregate of the companys net income up to that day in that year and of its retained net income for the preceding two financial years.
1991, c. 45, s. 82; 2001, c. 9, s. 494. |
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SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS |
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Restriction on subordinated indebtedness |
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83. (1) A company shall not issue subordinated indebtedness unless the subordinated indebtedness is fully paid for in money or, with the approval of the Superintendent, in property. |
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References to subordinated indebtedness |
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(2) A person shall not in any prospectus, advertisement, correspondence or literature relating to any subordinated indebtedness issued or to be issued by a company refer to the subordinated indebtedness otherwise than as subordinated indebtedness. |
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Deemed not to be a deposit
Other currencies |
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(3) Subordinated indebtedness issued by a company is deemed not to be a deposit.
(4) When issuing subordinated indebtedness, a company may provide that any aspect of the subordinated indebtedness relating to money or involving the payment of or the liability to pay money in relation thereto be in a currency other than that of Canada including, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, the payment of any interest thereon.
SECURITY CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFERS |
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Definitions |
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84. In this section and sections 85 to 138, |
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adverse claim
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adverse claim includes a claim that a transfer was or would be wrongful or that a particular adverse person is the owner of or has an interest in a security; |
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bona fide
purchaser
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bona fide purchaser means a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of any adverse claim who takes delivery of a security in bearer form or order form or of a security in registered form issued to the purchaser or endorsed to the purchaser or endorsed in blank; |
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clearing agency
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clearing agency means a person designated as a recognized clearing agency by the Superintendent; |
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delivery
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delivery means voluntary transfer of possession; |
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fungible
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fungible, in respect of securities, means securities of which any unit is, by nature or usage of trade, the equivalent of any other like unit; |
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genuine
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genuine means free of forgery or counterfeit; |
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good faith
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good faith means honesty in fact in the conduct of the transaction concerned; |
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over-issue
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over-issue means the issue of securities in excess of any maximum number of securities that the issuer is authorized to issue; |
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purchaser
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purchaser means a person who takes an interest in a security by sale, mortgage, pledge, issue, reissue, gift or any other voluntary transaction; |
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securities broker |
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securities broker means a person who is engaged for all or part of the persons time in the |
« courtier » |
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business of buying and selling securities and who, in the transaction concerned, acts for, or buys a security from, or sells a security to, a customer; |
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security or security certificate
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security or security certificate means an instrument issued by a company that is
( a ) in bearer, order or registered form,
( b ) of a type commonly dealt in on securities exchanges or markets or commonly recognized in any area in which it is issued or dealt in as a medium for investment,
( c ) one of a class or series or by its terms divisible into a class or series of instruments, and
( d ) evidence of a share, participation or other interest in or obligation of a company,
but does not include an instrument evidencing a deposit; |
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trust indenture
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trust indenture has the meaning given that expression by section 299; |
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unauthorized
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unauthorized, in relation to a signature or an endorsement, means a signature or an endorsement made without actual, implied or apparent authority, and includes a forgery; |
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uncertificated security
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uncertificated security means a security, not evidenced by a security certificate, the issue and any transfer of which is registered or recorded in records maintained for that purpose by or on behalf of a company; |
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valid
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valid means issued in accordance with the applicable law or validated under section 100. |
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Provisions governing transfers of securities |
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85. The transfer of a security is governed by sections 86 to 138. |
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Security a negotiable instrument |
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86. (1) A security is a negotiable instrument but, in the case of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Bills of Exchange Act and this Act, this Act prevails to the extent of the inconsistency. |
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Bearer form |
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(2) A security is in bearer form if it is payable to bearer according to its terms and not by reason of any endorsement. |
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Order form |
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(3) A security is in order form where the security is not a share and, by its terms, it is payable to the order or assigns of any person therein specified with reasonable certainty or to the person or the persons order. |
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Registered form |
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(4) A security is in registered form if
( a ) it specifies a person entitled to the security or to the rights it evidences, and its transfer is capable of being recorded in a securities register; or
( b ) it bears a statement that it is in registered form. |
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Status of guarantor |
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87. A guarantor for an issuer of a security is deemed to be an issuer to the extent of the guarantee, whether or not the guarantors obligation is noted on the security. |
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Rights of holder |
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88. (1) Subject to Part VII, every security holder is entitled at the holders option to a security certificate that complies with this Act or to a non-transferable written acknowledgement of the holders right to obtain a security certificate that complies with this Act from a company in respect |
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of the securities of that company held by the security holder. |
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Fee for security certificate |
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(2) A company may charge a fee, not exceeding a prescribed amount, for a security certificate issued in respect of a transfer. |
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Joint holders |
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(3) A company is not required to issue more than one security certificate in respect of securities held jointly by several persons, and delivery of a security certificate to one of several joint holders is sufficient delivery to all joint holders of the security.
1991, c. 45, s. 88; 1999, c. 31, s. 214. |
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Signatures on security certificate |
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89. (1) A security certificate shall be signed manually
( a ) by at least one director or officer of the company,
( b ) by or on behalf of a registrar, transfer agent or branch transfer agent of the company, or
( c ) by a trustee who certifies it in accordance with a trust indenture,
and any additional signatures required on a security certificate may be printed or otherwise mechanically produced thereon. |
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No manual signature required |
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a manual signature is not required on a security certificate representing a fractional share, on an option or a right to acquire a security or on a scrip certificate. |
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Continuation of signature |
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(3) Where a security certificate contains a printed or mechanically reproduced signature of a person, the company may issue the security certificate, notwithstanding that the person has ceased to be a director or an officer of the company, and the security certificate is as valid as if the person were a director or an officer at the date of its issue. |
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Contents of share certificate |
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90. There shall be stated on the face of each share certificate issued by a company after the coming into force of this section
( a ) the name of the company;
( b ) a statement that the company is subject to the Trust and Loan Companies Act ;
( c ) the name of the person to whom the share certificate is issued; and
( d ) the number and class of shares and the designation of any series that the certificate represents. |
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Restrictions and constraints |
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91. (1) If a security certificate issued by a company is or becomes subject to
( a ) a restriction on its transfer other than a constraint under Part VII, or
( b ) a lien in favour of the company,
the restriction or lien is ineffective against a transferee of the security who has no actual knowledge of it, unless the restriction or lien or a reference to it is noted conspicuously on the security certificate. |
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Limit on restriction |
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(2) Where any of the issued shares of a company are or were part of a distribution to the public and remain outstanding and are held by more than one person, the company shall not have a restriction on the issue, transfer or ownership of its shares of any class or series except by way of a constraint under Part VII. |
Transitional |
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(3) If a body corporate that is continued as a company under this Act has outstanding security certificates and the words private company or private corporation appear on the certificates, those words are deemed to be a notice of a restriction or lien for the purposes of subsection (1). |
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Particulars of class |
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92. (1) There shall be stated legibly on a share certificate issued after the coming into force of this section by a company that is authorized to issue shares of more than one class or series
( a ) the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the shares of each class and series existing when the share certificate is issued; or
( b ) that the class or series of shares that the certificate represents has rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions attached thereto and that the company will furnish a shareholder, on demand and without charge, with a full copy of
(i) the text of the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to each class authorized to be issued and to each series in so far as those rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions have been fixed by the directors, and
(ii) the text of the authority of the directors, if the directors are so authorized, to fix the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of subsequent series of shares. |
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Duty |
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(2) Where a share certificate issued by a company contains the statement mentioned in paragraph (1)( b ), the company shall provide a shareholder, on demand and without charge, with a full copy of the texts referred to in subparagraphs (1)( b )(i) and (ii). |
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Fractional share |
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93. A company may issue a certificate for a fractional share or may issue in place thereof a scrip certificate in bearer form that entitles the holder to receive a certificate for a full share by exchanging scrip certificates aggregating a full share. |
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Scrip certificates |
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94. The directors of a company may attach conditions to any scrip certificate issued by the company, including conditions that
( a ) the scrip certificate becomes void if not exchanged for a share certificate representing a full share before a specified date; and
( b ) any shares for which the scrip certificate is exchangeable may, notwithstanding any pre-emptive right, be issued by the company to any person and the proceeds thereof may be distributed rateably to the holders of all the scrip certificates. |
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Holders of fractional shares |
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95. (1) A holder of a fractional share issued by a company is not entitled to exercise voting rights or to receive a dividend in respect of the fractional share. |
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Holders of scrip certificates |
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(2) A holder of a scrip certificate is not entitled to exercise voting rights or to receive a dividend in respect of the scrip certificate. |
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Dealings with registered holder |
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96. (1) A company or a trustee within the meaning of section 299 may, subject to subsections 140(2) to (5) and sections 141 to 144 and 148, treat the registered owner of a security as the person exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notices, to receive any interest, dividend or other payment in respect of the security and to exercise all of the rights and powers of an owner of the security. |
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Constructive registered holder |
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a company may treat a person as a registered security holder entitled to exercise all of the rights of the security holder that the person represents, if that person provides the company with evidence as described in subsection 130(4) that the person is
( a ) the heir or personal representative of a deceased security holder or the personal |
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representative of the heirs of the deceased security holder;
( b ) the personal representative of a registered security holder who is an infant, an incompetent person or a missing person; or
( c ) a liquidator of, or a trustee in bankruptcy for, a registered security holder. |
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Permissible registered holder |
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(3) If a person on whom the ownership of a security of a company devolves by operation of law, other than a person described in subsection (2), provides proof of that persons authority to exercise rights or privileges in respect of a security of the company that is not registered in the persons name, the company shall, subject to this Act, treat that person as entitled to exercise those rights or privileges. |
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Immunity of company |
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(4) A company is not required to inquire into the existence of, or see to the performance or observance of, any duty owed to a third person by a registered holder of any of its securities or by anyone whom it treats, as permitted or required by this Part, as the owner or registered holder thereof. |
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Infant owner |
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97. If an infant exercises any rights of ownership in the securities of a company, no subsequent repudiation or avoidance is effective against the company. |
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Joint shareholders |
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98. A company may treat as owners of a security the survivors of persons to whom the security was issued as joint holders, if the company receives proof satisfactory to it of the death of any of the joint holders. |
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Transmission of securities |
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99. (1) Subject to the provisions of Part VII and any applicable law relating to the collection of taxes, a person referred to in paragraph 96(2)( a ) is entitled to become registered as the owner of a security, or to designate another person to be registered as the owner of a security, if the person referred to in paragraph 96(2)( a ) delivers to the company or its transfer agent
( a ) the original grant of probate or of letters of administration, or a copy thereof certified to be a true copy by
(i) the court that granted the probate or letters of administration,
(ii) a company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2) or a trust company incorporated by or under the laws of a province, or
(iii) a lawyer or notary acting on behalf of the person referred to in paragraph 96(2)( a ), or
( b ) in the case of transmission by notarial will in the Province of Quebec, a copy thereof authenticated pursuant to the laws of that Province,
together with
( c ) an affidavit or declaration of transmission made by the person referred to in paragraph 96(2)( a ) that states the particulars of the transmission, and
( d ) the security certificate that was owned by the deceased holder
(i) in the case of a transfer to the person referred to in paragraph 96(2)( a ), with or without the endorsement of that person, and
(ii) in the case of a transfer to any other person, endorsed in accordance with section 114,
and accompanied by any assurance the company may require under section 130. |
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Excepted transmissions |
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), if the laws of the jurisdiction governing the transmission of |
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a security of a deceased holder do not require a grant of probate or of letters of administration in respect of the transmission, a personal representative of the deceased holder is entitled, subject to Part VII and any applicable law relating to the collection of taxes, to become registered as the owner or to designate a person to be registered as the owner, if the personal representative delivers to the company or its transfer agent the following documents, namely,
( a ) the security certificate that was owned by the deceased holder; and
( b ) reasonable proof of the governing laws, of the deceased holders interest in the security and of the right of the personal representative or the designated person to become the registered shareholder. |
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Right of company to treat as owner |
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(3) Subject to Part VII, delivery of the documents referred to in this section empowers a company or its transfer agent to record in a securities register the transmission of a security from the deceased holder to a person referred to in paragraph 96(2)( a ) or to such person as the person referred to in that paragraph may designate and, thereafter, to treat the person who becomes so registered as the owner of that security. |
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Over-issue |
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100. (1) The provisions of this Part that validate a security or compel its issue or reissue do not apply to the extent that a validation, issue or reissue would result in over-issue, but
( a ) if a valid security similar in all respects to the security involved in the over-issue is reasonably available for purchase, the person entitled to the validation or issue may compel the issuer to purchase and deliver such a security to that person against surrender of the security that the person holds; or
( b ) if a valid security similar in all respects to the security involved in the over-issue is not reasonably available for purchase, the person entitled to the validation or issue may recover from the issuer an amount equal to the price the last purchaser for value paid for the invalid security. |
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Retroactive validation |
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(2) Where an issuer is subsequently authorized to issue securities of a number equal to or exceeding the number of securities previously authorized plus the amount of the securities over-issued, the securities so over-issued are valid from the date of their issue. |
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Payment not a purchase or redemption |
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(3) A purchase or payment by an issuer under subsection (1) is not a purchase or payment in respect of which section 74 or 80 applies. |
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Burden of proof |
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101. In any action on a security,
( a ) unless specifically denied in the pleadings, each signature on the security or in a necessary endorsement is admitted;
( b ) a signature on the security is presumed to be genuine and authorized but, if the effectiveness of the signature is put in issue, the burden of establishing that it is genuine and authorized is on the party claiming under the signature;
( c ) if a signature is admitted or established, production of the instrument entitles a holder to recover on it unless the defendant establishes a defence or a defect going to the validity of the security; and
( d ) if the defendant establishes that a defence or defect exists, the plaintiff has the burden of establishing that the defence or defect is ineffective against the plaintiff or any person under whom the plaintiff claims. |
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Securities fungible |
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102. Unless otherwise agreed, and subject to any applicable law, regulation or stock exchange |
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rule, a person required to deliver securities may deliver any security of the specified issue in bearer form or registered in the name of the transferee or endorsed to the transferee or in blank. |
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Notice of defect |
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103. (1) Even against a purchaser for value and without notice of a defect going to the validity of a security, the terms of the security include those stated on the security and those incorporated therein by reference to another instrument, statute, rule, regulation or order to the extent that the terms so referred to do not conflict with the stated terms, but such a reference is not of itself notice to a purchaser for value of a defect going to the validity of the security, notwithstanding that the security expressly states that a person accepting it admits the notice. |
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Purchaser for value |
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(2) A security is valid in the hands of a purchaser for value without notice of any defect going to its validity. |
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Lack of genuineness |
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(3) Except as provided in section 104, the fact that a security is not genuine is a complete defence even against a purchaser for value and without notice. |
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Ineffective defences |
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(4) All defences of an issuer, including non-delivery and conditional delivery of a security but not including lack of genuineness, are ineffective against a purchaser for value without notice of the particular defence. |
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Staleness as defect notice |
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(5) After an event that creates a right to immediate performance of the principal obligation evidenced by a security, or that sets a date on or after which a security is to be presented or surrendered for redemption or exchange, a purchaser is deemed to have notice of any defect in its issue or of any defence of the issuer
( a ) if the event requires the payment of money or the delivery of securities, or both, on presentation or surrender of the security, and the funds or securities are available on the date set for payment or exchange, and the purchaser takes the security more than one year after that date; or
( b ) if the purchaser takes the security more than two years after the date set for presentation or surrender or the date on which the performance became due. |
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Unauthorized signature |
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104. An unauthorized signature on a security before or in the course of issue is ineffective, except that the signature is effective in favour of a purchaser for value and without notice of the lack of authority, if the signing has been done by
( a ) an authenticating trustee, registrar, transfer agent or other person entrusted by the issuer with the signing of the security, or of similar securities, or their immediate preparation for signing; or
( b ) an employee of the issuer or of a person referred to in paragraph ( a ) who, in the ordinary course of the employees duties, handles the security. |
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Completion or alteration |
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105. (1) Where a security contains the signatures necessary to its issue or transfer but is incomplete in any other respect,
( a ) any person may complete it by filling in the blanks in accordance with the persons authority; and
( b ) notwithstanding that the blanks are incorrectly filled in, the security as completed is enforceable by a purchaser who took it for value and without notice of the incorrectness. |
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Enforceability |
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(2) A completed security that has been improperly altered, even if fraudulently altered, remains enforceable, but only according to its original terms. |
Warranties of agents |
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106. (1) A person signing a security, as authenticating trustee, registrar, transfer agent or other person entrusted by the issuer with the signing of the security, warrants to a purchaser for value without notice that
( a ) the security is genuine;
( b ) the persons acts in connection with the issue of the security are within the persons authority; and
( c ) the person has reasonable grounds for believing that the security is in the form and within the amount the issuer is authorized to issue. |
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Limitation of liability |
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(2) Unless otherwise agreed, a person referred to in subsection (1) does not assume any further liability for the validity of a security. |
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Title of purchaser |
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107. (1) Subject to Part VII, on delivery of a security the purchaser acquires the rights in the security that the purchasers transferor had or had authority to convey, except that the position of a purchaser who has been a party to any fraud or illegality affecting the security or who as a prior holder had notice of an adverse claim is not improved by taking from a later bona fide purchaser. |
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Title of bona fide purchaser |
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(2) A bona fide purchaser, in addition to acquiring the rights of a purchaser, also acquires the security free from any adverse claim. |
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Limited interest purchaser |
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(3) A purchaser of a limited interest acquires rights only to the extent of the interest purchased. |
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Deemed notice of adverse claim |
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108. A purchaser of a security, or any securities broker for a seller or purchaser, is deemed to have notice of an adverse claim if
( a ) the security, whether in bearer form or registered form, has been endorsed for collection or for surrender or for some other purpose not involving transfer; or
( b ) the security is in bearer form and has on it a statement that it is the property of a person other than the transferor, except that the mere writing of a name on a security is not such a statement. |
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Notice of fiduciary duty |
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109. Notwithstanding that a purchaser, or any securities broker for a seller or purchaser, has notice that a security is held for a third person by, or is registered in the name of or endorsed by, a fiduciary, neither the purchaser nor the securities broker has any duty to inquire into the rightfulness of the transfer or any notice of an adverse claim, except that if the purchaser or securities broker for the seller or purchaser knows that the consideration is to be used for, or that the transaction is for, the personal benefit of the fiduciary or is otherwise in breach of the fiduciarys duty, the purchaser or securities broker is deemed to have notice of an adverse claim. |
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Staleness as notice |
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110. An event that creates a right to immediate performance of the principal obligation evidenced by a security or that sets a date on or after which the security is to be presented or surrendered for redemption or exchange is not of itself notice of an adverse claim, except in the case of a purchase
( a ) made more than one year after any date set for such a presentation or surrender; or
( b ) made more than six months after any date set for payment of money against such a presentation or surrender if funds are available for payment on that date. |
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Warranties to issuer |
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111. (1) A person who presents a security for registration of transfer or for payment or exchange warrants to the issuer that the person is entitled to the registration, payment or exchange, except that |
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a purchaser for value without notice of an adverse claim who receives a new, reissued or re-registered security on registration of transfer warrants only that the purchaser has no knowledge of any unauthorized signature in a necessary endorsement. |
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Warranties to purchaser |
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(2) A person by transferring a security to a purchaser for value warrants only that
( a ) the transfer is effective and rightful;
( b ) the security is genuine and has not been materially altered; and
( c ) the person knows of nothing that might impair the validity of the security. |
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Warranties of intermediary |
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(3) Where a security is delivered by an intermediary known by the purchaser to be entrusted with delivery of the security on behalf of another or with collection of a draft or other claim to be collected against that delivery, the intermediary by that delivery warrants only the intermediarys own good faith and authority even if the intermediary has purchased or made advances against the draft or other claim to be collected against the delivery. |
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Warranties of pledgee |
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(4) A pledgee or other holder for purposes of security who redelivers a security received, or after payment and on order of the debtor delivers that security to a third person, gives only the warranties of an intermediary under subsection (3). |
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Warranties of securities broker |
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(5) A securities broker gives to the brokers customer, to the issuer and to a purchaser, as the case may be, the warranties provided in subsections (1) to (4) and has the rights and privileges of a purchaser under those subsections, and those warranties of and in favour of the broker acting as an agent are in addition to warranties given by the brokers customer and warranties given in favour of the brokers customer. |
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Right to compel endorsement |
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112. Where a security in registered form is delivered to a purchaser without a necessary endorsement, the purchaser may become a bona fide purchaser only as of the time the endorsement is supplied, but against the transferor the transfer is complete on delivery and the purchaser has a specifically enforceable right to have any necessary endorsement supplied. |
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Definition of appropriate person |
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113. (1) In this section, section 114, subsections 121(1), 124(4) and 129(1) and section 133, appropriate person means
( a ) the person specified by the security or by special endorsement to be entitled to the security;
( b ) if a person described in paragraph ( a ) is described as a fiduciary but is no longer serving in the described capacity, either that person or that persons successor;
( c ) if the security or endorsement mentioned in paragraph ( a ) specifies more than one person as fiduciaries and one or more of those persons are no longer serving in the described capacity, the remaining fiduciary or fiduciaries, whether or not a successor has been appointed;
( d ) if a person described in paragraph ( a ) is a natural person and is without capacity to act by reason of death, incompetence, minority or other reason, the persons fiduciary;
( e ) if the security or endorsement mentioned in paragraph ( a ) specifies more than one person with right of survivorship and by reason of death not all of the persons can sign, the survivor or survivors; |
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( f ) a person having power to sign under any applicable law or a power of attorney; or
( g ) to the extent that a person described in any of paragraphs ( a ) to ( f ) may act through an agent, the persons authorized agent. |
Determining an appropriate person |
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(2) Whether the person signing is an appropriate person is determined as of the time of signing, and an endorsement by such a person does not become unauthorized for the purposes of this Part by reason of any subsequent change of circumstances. |
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Endorsement |
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114. (1) An endorsement of a security in registered form is made when an appropriate person signs, either on the security or on a separate document, an assignment or transfer of the security or a power to assign or transfer it, or when the signature of an appropriate person is written without more on the back of the security. |
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Special or blank |
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(2) An endorsement may be special or in blank. |
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Blank endorsement |
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(3) An endorsement in blank includes an endorsement to bearer. |
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Special endorsement |
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(4) A special endorsement specifies the person to whom the security is to be transferred, or who has power to transfer it. |
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Right of holder |
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(5) A holder may convert an endorsement in blank into a special endorsement. |
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Immunity of endorser |
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115. Unless otherwise agreed, the endorser by the endorsement assumes no obligation that the security will be honoured by the issuer. |
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Partial endorsement |
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116. An endorsement purporting to be an endorsement of only part of a security representing units intended by the issuer to be separately transferable is effective to the extent of the endorsement. |
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Effect of failure by fiduciary to comply |
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117. Failure of a fiduciary to comply with a controlling instrument or with the law of the jurisdiction governing the fiduciary relationship, including any law requiring the fiduciary to obtain court approval of a transfer, does not render the fiduciarys endorsement unauthorized for the purposes of this Part. |
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Effect of endorsement without delivery |
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118. An endorsement of a security, whether special or in blank, does not constitute a transfer until delivery of the security on which it appears or, if the endorsement is on a separate document, until delivery of both the security and that document. |
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Endorsement in bearer form |
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119. An endorsement of a security in bearer form may give notice of an adverse claim under section 108 but does not otherwise affect any of the holders rights. |
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Effect of unauthorized endorsement |
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120. (1) The owner of a security may assert the ineffectiveness of an endorsement against the issuer or any purchaser, other than a purchaser for value and without notice of an adverse claim, who has in good faith received a new, reissued or re-registered security on registration of transfer, unless the owner
( a ) has ratified an unauthorized endorsement of the security; or
( b ) is otherwise precluded from impugning the effectiveness of an unauthorized endorsement. |
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Liability of issuer |
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(2) An issuer who registers the transfer of a security on an unauthorized endorsement is liable for improper registration. |
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Warranties of guarantor of signature |
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121. (1) A person who guarantees the signature of an endorser of a security warrants that, at the |
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time of signing,
( a ) the signature was genuine;
( b ) the signer was an appropriate person to endorse; and
( c ) the signer had legal capacity to sign. |
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Limitation of liability |
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(2) A person who guarantees the signature of an endorser does not otherwise warrant the rightfulness of the transfer to which the signature relates. |
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Warranties of guarantor of endorsement |
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(3) A person who guarantees the endorsement of a security warrants both the signature and the rightfulness, in all respects, of the transfer to which the signature relates, but an issuer may not require a guarantee of endorsement as a condition to registration of transfer. |
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Extent of warrantors liability |
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(4) The warranties referred to in subsections (1) to (3) are made to any person who, relying on the guarantee, takes or deals with the security, and the guarantor is liable to such a person for any loss resulting from breach of warranty. |
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Constructive delivery of a security |
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122. Delivery to a purchaser occurs when
( a ) the purchaser or a person designated by the purchaser acquires possession of a security;
( b ) the purchasers securities broker acquires possession of a security specially endorsed to or issued in the name of the purchaser;
( c ) the purchasers securities broker sends the purchaser confirmation of the purchase and the broker in the brokers records identifies a specific security as belonging to the purchaser; or
( d ) in respect of an identified security to be delivered while still in the possession of a third person, that person acknowledges that it is held for the purchaser. |
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Constructive ownership of security |
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123. (1) A purchaser is the owner of a security held for the purchaser by a securities broker, but a purchaser is not a holder except in the cases referred to in paragraphs 122( b ) and ( c ). |
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Ownership of part of fungible bulk |
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(2) If a security is part of a fungible bulk, a purchaser of the security is the owner of the proportionate interest in the fungible bulk. |
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Notice to securities broker of adverse claim |
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(3) Notice of an adverse claim received by a securities broker or by a purchaser after the broker takes delivery as a holder for value is not effective against the broker or the purchaser, except that, as between the broker and the purchaser, the purchaser may demand delivery of an equivalent security in respect of which no notice of an adverse claim has been received. |
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Delivery of security |
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124. (1) Unless otherwise agreed, if a sale of a security is made on a stock exchange or otherwise through securities brokers,
( a ) the selling customer fulfils the customers duty to deliver when the customer delivers the security to the selling securities broker or to a person designated by the selling securities broker or causes an acknowledgement to be made to the selling securities broker that it is held for the selling securities broker; and
( b ) the selling securities broker, including a correspondent broker, acting for a selling customer fulfils the securities brokers duty to deliver by delivering the security or a like security to the buying securities broker or to a person designated by the buying securities broker or by effecting clearance of the sale in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which the transaction took |
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place. |
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Duty to deliver |
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(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section and unless otherwise agreed, a transferors duty to deliver a security under a contract of purchase is not fulfilled until the transferor delivers the security in negotiable form to the purchaser or to a person designated by the purchaser, or causes an acknowledgement to be made to the purchaser that the security is held for the purchaser. |
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Delivery to securities broker |
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(3) A sale to a securities broker purchasing for the securities brokers own account is subject to subsection (2) and not subsection (1), unless the sale is made on a stock exchange. |
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Transfer through clearing agency |
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(4) If a security shown in the records of a clearing agency is evidenced by
( a ) a security certificate in the custody of the clearing agency or a custodian, or a nominee of either, subject to the instructions of the clearing agency, and is in bearer form or endorsed in blank by an appropriate person or registered in the name of the clearing agency or a custodian, or of a nominee of either, or
( b ) an uncertificated security registered or recorded in records maintained by or on behalf of the company in the name of the clearing agency or a custodian, or of a nominee of either, subject to the instructions of the clearing agency,
then, in addition to other methods, a transfer or pledge of the security or any interest therein may be effected by the making of an appropriate entry in the records of the clearing agency. |
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Interest in fungible bulk |
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(5) Under subsections (4) to (10), entries may be in respect of like securities or interests therein as part of a fungible bulk and may refer merely to a quantity of a particular security without reference to the name of the registered owner, certificate or bond number or the like and, in appropriate cases, may be on a net basis taking into account other transfers or pledges of the same security. |
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Constructive endorsement and delivery |
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(6) A transfer or pledge under subsections (4) to (10) has the effect of a delivery of a security in bearer form or duly endorsed in blank representing the amount of the obligation or the number of shares or rights transferred or pledged. |
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Idem |
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(7) If a pledge or the creation of a security interest is intended, the making of entries has the effect of a taking of delivery by the pledgee or a secured party and the pledgee or secured party shall be deemed to have taken possession for all purposes. |
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Holder |
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(8) A person depositing a security certificate or an uncertificated security with a clearing agency, or a transferee or pledgee of a security under subsections (4) to (10), is a holder of the security and shall be deemed to have possession of the security so deposited, transferred or pledged, as the case may be, for all purposes. |
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Not registration |
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(9) A transfer or pledge under subsections (4) to (10) does not constitute a registration of transfer under sections 129 to 136. |
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Error in records |
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(10) That entries made in the records of the clearing agency as provided in subsection (4) are not appropriate does not affect the validity or effect of the entries nor the liabilities or obligations of the clearing agency to any person adversely affected thereby. |
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Right to reclaim possession |
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125. (1) A person against whom the transfer of a security is wrongful for any reason, including the persons incapacity, may, against anyone except a bona fide purchaser, |
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( a ) reclaim possession of the security or obtain possession of any new security evidencing all or part of the same rights; or
( b ) claim damages. |
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Recovery where unauthorized endorsement |
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(2) If the transfer of a security is wrongful by reason of an unauthorized endorsement, the owner may reclaim possession of the security or a new security even from a bona fide purchaser if the ineffectiveness of the purported endorsement is asserted against the purchaser under section 120. |
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Remedies |
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(3) The right to reclaim possession of a security may be specially enforced, its transfer may be restrained and the security may be impounded pending litigation. |
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Right to requisites for registration |
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126. (1) Unless otherwise agreed, a transferor shall, on demand, supply a purchaser with proof of the transferors authority to transfer a security or with any other requisite that is necessary to obtain registration of the transfer of a security, but if the transfer is not for value, it is not necessary for a transferor to prove authority to transfer unless the purchaser pays the reasonable and necessary costs of the proof and transfer. |
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Rescission of transfer |
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(2) If a transferor fails to comply with a demand under subsection (1) within a reasonable time, the purchaser may reject or rescind the transfer. |
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Seizure of security |
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127. No seizure of a security or other interest evidenced thereby is effective until the person making the seizure obtains possession of the security. |
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No conversion if good faith delivery |
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128. An agent or bailee who in good faith, including observance of reasonable commercial standards if the agent or bailee is in the business of buying, selling or otherwise dealing with securities of a company, has received securities and sold, pledged or delivered them according to the instructions of the agents or bailees principal is not liable for conversion or for participation in breach of fiduciary duty even though the principal has no right to dispose of the securities. |
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Duty to register transfer |
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129. (1) Subject to Part VII, where a security in registered form is presented for transfer, the issuer shall register the transfer if
( a ) the security is endorsed by an appropriate person;
( b ) reasonable assurance is given that the endorsement is genuine and effective;
( c ) the issuer has no duty to inquire into adverse claims or has discharged any such duty;
( d ) all applicable laws relating to the collection of taxes have been complied with;
( e ) the transfer is rightful or is to a bona fide purchaser; and
( f ) the fee, if any, referred to in subsection 88(2) has been paid. |
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Liability for delay |
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(2) Where an issuer has a duty to register a transfer of a security, the issuer is liable to the person presenting it for registration for any loss resulting from any unreasonable delay in registration or from the failure or refusal to register the transfer. |
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Assurance of endorsements |
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130. (1) An issuer may require an assurance that each necessary endorsement on a security is genuine and effective by requiring a guarantee of the signature of the person endorsing the security and by requiring
( a ) if the endorsement is by an agent, reasonable assurance of authority to sign; |
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( b ) if the endorsement is by a fiduciary, evidence of appointment or incumbency;
( c ) if there is more than one fiduciary, reasonable assurance that all who are required to sign have done so; and
( d ) in any other case, assurance that corresponds as closely as practicable to the foregoing. |
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Definition of guarantee of the signature |
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(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), guarantee of the signature means a guarantee signed by or on behalf of a person whom the issuer believes, on reasonable grounds, to be a responsible person. |
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Standards |
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(3) An issuer may adopt reasonable standards to determine responsible persons for the purposes of subsection (2). |
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Definition of evidence of appointment or incumbency |
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(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)( b ), evidence of appointment or incumbency means
( a ) in the case of a fiduciary appointed by a court and referred to in subsection 99(1), a copy of the certified court order referred to in subsection 99(1) and dated not earlier than sixty days before the day a security is presented for transfer; or
( b ) in the case of any other fiduciary, a copy of a document showing the appointment or other evidence believed by the issuer to be appropriate. |
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Standards |
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(5) An issuer may adopt reasonable standards with respect to evidence referred to in paragraph (4)( b ). |
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No notice to issuer |
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(6) An issuer is deemed not to have notice of the contents of any document referred to in subsection (4) that is obtained by the issuer except to the extent that the contents relate directly to appointment or incumbency. |
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Notice from additional documentation |
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131. If an issuer, in relation to a transfer, demands assurance other than an assurance specified in subsection 130(1) and obtains a copy of a will, trust or partnership agreement or a by-law or similar document, the issuer is deemed to have notice of all matters contained therein affecting the transfer. |
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Limited duty of inquiry |
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132. (1) An issuer to whom a security is presented for registration has a duty to inquire into adverse claims if
( a ) the issuer receives written notice of an adverse claim at a time and in a manner that provides the issuer with a reasonable opportunity to act on it before the issue of a new, reissued or re-registered security and the notice discloses the name and address of the claimant, the registered owner and the issue of which the security is a part; or
( b ) the issuer is deemed to have notice of an adverse claim from a document that it obtained under section 131. |
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Discharge of duty |
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(2) An issuer may discharge a duty of inquiry by any reasonable means, including notifying an adverse claimant by registered mail sent to the address provided by the adverse claimant or, if no such address has been provided, to the adverse claimants residence or regular place of business, that a security has been presented for registration of transfer by a named person and that the transfer will be registered unless, within thirty days after the date of mailing of the notice, either
( a ) the issuer is served with a restraining order or other order of a court, or
( b ) the issuer is provided with an indemnity bond sufficient in the issuers judgment to protect the issuer and any registrar, transfer agent or other agent of the issuer from any loss that may be |
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incurred by any of them as a result of complying with the adverse claim. |
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Inquiry into adverse claims |
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133. Unless an issuer is deemed to have notice of an adverse claim from a document that it obtained under section 131 or has received notice of an adverse claim under subsection 132(1), if a security presented for registration is endorsed by the appropriate person, the issuer has no duty to inquire into adverse claims and, in particular, |
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( a ) an issuer registering a security in the name of a person who is a fiduciary or who is described as a fiduciary is not bound to inquire into the existence, extent or correct description of the fiduciary relationship and thereafter the issuer may assume without inquiry that the newly registered owner continues to be the fiduciary until the issuer receives written notice that the fiduciary is no longer acting as such with respect to the particular security;
( b ) an issuer registering a transfer on an endorsement by a fiduciary has no duty to inquire into whether the transfer is made in compliance with the document or with the law of the jurisdiction governing the fiduciary relationship; and
( c ) an issuer is deemed not to have notice of the contents of any court record or any registered document even if the record or document is in the issuers possession and even if the transfer is made on the endorsement of a fiduciary to the fiduciary specifically or to the fiduciarys nominee. |
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Duration of notice of adverse claim |
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134. A written notice of adverse claim received by an issuer is effective for twelve months after the day it was received unless the notice is renewed in writing. |
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Limitation on issuers liability |
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135. (1) Except as otherwise provided in any applicable law relating to the collection of taxes, an issuer is not liable to the owner or any other person who incurs a loss as a result of the registration of a transfer of a security if
( a ) the necessary endorsements were on or with the security; and
( b ) the issuer had no duty to inquire into adverse claims or had discharged any such duty. |
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Duty of issuer on default |
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(2) If an issuer has registered a transfer of a security to a person not entitled to it, the issuer shall on demand deliver a like security to the owner unless
( a ) the issuer is not liable by virtue of subsection (1);
( b ) the owner is precluded by subsection 136(1) from asserting any claim; or
( c ) the delivery would result in over-issue in respect of which section 100 applies. |
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Lost or stolen security |
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136. (1) Where a security has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the owner fails to notify the issuer of that fact by giving the issuer written notice of the owners adverse claim within a reasonable time after the owner knows of the loss, destruction or taking, then, if the issuer has registered a transfer of the security before receiving the notice, the owner is precluded from asserting against the issuer any claim to a new security. |
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Duty to issue new security |
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(2) Where the owner of a security claims that the security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the issuer shall issue a new security in place of the original security if the owner
( a ) so requests before the issuer has notice that the security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser;
( b ) provides the issuer with a sufficient indemnity bond; and
( c ) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the issuer. |
Duty to register transfer |
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(3) If, after the issue of a new security under subsection (2), a bona fide purchaser of the original security presents the original security for registration of transfer, the issuer shall register the transfer unless registration would result in over-issue in respect of which section 100 applies. |
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Right of issuer to recover |
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(4) In addition to the rights that an issuer has by reason of an indemnity bond, the issuer may recover the new security issued under subsection (2) from the person to whom it was issued or any person taking under that person other than a bona fide purchaser. |
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Authenticating agents duty |
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137 . An authenticating trustee, registrar, transfer agent or other agent of an issuer has, in respect of the issue, registration of transfer and cancellation of a security of the issuer, |
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( a ) a duty to the issuer to exercise good faith and reasonable diligence; and |
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( b ) the same obligations to the holder or owner of a security and the same rights, privileges and immunities as the issuer. |
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Notice to agent |
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138. Notice to an authenticating trustee, registrar, transfer agent or other agent of an issuer is notice to the issuer in respect of the functions performed by the agent. |
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PART VI |
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
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SHAREHOLDERS |
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Place of meetings |
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139. Meetings of shareholders of a company shall be held at the place within Canada provided for in the by-laws of the company or, in the absence of any such provision, at the place within Canada that the directors determine. |
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Calling meetings |
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140. (1) The directors of a company |
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( a ) shall, after the meeting called pursuant to subsection 50(1), call the first annual meeting of shareholders of the company, which meeting must be held not later than six months after the end of the first financial year of the company, and subsequently call an annual meeting of shareholders, which meeting must be held not later than six months after the end of each financial year; and |
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( b ) may at any time call a special meeting of shareholders. |
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Fixing record date |
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(2) For the purpose of determining shareholders |
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( a ) entitled to receive payment of a dividend, |
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( b ) entitled to participate in a liquidation distribution, or |
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( c ) for any other purpose except the right to receive notice of, or to vote at, a meeting, |
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the directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for the determination of shareholders, but the record date so fixed shall not precede by more than fifty days the particular action to be taken. |
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Record date for meetings |
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(3) For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive notice of a meeting of shareholders, the directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for the determination of shareholders, but the record date so fixed shall not precede by more than fifty days or by less than twenty-one days the date on which the meeting is to be held. |
No record date fixed |
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(4) If no record date is fixed pursuant to subsection (2) or (3), |
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( a ) the record date for the determination of shareholders for any purpose, other than to establish a shareholders right to receive notice of a meeting or to vote, is the day on which the directors pass the resolution relating to the particular purpose; and |
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( b ) the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of, or to vote at, a meeting of shareholders is |
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(i) the day immediately preceding the day on which the notice is given, or |
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(ii) if no notice is given, the day on which the meeting is held. |
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When record date fixed |
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(5) When a record date is fixed for a company, unless notice of the record date is waived in writing by every holder of a share of the class or series affected whose name is set out in the central securities register at the close of business on the date the directors fix the record date, notice thereof shall, not less than seven days before the record date, be given |
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( a ) by advertisement in a newspaper in general circulation in the place where the head office of the company is situated and in each place in Canada where the company has a transfer agent or where a transfer of the companys shares may be recorded; and |
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( b ) by written notice to each stock exchange, if any, in Canada on which the shares of the company are listed for trading. |
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Notice of meeting |
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141. (1) Notice of the time and place of a meeting of shareholders of a company shall be sent not less than twenty-one days or more than fifty days before the meeting |
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( a ) to each shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting; |
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( b ) to each director; and |
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( c ) to the auditor of the company. |
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Publication in newspaper |
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(2) In addition to the notice required under subsection (1), where any class of shares of a company is publicly traded on a recognized stock exchange in Canada, notice of the time and place of a meeting of shareholders shall be published once a week for at least four consecutive weeks before the date of the meeting in a newspaper in general circulation in the place where the head office of the company is situated and in each place in Canada where the company has a transfer agent or where a transfer of the companys shares may be recorded. |
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When notice not required |
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142. (1) A notice of a meeting of shareholders is not required to be sent to shareholders who were not registered on the records of the company or its transfer agent on the record date fixed or determined under subsection 140(3) or (4). |
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Effect of default |
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(2) Failure to receive a notice of a meeting of shareholders does not deprive a shareholder of the right to vote at the meeting. |
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Notice of adjourned meeting |
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143. (1) If a meeting of shareholders is adjourned for less than thirty days, it is not necessary, unless the by-laws otherwise provide, to give notice of the adjourned meeting, other than by announcement at the earliest meeting that is adjourned. |
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Notice of continuation of meeting |
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(2) If a meeting of shareholders is adjourned by one or more adjournments for a total of thirty days or more, notice of the continuation of the meeting shall be given as for an original meeting but, unless the meeting is adjourned by one or more adjournments for a total of more than ninety |
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days, subsection 160.04(1) does not apply. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 143; 1997, c. 15, s. 346. |
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Special business |
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144. (1) All matters dealt with at a special meeting of shareholders and all matters dealt with at an annual meeting of shareholders, except consideration of the financial statements, auditors report, election of directors, remuneration of directors and reappointment of the incumbent auditor, are deemed to be special business. |
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Notice of special business |
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(2) Notice of a meeting of shareholders at which special business is to be transacted must |
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( a ) state the nature of the special business in sufficient detail to permit a shareholder to form a reasoned judgment thereon; and |
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( b ) contain the text of any special resolution to be submitted to the meeting. |
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Waiver of notice |
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145. (1) A shareholder and any other person entitled to attend a meeting of shareholders may in any manner waive notice of a meeting of shareholders. |
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Idem |
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(2) Attendance at a meeting of shareholders is a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when a person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 145; 2001, c. 9, s. 495(F). |
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Shareholders proposal |
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146. (1) A shareholder entitled to vote at an annual meeting of shareholders of a company may |
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( a ) submit to the company notice of any matter that the shareholder proposes to raise at the meeting; and |
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( b ) discuss at the meeting any matter in respect of which the shareholder would have been entitled to submit a proposal. |
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Management proxy |
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(2) A company that solicits proxies shall, in the management proxy circular required by subsection 160.05(1), set out any proposal of a shareholder submitted for consideration at a meeting of shareholders or attach the proposal to the management proxy circular. |
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Shareholders statement |
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(3) If so requested by a shareholder who submits a proposal to a company, the company shall include in the management proxy circular, or attach thereto, a statement by the shareholder of not more than two hundred words in support of the proposal and the name and address of the shareholder. |
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Nominations for directors |
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(4) A proposal may include nominations for the election of directors if the proposal is signed by one or more holders of shares representing in the aggregate not less than 5 per cent of the shares or 5 per cent of the shares of a class of shares of the company entitled to vote at the meeting to which the proposal is to be presented. |
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Conditions precedent for proposals |
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(5) A company is not required to comply with subsections (2) and (3) if |
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( a ) the proposal is not submitted to the company at least ninety days before the anniversary date of the previous annual meeting of shareholders; |
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( b ) it clearly appears that the proposal is submitted by the shareholder primarily for the purpose of enforcing a personal claim or redressing a personal grievance against the company or its directors, officers or security holders, or primarily for the purpose of promoting general |
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economic, political, racial, religious, social or similar causes; |
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( c ) the company, at the shareholders request, included in a management proxy circular a proposal relating to a meeting of shareholders held within two years preceding the receipt of the request, and the shareholder failed to present the proposal, in person or by proxy, at the meeting; |
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( d ) substantially the same proposal was submitted to shareholders in a management proxy circular or a dissidents proxy circular relating to a meeting of shareholders held within two years preceding the receipt of the shareholders request and the proposal was defeated; or |
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( e ) the rights conferred by subsections (1) to (4) are being abused to secure publicity. |
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Immunity for proposal and statement |
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(6) No company or person acting on behalf of a company incurs any liability by reason only of circulating a proposal or statement in compliance with subsections (2) and (3). |
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1991, c. 45, s. 146; 1997, c. 15, s. 347. |
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Refusal of proposal |
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147. (1) If a company refuses to include a proposal in a management proxy circular, the company shall, within ten days after receiving the proposal, notify the shareholder submitting the proposal of its intention to omit the proposal from the management proxy circular and send to the shareholder a statement of the reasons for the refusal. |
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Appeal to court |
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(2) On the application of a shareholder claiming to be aggrieved by a companys refusal under subsection (1), a court may restrain the holding of the meeting at which the proposal is sought to be presented and make any further order it thinks fit. |
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Idem |
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(3) A company or any person claiming to be aggrieved by a proposal may apply to a court for an order permitting the company to omit the proposal from the management proxy circular, and the court, if it is satisfied that subsection 146(5) applies, may make such order as it thinks fit. |
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Notice to Superintendent |
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(4) An applicant under subsection (2) or (3) shall give the Superintendent written notice of the application and the Superintendent may appear and be heard at the hearing of the application in person or by counsel. |
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Shareholder list |
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148. (1) A company shall prepare a list, which may be in electronic form, of its shareholders entitled to receive notice of a meeting under paragraph 141(1)( a ), arranged in alphabetical order and showing the number of shares held by each shareholder, which list must be prepared |
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( a ) if a record date is fixed under subsection 140(3), not later than ten days after that date; or |
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( b ) if no record date is fixed, |
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(i) at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which the notice is given, or |
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(ii) where no notice is given, on the day on which the meeting is held. |
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Effect of list |
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(2) Where a company fixes a record date under subsection 140(3), a person named in the list prepared under paragraph (1)( a ) is, subject to this Act, entitled to vote the shares shown opposite that persons name at the meeting to which the list relates, except to the extent that |
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( a ) the person has transferred the ownership of any of those shares after the record date, and |
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( b ) the transferee of those shares |
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(i) produces properly endorsed share certificates, or |
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(ii) otherwise establishes that the transferee owns the shares, |
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and demands, not later than ten days before the meeting or such shorter period before the meeting as the by-laws of the company provide, that the transferees name be included in the list before the meeting, |
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in which case the transferee may vote those transferred shares at the meeting. |
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Idem |
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(3) Where a company does not fix a record date under subsection 140(3), a person named in the list prepared under paragraph (1)( b ) is, subject to this Act, entitled to vote the shares shown opposite that persons name at the meeting to which the list relates, except to the extent that |
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( a ) the person has transferred the ownership of any of those shares after the date on which a list was prepared under subparagraph (1)( b )(i), and |
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( b ) the transferee of those shares |
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(i) produces properly endorsed share certificates, or |
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(ii) otherwise establishes that the transferee owns the shares, |
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and demands, not later than ten days before the meeting or such shorter period before the meeting as the by-laws of the company provide, that the transferees name be included in the list before the meeting, |
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in which case the transferee may vote those transferred shares at the meeting. |
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Examination of list |
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(4) A shareholder of a company may examine the list of shareholders referred to in subsection (1) |
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( a ) during usual business hours at the head office of the company or at the place where its central securities register is maintained; and |
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( b ) at the meeting of shareholders for which the list was prepared. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 148; 2001, c. 9, s. 496. |
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Quorum |
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149. (1) Unless the by-laws otherwise provide, a quorum of shareholders is present at a meeting of shareholders if the holders of a majority of the shares who are entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or represented by proxyholders. |
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Idem |
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(2) If a quorum is present at the opening of a meeting of shareholders, the shareholders present may, unless the by-laws otherwise provide, proceed with the business of the meeting, notwithstanding that a quorum is not present throughout the meeting. |
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Idem |
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(3) If a quorum is not present at the opening of a meeting of shareholders, the shareholders present may adjourn the meeting to a fixed time and place but may not transact any other business. |
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One shareholder meeting |
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150. If a company has only one shareholder, or only one holder of any class or series of shares, the shareholder present in person or represented by a proxyholder constitutes a meeting of shareholders or a meeting of shareholders of that class or series. |
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One share one vote |
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151. (1) Where a share of a company entitles the holder thereof to vote at a meeting of shareholders, that share entitles the shareholder to one vote at the meeting. |
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Exception |
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a share of a former-Act company issued |
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( a ) on or before September 27, 1990 that entitled the holder to more than one vote, or to a fraction of a vote, at a meeting of shareholders in respect of that share, or |
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( b ) after September 27, 1990 pursuant to the conversion of a security of the former-Act company that was issued with such conversion privilege prior to that date |
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continues to entitle that holder or any subsequent holder of the share to exercise such voting rights. |
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Representative shareholder |
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152. (1) If an entity is a shareholder of a company, the company shall recognize any natural person authorized by a resolution of the directors or governing body or similar authority of the entity to represent it at meetings of shareholders of the company. |
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Idem |
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(2) A natural person authorized under subsection (1) to represent an entity may exercise on behalf of the entity all the powers the entity could exercise if it were a natural person as well as a shareholder. |
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Joint shareholders |
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153. Unless the by-laws otherwise provide, if two or more persons hold shares jointly, one of those holders present at a meeting of shareholders may in the absence of the others vote the shares, but if two or more of those persons who are present in person or represented by proxyholder vote, they shall vote as one on the shares jointly held by them. |
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Voting by hands or ballot |
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154. (1) Unless the by-laws otherwise provide, voting at a meeting of shareholders shall take place by show of hands except when a ballot is demanded by either a shareholder or proxyholder entitled to vote at the meeting. |
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Ballot |
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(2) A shareholder or proxyholder may demand a ballot either before or after any vote by show of hands. |
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Resolution in lieu of meeting |
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155. (1) Except where a written statement is submitted by a director under section 178 or by an auditor under subsection 326(1), |
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( a ) a resolution in writing signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of shareholders is as valid as if it had been passed at a meeting of the shareholders; and |
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( b ) a resolution in writing dealing with all matters required by this Act to be dealt with at a meeting of shareholders, and signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote at that meeting, satisfies all the requirements of this Act relating to meetings of shareholders. |
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Filing resolution |
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(2) A copy of every resolution referred to in subsection (1) shall be kept with the minutes of the meetings of shareholders. |
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Requisitioned meeting |
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156. (1) Shareholders who together hold not less than 5 per cent of the issued and outstanding shares of a company that carry the right to vote at a meeting sought to be held may requisition the directors to call a meeting of shareholders for the purposes stated in the requisition. |
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Form |
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(2) A requisition referred to in subsection (1) |
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( a ) must state the business to be transacted at the meeting and must be sent to each director and to the head office of the company; and |
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( b ) may consist of several documents of like form, each signed by one or more shareholders. |
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Directors calling meeting |
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(3) On receipt of a requisition referred to in subsection (1), the directors shall call a meeting of |
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shareholders to transact the business stated in the requisition, unless |
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( a ) a record date has been fixed under subsection 140(3) and notice thereof has been given under subsection 140(5); |
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( b ) the directors have called a meeting of shareholders and have given notice thereof under section 141; or |
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( c ) the business of the meeting as stated in the requisition includes matters described in paragraphs 146(5)( b ) to ( e ). |
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Shareholders power |
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(4) If the directors do not call a meeting within twenty-one days after receiving the requisition referred to in subsection (1), any shareholder who signed the requisition may call the meeting. |
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Procedure |
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(5) A meeting called under this section shall be called as nearly as possible in the manner in which meetings are to be called pursuant to the by-laws and this Act. |
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Reimbursement |
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(6) Unless the shareholders otherwise resolve at a meeting called under subsection (4), the company shall reimburse the shareholders for any expenses reasonably incurred by them in requisitioning, calling and holding the meeting. |
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Meeting called by court |
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157. (1) Where it is impracticable |
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( a ) to call a meeting of shareholders of a company in the manner in which meetings of those shareholders are to be called, or |
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( b ) to conduct the meeting in the manner required by the by-laws and this Act, |
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or where a court thinks fit to do so for any other reason, the court, on the application of a director or a shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting, may order a meeting to be called, held and conducted in such manner as the court directs. |
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Varying quorum |
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(2) Without restricting the generality of subsection (1), a court may order that the quorum required by the by-laws or this Act be varied or dispensed with at a meeting called, held and conducted pursuant to this section. |
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Valid meeting |
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(3) A meeting called, held and conducted pursuant to this section is for all purposes a meeting of shareholders of the company duly called, held and conducted. |
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Court review of election |
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158. (1) A company or a shareholder or director of a company may apply to a court to resolve any dispute in respect of the election or appointment of a director or an auditor of the company. |
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Powers of court |
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(2) On an application under subsection (1), a court may make any order it thinks fit including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, |
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( a ) an order restraining a director or auditor whose election or appointment is challenged from acting pending determination of the dispute; |
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( b ) an order declaring the result of the disputed election or appointment; |
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( c ) an order requiring a new election or appointment, and including in the order directions for the management of the business and affairs of the company until a new election is held or the new appointment is made; and |
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( d ) an order determining the voting rights of shareholders and of persons claiming to own shares. |
Notice to Superintendent |
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159. (1) A person who makes an application under subsection 157(1) or 158(1) shall give notice of the application to the Superintendent before the hearing and shall deliver a copy of the order of the court, if any, to the Superintendent. |
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Superintendent representation |
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(2) The Superintendent may appear and be heard in person or by counsel at the hearing of an application referred to in subsection (1). |
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Pooling agreement |
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160. A written agreement between two or more shareholders may provide that in exercising voting rights the shares held by them will be voted as provided in the agreement. |
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PROXIES |
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Definitions |
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160.01 The definitions in this section apply in this section and in sections 160.02 to 160.08. |
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registrant
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registrant means a securities broker or dealer required to be registered to trade or deal in securities under the laws of any jurisdiction. |
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solicit or
solicitation
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solicit or solicitation includes |
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( a ) a request for a proxy, whether or not accompanied by or included in a form of proxy, |
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( b ) a request to execute or not to execute a form of proxy or to revoke a proxy, |
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( c ) the sending of a form of proxy or other communication to a shareholder under circumstances reasonably calculated to result in the procurement, withholding or revocation of a proxy, and |
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( d ) the sending of a form of proxy to a shareholder under section 160.04, |
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but does not include |
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( e ) the sending of a form of proxy in response to an unsolicited request made by or on behalf of a shareholder, |
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( f ) the performance of administrative acts or professional services on behalf of a person soliciting a proxy, |
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( g ) the sending by a registrant of the documents referred to in section 160.07, or |
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( h ) a solicitation by a person in respect of shares of which that person is the beneficial owner. |
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solicitation by or on behalf of the management of a company « sollicitation effectuée par la direction dune société ou pour son compte » |
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solicitation by or on behalf of the management of a company means a solicitation by any person pursuant to a resolution or instruction of, or with the acquiescence of, the directors or a committee of the directors of the company.
1997, c. 15, s. 348. |
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Appointing proxyholder |
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160.02 (1) A shareholder who is entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders may, by executing a form of proxy, appoint a proxyholder or one or more alternate proxyholders, who are not required to be shareholders, to attend and act at the meeting in the manner and to the extent authorized by the proxy and with the authority conferred by the proxy. |
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Execution of proxy |
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(2) A form of proxy shall be executed by a shareholder or by a shareholders attorney authorized in writing to do so. |
Limit on authority |
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(3) No appointment of a proxyholder provides authority for the proxyholder to act in respect of the appointment of an auditor or the election of a director unless a nominee proposed in good faith for the appointment or election is named in the form of proxy, a management proxy circular, a dissidents proxy circular or a proposal under subsection 146(1). |
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Required information |
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(4) A form of proxy must indicate, in bold-face type, that the shareholder by whom or on whose behalf it is executed may appoint a proxyholder, other than a person designated in the form of proxy, to attend and act on the shareholders behalf at a meeting to which the proxy relates, and must contain instructions as to the manner in which the shareholder may do so. |
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Validity of proxy |
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(5) A proxy is valid only at the meeting in respect of which it is given or at a continuation of the meeting after an adjournment. |
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Revocation of proxy |
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(6) A shareholder may revoke a proxy |
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( a ) by depositing an instrument in writing executed by the shareholder or by the shareholders attorney authorized in writing to do so |
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(i) at the head office of the company at any time up to and including the last business day before the day of a meeting, or a continuation of the meeting after an adjournment, at which the proxy is to be used, or |
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(ii) with the chairperson of the meeting on the day of the meeting or a continuation of the meeting after an adjournment; or |
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( b ) in any other manner permitted by law. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 348. |
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Deposit of proxies |
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160.03 The directors may specify, in a notice calling a meeting of shareholders or a continuation of a meeting of shareholders after an adjournment, a time before which executed forms of proxy to be used at the meeting or the continued meeting must be deposited with the company or its transfer agent. The time specified must not be more than forty-eight hours, excluding Saturdays and holidays, before the meeting or the continued meeting.
1997, c. 15, s. 348. |
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Mandatory solicitation |
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160.04 (1) Subject to subsection 143(2) and subsection (2), the management of a company shall, concurrently with giving notice of a meeting of shareholders, send a form of proxy in prescribed form to each shareholder entitled to receive notice of the meeting. |
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Exception |
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(2) If a company has fewer than fifteen shareholders, the management of the company is not required to send a form of proxy to the shareholders under subsection (1). For the purpose of this subsection, two or more joint shareholders are counted as one shareholder. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 348. |
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Soliciting proxies |
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160.05 (1) A person shall not solicit proxies unless |
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( a ) in the case of solicitation by or on behalf of the management of a company, a management proxy circular in prescribed form, either as an appendix to, or as a separate document accompanying, the notice of the meeting, is sent to the auditor of the company and to each shareholder whose proxy is solicited; and |
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( b ) in the case of any other solicitation, a dissidents proxy circular in prescribed form stating the purposes of the solicitation is sent to the auditor of the company, to each shareholder whose |
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proxy is solicited and to the company. |
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Copy to Superintendent |
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(2) A person who sends a management proxy circular or dissidents proxy circular shall at the same time file with the Superintendent |
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( a ) in the case of a management proxy circular, a copy of it together with a copy of the notice of meeting, form of proxy and any other documents for use in connection with the meeting; and |
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( b ) in the case of a dissidents proxy circular, a copy of it together with a copy of the form of proxy and any other documents for use in connection with the meeting. |
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Exemption by Superintendent |
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(3) On the application of an interested person, the Superintendent may, on any terms that the Superintendent thinks fit, exempt the person from any of the requirements of subsection (1) and section 160.04, and the exemption may be given retroactive effect. |
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Reporting exemptions |
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(4) The Superintendent shall set out in a periodical available to the public the particulars of each exemption granted under subsection (3) together with the reasons for the exemption. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 348. |
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Attendance at meeting |
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160.06 (1) A person who solicits a proxy and is appointed proxyholder shall attend in person or cause an alternate proxyholder to attend every meeting in respect of which the proxy is valid, and the proxyholder or alternate proxyholder shall comply with the directions of the shareholder who executed the form of proxy. |
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Rights of proxyholder |
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(2) A proxyholder or an alternate proxyholder has the same rights as the appointing shareholder to speak at a meeting of shareholders in respect of any matter, to vote by way of ballot at the meeting and, except where a proxyholder or an alternate proxyholder has conflicting instructions from more than one shareholder, to vote at the meeting in respect of any matter by way of a show of hands. |
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Vote by show of hands |
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(3) Where the chairperson of a meeting of shareholders declares to the meeting that, if a ballot were conducted, the total number of votes represented at the meeting by proxy required to be voted against what, to the knowledge of the chairperson, would be the decision of the meeting in relation to any matter or group of matters is less than five per cent of all the votes that might be cast at the meeting on the ballot, unless a shareholder or proxyholder demands a ballot, |
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( a ) the chairperson may conduct the vote in respect of that matter or group of matters by way of a show of hands; and |
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( b ) a proxyholder or alternate proxyholder may vote in respect of that matter or group of matters by way of a show of hands. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 348. |
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Duty of registrant |
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160.07 (1) Shares of a company that are registered in the name of a registrant or registrants nominee and that are not beneficially owned by the registrant shall not be voted unless the registrant sends to the beneficial owner |
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( a ) a copy of the notice of the meeting, annual statement, management proxy circular, dissidents proxy circular and any other documents, other than the form of proxy, that were sent to shareholders by or on behalf of any person for use in connection with the meeting; and |
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( b ) a written request for voting instructions, except where the registrant has already received written voting instructions from the beneficial owner. |
When documents to be sent |
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(2) The documents to be sent to the beneficial owner under subsection (1) shall be sent by the registrant without delay after the registrant receives the documents referred to in paragraph (1)( a ). |
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Where registrant not to vote shares |
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(3) A registrant shall not vote or appoint a proxyholder to vote shares of a company registered in the registrants name or in the name of the registrants nominee that the registrant does not beneficially own unless the registrant receives voting instructions from the beneficial owner. |
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Copies |
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(4) A person by or on behalf of whom a solicitation is made shall, at the request of a registrant, without delay provide the registrant, at that persons expense, with the necessary number of copies of the documents referred to in paragraph (1)( a ). |
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Instructions to registrant |
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(5) A registrant shall vote or appoint a proxyholder to vote any shares referred to in subsection (1) in accordance with any written voting instructions received from the beneficial owner. |
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Beneficial owner as proxyholder |
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(6) If requested by a beneficial owner, a registrant shall appoint the beneficial owner or a nominee of the beneficial owner as proxyholder. |
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Default of registrant effect |
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(7) The failure of a registrant to comply with any of subsections (1) to (6) does not render void any meeting of shareholders or any action taken at the meeting. |
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Right of registrant limited |
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(8) Nothing in this Part gives a registrant the right to vote shares that the registrant is otherwise prohibited from voting. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 348. |
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Restraining order |
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160.08 (1) If a form of proxy, management proxy circular or dissidents proxy circular contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact that is required to be contained in it or that is necessary to make a statement contained in it not misleading in light of the circumstances in which the statement is made, an interested person or the Superintendent may apply to a court and the court may make any order it thinks fit, including |
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( a ) an order restraining the solicitation or the holding of the meeting, or restraining any person from implementing or acting on a resolution passed at the meeting, to which the form of proxy, management proxy circular or dissidents proxy circular relates; |
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( b ) an order requiring correction of any form of proxy or proxy circular and a further solicitation; and |
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( c ) an order adjourning the meeting. |
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Notice of application |
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(2) Where a person other than the Superintendent is an applicant under subsection (1), the applicant shall give notice of the application to the Superintendent and the Superintendent is entitled to appear and to be heard in person or by counsel. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 348. |
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DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
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Duties |
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Duty to manage |
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161. (1) Subject to this Act, the directors of a company shall manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of the company. |
Specific duties |
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(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the directors of a company shall |
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( a ) establish an audit committee to perform the duties referred to in subsections 198(3) and (4); |
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( b ) establish a conduct review committee to perform the duties referred to in subsection 199(3); |
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( c ) establish procedures to resolve conflicts of interest, including techniques for the identification of potential conflict situations and for restricting the use of confidential information; |
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( d ) designate a committee of the board of directors to monitor the procedures referred to in paragraph ( c ); |
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( e ) establish procedures to provide disclosure of information to customers of the company that is required to be disclosed by this Act and for dealing with complaints as required by subsection 441(1); |
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( f ) designate a committee of the board of directors to monitor the procedures referred to in paragraph ( e ) and satisfy itself that they are being adhered to by the company; and |
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( g ) establish investment and lending policies, standards and procedures in accordance with section 450. |
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Exception |
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(3) Paragraphs (2)( a ) and ( b ) do not apply to the directors of a company if |
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( a ) all the voting shares of the company, other than directors qualifying shares, if any, are beneficially owned by a Canadian financial institution described by any of paragraphs ( a ) to ( d ) of the definition financial institution in section 2; and |
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( b ) the audit committee or the conduct review committee of the Canadian financial institution performs for and on behalf of the company all the functions that would otherwise be required to be performed by the audit committee or conduct review committee of the company under this Act. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 161; 1997, c. 15, s. 349; 2001, c. 9, s. 497(F). |
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Duty of care |
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162. (1) Every director and officer of a company in exercising any of the powers of a director or an officer and discharging any of the duties of a director or an officer shall |
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( a ) act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company; and |
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( b ) exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. |
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Duty to comply |
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(2) Every director, officer and employee of a company shall comply with this Act, the regulations, the companys incorporating instrument and the by-laws of the company. |
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No exculpation |
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(3) No provision in any contract, in any resolution or in the by-laws of a company relieves any director, officer or employee of the company from the duty to act in accordance with this Act and the regulations or relieves a director, officer or employee from liability for a breach thereof. |
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Qualification and Number Directors |
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Minimum number of directors |
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163. (1) A company shall have at least seven directors. |
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Residency requirement |
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(2) At least one half of the directors of a company that is a subsidiary of a foreign institution or of a prescribed holding body corporate of a foreign institution and at least two thirds of the |
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directors of any other company must be, at the time of each directors election or appointment, resident Canadians. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 163; 2001, c. 9, s. 498. |
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Disqualified persons |
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164. The following persons are disqualified from being directors of a company: |
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( a ) a person who is less than eighteen years of age; |
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( b ) a person who is of unsound mind and has been so found by a court in Canada or elsewhere; |
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( c ) a person who has the status of a bankrupt; |
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( d ) a person who is not a natural person; |
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( e ) a person who is prohibited by section 386 or 399 from exercising voting rights attached to shares of the company; |
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( f ) a person who is an officer, director or full time employee of an entity that is prohibited by section 386 or 399 from exercising voting rights attached to shares of the company; |
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( g ) a person who is an agent or employee of Her Majesty in right of Canada or in right of a province; |
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( h ) a minister of Her Majesty in right of Canada or in right of a province; and |
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( i ) a person who is an agent or employee of the government of a foreign country or any political subdivision thereof. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 164; 1994, c. 47, s. 203; 1997, c. 15, s. 350. |
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No shareholder requirement |
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165. A director of a company is not required to hold shares of the company. |
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Affiliated person |
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166. The Governor in Council may make regulations specifying the circumstances under which a natural person is affiliated with a company for the purposes of this Act. |
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Affiliated director determination |
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166.1 (1) Notwithstanding section 166, the Superintendent may determine that a particular director is affiliated with a company for the purposes of this Act if, in the opinion of the Superintendent, the director has a significant or sufficient commercial, business or financial relationship with the company or with an affiliate of the company to the extent that the relationship can be construed as being material to the director and can reasonably be expected to affect the exercise of the directors best judgment. |
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Notification by Superintendent |
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(2) A determination by the Superintendent under subsection (1) |
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( a ) becomes effective on the day of the next annual meeting of the shareholders unless a notice in writing by the Superintendent revoking the determination is received by the company prior to that day; and |
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( b ) ceases to be in effect on the day of the next annual meeting of the shareholders after a notice in writing by the Superintendent revoking the determination is received by the company. |
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1996, c. 6, s. 117. |
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Unaffiliated directors |
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167. (1) At the election of directors at each annual meeting of a company and at all times until the day of the next annual meeting, no more than two thirds of the directors may be persons affiliated with the company. |
Exception |
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(2) Subsection (1) does not apply where all the voting shares of a company, other than directors qualifying shares, if any, are beneficially owned by a Canadian financial institution incorporated by or under an Act of Parliament. |
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Determination of affiliation |
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(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), whether or not a person is affiliated with a company shall be determined as at the day the notice of the annual meeting is sent to shareholders pursuant to section 141 and that determination becomes effective on the day of that meeting, and a person shall be deemed to continue to be affiliated or unaffiliated, as the case may be, until the next annual meeting of the shareholders. |
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Limit on directors |
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168. No more than 15 per cent of the directors of a company may, at each directors election or appointment, be employees of the company or a subsidiary of the company, except that up to four persons who are employees of the company or a subsidiary of the company may be directors of the company if those directors constitute not more than one half of the directors of the company. |
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Election and Tenure Directors |
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Number of directors |
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169. (1) Subject to subsection 163(1) and sections 172 and 222, the directors of a company shall, by by-law, determine the number of directors or the minimum and maximum number of directors, but no by-law that decreases the number of directors shortens the term of an incumbent director. |
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Election at annual meeting |
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(2) A by-law made pursuant to subsection (1) that provides for a minimum and maximum number of directors may provide that the number of directors to be elected at any annual meeting of the shareholders be such number as is fixed by the directors prior to the annual meeting. |
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Term of directors |
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170. (1) Except where this Act or the by-laws of a company provide for cumulative voting, a company may, by by-law, provide that the directors be elected for terms of one, two or three years. |
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Term of one, two or three years |
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(2) A director elected for a term of one, two or three years holds office until the close of the first, second or third annual meeting of shareholders, as the case may be, following the election of the director. |
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No stated term |
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(3) A director who is not elected for an expressly stated term of office ceases to hold office at the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders following the election of the director. |
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Tenure of office |
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(4) It is not necessary that all directors elected at a meeting of shareholders hold office for the same term. |
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Idem |
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(5) If a by-law of a company provides that the directors be elected for a term of two or three years, it may also provide that the term of office of each director be for the whole of that term, or that, as nearly as may be, one half of the directors retire each year if the term is two years, and that one third of the directors retire each year if the term is three years. |
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Composition requirements |
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(6) Where a director of a company is elected or appointed for a term of more than one year, the company shall comply with subsections 163(2) and 167(1) and section 168 at each annual meeting of shareholders during the directors term of office as if that director were elected or appointed on that date. |
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Transitional |
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(7) Subsection (6) does not apply in respect of a former-Act company until the day of the third annual meeting of shareholders after the coming into force of this section. |
Determining election of directors |
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171. (1) Except where this Act or the by-laws of a company provide for cumulative voting, the persons, to the number authorized to be elected, who receive the greatest number of votes at an election of directors of a company shall be the directors thereof. |
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Idem |
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(2) If, at any election of directors referred to in subsection (1), two or more persons receive an equal number of votes and there are not sufficient vacancies remaining to enable all the persons receiving an equal number of votes to be elected, the directors who receive a greater number of votes or the majority of them shall, in order to complete the full number of directors, determine which of the persons so receiving an equal number of votes are to be elected. |
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Cumulative voting |
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172. (1) Where this Act or the by-laws provide for cumulative voting, |
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( a ) there shall be a stated number of directors fixed by by-law and not a minimum and maximum number of directors; |
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( b ) each shareholder entitled to vote at an election of directors has the right to cast a number of votes equal to the number of votes attached to the shares held by the shareholder multiplied by the number of directors to be elected, and the shareholder may cast all such votes in favour of one candidate or distribute them among the candidates in any manner; |
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( c ) a separate vote of shareholders shall be taken with respect to each candidate nominated for director unless a resolution is passed unanimously permitting two or more persons to be elected by a single vote; |
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( d ) if a shareholder has voted for more than one candidate without specifying the distribution of the votes among the candidates, the shareholder is deemed to have distributed the votes equally among the candidates for whom the shareholder voted; |
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( e ) if the number of candidates nominated for director exceeds the number of positions to be filled, the candidates who receive the least number of votes shall be eliminated until the number of candidates remaining equals the number of positions to be filled; |
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( f ) each director ceases to hold office at the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders following the directors election; |
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( g ) a director may not be removed from office if the votes cast against the removal would be sufficient to elect the director and those votes could be voted cumulatively at an election at which the same total number of votes were cast and the same number of directors required by the by-laws were then being elected; and |
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( h ) the number of directors required by the by-laws may not be decreased if the votes cast against the motion to decrease would be sufficient to elect a director and those votes could be voted cumulatively at an election at which the same total number of votes were cast and the same number of directors required by the by-laws were then being elected. |
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Mandatory cumulative voting |
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(2) Where the aggregate of the voting shares beneficially owned by a person and any entities controlled by the person carries more than 10 per cent of the voting rights attached to all the outstanding voting shares of a company, the directors shall be elected by cumulative voting. |
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Exception |
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(3) Subsection (2) does not apply |
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( a ) where all the voting shares of the company that are outstanding, other than directors qualifying shares, if any, are beneficially owned by |
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(i) one person, |
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(ii) one person and one or more entities controlled by that person, |
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(iii) one or more entities controlled by the same person; or |
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( b ) in respect of a former-Act company whose shareholders are confined to entities incorporated or formed by or under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province that are, in the opinion of the directors, operating as credit unions or cooperative associations. |
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Transitional election |
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(4) Where this Act or the by-laws of a company provide for cumulative voting, the shareholders of the company shall, |
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( a ) at the first annual meeting of shareholders held not earlier than ninety days following the date that cumulative voting is required under subsection (2) or provided for in the by-laws, and |
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( b ) at each succeeding annual meeting, |
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elect the stated number of directors to hold office until the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders following their election. |
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Exception |
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(5) Nothing in this Act precludes the holders of any class or series of shares of a company from having an exclusive right to elect one or more directors. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 172; 1997, c. 15, s. 352. |
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Re-election of directors |
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173. A director who has completed a term of office is, if otherwise qualified, eligible for re-election. |
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Incomplete Elections and Director Vacancies |
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Void election or appointment |
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174. (1) If, immediately after the time of any purported election or appointment of directors, the board of directors would fail to comply with subsection 163(2) or 167(1) or section 168, the purported election or appointment of all persons purported to be elected or appointed at that time is void unless the directors, within forty-five days after the discovery of the non-compliance, develop a plan, approved by the Superintendent, to rectify the non-compliance. |
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Failure to elect minimum |
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(2) Where, at the close of a meeting of shareholders of a company, the shareholders have failed to elect the number or minimum number of directors required by this Act or the by-laws of a company, the purported election of directors at the meeting |
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( a ) is valid if the directors purported to be elected and those incumbent directors, if any, whose terms did not expire at the close of the meeting, together constitute a quorum; or |
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( b ) is void if the directors purported to be elected and those incumbent directors, if any, whose terms did not expire at the close of the meeting, together do not constitute a quorum. |
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(3) and (4) [Repealed, 1997, c. 15, s. 353] |
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1991, c. 45, s. 174; 1997, c. 15, s. 353. |
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Directors where elections incomplete or void |
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175. (1) Notwithstanding subsections 170(2) and (3) and paragraphs 172(1)( f ) and 176(1)( a ), where subsection 174(1) or (2) applies at the close of any meeting of shareholders of a company, the board of directors shall, until their successors are elected or appointed, consist solely of |
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( a ) where paragraph 174(2)( a ) applies, the directors referred to in that paragraph; or |
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( b ) where subsection 174(1) or paragraph 174(2)( b ) applies, the persons who were the incumbent directors immediately before the meeting. |
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Where there is no |
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(2) Notwithstanding subsections 170(2) and (3) and paragraphs 172(1)( f ) and 176(1)( a ), where a |
approved rectification plan |
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plan to rectify the non-compliance referred to in subsection 174(1) has not been approved by the Superintendent by the end of the forty-five day period referred to in that subsection, the board of directors shall, until their successors are elected or appointed, consist solely of the persons who were the incumbent directors immediately before the meeting at which the purported election or appointment referred to in that subsection occurred. |
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Directors to call meeting |
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(3) Where subsection (1) or (2) applies, the board of directors referred to in that subsection shall without delay call a special meeting of shareholders to fill the vacancies, where paragraph 174(2)( a ) applies, or elect a new board of directors, where subsection 174(1) or paragraph 174(2)( b ) applies. |
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Shareholder may call meeting |
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(4) Where the directors fail to call a special meeting required by subsection (3), the meeting may be called by any shareholder. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 175; 1997, c. 15, s. 354. |
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Ceasing to hold office |
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176. (1) A director ceases to hold office |
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( a ) at the close of the annual meeting at which the directors term of office expires; |
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( b ) when the director dies or resigns; |
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( c ) when the director becomes disqualified under section 164 or ineligible to hold office pursuant to subsection 208(2); |
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( d ) when the director is removed under section 177; or |
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( e ) when the director is removed from office under section 509.1 or 509.2. |
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Date of resignation |
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(2) The resignation of a director of a company becomes effective at the time a written resignation is sent to the company by the director or at the time specified in the resignation, whichever is later. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 176; 2001, c. 9, s. 500. |
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Removal of director |
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177. (1) Subject to paragraph 172(1)( g ), the shareholders of a company may by resolution at a special meeting remove any director or all the directors from office. |
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Exception |
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(2) Where the holders of any class or series of shares of a company have the exclusive right to elect one or more directors, a director so elected may be removed only by a resolution at a meeting of the shareholders of that class or series. |
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Vacancy by removal |
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(3) Subject to paragraphs 172(1)( b ) to ( e ), a vacancy created by the removal of a director may be filled at the meeting of the shareholders at which the director is removed or, if not so filled, may be filled under section 181 or 182. |
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Statement of director |
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178. (1) A director who |
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( a ) resigns, |
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( b ) receives a notice or otherwise learns of a meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of removing the director from office, or |
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( c ) receives a notice or otherwise learns of a meeting of directors or shareholders at which another person is to be appointed or elected to fill the office of director, whether because of the directors resignation or removal or because the directors term of office has expired or is about to expire, |
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is entitled to submit to the company a written statement giving the reasons for the resignation or the reasons why the director opposes any proposed action or resolution. |
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Statement re disagreement |
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(2) Where a director resigns as a result of a disagreement with the other directors or the officers of a company, the director shall submit to the company and the Superintendent a written statement setting out the nature of the disagreement. |
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Circulation of statement |
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179. (1) A company shall without delay on receipt of a directors statement referred to in subsection 178 (1) relating to a matter referred to in paragraph 178(1)( b ) or ( c ), or a directors statement referred to in subsection 178(2), send a copy of it to each shareholder entitled to receive a notice of meetings and to the Superintendent, unless the statement is included in or attached to a management proxy circular required by subsection 160.05(1). |
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Immunity for statement |
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(2) No company or person acting on its behalf incurs any liability by reason only of circulating a directors statement in compliance with subsection (1). |
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1991, c. 45, s. 179; 1997, c. 15, s. 355. |
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Shareholders filling vacancy |
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180. The by-laws of a company may provide that a vacancy among the directors is to be filled only |
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( a ) by a vote of the shareholders; or |
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( b ) by a vote of the holders of any class or series of shares having an exclusive right to elect one or more directors if the vacancy occurs among the directors elected by the holders of that class or series. |
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Directors filling vacancy |
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181. (1) Notwithstanding section 187 but subject to subsection (2) and sections 180 and 182, a quorum of directors may fill a vacancy among the directors except a vacancy among the directors resulting from a change in the by-laws by which the number or minimum number of directors is increased or from a failure to elect the number or minimum number of directors required by the by-laws. |
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Where composition fails |
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(2) Notwithstanding sections 180 and 187, where by reason of a vacancy the number of directors or the composition of the board of directors fails to meet any of the requirements of section 163, subsection 167(1) and section 168, the directors who, in the absence of any by-law, would be empowered to fill that vacancy shall do so forthwith. |
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Class vacancy |
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182. Notwithstanding section 187, where the holders of any class or series of shares of a company have an exclusive right to elect one or more directors and a vacancy occurs among those directors, then, subject to section 180, |
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( a ) the remaining directors elected by the holders of that class or series may fill the vacancy except a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number or minimum number of directors for that class or series or from a failure to elect the number or minimum number of directors for that class or series; |
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( b ) if there are no such remaining directors and, by reason of the vacancy, the number of directors or the composition of the board of directors fails to meet any of the requirements of section 163, subsection 167 (1) and section 168, the other directors may fill that vacancy; and |
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( c ) if there are no such remaining directors and paragraph ( b ) does not apply, any holder of shares of that class or series may call a meeting of the holders thereof for the purpose of filling the vacancy. |
Unexpired term |
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183. (1) Unless the by-laws otherwise provide, a director elected or appointed to fill a vacancy holds office for the unexpired term of the directors predecessor in office. |
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Affiliation |
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection 167(3), the affiliation of a person to be elected or appointed to fill a vacancy shall be determined as at the date of the persons election or appointment and that person shall be deemed to continue to be affiliated or unaffiliated, as the case may be, until the next annual meeting of the shareholders. |
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Additional directors |
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183.1 (1) The directors may appoint one or more additional directors where the by-laws of the company allow them to do so and the by-laws determine the minimum and maximum numbers of directors. |
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Term of office |
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(2) A director appointed under subsection (1) holds office for a term expiring not later than the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders of the company. |
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Limit on number appointed |
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(3) The total number of directors appointed under subsection (1) may not exceed one third of the number of directors elected at the previous annual meeting of shareholders of the company. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 356. |
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Meetings of the Board |
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Meetings required |
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184. (1) The directors shall meet at least four times during each financial year. |
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Place for meetings |
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(2) The directors may meet at any place unless the by-laws provide otherwise. |
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Notice for meetings |
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(3) The notice for the meetings must be given as required by the by-laws. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 184; 1997, c. 15, s. 357. |
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Notice of meeting |
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185. (1) A notice of a meeting of directors shall specify each matter referred to in section 202 that is to be dealt with at the meeting but, unless the by-laws otherwise provide, need not otherwise specify the purpose of or the business to be transacted at the meeting. |
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Waiver of notice |
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(2) A director may in any manner waive notice of a meeting of directors and the attendance of a director at a meeting of directors is a waiver of notice of that meeting except where the director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called. |
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Adjourned meeting |
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(3) Notice of an adjourned meeting of directors is not required to be given if the time and place of the adjourned meeting was announced at the original meeting. |
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Quorum |
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186. (1) Subject to section 187, the number of directors referred to in subsection (2) constitutes a quorum at any meeting of directors or a committee of directors and, notwithstanding any vacancy among the directors, a quorum of directors may exercise all the powers of the directors. |
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Idem |
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(2) The number of directors constituting a quorum at any meeting of directors or a committee of directors shall be |
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( a ) a majority of the minimum number of directors required by this Act for the board of directors or a committee of directors; or |
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( b ) such greater number of directors than the number calculated pursuant to paragraph ( a ) as may be established by the by-laws of the company. |
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Director continues to be present |
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(3) Any director present at a meeting of directors who is not present at any particular time during the meeting for the purposes of subsection 208(1) shall be considered as being present for the purposes of this section. |
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Resident Canadian majority |
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187. (1) The directors of a company shall not transact business at a meeting of directors or of a committee of directors unless, |
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( a ) in the case of a company that is the subsidiary of a foreign institution, at least one half, and |
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( b ) in the case of any other company, a majority |
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of the directors present are resident Canadians. |
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Exception |
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the directors of a company may transact business at a meeting of directors or of a committee of directors without the required proportion of directors who are resident Canadians if |
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( a ) a director who is a resident Canadian unable to be present approves, in writing or by telephonic, electronic or other communications facilities, the business transacted at the meeting; and |
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( b ) there would have been present the required proportion of directors who are resident Canadians had that director been present at the meeting. |
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Presence of unaffiliated director |
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187.1 (1) The directors of a company shall not transact business at a meeting of directors unless at least one of the directors who is not affiliated with the company is present. |
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Exception |
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(2) Despite subsection (1), the directors of a company may transact business at a meeting of directors if a director who is not affiliated with the company and who is not able to be present approves, in writing or by telephonic, electronic or other communications facilities, the business transacted at the meeting. |
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Exception |
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(3) Subsection (1) does not apply if all the voting shares of the company, other than directors qualifying shares, if any, are beneficially owned by a Canadian financial institution incorporated by or under an Act of Parliament. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 501. |
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Electronic meeting |
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188. (1) Subject to the by-laws of a company, a meeting of directors or of a committee of directors may be held by means of such telephonic, electronic or other communications facilities as permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate adequately with each other during the meeting. |
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Deemed present |
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(2) A director participating in a meeting by any means referred to in subsection (1) is deemed for the purposes of this Act to be present at that meeting. |
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Resolution outside board meeting |
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188.1 (1) A resolution in writing signed by all the directors entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of directors is as valid as if it had been passed at a meeting of directors. |
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Filing directors resolution |
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(2) A copy of the resolution referred to in subsection (1) shall be kept with the minutes of the proceedings of the directors. |
Resolution outside committee meeting |
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(3) A resolution in writing signed by all the directors entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of a committee of directors, other than a resolution of the audit committee in carrying out its duties under subsection 198(3) or a resolution of the conduct review committee in carrying out its duties under subsection 199 (3), is as valid as if it had been passed at a meeting of that committee. |
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Filing committee resolution |
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(4) A copy of the resolution referred to in subsection (3) shall be kept with the minutes of the proceedings of that committee. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 358. |
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Dissent of director |
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189. (1) A director of a company who is present at a meeting of directors or a committee of directors is deemed to have consented to any resolution passed or action taken at that meeting unless |
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( a ) the director requests that the directors dissent be entered or the directors dissent is entered in the minutes of the meeting; |
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( b ) the director sends a written dissent to the secretary of the meeting before the meeting is adjourned; or |
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( c ) the director sends the directors dissent by registered mail or delivers it to the head office of the company immediately after the meeting is adjourned. |
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Loss of right to dissent |
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(2) A director of a company who votes for or consents to a resolution is not entitled to dissent under subsection (1). |
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Dissent of absent director |
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(3) A director of a company who is not present at a meeting at which a resolution is passed or action taken is deemed to have consented thereto unless, within seven days after the director becomes aware of the resolution, the director |
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( a ) causes the directors dissent to be placed with the minutes of the meeting; or |
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( b ) sends the directors dissent by registered mail or delivers it to the head office of the company. |
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Record of attendance |
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190. (1) A company shall keep a record of the attendance at each meeting of directors and each committee meeting of directors. |
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Statement to shareholders |
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(2) A company shall attach to the notice of each annual meeting it sends to its shareholders a statement showing, in respect of the financial year immediately preceding the meeting, the total number of directors meetings and directors committee meetings held during the financial year and the number of those meetings attended by each director. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 190; 1997, c. 15, s. 359. |
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Meeting required by Superintendent |
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191. (1) Where in the opinion of the Superintendent it is necessary, the Superintendent may, by notice in writing, require a company to hold a meeting of directors of the company to consider the matters set out in the notice. |
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Attendance of Superintendent |
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(2) The Superintendent may attend and be heard at a meeting referred to in subsection (1). |
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By-laws |
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By-laws |
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192. (1) Unless this Act otherwise provides, the directors of a company may by resolution make, amend or repeal any by-law that regulates the business or affairs of the company. |
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Shareholder approval |
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(2) The directors shall submit a by-law, or an amendment to or a repeal of a by-law, that is made under subsection (1) to the shareholders at the next meeting of shareholders, and the shareholders may, by resolution, confirm or amend the by-law, amendment or repeal. |
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Effective date of by-law |
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(3) Unless this Act otherwise provides, a by-law, or an amendment to or a repeal of a by-law, is effective from the date of the resolution of the directors under subsection (1) until it is confirmed, confirmed as amended or rejected by the shareholders under subsection (2) or until it ceases to be effective under subsection (4) and, where the by-law is confirmed, or confirmed as amended, it continues in effect in the form in which it was so confirmed. |
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Effect where no shareholder approval |
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(4) If a by-law, or an amendment to or a repeal of a by-law, is rejected by the shareholders, or is not submitted to the shareholders by the directors as required under subsection (2), the by-law, amendment or repeal ceases to be effective from the date of its rejection or the date of the next meeting of shareholders, as the case may be, and no subsequent resolution of the directors to make, amend or repeal a by-law having substantially the same purpose or effect is effective until it is confirmed, or confirmed as amended, by the shareholders. |
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Shareholder proposal of by-law |
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193. A shareholder entitled to vote at an annual meeting of shareholders may, in accordance with sections 146 and 147, make a proposal to make, amend or repeal a by-law. |
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By-laws of former-Act company |
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194. Subject to section 195, where a by-law of a former-Act company is in effect on the coming into force of this section, the by-law continues in effect until amended or repealed, unless it is contrary to a provision of this Act. |
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By-laws re remuneration |
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195. (1) A by-law of a company respecting the remuneration of the directors of the company, as directors, that is in effect on the coming into force of this section ceases to have effect on the day on which the first annual meeting is held following the coming into force of this section. |
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Existing by-laws |
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(2) A by-law made by the directors of a company under section 29 of the Trust Companies Act or section 29 of the Loan Companies Act as that section read immediately before the coming into force of this section, and not confirmed by the shareholders of the company in accordance with that section on or before the coming into force of this section, continues to have effect, unless it is contrary to the provisions of this Act, until the first meeting of the shareholders following the coming into force of this section. |
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Shareholder approval |
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(3) A by-law referred to in subsection (2) shall be submitted to the shareholders at the first meeting of shareholders following the coming into force of this section. |
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Existing resolutions |
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(4) Where the remuneration of directors of a former-Act company was, immediately prior to the coming into force of this section, fixed by a resolution of the directors, that resolution continues to have effect, unless it is contrary to the provisions of this Act, until the first meeting of the shareholders following the coming into force of this section. |
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Application of ss. 192(3) and (4) and 193 |
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(5) Subsections 192(3) and (4) and section 193 apply in respect of a by-law referred to in this section as if it were a by-law made under section 192. |
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Deemed by-laws |
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196. (1) Any matter provided for in the incorporating instrument of a former-Act company on the coming into force of this section or of a body corporate continued as a company under this Act |
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at the time of continuance that, under this Act, would be provided for in the by-laws of a company is deemed to be provided for in the by-laws of the company. |
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By-law prevails |
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(2) Where a by-law of the company made in accordance with sections 192 and 193 amends or repeals any matter referred to in subsection (1), the by-law prevails. |
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Committees of the Board |
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Committees |
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197. The directors of a company may appoint from their number, in addition to the committees referred to in subsection 161(2), such other committees as they deem necessary and, subject to section 202, delegate to those committees such powers of the directors, and assign to those committees such duties, as the directors consider appropriate. |
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Audit committee |
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198. (1) The audit committee of a company shall consist of at least three directors. |
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Membership |
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(2) A majority of the members of the audit committee must consist of directors who are not persons affiliated with the company and none of the members of the audit committee may be officers or employees of the company or a subsidiary of the company. |
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Duties of audit committee |
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(3) The audit committee of a company shall |
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( a ) review the annual statement of the company before the annual statement is approved by the directors; |
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( b ) review such returns of the company as the Superintendent may specify; |
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( c ) require the management of the company to implement and maintain appropriate internal control procedures; |
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( c .1) review, evaluate and approve those procedures; |
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( d ) review such investments and transactions that could adversely affect the well-being of the company as the auditor or any officer of the company may bring to the attention of the committee; |
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( e ) meet with the auditor to discuss the annual statement and the returns and transactions referred to in this subsection; and |
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( f ) meet with the chief internal auditor of the company, or the officer or employee of the company acting in a similar capacity, and with management of the company, to discuss the effectiveness of the internal control procedures established for the company. |
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Report |
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(4) In the case of the annual statement and returns of a company that under this Act must be approved by the directors of the company, the audit committee of the company shall report thereon to the directors before the approval is given. |
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Required meeting of directors |
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(5) The audit committee of a company may call a meeting of the directors of the company to consider any matter of concern to the committee. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 198; 1997, c. 15, s. 360. |
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Conduct review committee |
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199. (1) The conduct review committee of a company shall consist of at least three directors. |
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Membership |
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(2) A majority of the members of the conduct review committee of a company must consist of directors who are not persons affiliated with the company and none of the members of the conduct |
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review committee may be officers or employees of the company or a subsidiary of the company. |
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Duties of conduct review committee |
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(3) The conduct review committee of a company shall |
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( a ) require the management of the company to establish procedures for complying with Part XI; |
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( b ) review those procedures and their effectiveness in ensuring that the company is complying with Part XI; |
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( b .1) if a widely held bank holding company or a widely held insurance holding company has a significant interest in any class of shares of the company, |
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(i) establish policies for entering into transactions referred to in subsection 483.1(1), and |
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(ii) review transactions referred to in subsection 483.3(1); and |
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( c ) review the practices of the company to ensure that any transactions with related parties of the company that may have a material effect on the stability or solvency of the company are identified. |
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Company report to Superintendent |
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(4) A company shall report to the Superintendent on the mandate and responsibilities of the conduct review committee and the procedures referred to in paragraph (3)( a ). |
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Committee report to directors |
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(5) After each meeting of the conduct review committee of a company, the committee shall report to the directors of the company on matters reviewed by the committee. |
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Directors report to Superintendent |
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(6) Within ninety days after the end of each financial year, the directors of a company shall report to the Superintendent on what the conduct review committee did during the year in carrying out its responsibilities under subsection (3). |
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1991, c. 45, s. 199; 1997, c. 15, s. 361; 2001, c. 9, s. 502. |
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Directors and Officers Authority |
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Chief executive officer |
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200. (1) The directors of a company shall appoint from their number a chief executive officer who must be ordinarily resident in Canada and, subject to section 202, may delegate to that officer any of the powers of the directors. |
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Exception |
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(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a former-Act company whose shareholders are confined to entities incorporated or formed by or under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province that are, in the opinion of the directors, operating as credit unions or cooperative associations. |
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Appointment of officers |
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201. (1) The directors of a company may, subject to the by-laws, designate the offices of the company, appoint officers thereto, specify the duties of those officers and delegate to them powers, subject to section 202, to manage the business and affairs of the company. |
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Directors as officers |
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(2) Subject to section 168, a director of a company may be appointed to any office of the company. |
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Two or more offices |
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(3) Two or more offices of a company may be held by the same person. |
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Limits on power to delegate |
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202. The directors of a company may not delegate any of the following powers, namely, the power to |
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( a ) submit to the shareholders a question or matter requiring the approval of the shareholders; |
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( b ) fill a vacancy among the directors or a committee of directors or in the office of auditor; |
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( c ) issue or cause to be issued securities except in the manner and on terms authorized by the directors; |
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( d ) declare a dividend; |
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( e ) authorize the redemption or other acquisition by the company pursuant to section 74 of shares issued by the company; |
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( f ) authorize the payment of a commission on a share issue; |
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( g ) approve a management proxy circular; |
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( h ) except as provided in this Act, approve the annual statement of the company and any other financial statements issued by the company; or |
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( i ) adopt, amend or repeal by-laws. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 202; 1997, c. 15, s. 362. |
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Exercise of trustee powers |
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203. (1) Where authorized to do so by a special resolution, the directors of a company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2) may delegate, with or without the power of sub-delegation, to the chief executive officer of the company, the exercise of all or any of the powers or authorities of the company, whether discretionary or otherwise, arising out of any will, trust, deed, contract or other instrument creating a trust. |
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Performance by company |
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(2) The exercise of any power or authority referred to in subsection (1) by the chief executive officer or that officers delegate, if any, constitutes an exercise of the power or authority by the company. |
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Remuneration of directors, officers and employees |
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204. (1) Subject to this section and the by-laws, the directors of a company may fix the remuneration of the directors, officers and employees of the company. |
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By-law required |
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(2) No remuneration shall be paid to a director as director until a by-law fixing the aggregate of all amounts that may be paid to all directors in respect of directors remuneration during a fixed period of time has been confirmed by special resolution. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 204; 1994, c. 26, s. 74. |
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Validity of acts |
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205. (1) An act of a director or an officer of a company is valid notwithstanding a defect in the directors qualification or an irregularity in the directors election or in the appointment of the director or officer. |
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Idem |
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(2) An act of the board of directors of a company is valid notwithstanding a defect in the composition of the board or an irregularity in the election of the board or in the appointment of a member of the board. |
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Right to attend meetings |
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206. A director of a company is entitled to attend and to be heard at every meeting of shareholders. |
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Conflicts of Interest |
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Disclosure of interest |
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207. (1) A director or an officer of a company who |
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( a ) is a party to a material contract or proposed material contract with the company, |
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( b ) is a director or an officer of any entity that is a party to a material contract or proposed material contract with the company, or |
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( c ) has a material interest in any person who is a party to a material contract or proposed material contract with the company |
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shall disclose in writing to the company or request to have entered in the minutes of the meetings of directors the nature and extent of that interest. |
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Time of disclosure for director |
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(2) The disclosure required by subsection (1) shall be made, in the case of a director, |
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( a ) at the meeting of directors at which a proposed contract is first considered; |
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( b ) if the director was not then interested in a proposed contract, at the first meeting after the director becomes so interested; |
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( c ) if the director becomes interested after a contract is made, at the first meeting after the director becomes so interested; or |
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( d ) if a person who is interested in a contract later becomes a director, at the first meeting after that person becomes a director. |
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Time of disclosure for officer |
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(3) The disclosure required by subsection (1) shall be made, in the case of an officer who is not a director, |
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( a ) forthwith after the officer becomes aware that a proposed contract is to be considered or a contract has been considered at a meeting of directors; |
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( b ) if the officer becomes interested after a contract is made, forthwith after the officer becomes so interested; or |
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( c ) if a person who is interested in a contract later becomes an officer, forthwith after the person becomes an officer. |
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Time of disclosure for director or officer |
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(4) If a material contract or proposed material contract is one that, in the ordinary course of business of the company, would not require approval by the directors or shareholders, a director or an officer referred to in subsection (1) shall disclose in writing to the company or request to have entered in the minutes of meetings of directors the nature and extent of the directors or officers interest forthwith after the director or officer becomes aware of the contract or proposed contract. |
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Where director must abstain |
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208. (1) Where subsection 207(1) applies to a director in respect of a contract, the director shall not be present at any meeting of directors while the contract is being considered at the meeting or vote on any resolution to approve the contract unless the contract is |
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( a ) an arrangement by way of security for money lent to or obligations undertaken by the director for the benefit of the company or a subsidiary of the company; |
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( b ) a contract relating primarily to the directors remuneration as a director or an officer, employee or agent of the company or a subsidiary of the company or an entity controlled by the company or an entity in which the company has a substantial investment; |
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( c ) a contract for indemnity under section 217 or for insurance under section 218; or |
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( d ) a contract with an affiliate of the company. |
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Ineligibility |
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(2) Any director who knowingly contravenes subsection (1) ceases to hold office as director and is not eligible, for a period of five years after the date on which the contravention occurred, for |
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election or appointment as a director of any financial institution that is incorporated or formed by or under an Act of Parliament. |
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Validity of acts |
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(3) An act of the board of directors of a company or of a committee of the board of directors is not invalid because a person acting as a director had ceased under subsection (2) to hold office as a director. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 208; 1997, c. 15, s. 363. |
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Continuing disclosure |
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209. For the purposes of subsection 207(1), a general notice to the directors by a director or an officer declaring that the director or officer is a director or officer of an entity, or has a material interest in a person, and is to be regarded as interested in any contract made with that entity or person, is a sufficient declaration of interest in relation to any contract so made. |
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Avoidance standards |
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210. A material contract between a company and one or more of its directors or officers, or between a company and another entity of which a director or an officer of the company is a director or an officer or between a company and a person in which the director or officer has a material interest, is neither void nor voidable |
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( a ) by reason only of that relationship, or |
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( b ) by reason only that a director with an interest in the contract is present at or is counted to determine the presence of a quorum at the meeting of directors or the committee of directors that authorized the contract, |
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if the director or officer disclosed the interest in accordance with subsection 207(2), (3) or (4) or section 209 and the contract was approved by the directors or the shareholders and it was reasonable and fair to the company at the time it was approved. |
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Application to court |
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211. Where a director or an officer of a company fails to disclose an interest in a material contract in accordance with sections 207 and 209, a court may, on the application of the company or a shareholder of the company, set aside the contract on such terms as the court thinks fit. |
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Liability, Exculpation and Indemnification |
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Directors liability |
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212. (1) The directors of a company who vote for or consent to a resolution of the directors authorizing the issue of a share contrary to subsection 68(1) or the issue of subordinated indebtedness contrary to section 83 for a consideration other than money are jointly and severally liable to the company to make good any amount by which the consideration received is less than the fair equivalent of the money that the company would have received if the share or subordinated indebtedness had been issued for money on the date of the resolution. |
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Further liabilities |
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(2) The directors of a company who vote for or consent to a resolution of the directors authorizing |
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( a ) a redemption or purchase of shares contrary to section 74, |
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( b ) a reduction of capital contrary to section 78, |
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( c ) a payment of a dividend contrary to section 82, |
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( d ) a payment of an indemnity contrary to section 217, or |
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( e ) any transaction contrary to Part XI |
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are jointly and severally liable to restore to the company any amounts so distributed or paid and not otherwise recovered by the company and any amounts in relation to any loss suffered by the |
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company. |
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Contribution |
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213. (1) A director who has satisfied a judgment in relation to the directors liability under section 212 is entitled to contribution from the other directors who voted for or consented to the unlawful act on which the judgment was founded. |
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Recovery |
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(2) A director who is liable under section 212 is entitled to apply to a court for an order compelling a shareholder or other person to pay or deliver to the director |
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( a ) any money or property that was paid or distributed to the shareholder or other person contrary to section 74, 78, 82 or 217; or |
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( b ) an amount equal to the value of the loss suffered by the company as a result of any transaction contrary to Part XI. |
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Court order |
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(3) Where an application is made to a court under subsection (2), the court may, where it is satisfied that it is equitable to do so, |
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( a ) order a shareholder or other person to pay or deliver to a director any money or property that was paid or distributed to the shareholder or other person contrary to section 74, 78, 82 or 217 or any amount referred to in paragraph (2)( b ); |
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( b ) order a company to return or issue shares to a person from whom the company has purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired shares; or |
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( c ) make any further order it thinks fit. |
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Limitation |
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214. An action to enforce a liability imposed by section 212 may not be commenced after two years from the date of the resolution authorizing the action complained of. |
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Liability for wages |
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215. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the directors of a company are jointly and severally liable to each employee of the company for all debts not exceeding six months wages payable to the employee for services performed for the company while they are directors. |
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Conditions precedent |
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(2) A director is not liable under subsection (1) unless |
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( a ) the company has been sued for the debt within six months after it has become due and execution has been returned unsatisfied in whole or in part; |
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( b ) the company has commenced liquidation and dissolution proceedings or has been dissolved and a claim for the debt has been proven within six months after the earlier of the date of commencement of the liquidation and dissolution proceedings and the date of dissolution; or |
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( c ) a winding-up order has been issued in respect of the company under the Winding-up and Restructuring Act and a claim for the debt has been allowed or proven within six months after the issue of the winding-up order. |
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Limitations |
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(3) A director is not liable under subsection (1) unless the director is sued for a debt referred to in that subsection while a director or within two years after the director has ceased to be a director. |
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Amount due after execution |
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(4) Where execution referred to in paragraph (2)( a ) has issued, the amount recoverable from a director is the amount remaining unsatisfied after execution. |
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Subrogation of director |
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(5) Where a director of a company pays a debt referred to in subsection (1) that is proven in liquidation and dissolution or winding-up proceedings, the director is entitled to any preference that |
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the employee would have been entitled to and, where a judgment has been obtained, the director is entitled to an assignment of the judgment. |
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Contribution entitlement |
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(6) A director of a company who has satisfied a claim under this section is entitled to a contribution from the other directors of the company who are liable for the claim. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 215; 1996, c. 6, s. 167. |
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Reliance on statement |
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216. A director, an officer or an employee of a company is not liable under subsection 162(1) or (2) or section 212 or 215 or subsection 494(1) if the director, officer or employee relies in good faith on |
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( a ) financial statements of the company represented to the director, officer or employee by an officer of the company or in a written report of the auditor of the company fairly to reflect the financial condition of the company; or |
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( b ) a report of an accountant, lawyer, notary or other professional person whose profession lends credibility to a statement made by the professional person. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 216; 2001, c. 9, s. 503. |
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Indemnification of directors and officers |
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217. (1) Except in respect of an action by or on behalf of the company to procure a judgment in its favour, a company may indemnify |
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( a ) a director or an officer of the company, |
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( b ) a former director or officer of the company, or |
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( c ) any person who acts or acted at the companys request as a director or an officer of an entity of which the company is or was a shareholder or creditor |
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against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment reasonably incurred by the person in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which the person is made a party by reason of being or having been a person referred to in any of paragraphs ( a ) to ( c ), if |
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( d ) the director, officer or person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company, and |
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( e ) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding enforced by a monetary penalty, the director, officer or person had reasonable grounds for believing that the impugned conduct was lawful. |
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Indemnification in derivative action |
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(2) A company may, with the approval of a court, indemnify a person referred to in subsection (1), in respect of an action by or on behalf of the company or entity to procure a judgment in its favour to which the person is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or an officer of the company or entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the person in connection with that action if the person fulfils the conditions set out in paragraphs (1)( d ) and ( e ). |
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Right to indemnity |
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(3) Notwithstanding anything in this section, a person referred to in subsection (1) is entitled to indemnity from the company in respect of all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defence of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which the person is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or an officer of the company or an entity, if the person seeking indemnity |
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( a ) was substantially successful on the merits in the defence of the action or proceedings; and |
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( b ) fulfils the conditions set out in paragraphs (1)( d ) and ( e ). |
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Heirs |
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(4) A company may, to the extent referred to in subsections (1) to (3) in respect of the person, indemnify the heirs or personal representatives of any person the company may indemnify pursuant to subsections (1) to (3). |
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1991, c. 45, s. 217; 2001, c. 9, s. 504(F). |
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Directors and officers insurance |
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218. A company may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person referred to in section 217 against any liability incurred by the person |
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( a ) in the capacity of a director or an officer of the company, except where the liability relates to a failure to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company; or |
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( b ) in the capacity of a director or an officer of another entity where the person acts or acted in that capacity at the companys request, except where the liability relates to a failure to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the entity. |
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Application to court for indemnification |
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219. (1) A company or a person referred to in section 217 may apply to a court for an order approving an indemnity under that section and the court may so order and make any further order it thinks fit. |
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Notice to Superintendent |
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(2) An applicant under subsection (1) shall give the Superintendent written notice of the application and the Superintendent is entitled to appear and to be heard at the hearing of the application in person or by counsel. |
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Other notice |
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(3) On an application under subsection (1), the court may order notice to be given to any interested person and that person is entitled to appear and to be heard in person or by counsel at the hearing of the application. |
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FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES |
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Amendments |
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Incorporating instrument |
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220. On the application of a company duly authorized by special resolution, the Minister may approve a proposal to add, change or remove any provision that is permitted by this Act to be set out in the incorporating instrument of the company. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 220; 2001, c. 9, s. 505. |
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Letters patent to amend |
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221. (1) On receipt of an application referred to in section 220, the Minister may issue letters patent to effect the proposal. |
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Effect of letters patent |
|
(2) Letters patent issued pursuant to subsection (1) become effective on the day stated in the letters patent. |
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|
1991, c. 45, s. 221; 2001, c. 9, s. 506. |
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By-laws |
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222. (1) The directors of a company may make, amend or repeal any by-laws, in the manner set out in subsections (2) and (3) and sections 223 to 227, to |
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( a ) change the maximum number, if any, of shares of any class that the company is authorized to issue; |
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( b ) create new classes of shares; |
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( c ) change the designation of any or all of the companys shares, and add, change or remove any rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions, including rights to accrued dividends, in respect of any or all of the companys shares, whether issued or unissued; |
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( d ) change the shares of any class or series, whether issued or unissued, into a different number of shares of the same class or series or into the same or a different number of shares of other classes or series; |
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( e ) divide a class of shares, whether issued or unissued, into series and fix the maximum number of shares, if any, in each series and the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached thereto; |
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( f ) authorize the directors to divide any class of unissued shares into series and fix the maximum number of shares, if any, in each series and the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached thereto; |
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( g ) authorize the directors to change the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to unissued shares of any series; |
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( h ) revoke, diminish or enlarge any authority conferred under paragraphs ( f ) and ( g ); |
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( i ) increase or decrease the number of directors or the minimum or maximum number of directors, subject to subsection 163(1) and section 172; |
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( i .1) change the name of the company; or |
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( j ) change the place in Canada where the head office of the company is to be situated. |
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Shareholder approval |
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(2) The directors shall submit a by-law, or an amendment to or a repeal of a by-law, that is made under subsection (1) to the shareholders, and the shareholders may, by special resolution, confirm, amend or reject the by-law, amendment or repeal. |
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Effective date of by-law |
|
(3) A by-law, or an amendment to or a repeal of a by-law, made under subsection (1) is not effective until it is confirmed or confirmed as amended by the shareholders under subsection (2) and, in the case of by-laws referred to in paragraph (1)( i .1), approved by the Superintendent. |
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|
1991, c. 45, s. 222; 2001, c. 9, s. 507. |
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Class vote |
|
223. (1) The holders of shares of a class or, subject to subsection (2), of a series are, unless the by-laws otherwise provide in the case of an amendment to the by-laws referred to in paragraph ( a ), ( b ) or ( e ), entitled to vote separately as a class or series on a proposal to amend the by-laws to |
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( a ) increase or decrease any maximum number of authorized shares of that class, or increase any maximum number of authorized shares of a class having rights or privileges equal or superior to the shares of that class; |
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( b ) effect an exchange, reclassification or cancellation of all or part of the shares of that class; |
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( c ) add, change or remove the rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions attached to the shares of that class and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, |
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(i) remove or change prejudicially rights to accrued dividends or rights to cumulative dividends, |
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(ii) add, remove or change prejudicially redemption rights, |
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(iii) reduce or remove a dividend preference or a liquidation preference, or |
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(iv) add, remove or change prejudicially conversion privileges, options, voting, transfer or |
|
|
pre-emptive rights, or rights to acquire securities of the company, or sinking fund provisions; |
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( d ) increase the rights or privileges of any class of shares having rights or privileges equal or superior to the shares of that class; |
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( e ) create a new class of shares equal or superior to the shares of that class; |
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( f ) make any class of shares having rights or privileges inferior to the shares of that class equal or superior to the shares of that class; or |
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( g ) effect an exchange or create a right of exchange of all or part of the shares of another class into the shares of that class. |
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Right limited |
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(2) The holders of a series of shares of a class are entitled to vote separately as a series under subsection (1) if that series is affected by an addition or amendment to the by-laws in a manner different from other shares of the same class. |
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Right to vote |
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(3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply whether or not the shares of a class otherwise carry the right to vote. |
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Separate resolutions |
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224. A proposed addition or amendment to the by-laws referred to in subsection 223(1) is adopted when the holders of the shares of each class or series entitled to vote separately thereon as a class or series have approved the addition or amendment by a special resolution. |
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Revoking resolution |
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225 . Where a special resolution referred to in subsection 222(2) so states, the directors may, without further approval of the shareholders, revoke the special resolution. |
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Proposal to amend |
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226. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a director or a shareholder who is entitled to vote at an annual meeting of shareholders of a company may, in accordance with sections 146 and 147, make a proposal to make an application referred to in section 220 or to make, amend or repeal the by-laws referred to in subsection 222(1) of the company. |
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Notice of amendment |
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(2) Notice of a meeting of shareholders at which a proposal to amend the incorporating instrument or to make, amend or repeal the by-laws of a company is to be considered must set out the proposal. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 226; 2001, c. 9, s. 508. |
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Rights preserved |
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227. No amendment to the incorporating instrument or by-laws of a company affects an existing cause of action or claim or liability to prosecution in favour of or against the company or its directors or officers, or any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which the company or any of its directors or officers are a party. |
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Amalgamation |
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Application to amalgamate |
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228. On the joint application of |
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( a ) two or more companies, |
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( b ) one or more companies and one or more bodies corporate that are incorporated by or under an Act of Parliament, or |
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( c ) two or more bodies corporate incorporated by or under an Act of Parliament, |
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the Minister may issue letters patent amalgamating and continuing the applicants as one company. |
Amalgamation agreement |
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229. (1) Each applicant proposing to amalgamate shall enter into an amalgamation agreement. |
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Contents of agreement |
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(2) Every amalgamation agreement shall set out the terms and means of effecting the amalgamation and, in particular, |
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( a ) the name of the amalgamated company and the place in Canada where its head office is to be situated; |
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( b ) the name and place of ordinary residence of each proposed director of the amalgamated company; |
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( c ) the manner in which the shares of each applicant are to be converted into shares or other securities of the amalgamated company; |
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( d ) if any shares of an applicant are not to be converted into shares or other securities of the amalgamated company, the amount of money or securities that the holders of those shares are to receive in addition to or in lieu of shares or other securities of the amalgamated company; |
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( e ) the manner of payment of money in lieu of the issue of fractional shares of the amalgamated company or of any other body corporate that are to be issued in the amalgamation; |
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( f ) the proposed by-laws of the amalgamated company; |
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( g ) details of any other matter necessary to perfect the amalgamation and to provide for the subsequent management and operation of the amalgamated company; and |
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( h ) the proposed effective date of the amalgamation. |
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Cross ownership of shares |
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(3) If shares of one of the applicants are held by or on behalf of another of the applicants, other than shares held in the capacity of a personal representative or by way of security, the amalgamation agreement must provide for the cancellation of those shares when the amalgamation becomes effective without any repayment of capital in respect thereof, and no provision shall be made in the agreement for the conversion of those shares into shares of the amalgamated company. |
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Approval of agreement by Minister |
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230. An amalgamation agreement shall be submitted to the Minister for approval and any approval of such an agreement pursuant to subsection 231(4) by the holders of any class or series of shares of an applicant is invalid unless, prior to the date of the approval, the Minister has approved the agreement in writing. |
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Shareholder approval |
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231. (1) The directors of each applicant shall submit an amalgamation agreement for approval to a meeting of the holders of shares of the applicant company or body corporate of which they are directors and, subject to subsection (3), to the holders of each class or series of such shares. |
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Right to vote |
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(2) Each share of an applicant carries the right to vote in respect of an amalgamation whether or not it otherwise carries the right to vote. |
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Class vote |
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(3) The holders of shares of a class or series of shares of an applicant are entitled to vote separately as a class or series in respect of an amalgamation if the amalgamation agreement contains a provision that, if contained in a proposed amendment to the by-laws or incorporating instrument of the applicant, would entitle those holders to vote separately as a class or series. |
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Special resolution |
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(4) Subject to subsection (3), an amalgamation agreement is approved when the shareholders of each applicant company or body corporate have approved the amalgamation by special resolution. |
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Termination |
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(5) An amalgamation agreement may provide that, at any time before the issue of letters patent |
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of amalgamation, the agreement may be terminated by the directors of an applicant notwithstanding that the agreement has been approved by the shareholders of all or any of the applicant companies or bodies corporate. |
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Vertical short-form amalgamation |
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232. (1) A company may, without complying with sections 229 to 231, amalgamate with one or more bodies corporate that are incorporated by or under an Act of Parliament if the body or bodies corporate, as the case may be, are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the company and |
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( a ) the amalgamation is approved by a resolution of the directors of the company and of each amalgamating subsidiary; and |
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( b ) the resolutions provide that |
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(i) the shares of each amalgamating subsidiary will be cancelled without any repayment of capital in respect thereof, |
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(ii) the letters patent of amalgamation and the by-laws of the amalgamated company will be the same as the incorporating instrument and the by-laws of the amalgamating company that is the holding body corporate, and |
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(iii) no securities will be issued by the amalgamated company in connection with the amalgamation. |
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Horizontal short-form amalgamation |
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(2) Two or more bodies corporate incorporated by or under an Act of Parliament may amalgamate and continue as one company without complying with sections 229 to 231 if |
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( a ) at least one of the applicants is a company; |
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( b ) the applicants are all wholly-owned subsidiaries of the same holding body corporate; |
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( c ) the amalgamation is approved by a resolution of the directors of each of the applicants; and |
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( d ) the resolutions provide that |
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(i) the shares of all applicants, except those of one of the applicants that is a company, will be cancelled without any repayment of capital in respect thereof, |
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(ii) the letters patent of amalgamation and the by-laws of the amalgamated company will be the same as the incorporating instrument and the by-laws of the amalgamating company whose shares are not cancelled, and |
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(iii) the stated capital of the amalgamating companies and bodies corporate whose shares are cancelled will be added to the stated capital of the amalgamating company whose shares are not cancelled. |
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Joint application to Minister |
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233. (1) Subject to subsection (2), unless an amalgamation agreement is terminated in accordance with subsection 231(5), the applicants shall, within three months after the approval of the agreement in accordance with subsection 231(4) or the approval of the directors in accordance with subsection 232(1) or (2), jointly apply to the Minister for letters patent of amalgamation continuing the applicants as one company. |
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Conditions precedent to application |
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(2) No application for the issue of letters patent under subsection (1) may be made unless |
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( a ) notice of intention to make such an application has been published at least once a week for a period of four consecutive weeks in the Canada Gazette and in a newspaper in general circulation at or near the place where the head office of each applicant is situated; and |
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( b ) the application is supported by satisfactory evidence that the applicants have complied with the requirements of this Part relating to amalgamations. |
Application of sections 22 to 25 |
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(3) If two or more bodies corporate, none of which is a company, apply for letters patent under subsection (1), sections 22 to 25 apply in respect of the application with any modifications that the circumstances require. |
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Matters for consideration |
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(4) Before issuing letters patent of amalgamation continuing the applicants as one company, the Minister shall take into account all matters that the Minister considers relevant to the application, including |
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( a ) the sources of continuing financial support for the amalgamated company; |
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( b ) the soundness and feasibility of the plans of the applicants for the future conduct and development of the business of the amalgamated company; |
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( c ) the business record and experience of the applicants; |
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( d ) the reputation of the applicants for being operated in a manner that is consistent with the standards of good character and integrity; |
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( e ) whether the amalgamated company will be operated responsibly by persons with the competence and experience suitable for involvement in the operation of a financial institution; |
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( f ) the impact of any integration of the operations and businesses of the applicants on the conduct of those operations and businesses; and |
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( g ) the best interests of the financial system in Canada. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 233; 2001, c. 9, s. 509. |
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Issue of letters patent |
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234. (1) Where an application has been made to the Minister in accordance with section 233, the Minister may issue letters patent of amalgamation continuing the applicants as one company. |
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Letters patent |
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(2) Where letters patent are issued pursuant to this section, section 27 applies with such modifications as the circumstances require in respect of the issue of the letters patent. |
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Publication of notice |
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(3) The Superintendent shall cause to be published in the Canada Gazette notice of the issuance of letters patent pursuant to subsection (1). |
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Court enforcement |
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234.1 (1) If a company or any director, officer, employee or agent of a company is contravening or has failed to comply with any term or condition made in respect of the issuance of letters patent of amalgamation, the Minister may, in addition to any other action that may be taken under this Act, apply to a court for an order directing the company or the director, officer, employee or agent to comply with the term or condition, cease the contravention or do any thing that is required to be done, and on the application the court may so order and make any other order it thinks fit. |
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Appeal |
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(2) An appeal from an order of a court under this section lies in the same manner as, and to the same court to which, an appeal may be taken from any other order of the court. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 510. |
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Effect of letters patent |
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235. (1) On the day provided for in the letters patent issued under section 234 |
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( a ) the amalgamation of the applicants and their continuance as one company becomes effective; |
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( b ) the property of each applicant continues to be the property of the amalgamated company; |
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( c ) the amalgamated company continues to be liable for the obligations of each applicant; |
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the letters patent or, where the activity is conducted pursuant to an agreement existing on the date of issue of the letters patent, the expiration of the agreement; |
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( b ) with respect to any matter described in paragraph (1)( b ), ten years; and |
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( c ) with respect to any matter described in any of paragraphs (1)( d ) to ( f ), two years. |
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Renewal |
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(3) Subject to subsection (4), the Minister may, by order, on the recommendation of the Superintendent, renew a permission granted by order under subsection (1) with respect to any matter described in any of paragraphs (1) ( b ) to ( e ) for any further period or periods that the Minister considers necessary. |
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Limitation |
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(4) The Minister shall not grant to a company any permission |
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( a ) with respect to matters described in paragraph (1)( b ), that purports to be effective more than ten years after the date of the approval for the company to commence and carry on business, unless the Minister is satisfied on the basis of evidence on oath provided by an officer of the company that the company will not be able at law to redeem at the end of the ten years the outstanding debt obligations to which the permission relates; and |
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( b ) with respect to matters described in paragraphs (1)( d ) and ( e ), that purports to be effective more than ten years after the date of issue of the letters patent. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 236; 1994, c. 47, s. 204; 1997, c. 15, s. 364. |
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Transfer of Business |
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Sale by company |
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237. (1) A company may sell all or substantially all of its assets to a financial institution incorporated by or under an Act of Parliament or to an authorized foreign bank in respect of its business in Canada if the purchasing financial institution or authorized foreign bank assumes all or substantially all of the liabilities of the company. |
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Sale agreement |
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(2) An agreement of purchase and sale (in subsection (3), section 238, subsections 239(1) and (4) and section 241 referred to as a sale agreement) shall set out the terms of, and means of effecting, the sale of assets referred to in subsection (1). |
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Consideration |
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(3) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the consideration for a sale referred to in subsection (1) may be cash or fully paid securities of the purchasing financial institution or authorized foreign bank or in part cash and in part fully paid securities of the purchasing financial institution or authorized foreign bank or any other consideration that is provided for in the sale agreement. |
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Meaning of authorized foreign bank |
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(4) In this section, authorized foreign bank has the meaning assigned to that expression by section 2 of the Bank Act . |
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1991, c. 45, s. 237; 1999, c. 28, s. 139. |
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Agreement to Minister |
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238. A sale agreement shall be submitted to the Minister prior to the sending of the sale agreement to shareholders of the selling company under subsection 239(1). |
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Shareholder approval |
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239. (1) The directors of a selling company shall submit a sale agreement for approval to a meeting of the holders of shares of the company and, subject to subsection (3), to the holders of each class or series of shares of the company. |
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Right to vote |
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(2) Each share of a selling company carries the right to vote in respect of a sale referred to in |
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specified in the incorporating instrument or by-laws. |
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Notice of change of address |
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(3) A company shall send to the Superintendent, within fifteen days after any change of address of its head office, a notice of the change of address. |
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Company records |
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243. (1) A company shall prepare and maintain records containing |
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( a ) its incorporating instrument and the by-laws of the company and all amendments thereto; |
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( b ) minutes of meetings and resolutions of shareholders; |
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( c ) the information referred to in paragraphs 499(1)( a ), ( c ) and ( e ) to ( h ) contained in all returns provided to the Superintendent pursuant to section 499; |
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( d ) particulars of any authorizations, designations, conditions and limitations established by the Superintendent pursuant to subsection 57(1), (3) or (4) or 58(1) or that are from time to time applicable to the company; and |
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( e ) particulars of exceptions granted under section 37 or 236 that are from time to time applicable to the company. |
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Additional records |
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(2) In addition to the records described in subsection (1), a company shall prepare and maintain adequate |
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( a ) corporate accounting records; |
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( b ) records containing minutes of meetings and resolutions of the directors and any committee thereof; |
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( c ) records relating to fiduciary activities of the company; and |
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( d ) records showing, for each customer of the company, on a daily basis, particulars of the transactions between the company and that customer and the balance owing to or by the company in respect of that customer. |
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Former-Act and continued companies |
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(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)( b ) and subsection (2), |
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( a ) in the case of a body corporate continued as a company under this Act, records includes similar records required by law to be maintained by the body corporate before it was so continued; |
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( b ) in the case of a body corporate amalgamated and continued as a company under this Act, records includes similar records required by law to be maintained by the body corporate before it was so amalgamated; and |
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( c ) in the case of a former-Act company, records includes similar records required by law to be maintained by the company before the coming into force of this section. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 243; 1997, c. 15, s. 365(E). |
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Place of records |
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244. (1) The records described in section 243 shall be kept at the head office of the company or at such other place in Canada as the directors think fit. |
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Notice of place of records |
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(2) Where any of the records described in section 243 are not kept at the head office of a company, the company shall notify the Superintendent of the place where the records are kept. |
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Exception |
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(3) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of records of a branch of the company outside Canada or in respect of customers of such a branch. |
Inspection |
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(4) The records described in section 243, other than those described in paragraph 243(2)( d ), shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by the directors. |
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Access to company records |
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(5) Shareholders and creditors of a company and their personal representatives may examine the records referred to in subsection 243(1) during the usual business hours of the company, and may take extracts therefrom, free of charge, or have copies made thereof on payment of a reasonable fee and, where the company is a distributing company within the meaning of subsection 270(1), any other person may, on payment of a reasonable fee, examine such records and take extracts therefrom or copies thereof. |
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Electronic access |
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(5.1) A company may make the information contained in records referred to in subsection 243(1) available to persons by any system of mechanical or electronic data processing or any other information storage device that is capable of reproducing the records in intelligible written form within a reasonable time. |
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Copies of by-laws |
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(6) Every shareholder of a company is entitled, on request made not more frequently than once in each calendar year, to receive, free of charge, one copy of the by-laws of the company. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 244; 2001, c. 9, s. 511. |
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Shareholder lists |
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245. (1) A person who is entitled to a basic list of shareholders of a company (in this section referred to as the applicant) may request the company to furnish the applicant with a basic list within ten days after receipt by the company of the affidavit referred to in subsection (2) and, on payment of a reasonable fee by the applicant, the company shall comply with the request. |
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Affidavit and contents |
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(2) A request under subsection (1) must be accompanied by an affidavit containing |
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( a ) the name and address of the applicant, |
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( b ) the name and address for service of the entity, if the applicant is an entity, and |
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( c ) an undertaking that the basic list and any supplemental lists obtained pursuant to subsections (5) and (6) will not be used except as permitted under section 247, |
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and, if the applicant is an entity, the affidavit shall be made by a director or an officer of the entity, or any person acting in a similar capacity. |
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Entitlement |
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(3) Every shareholder or creditor of a company or the personal representative of a shareholder or creditor of a company is entitled to a basic list of shareholders of the company, but, if the company is a distributing company within the meaning of subsection 270(1), any person is entitled to a basic list of shareholders of the company on request therefor. |
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Basic list |
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(4) A basic list of shareholders of a company consists of a list of shareholders that is made up to a date not more than ten days before the receipt of the affidavit referred to in subsection (2) and that sets out |
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( a ) the names of the shareholders of the company; |
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( b ) the number of shares owned by each shareholder; and |
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( c ) the address of each shareholder as shown in the records of the company. |
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Supplemental lists |
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(5) A person requiring a company to supply a basic list of shareholders may, if the person states in the accompanying affidavit that supplemental lists are required, request the company or its agent, on payment of a reasonable fee, to provide supplemental lists of shareholders setting out any |
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changes from the basic list in the names and addresses of the shareholders and the number of shares owned by each shareholder for each business day following the date to which the basic list is made up. |
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When supplemental lists to be furnished |
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(6) A company or its agent shall provide a supplemental list of shareholders required under subsection (5) |
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( a ) within ten days following the date the basic list is provided, where the information relates to changes that took place prior to that date; and |
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( b ) within ten days following the day to which the supplemental list relates, where the information relates to changes that took place on or after the date the basic list was provided. |
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Option holders |
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246. A person requiring a company to supply a basic list or a supplemental list of shareholders may also require the company to include in that list the name and address of any known holder of an option or right to acquire shares of the company. |
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Use of shareholder list |
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247. A list of shareholders obtained under section 245 shall not be used by any person except in connection with |
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( a ) an effort to influence the voting of shareholders of the company; |
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( b ) an offer to acquire shares of the company; or |
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( c ) any other matter relating to the affairs of the company. |
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Form of records |
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248. (1) A register or other record required or authorized by this Act to be prepared and maintained by a company |
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( a ) may be in a bound or loose-leaf form or in a photographic film form; or |
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( b ) may be entered or recorded by any system of mechanical or electronic data processing or any other information storage device that is capable of reproducing any required information in intelligible written form within a reasonable time. |
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Conversion of records |
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(2) Registers and records maintained in one form may be converted to any other form. |
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Destruction of converted records |
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(3) Notwithstanding section 251, a company may destroy any register or other record referred to in subsection (1) at any time after the register or other record has been converted to another form. |
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Protection of records |
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249. A company and its agents shall take reasonable precautions to |
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( a ) prevent loss or destruction of, |
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( b ) prevent falsification of entries in, |
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( c ) facilitate detection and correction of inaccuracies in, and |
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( d ) ensure that unauthorized persons do not have access to or use of information in |
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the registers and records required or authorized by this Act to be prepared and maintained. |
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Location and processing of information |
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250. (1) Subject to subsection (3), a company shall maintain and process in Canada any information or data relating to the preparation and maintenance of the records referred to in section 243 unless the Superintendent has, subject to any terms and conditions that the Superintendent considers appropriate, exempted the company from the application of this section. |
Copies |
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(2) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), a company may maintain copies of the records referred to in subsection (1) outside Canada and may further process outside Canada any information or data relating to those copies. |
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Foreign records |
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(3) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a branch of the company outside Canada or in respect of customers of such a branch. |
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Information for Superintendent |
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(4) Where a company, in accordance with subsection (2), maintains outside Canada copies of any records referred to in subsection (1) or further processes information or data relating to those copies outside Canada, the company shall so inform the Superintendent and provide the Superintendent with a list of those copies maintained outside Canada and a description of the further processing of information or data relating to those copies outside Canada and such other information as the Superintendent may require from time to time. |
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Processing information in Canada |
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(5) If the Superintendent is at any time of the opinion that the maintenance outside Canada of any copies referred to in subsection (4), or the further processing of information or data relating to any such copies outside Canada, is incompatible with the fulfilment of the Superintendents responsibilities under this Act or the Superintendent is advised by the Minister that, in the opinion of the Minister, such maintenance or further processing is not in the national interest, the Superintendent shall direct the company to maintain those copies, or to further process information or data relating to those copies, in Canada. |
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Company to comply |
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(6) A company shall forthwith comply with any direction issued under subsection (5). |
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Guidelines |
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(7) The Superintendent shall issue guidelines respecting the circumstances under which an exemption referred to in subsection (1) may be available. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 250; 2001, c. 9, s. 512. |
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Retention of records |
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251. (1) A company shall retain |
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( a ) the records of the company referred to in subsection 243(1); |
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( b ) any record of the company referred to in paragraph 243(2)( a ) or ( b ); and |
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( c ) the central securities register referred to in subsection 253(1). |
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Idem |
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(2) A company shall retain all signature cards and signing authorities or copies thereof relating to any deposit or instrument in respect of which the company has paid an amount to the Bank of Canada pursuant to section 424 until the Bank of Canada notifies the company that they need no longer be retained. |
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Evidence |
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(3) Copies of the signature cards and signing authorities referred to in subsection (2) may be kept in any manner or form referred to in paragraphs 248(1)( a ) and ( b ) and any such copies, or prints therefrom, are admissible in evidence in the same manner and to the same extent as the original signature cards and signing authorities. |
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Relief |
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(4) Nothing in this section affects the operation of any statute of limitation or prescription or relieves the company from any obligation to the Bank of Canada in respect of any deposit or instrument in respect of which section 424 applies. |
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Regulations |
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252. The Governor in Council may make regulations respecting the records, papers and documents to be retained by a company and the length of time those records, papers and documents |
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are to be retained. |
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Securities Registers |
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Central securities register |
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253. (1) A company shall maintain a central securities register in which it shall record the securities, within the meaning of section 84, issued by it in registered form, showing in respect of each class or series of securities |
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( a ) the names, alphabetically arranged, and latest known addresses of the persons who are security holders, and the names and latest known addresses of the persons who have been security holders; |
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( b ) the number of securities held by each security holder; and |
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( c ) the date and particulars of the issue and transfer of each security. |
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Former-Act and continued companies |
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(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), central securities register includes similar registers required by law to be maintained by a former-Act company or by a body corporate continued, or amalgamated and continued, as a company under this Act before the continuance, amalgamation or coming into force of this section, as the case may be. |
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Application of certain provisions |
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(3) Subsections 244(5) and (5.1) and sections 245 and 247 to 250 apply, with any modifications that the circumstances require, in respect of a central securities register. 1991, c. 45, s. 253; 2001, c. 9, s. 513. |
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Branch registers |
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254. A company may establish as many branch securities registers as it considers necessary. |
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Agents |
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255. A company may appoint an agent to maintain its central securities register and each of its branch securities registers. |
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Location of central securities register |
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256. (1) The central securities register of a company shall be maintained by the company at its head office or at any other place in Canada designated by the directors of the company. |
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Location of branch securities register |
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(2) A branch securities register of a company may be kept at any place in or outside Canada designated by the directors of the company. |
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Effect of registration |
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257. Registration of the issue or transfer of a security in the central securities register or in a branch securities register is complete and valid registration for all purposes. |
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Particulars in branch register |
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258. (1) A branch securities register shall only contain particulars of the securities issued or transferred at the branch for which that register is established. |
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Particulars in central register |
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(2) Particulars of each issue or transfer of a security registered in a branch securities register of a company shall also be kept in the central securities register of the company. |
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Destruction of certificates |
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259. A company, its agent or a trustee within the meaning of section 299 is not required to produce |
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( a ) a cancelled security certificate in registered form or an instrument referred to in subsection 72(1) that is cancelled or a like cancelled instrument in registered form after six years from the date of its cancellation; |
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( b ) a cancelled security certificate in bearer form or an instrument referred to in subsection 72(1) that is cancelled or a like cancelled instrument in bearer form after the date of its cancellation; or |
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( c ) an instrument referred to in subsection 72(1) or a like instrument, irrespective of its form, after the date of its expiration. |
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Corporate Name and Seal |
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Publication of name |
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260. A company shall set out its name in legible characters in all contracts, invoices, negotiable instruments and other documents evidencing rights or obligations with respect to other parties that are issued or made by or on behalf of the company. |
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Corporate seal |
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261. An instrument or agreement executed on behalf of a company by a director, an officer or an agent of the company is not invalid merely because a corporate seal is not affixed thereto. |
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262. to 269. [Repealed, 1997, c. 15, s. 366] |
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Insiders |
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Definitions |
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270. (1) In this section and sections 271 to 277, |
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affiliate « groupe » |
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affiliate means a body corporate that is affiliated with another body corporate within the meaning of subsection 6(2); |
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business combination
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business combination means an acquisition of all or substantially all the assets of one body corporate by another body corporate or an amalgamation of two or more bodies corporate; |
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call
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call means an option, transferable by delivery, to demand delivery of a specified number or amount of shares at a fixed price within a specified time but does not include an option or right to acquire shares of the body corporate that granted the option or right to acquire; |
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distributing company
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distributing company means a company, any of the issued securities of which are or were part of a distribution to the public and remain outstanding and are held by more than one person; |
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insider
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insider means, except in subsections 276(2) and 277(1), |
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( a ) a director or an officer of a distributing company, |
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( b ) a distributing company that purchases or otherwise acquires, except by means of a donation or redemption, shares issued by it or by any of its affiliates, or |
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( c ) a person who beneficially owns more than 10 per cent of the shares of a distributing company or who exercises control or direction over more than 10 per cent of the votes attached to shares of a distributing company, excluding shares owned by a securities underwriter under an underwriting agreement while those shares are in the course of a distribution to the public; |
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officer
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officer, in relation to a company, means |
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( a ) an officer as defined in paragraph ( a ) of the definition officer in section 2, or |
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( b ) any natural person who performs functions for the company similar to those performed by a person referred to in paragraph ( a ) of the definition officer in section 2; |
put
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put means an option, transferable by delivery, to deliver a specified number or amount of shares at a fixed price within a specified time; |
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share
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share means a voting share and includes |
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( a ) a security currently convertible into a voting share, and |
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( b ) a currently exercisable option or a right to acquire a voting share or a security referred to in paragraph ( a ). |
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Control |
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(2) For the purposes of this section and sections 271 to 277, a person controls a body corporate when the person controls the body corporate within the meaning of section 3, determined without regard to paragraph 3(1)( d ). |
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Deemed insiders and beneficial owners |
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(3) For the purposes of this section and sections 271 to 277, |
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( a ) a director or an officer of a body corporate that is an insider of a distributing company is deemed to be an insider of the distributing company; |
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( b ) a director or an officer of a body corporate that is a subsidiary of a distributing company is deemed to be an insider of the distributing company; |
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( c ) a person is deemed to beneficially own shares beneficially owned by a body corporate controlled directly or indirectly by that person; |
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( d ) a body corporate is deemed to beneficially own shares beneficially owned by its affiliates; and |
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( e ) the acquisition or disposition by an insider of an option or right to acquire a share is deemed to be a change in the beneficial ownership of the share to which the option or right to acquire relates. |
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Becoming an insider |
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(4) For the purposes of this section and sections 271 to 277, |
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( a ) if a body corporate becomes an insider of a distributing company or enters into a business combination with a distributing company, or |
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( b ) if a distributing company becomes an insider of a body corporate, |
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every director or officer of the body corporate and every shareholder of the body corporate who is a person referred to in paragraph ( c ) of the definition insider in subsection (1) is deemed to have been an insider of the distributing company for the previous six months or for such shorter period as the director, officer or shareholder was a director, officer or shareholder of the body corporate. |
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Insider Reporting |
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First insider report |
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271. (1) An insider shall send to the Superintendent an insider report in prescribed form not later than ten days after the later of |
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( a ) the end of the month in which the person became an insider, and |
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( b ) the end of the month in which regulations prescribing the form of an insider report come into force. |
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(2) [Repealed, 1997, c. 15, s. 367] |
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Where company continued |
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(3) A person who is an insider of a body corporate on the day it is continued as a company under |
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this Act shall, if the company is a distributing company, send to the Superintendent an insider report in prescribed form not later than ten days after |
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( a ) the end of the month in which the body corporate is continued under this Act, or |
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( b ) the end of the month in which regulations prescribing the form of an insider report come into force, |
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whichever is later. |
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Constructive insider |
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(4) A person who is deemed to have been an insider under subsection 270(4) shall, not later than ten days after |
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( a ) the end of the month in which the person is deemed to have become an insider, or |
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( b ) the end of the month in which regulations prescribing the form of an insider report come into force, |
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whichever is later, send to the Superintendent, in prescribed form and for the period in respect of which the person is deemed to have been an insider, the insider report that the person would have been required to send under this section had the person been otherwise an insider for that period. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 271; 1997, c. 15, s. 367. |
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Subsequent insider report |
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272. An insider whose interest in securities of a distributing company changes from that shown or required to be shown in the last insider report sent or required to be sent by the insider shall, within ten days after the end of the month in which the change takes place, send to the Superintendent an insider report in prescribed form. |
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Exemption by regulation |
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272.1 Under prescribed circumstances, an insider is exempt from any of the requirements of section 271 or 272. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 368. |
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One insider report |
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273. (1) An insider report of a person that includes securities deemed to be beneficially owned by that person is deemed to be an insider report of a body corporate referred to in paragraph 270(3)( c ) and the body corporate is not required to send a separate insider report. |
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Deemed report |
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(2) An insider report of a body corporate that includes securities deemed to be beneficially owned by the body corporate is deemed to be an insider report of an affiliate referred to in paragraph 270(3)( d ) and the affiliate is not required to send a separate insider report. |
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Contents |
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(3) An insider report of a person that includes securities deemed to be beneficially owned by that person pursuant to paragraph 270(3)( c ) or ( d ) shall disclose separately |
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( a ) the number of securities owned by a body corporate; and |
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( b ) the name of the body corporate. |
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Exemption by Superintendent |
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274. (1) On an application by or on behalf of an insider, the Superintendent may, in writing, on such terms as the Superintendent thinks fit, exempt the insider from any of the requirements of sections 271 to 273, and the exemption may be given retroactive effect. |
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Publication |
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(2) The Superintendent shall summarize or cause to be summarized in a periodical available to the public the information contained in insider reports sent to the Superintendent under sections 271 to 273 and the particulars of exemptions granted under subsection (1) together with the reasons |
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therefor. |
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Insider Trading |
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Short selling prohibited |
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275. (1) An insider shall not knowingly sell, directly or indirectly, a share of the distributing company or any of its affiliates if the insider does not own or has not fully paid for the share to be sold. |
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Exception for convertible shares |
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), an insider may sell a share that the insider does not own if the insider owns another share convertible into the share sold or an option or right to acquire the share sold and, within ten days after the sale, the insider |
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( a ) exercises the conversion privilege, option or right and delivers the share so acquired to the purchaser; or |
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( b ) transfers the convertible share, option or right to the purchaser. |
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Prohibited calls and puts |
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(3) An insider shall not, directly or indirectly, buy or sell a call or put in respect of a share of the company or any of its affiliates. |
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Civil Remedies |
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Extended meaning of insider |
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276. (1) In subsections (2) and 277(1), insider means, with respect to a company, |
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( a ) the company; |
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( b ) an affiliate of the company; |
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( c ) a director or an officer of the company; |
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( d ) a person who beneficially owns more than 10 per cent of the shares of the company or who exercises control or direction over more than 10 per cent of the votes attached to the shares of the company; |
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( e ) a person employed or retained by the company; and |
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( f ) a person who receives specific confidential information from a person described in this section, including a person described in this paragraph, and who has knowledge that the person giving the information is a person described in this section, including a person described in this paragraph. |
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Deemed insider |
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(2) For the purposes of subsection 277(1), |
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( a ) if a body corporate becomes an insider of a company or enters into a business combination with a company, or |
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( b ) if a company becomes an insider of a body corporate, |
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every director or officer of the body corporate is deemed to have been an insider of the company for the previous six months or for such shorter period as the director or officer was a director or officer of the body corporate. |
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Civil liability |
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277. (1) An insider who, in connection with a transaction in a security of the company or any of its affiliates, makes use of any specific confidential information for the insiders own benefit or advantage that, if generally known, might reasonably be expected to affect materially the value of the security |
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( a ) is liable to compensate any person for any direct loss suffered by that person as a result of the transaction, unless the information was known or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should have been known to that person; and |
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( b ) is accountable to the company for any direct benefit or advantage received or receivable by the insider as a result of the transaction. |
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Limitation of action |
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(2) An action to enforce a right created by subsection (1) may not be commenced |
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( a ) after a period of two years after discovery of the facts that gave rise to the cause of action; or |
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( b ) if the transaction was required to be reported under sections 271 to 273, after a period of two years from the time of reporting under those sections. |
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Prospectus |
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Prospectus requirements |
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278. (1) After the day that is twelve months after the coming into force of this section, a company shall not distribute any of its securities and a person shall not distribute any securities of a company unless a preliminary prospectus and a prospectus in a form substantially as prescribed have been filed with the Superintendent in relation to the distribution and receipts have been received therefor from the Superintendent. |
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Idem |
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(2) Where there is filed in any jurisdiction a preliminary prospectus, prospectus, short-form prospectus or similar document relating to the distribution of securities in a form substantially as prescribed, a copy of that document may be accepted by the Superintendent under subsection (1). |
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Meaning of distribution |
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(3) For the purposes of this section and sections 279 to 287, distribution means |
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( a ) a trade by or on behalf of a company in securities of the company that have not previously been issued; or |
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( b ) a trade in previously issued securities of a company from the holdings of any person or group of persons who act in concert and who hold in excess of 10 per cent of the shares of any class of voting shares of the company. |
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Form and content |
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279. (1) A preliminary prospectus in relation to the distribution of securities shall substantially comply with the requirements of this Act and any regulations made under subsection 280(1) respecting the form and content of a prospectus, except that any report or reports of the auditors of the company required by the regulations need not be included. |
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Idem |
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(2) A preliminary prospectus in relation to the distribution of securities need not include information in respect of the price to the securities underwriter or the offering price of any securities or any other matters dependent on or relating to that price. |
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Regulations |
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280. (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations |
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( a ) respecting the form and content of a preliminary prospectus and a prospectus; |
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( b ) specifying the financial statements, reports and other documents that are to be included with a preliminary prospectus and a prospectus; |
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( c ) respecting, for the purposes of subsection 284(1), the disclosure of material facts in relation to securities to be distributed; |
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( d ) respecting the distribution of a preliminary prospectus and a prospectus to prospective |
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purchasers; |
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( e ) exempting any class of distributions from the application of sections 278, 279 and 281 to 287; |
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( f ) exempting from the application of sections 278, 279 and 281 to 287 any former Act company whose shareholders are confined to entities incorporated or formed by or under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province that are, in the opinion of the directors, operating as credit unions or cooperative associations; and |
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( g ) generally, for carrying out the purposes and provisions of sections 278, 279 and 281 to 287. |
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Authority of Superintendent |
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(2) Any regulation made under subsection (1) may authorize the Superintendent to permit or require additions to, variations in or omissions from |
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( a ) a preliminary prospectus or prospectus; or |
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( b ) any information, report or document contained or required to be contained in the preliminary prospectus or prospectus or related thereto. |
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Idem |
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(3) Where a regulation described in subsection (2) has been made, the Superintendent may exercise the authority thereby given in any case where the Superintendent is satisfied that it is necessary to do so owing to the circumstances related to the issue of the securities concerned. |
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Idem |
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(4) All additions, variations or omissions referred to in subsection (2) shall be made in accordance with the permission or requirement of the Superintendent under that subsection and shall be in accordance with such terms and conditions, if any, as the Superintendent may impose as being necessary to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, a full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to the securities to be distributed. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 280; 1994, c. 26, s. 75(F); 1999, c. 31, s. 215. |
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Order of exemption |
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281. (1) On application by a company or any person proposing to make a distribution, the Superintendent may, by order, exempt that distribution from the application of sections 278, 279 and 282 to 287 if the Superintendent is satisfied that the company has filed or is about to file, in compliance with the laws of the relevant jurisdiction, a prospectus relating to the distribution that, in form and content, substantially complies with the requirements of this Act and any regulations made under subsection 280(1). |
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Conditions |
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(2) An order under subsection (1) may contain such conditions or limitations as the Superintendent deems appropriate. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 281; 1999, c. 31, s. 216. |
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Receipt for preliminary prospectus |
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282. (1) The Superintendent shall issue a receipt for a preliminary prospectus forthwith on its filing with the Superintendent. |
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Record to be maintained |
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(2) A person proposing to distribute securities of a company to which a preliminary prospectus relates shall maintain a record of all persons to whom a copy of the preliminary prospectus has been sent. |
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Withdrawal of receipt |
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(3) Where it appears to the Superintendent, after providing a reasonable opportunity to the person by whom the preliminary prospectus was filed to make representations, that a preliminary prospectus in respect of which a receipt has been issued under subsection (1) is defective in that it does not substantially comply with the requirements of this Act and the regulations, the receipt may |
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be withdrawn and the person by whom the preliminary prospectus was filed shall forthwith be notified of its withdrawal. |
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Notice |
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(4) Notice of withdrawal of a receipt under subsection (3) shall forthwith be sent by the person by whom the preliminary prospectus was filed to any persons proposing to take part in the distribution of the securities to which the preliminary prospectus relates and, by the company and each such person, to each person named on the records maintained in respect of the preliminary prospectus by the company and each such person. |
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Receipt for prospectus |
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283. (1) The Superintendent shall issue a receipt for a prospectus forthwith on its filing with the Superintendent unless, after providing a reasonable opportunity to the person by whom the prospectus was filed to make representations, it appears to the Superintendent that |
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( a ) the prospectus or any document required to be filed therewith |
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(i) fails to substantially comply with any of the requirements of this Act or the regulations, or |
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(ii) contains a misrepresentation or any statement, promise, estimate or forecast that is misleading, false or deceptive; or |
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( b ) it would not be in the public interest to issue a receipt for the prospectus. |
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(2) to (4) [Repealed, 1996, c. 6, s. 118] |
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1991, c. 45, s. 283; 1996, c. 6, s. 118. |
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Full disclosure |
|
284. (1) A prospectus shall provide full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to the securities to be distributed and shall contain or be accompanied by such financial statements, reports or other documents as are required by any regulations made under subsection 280(1). |
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Certificate |
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(2) A prospectus shall include a certificate in prescribed form signed |
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( a ) by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the company making the distribution or, in the event of the absence or inability to act of either of those officers, any other officer of the company authorized by the directors to sign in the stead of the officer who is absent or unable to act, and such other persons as are prescribed, and |
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( b ) in the case of an initial distribution of shares of a company incorporated after the coming into force of this section, by each person who is a promoter of the company |
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to the effect that, according to the persons information, knowledge and belief, the disclosure required by subsection (1) and by any regulations made under subsection 280(1) has been provided. |
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Promoter |
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(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) and section 286, promoter means an applicant for letters patent to incorporate a company or a director named in the application for letters patent, but such an applicant or director is a promoter only for the period of two years following the application. |
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Certificate of securities underwriter |
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285. Where a securities underwriter is associated in the distribution of securities of a company, a prospectus shall include a certificate in prescribed form signed by each securities underwriter who, with respect to the securities offered by the prospectus, is in a contractual relationship with the company or other distributor of the securities, to the effect that, according to the securities underwriters information, knowledge and belief, the disclosure required by subsection 284(1) and by any regulations made under subsection 280(1) has been provided. |
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Signature by agent |
|
286. With the consent of the Superintendent, an agent, duly authorized in writing, of a promoter or a securities underwriter referred to in subsection 284(2) or section 285 may, on behalf of the |
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promoter or securities underwriter, as the circumstances require, sign the certificate referred to in that subsection or section. |
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Sending out prospectus |
|
287. No person shall distribute a preliminary prospectus or a prospectus in relation to a distribution of securities of a company except in accordance with any regulations made under subsection 280(1). |
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Compulsory Acquisitions |
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Definitions |
|
288. (1) In this section and sections 289 to 298, |
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affiliate
|
|
affiliate means a body corporate that is affiliated with another body corporate within the meaning of subsection 6(2); |
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associate of the offeror |
|
associate of the offeror means |
« associé du pollicitant » |
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( a ) a body corporate that an offeror, directly or indirectly, controls, determined without regard to paragraph 3(1) ( d ), or of which an offeror beneficially owns shares or securities currently convertible into shares carrying more than 10 per cent of the voting rights under all circumstances or by reason of the occurrence of an event that has occurred and is continuing, or a currently exercisable option or right to purchase the shares or the convertible securities, |
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( b ) a partner of the offeror acting on behalf of the partnership of which they are partners, |
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( c ) a trust or estate in which the offeror has a substantial beneficial interest or in respect of which the offeror serves as a trustee or in a similar capacity, |
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( d ) a spouse or common-law partner of the offeror, |
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( e ) a child of the offeror or of the offerors spouse or common-law partner, or |
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( f ) a relative of the offeror or of the offerors spouse or common-law partner, if that relative has the same residence as the offeror; |
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dissenting offeree
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dissenting offeree means, in respect of a take-over bid made for all the shares of a class of shares, a holder of a share of that class who does not accept the take-over bid and includes a subsequent holder of that share who acquires it from the first-mentioned holder; |
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exempt offer |
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exempt offer means an offer |
« offre franche » |
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( a ) to fewer than fifteen shareholders to purchase shares by way of separate agreements, |
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( b ) to purchase shares through a stock exchange or in the over-the-counter market in such circumstances as may be prescribed, |
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( c ) to purchase shares of a company that has fewer than fifteen shareholders, two or more joint holders being counted as one shareholder, or |
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( d ) exempted under the order of a court having jurisdiction in the place where the head office of the offeree company is located; |
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offeree |
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offeree means a person to whom a take-over bid is made; |
« pollicité » |
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offeree company
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offeree company means a company the shares of which are the object of a take-over bid; |
offeror
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offeror means a person, other than an agent, who makes a take-over bid, and includes two or more persons who, directly or indirectly, |
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( a ) make take-over bids jointly or in concert, or |
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( b ) intend to exercise jointly or in concert voting rights attached to shares for which a take-over bid is made; |
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share |
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share includes |
« action » |
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( a ) a security currently convertible into a share, and |
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( b ) a currently exercisable option or right to acquire a share or a security referred to in paragraph ( a ); |
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take-over bid |
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take-over bid means |
« offre publique dachat » |
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( a ) an offer, other than an exempt offer, made by an offeror to shareholders at approximately the same time to acquire shares that, if combined with shares already beneficially owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the offeror or an affiliate or associate of the offeror on the date of the offer, would exceed 10 per cent of any class of issued shares of an offeree company, and |
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( b ) an offer to purchase shares of a company having fewer than fifteen shareholders if the offer is made to all shareholders in the prescribed form and manner, |
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and includes every offer, other than an exempt offer, by an issuer to repurchase its own shares. |
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Control |
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(2) For the purposes of this section and sections 289 to 298, a person controls a body corporate when the person controls the body corporate within the meaning of section 3, determined without regard to paragraph 3(1)( d ). |
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Date of bid |
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(3) A take-over bid is deemed to be dated as of the date on which it is sent. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 288; 2000, c. 12, s. 299. |
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Right to acquire shares |
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289. If, within one hundred and twenty days after the date of a take-over bid, the bid is accepted by the holders of not less than 90 per cent of the shares of any class of shares to which the take-over bid relates, other than shares held at the date of the take-over bid by or on behalf of the offeror or an affiliate or associate of the offeror, the offeror is entitled, on complying with sections 290 to 295, subsections 296(1) and (2) and section 297, to acquire the shares held by the dissenting offerees. |
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Offerors notice to dissenters |
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290. (1) An offeror may acquire shares held by a dissenting offeree by sending by registered mail within sixty days after the date of termination of the take-over bid and in any event within one hundred and eighty days after the date of the take-over bid, an offerors notice to each dissenting offeree and to the Superintendent stating that |
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( a ) offerees holding not less than 90 per cent of the shares of any class of shares to which the take-over bid relates, other than shares held at the date of the take-over bid by or on behalf of the offeror or an affiliate or associate of the offeror, have accepted the take-over bid; |
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( b ) the offeror is bound to take up and pay for or has taken up and paid for the shares of the offerees who accepted the take-over bid; |
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( c ) a dissenting offeree is required to elect |
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(i) to transfer the dissenting offerees shares to the offeror on the same terms on which the |
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offeror acquired the shares from the offerees who accepted the take-over bid, or |
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(ii) to demand payment of the fair value of the dissenting offerees shares in accordance with sections 294 to 297 by notifying the offeror within twenty days after receipt of the offerors notice; |
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( d ) a dissenting offeree who does not notify the offeror in accordance with subparagraph ( c )(ii) is deemed to have elected to transfer the dissenting offerees shares to the offeror on the same terms on which the offeror acquired the shares from the offerees who accepted the take-over bid; and |
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( e ) a dissenting offeree must send the dissenting offerees shares to which the take-over bid relates to the offeree company within twenty days after the dissenting offeree receives the offerors notice. |
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Notice of adverse claim |
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(2) Concurrently with sending the offerors notice under subsection (1), the offeror shall send to the offeree company a notice of adverse claim in accordance with subsection 132(1) with respect to each share held by a dissenting offeree. |
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Share certificates to be sent |
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291. A dissenting offeree to whom an offerors notice is sent under subsection 290(1) shall, within twenty days after receipt of that notice, send the dissenting offerees share certificates of the class of shares to which the take-over bid relates to the offeree company. |
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Payment to dissenter |
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292. (1) Within twenty days after the offeror sends an offerors notice under subsection 290(1), the offeror shall pay or transfer to the offeree company the amount of money or other consideration that the offeror would have had to pay or transfer to a dissenting offeree if the dissenting offeree had elected to transfer the dissenting offerees shares as described in subparagraph 290(1)( c )(i). |
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Consideration in trust |
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(2) An offeree company is deemed to hold in a fiduciary capacity for the dissenting offerees the money or other consideration it receives under subsection (1). |
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Deposit or custody |
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(3) An offeree company shall deposit the money received under subsection (1) in a separate account in another deposit-taking financial institution in Canada and the offeree company shall place any other consideration in the custody of another deposit-taking financial institution in Canada. |
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Duty of offeree company |
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293. Within thirty days after an offeror sends an offerors notice under subsection 290(1), the offeree company shall |
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( a ) issue to the offeror a share certificate in respect of the shares that were held by dissenting offerees; |
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( b ) give to each dissenting offeree who elects to transfer shares as described in subparagraph 290(1)( c )(i) and who sends the share certificates as required under section 291, the money or other consideration to which that dissenting offeree is entitled, disregarding fractional shares, which may be paid for in money; and |
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( c ) send to each dissenting offeree who has not sent share certificates as required under section 291 a notice stating that |
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(i) the shares have been cancelled, |
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(ii) the offeree company or some designated person holds in a fiduciary capacity for that offeree the money or other consideration to which that offeree is entitled as payment for or in exchange for the shares, and |
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(iii) the offeree company will, subject to sections 294 to 297, send that money or other |
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consideration to that offeree forthwith after receiving the share certificates. |
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Application to court |
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294. (1) Where a dissenting offeree has elected to demand payment of the fair value of the offerees shares as described in subparagraph 290(1)( c )(ii), the offeror may, within twenty days after it has paid the money or transferred the other consideration under subsection 292(1), apply to a court to fix the fair value of the shares of that dissenting offeree. |
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Idem |
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(2) If an offeror fails to apply to a court under subsection (1), a dissenting offeree may apply to a court for the same purpose within a further period of twenty days. |
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Venue |
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(3) An application under subsection (1) or (2) shall be made to a court having jurisdiction in the place at which the head office of the company is situated or in the province in which the dissenting offeree resides if the company carries on business in that province. |
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No security for costs |
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(4) A dissenting offeree is not required to give security for costs in an application made under subsection (1) or (2). |
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Parties and notice |
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295. On an application under subsection 294(1) or (2), |
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( a ) all dissenting offerees who have made elections under subparagraph 290(1)( c )(ii) and whose shares have not been acquired by the offeror shall be joined as parties and are bound by the decision of the court; and |
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( b ) the offeror shall notify each affected dissenting offeree of the date, place and consequences of the application and of the dissenting offerees right to appear and be heard in person or by counsel at the hearing of the application. |
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Powers of court |
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296. (1) On an application to a court under subsection 294(1) or (2), the court may determine whether any other person is a dissenting offeree who should be joined as a party, and the court shall then fix a fair value for the shares of all dissenting offerees. |
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Appraisers |
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(2) A court may in its discretion appoint one or more appraisers to assist the court in fixing a fair value for the shares of a dissenting offeree. |
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Final order |
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(3) The final order of a court shall be made against the offeror in favour of each dissenting offeree and for the amount for each dissenting offerees shares as fixed by the court. |
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Additional powers of court |
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(4) In connection with proceedings under subsection 294(1) or (2), a court may make any order it thinks fit and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, may |
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( a ) fix the amount of money or other consideration that is deemed to be held in a fiduciary capacity under subsection 292(2); |
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( b ) order that the money or other consideration is to be held in trust by a person other than the offeree company; |
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( c ) allow a reasonable rate of interest on the amount payable to each dissenting offeree from the date the dissenting offeree sends the share certificates required under section 291 until the date of payment; or |
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( d ) order that any money payable to a shareholder who cannot be found is to be paid to the Minister. |
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Status of dissenter |
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297. Where no application is made to a court under subsection 294(2) within the period set out |
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in that subsection, a dissenting offeree is deemed to have elected to transfer the dissenting offerees shares to the offeror on the same terms on which the offeror acquired the shares from the offerees who accepted the take-over bid. |
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Payment of unclaimed money |
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298. The Minister shall pay to the Bank of Canada any amounts paid to the Minister under subsection 296(4), and section 372 applies in respect thereof as if the amounts paid under subsection 296(4) had been paid under subsection 371(3). |
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Trust Indentures |
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Definitions |
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299. In this section and sections 300 to 311, |
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event of default
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event of default means, in relation to a trust indenture, an event specified in the trust indenture on the occurrence of which the principal, interest and other moneys payable thereunder become or may be declared to be payable before maturity, but the event is not an event of default until all the conditions set out in the trust indenture in connection with the giving of notice of the event have been satisfied or the period of time for giving the notice has elapsed; |
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issuer
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issuer means a company that has issued, is about to issue or is in the process of issuing subordinated indebtedness; |
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trustee
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trustee means any person appointed as trustee under the terms of a trust indenture to which a company is a party, and includes any successor trustee; |
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trust indenture
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trust indenture means any deed, indenture or other instrument, including any supplement or amendment thereto, made by a company under which the company issues subordinated indebtedness and in which a person is appointed as trustee for the holders of the subordinated indebtedness issued thereunder. |
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Application |
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300. Sections 301 to 311 apply in respect of a trust indenture if the subordinated indebtedness issued or to be issued under the trust indenture is part of a distribution to the public. |
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Exemption |
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301. The Superintendent may, in writing, exempt a trust indenture from the application of sections 302 to 311 if, in the Superintendents opinion, the trust indenture and the subordinated indebtedness are subject to a law of a province or other jurisdiction, other than Canada, that is substantially equivalent to the provisions of this Act relating to trust indentures. |
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Conflict of interest |
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302. (1) No person shall be appointed as trustee if at the time of the appointment there is a material conflict of interest between the persons role as trustee and any other role of the person. |
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Eliminating conflict of interest |
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(2) A trustee shall, within ninety days after the trustee becomes aware that a material conflict of interest exists, |
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( a ) eliminate the conflict of interest; or |
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( b ) resign from office. |
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Validity despite conflict |
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303. A trust indenture and any subordinated indebtedness issued thereunder are valid notwithstanding a material conflict of interest of the trustee. |
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Removal of trustee |
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304. If a trustee is appointed in contravention of subsection 302(1) or if a trustee contravenes |
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subsection 302(2), any interested person may apply to a court for an order that the trustee be replaced, and the court may make an order on such terms as it thinks fit. |
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Trustee qualifications |
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305. A trustee, or at least one of the trustees if more than one is appointed, must be |
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( a ) a company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2); or |
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( b ) a body corporate that is incorporated by or under an Act of the legislature of a province and authorized to carry on business as a trustee. |
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List of security holders |
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306. (1) A holder of subordinated indebtedness issued under a trust indenture may, on payment to the trustee of a reasonable fee and on delivery of a statutory declaration to the trustee, require the trustee to provide, within fifteen days after the delivery to the trustee of the statutory declaration, a list setting out |
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( a ) the names and addresses of the registered holders of the outstanding subordinated indebtedness, |
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( b ) the principal amount of outstanding subordinated indebtedness owned by each such holder, and |
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( c ) the aggregate principal amount of subordinated indebtedness outstanding |
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as shown on the records maintained by the trustee on the day the statutory declaration is delivered to that trustee. |
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Duty of issuer |
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(2) On the demand of a trustee, the issuer of subordinated indebtedness shall provide the trustee with the information required to enable the trustee to comply with subsection (1). |
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Where applicant is entity |
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(3) Where the person requiring the trustee to provide a list under subsection (1) is an entity, the statutory declaration required under that subsection shall be made by a director or an officer of the entity or a person acting in a similar capacity. |
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Contents of statutory declaration |
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(4) The statutory declaration required under subsection (1) must state |
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( a ) the name and address of the person requiring the trustee to provide the list and, if the person is an entity, the address for service thereof; and |
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( b ) that the list will not be used except as permitted by subsection (5). |
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Use of list |
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(5) No person shall use a list obtained under this section except in connection with |
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( a ) an effort to influence the voting of the holders of subordinated indebtedness; |
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( b ) an offer to acquire subordinated indebtedness; or |
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( c ) any other matter relating to the subordinated indebtedness or the affairs of the issuer or guarantor thereof. |
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Compliance with trust indentures |
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307. (1) An issuer or a guarantor of subordinated indebtedness issued or to be issued under a trust indenture shall, before undertaking |
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( a ) the issue, certification and delivery of subordinated indebtedness under the trust indenture, or |
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( b ) the satisfaction and discharge of the trust indenture, |
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provide the trustee with evidence of compliance with the conditions in the trust indenture in respect thereof. |
Compliance by issuer or guarantor |
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(2) On the demand of a trustee, the issuer or guarantor of subordinated indebtedness issued or to be issued under a trust indenture shall provide the trustee with evidence of compliance with the conditions in the trust indenture by the issuer or guarantor in respect of any act to be done by the trustee at the request of the issuer or guarantor. |
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Evidence of compliance |
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(3) The following documents constitute evidence of compliance for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2): |
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( a ) a statutory declaration or certificate made by a director or an officer of the issuer or guarantor stating that the conditions referred to in subsections (1) and (2) have been complied with; |
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( b ) an opinion of legal counsel that the conditions of the trust indenture requiring review by legal counsel have been complied with, if the trust indenture requires compliance with conditions that are subject to review by legal counsel; and |
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( c ) an opinion or report of the auditors of the issuer or guarantor, or such other accountant as the trustee selects, that the conditions of the trust indenture have been complied with, if the trust indenture requires compliance with conditions that are subject to review by auditors. |
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Further evidence of compliance |
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(4) The evidence of compliance referred to in subsection (3) shall include a statement by the person giving the evidence |
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( a ) declaring that the person has read and understands the conditions of the trust indenture referred to in subsections (1) and (2); |
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( b ) describing the nature and scope of the examination or investigation on which the person based the certificate, statement or opinion; and |
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( c ) declaring that the person has made such examination or investigation as the person believes necessary to enable the statements to be made or the opinions contained or expressed therein to be given. |
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Trustee may require evidence |
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308. (1) On the request of a trustee, the issuer or guarantor of subordinated indebtedness issued under a trust indenture shall provide the trustee with evidence in such form as the trustee requires of compliance with any condition thereof relating to any action required or permitted to be taken by the issuer or guarantor under the trust indenture. |
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Certificate of compliance |
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(2) At least once in each twelve month period beginning on the date of the trust indenture and at any other time on the demand of a trustee, the issuer or guarantor of subordinated indebtedness issued under a trust indenture shall provide the trustee with a certificate stating that the issuer or guarantor has complied with all requirements contained in the trust indenture that, if not complied with, would, with the giving of notice, lapse of time or otherwise, constitute an event of default, or, if there has been failure to so comply, giving particulars thereof. |
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Notice of default |
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309. A trustee shall, within thirty days after the trustee becomes aware of the occurrence thereof, give to the holders of subordinated indebtedness issued under a trust indenture notice of every event of default arising under the trust indenture and continuing at the time the notice is given, unless the trustee believes on reasonable grounds that it is in the best interests of the holders of the subordinated indebtedness to withhold the notice and so informs the issuer and guarantor in writing. |
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Duty of care |
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310. (1) In exercising a trustees powers and discharging a trustees duties, the trustee shall |
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( a ) act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the holders of the subordinated indebtedness issued under the trust indenture; and |
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( a ) a list of the subsidiaries of the company, other than subsidiaries that are not required to be listed by the regulations and subsidiaries acquired pursuant to section 457 or pursuant to a realization of security in accordance with section 458 and which the company would not otherwise be permitted to hold, showing, with respect to each subsidiary, |
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(i) its name and the address of its head or principal office, |
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(ii) the book value of the aggregate of any shares of the subsidiary beneficially owned by the company and by other subsidiaries of the company, and |
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(iii) the percentage of the voting rights attached to all the outstanding voting shares of the subsidiary that is carried by the aggregate of any voting shares of the subsidiary beneficially owned by the company and by other subsidiaries of the company; and |
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( b ) such other information as the Governor in Council may, by order, require in such form as may be prescribed. |
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Accounting principles |
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(4) The financial statements referred to in subsection (1), paragraph (3)( b ) and subsection 315(1) shall, except as otherwise specified by the Superintendent, be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the primary source of which is the Handbook of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. A reference in any provision of this Act to the accounting principles referred to in this subsection shall be construed as a reference to those generally accepted accounting principles with any specifications so made. |
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Regulations |
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(5) The Governor in Council may make regulations respecting subsidiaries that are not required to be listed for the purposes of paragraph (3)( a ). |
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1991, c. 45, s. 313; 1997, c. 15, s. 369; 2001, c. 9, s. 514. |
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Approval by directors |
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314. (1) The directors of a company shall approve the annual statement and the approval of the directors shall be evidenced by the signature of |
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( a ) the chief executive officer or, in the event of that officers absence or inability to act, any other officer of the company authorized by the directors to sign in the stead of the chief executive officer; and |
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( b ) one director, if the signature required by paragraph ( a ) is that of a director, or two directors if the signature required by that paragraph is that of an officer who is not a director. |
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Condition precedent to publication |
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(2) A company shall not publish copies of an annual statement unless it is approved and signed in accordance with subsection (1). |
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Statements: subsidiaries |
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315. (1) A company shall keep at its head office a copy of the current financial statements of each subsidiary of the company. |
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Examination |
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(2) Subject to this section, the shareholders of a company and their personal representatives may, on request therefor, examine the statements referred to in subsection (1) during the usual business hours of the company and may take extracts therefrom free of charge. |
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Barring examination |
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(3) A company may refuse to permit an examination under subsection (2) by any person. |
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Application for order |
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(4) Within fifteen days after a refusal under subsection (3), the company shall apply to a court for an order barring the right of the person concerned to make an examination under subsection (2) and the court shall either order the company to permit the examination or, if it is satisfied that the examination would be detrimental to the company or to any other body corporate the financial |
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statements of which would be subject to examination, bar the right and make any further order it thinks fit. |
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Notice to Superintendent |
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(5) A company shall give the Superintendent and the person seeking to examine the statements referred to in subsection (1) notice of an application to a court under subsection (4), and the Superintendent and the person may appear and be heard in person or by counsel at the hearing of the application. |
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Distribution of annual statement |
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316. (1) A company shall, not later than twenty-one days before the date of each annual meeting or before the signing of a resolution under paragraph 155(1)( b ) in lieu of the annual meeting, send to each shareholder at the shareholders recorded address a copy of the documents referred to in subsections 313(1) and (3), unless that time period is waived by the shareholder. |
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Exception |
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(2) A company is not required to comply with subsection (1) with respect to a shareholder who has informed the company, in writing, that the shareholder does not wish to receive the annual statement. |
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Effect of default |
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(3) Where a company is required to comply with subsection (1) and the company does not comply with that subsection, the annual meeting at which the documents referred to in that subsection are to be considered shall be adjourned until that subsection has been complied with. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 316; 1997, c. 15, s. 370. |
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Copy to Superintendent |
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317. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a company shall send to the Superintendent a copy of the documents referred to in subsections 313(1) and (3) not later than twenty-one days before the date of each annual meeting of shareholders of the company. |
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Later filing |
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(2) If a companys shareholders sign a resolution under paragraph 155(1)( b ) in lieu of an annual meeting, the company shall send a copy of the documents referred to in subsections 313(1) and (3) to the Superintendent not later than thirty days after the signing of the resolution. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 317; 1997, c. 15, s. 371; 2001, c. 9, s. 515. |
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Auditor |
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Definitions |
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318. For the purposes of this section and sections 319 to 338, |
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firm of accountants
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firm of accountants means a partnership, the members of which are accountants engaged in the practice of accounting, or a body corporate that is incorporated by or under an Act of the legislature of a province and engaged in the practice of accounting; |
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member
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member, in relation to a firm of accountants, means |
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( a ) an accountant who is a partner in a partnership, the members of which are accountants engaged in the practice of accounting, or |
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( b ) an accountant who is an employee of a firm of accountants. |
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Appointment of auditor |
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319. (1) The shareholders of a company shall, by ordinary resolution at the first meeting of shareholders and at each succeeding annual meeting, appoint an auditor to hold office until the close of the next annual meeting. |
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Remuneration of |
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(2) The remuneration of an auditor may be fixed by ordinary resolution of the shareholders but, |
auditor |
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if not so fixed, shall be fixed by the directors. |
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Qualification of auditor |
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320. (1) A natural person or firm of accountants is qualified to be an auditor of a company if |
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( a ) in the case of a natural person, the person is an accountant who |
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(i) is a member in good standing of an institute or association of accountants incorporated by or under an Act of the legislature of a province, |
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(ii) has at least five years experience at a senior level in performing audits of a financial institution, |
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(iii) is ordinarily resident in Canada, and |
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(iv) is independent of the company; and |
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( b ) in the case of a firm of accountants, the member of the firm jointly designated by the firm and the company to conduct the audit of the company on behalf of the firm is qualified in accordance with paragraph ( a ). |
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Independence |
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(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), |
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( a ) independence is a question of fact; and |
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( b ) a person is deemed not to be independent of a company if that person, any partner of that person or any member of a firm of accountants of which that person is a member, or if the firm of accountants |
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(i) is a director or an officer or employee of the company or of any affiliate of the company or is a business partner of any director, officer or employee of the company or of any affiliate of the company, |
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(ii) beneficially owns or controls, directly or indirectly, a material interest in the shares of the company or of any affiliate of the company, or |
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(iii) has been a liquidator, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver or receiver and manager of any affiliate of the company within the two years immediately preceding the persons proposed appointment as auditor of the company, other than an affiliate that is a subsidiary of the company acquired pursuant to section 457 or through a realization of security pursuant to section 458. |
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Notice of designation |
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(3) Within fifteen days after the appointment of a firm of accountants as auditor of a company, the company and the firm of accountants shall jointly designate a member of the firm who meets the qualifications described in subsection (1) to conduct the audit of the company on behalf of the firm and the company shall forthwith notify the Superintendent in writing of the designation. |
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New designation |
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(4) Where for any reason a member of a firm of accountants designated pursuant to subsection (3) ceases to conduct the audit of the company, the company and the firm of accountants may jointly designate another member of the same firm of accountants who meets the qualifications described in subsection (1) to conduct the audit of the company and the company shall forthwith notify the Superintendent in writing of the designation. |
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Deemed vacancy |
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(5) In any case where subsection (4) applies and a designation is not made pursuant to that subsection within thirty days after the designated member ceases to conduct the audit of the company, there shall be deemed to be a vacancy in the office of auditor of the company. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 320; 2001, c. 9, s. 516. |
Duty to resign |
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321. (1) An auditor who ceases to be qualified under section 320 shall resign forthwith after the auditor, where the auditor is a natural person, or any member of the firm of accountants, where the auditor is a firm of accountants, becomes aware that the auditor or the firm has ceased to be so qualified. |
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Disqualification order |
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(2) Any interested person may apply to a court for an order declaring that an auditor of a company has ceased to be qualified under section 320 and declaring the office of auditor to be vacant. |
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Revocation of appointment |
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322. (1) The shareholders of a company may, by ordinary resolution at a special meeting, revoke the appointment of an auditor. |
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Idem |
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(2) The Superintendent may at any time revoke the appointment of an auditor made under subsection (3) or 319(1) or section 324 by notice in writing signed by the Superintendent and sent by registered mail to the auditor and to the company addressed to the usual place of business of the auditor and the company. |
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Filling vacancy |
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(3) A vacancy created by the revocation of the appointment of an auditor under subsection (1) may be filled at the meeting at which the appointment was revoked and, if not so filled, shall be filled by the directors under section 324. |
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Ceasing to hold office |
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323. (1) An auditor of a company ceases to hold office when |
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( a ) the auditor resigns; |
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( b ) the auditor, where the auditor is a natural person, dies; or |
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( c ) the appointment of the auditor is revoked by the shareholders or the Superintendent. |
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Effective date of resignation |
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(2) The resignation of an auditor becomes effective at the time a written resignation is sent to the company or at the time specified in the resignation, whichever is later. |
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Filling vacancy |
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324. (1) Subject to subsection 322(3), where a vacancy occurs in the office of auditor of a company, the directors shall forthwith fill the vacancy, and the auditor so appointed holds office for the unexpired term of office of the predecessor of that auditor. |
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Where Superintendent may fill vacancy |
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(2) Where the directors fail to fill a vacancy in accordance with subsection (1), the Superintendent may fill the vacancy and the auditor so appointed holds office for the unexpired term of office of the predecessor of that auditor. |
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Designation of member of firm |
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(3) Where the Superintendent has, pursuant to subsection (2), appointed a firm of accountants to fill a vacancy, the Superintendent shall designate the member of the firm who is to conduct the audit of the company on behalf of the firm. |
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Right to attend meetings |
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325. (1) The auditor of a company is entitled to receive notice of every meeting of shareholders and, at the expense of the company, to attend and be heard thereat on matters relating to the duties of the auditor. |
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Duty to attend meeting |
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(2) If a director or shareholder of a company, whether or not the shareholder is entitled to vote at the meeting, gives written notice, not less than ten days before a meeting of shareholders, to an auditor or former auditor of the company that the director or shareholder wishes the auditors attendance at the meeting, the auditor or former auditor shall attend the meeting at the expense of |
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the company and answer questions relating to the auditors or former auditors duties as auditor. |
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Notice to company |
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(3) A director or shareholder who gives notice under subsection (2) shall send concurrently a copy of the notice to the company and the company shall forthwith send a copy thereof to the Superintendent. |
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Superintendent may attend |
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(4) The Superintendent may attend and be heard at any meeting referred to in subsection (2). |
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Statement of auditor |
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326. (1) An auditor of a company who |
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( a ) resigns, |
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( b ) receives a notice or otherwise learns of a meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of revoking the appointment of the auditor, or |
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( c ) receives a notice or otherwise learns of a meeting of directors or shareholders at which another person is to be appointed in the auditors stead, whether because of the auditors resignation or revocation of appointment or because the auditors term of office has expired or is about to expire, |
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shall submit to the company and the Superintendent a written statement giving the reasons for the resignation or the reasons why the auditor opposes any proposed action. |
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Statement to be sent to shareholders |
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(2) Where a company receives a written statement referred to in subsection (1) that relates to a resignation as a result of a disagreement with the directors or officers of the company or that relates to a matter referred to in paragraph (1)( b ) or ( c ), the company shall forthwith send a copy of the statement to each shareholder who is entitled to vote at the annual meeting of shareholders. |
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Duty of replacement auditor |
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327. (1) Where an auditor of a company has resigned or the appointment of an auditor has been revoked, no person or firm shall accept an appointment as auditor of the company or consent to be the auditor of the company until the person or firm has requested and received from the other auditor a written statement of the circumstances and reasons why the other auditor resigned or why, in the other auditors opinion, the other auditors appointment was revoked. |
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Exception |
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a person or firm may accept an appointment or consent to be appointed as auditor of a company if, within fifteen days after a request under that subsection is made, no reply from the other auditor is received. |
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Effect of non-compliance |
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(3) Unless subsection (2) applies, an appointment as auditor of a company is void if subsection (1) has not been complied with. |
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Auditors examination |
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328. (1) The auditor of a company shall make such examination as the auditor considers necessary to enable the auditor to report on the annual statement and on other financial statements required by this Act to be placed before the shareholders, except such annual statements or parts thereof as relate to the period referred to in subparagraph 313(1)( a )(ii). |
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Auditing standards |
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(2) The auditors examination referred to in subsection (1) shall, except as otherwise specified by the Superintendent, be conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the primary source of which is the Handbook of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. |
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Right to information |
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329. (1) On the request of the auditor of a company, the present or former directors, officers, employees or agents of the company shall, to the extent that such persons are reasonably able to do |
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so, |
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( a ) permit access to such records, assets and security held by the company or any entity in which the company has a substantial investment, and |
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( b ) provide such information and explanations |
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as are, in the opinion of the auditor, necessary to enable the auditor to perform the duties of auditor of the company. |
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Directors to provide information |
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(2) On the request of the auditor of a company, the directors of the company shall, to the extent that they are reasonably able to do so, |
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( a ) obtain from the present or former directors, officers, employees and agents of any entity in which the company has a substantial investment the information and explanations that such persons are reasonably able to provide and that are, in the opinion of the auditor, necessary to enable the auditor to perform the duties of auditor of the company; and |
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( b ) provide the auditor with the information and explanations so obtained. |
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No civil liability |
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(3) A person who in good faith makes an oral or written communication under subsection (1) or (2) shall not be liable in any civil action arising from having made the communication. |
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Auditors report and extended examination |
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330. (1) The Superintendent may, in writing, require that the auditor of a company report to the Superintendent on the extent of the auditors procedures in the examination of the annual statement and may, in writing, require that the auditor enlarge or extend the scope of that examination or direct that any other particular procedure be performed in any particular case, and the auditor shall comply with any such requirement of the Superintendent and report to the Superintendent thereon. |
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Special examination |
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(2) The Superintendent may, in writing, require that the auditor of a company make a particular examination relating to the adequacy of the procedures adopted by the company for the safety of its creditors and shareholders, or any other examination as, in the Superintendents opinion, the public interest may require, and report to the Superintendent thereon. |
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Idem |
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(3) The Superintendent may direct that a special audit of a company be made if, in the opinion of the Superintendent, it is so required and may appoint for that purpose an accountant or a firm of accountants qualified pursuant to subsection 320(1) to be an auditor of the company. |
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Expenses payable by company |
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(4) The expenses entailed by any examination or audit referred to in any of subsections (1) to (3) are payable by the company on being approved in writing by the Superintendent. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 330; 1999, c. 31, s. 217(F). |
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Auditors report |
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331. (1) The auditor shall, not less than twenty-one days before the date of the annual meeting of the shareholders of the company, make a report in writing to the shareholders on the annual statement referred to in subsection 313(1). |
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Audit for shareholders |
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(2) In each report required under subsection (1), the auditor shall state whether, in the auditors opinion, the annual statement presents fairly, in accordance with the accounting principles referred to in subsection 313(4), the financial position of the company as at the end of the financial year to which it relates and the results of the operations and changes in the financial position of the company for that financial year. |
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Auditors remarks |
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(3) In each report referred to in subsection (2), the auditor shall include such remarks as the |
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auditor considers necessary when |
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( a ) the examination has not been made in accordance with the auditing standards referred to in subsection 328(2); |
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( b ) the annual statement has not been prepared on a basis consistent with that of the preceding financial year; or |
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( c ) the annual statement does not present fairly, in accordance with the accounting principles referred to in subsection 313(4), the financial position of the company as at the end of the financial year to which it relates or the results of the operations or changes in the financial position of the company for that financial year. |
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Report on directors statement |
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332 . (1) The auditor of a company shall, if required by the shareholders, audit and report to the shareholders on any financial statement submitted by the directors to the shareholders, and the report shall state whether, in the auditors opinion, the financial statement presents fairly the information required by the shareholders. |
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Making of report |
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(2) A report of the auditor made under subsection (1) shall be attached to the financial statement to which it relates and a copy of the statement and report shall be sent by the directors to every shareholder and to the Superintendent. |
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Report to officers |
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333. (1) It is the duty of the auditor of a company to report in writing to the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the company any transactions or conditions that have come to the auditors attention affecting the well-being of the company that in the auditors opinion are not satisfactory and require rectification and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, the auditor shall, as occasion requires, make a report to those officers in respect of |
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( a ) transactions of the company that have come to the auditors attention and that in the auditors opinion have not been within the powers of the company, and |
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( b ) loans owing to the company by any person the aggregate amount of which exceeds one half of one per cent of the regulatory capital of the company and in respect of which, in the auditors opinion, loss to the company is likely to occur, |
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but when a report required under paragraph ( b ) has been made in respect of loans to any person, it is not necessary to report again in respect of loans to that person unless, in the opinion of the auditor, the amount of the loss likely to occur has increased. |
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Transmission of report |
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(2) Where the auditor of a company makes a report under subsection (1), |
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( a ) the auditor shall transmit the report, in writing, to the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the company; |
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( b ) the report shall be presented to the first meeting of the directors following its receipt; |
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( c ) the report shall be incorporated in the minutes of that meeting; and |
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( d ) the auditor shall, at the time of transmitting the report to the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, provide the Superintendent with a copy of the report. |
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Auditor of subsidiaries |
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334. (1) A company shall take all necessary steps to ensure that its auditor is duly appointed as the auditor of each of its subsidiaries. |
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Subsidiary outside Canada |
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(2) Subsection (1) applies in the case of a subsidiary that carries on its operations in a country other than Canada unless the laws of that country do not permit the appointment of the auditor of the company as the auditor of that subsidiary. |
Exception |
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(3) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of any particular subsidiary where the company, after having consulted its auditor, is of the opinion that the total assets of the subsidiary are not a material part of the total assets of the company. |
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Auditors attendance |
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335. (1) The auditor of a company is entitled to receive notice of every meeting of the audit committee and the conduct review committee of the company and, at the expense of the company, to attend and be heard at that meeting. |
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Attendance |
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(2) If so requested by a member of the audit committee, the auditor shall attend every meeting of the audit committee held during the members term of office. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 335; 1993, c. 34, s. 125(F). |
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Calling meeting |
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336. (1) The auditor of a company or a member of the audit committee may call a meeting of the audit committee. |
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Right to interview |
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(2) The chief internal auditor of a company or any officer or employee of the company acting in a similar capacity shall, at the request of the auditor of the company and on receipt of reasonable notice, meet with the auditor. |
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Notice of errors |
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337. (1) A director or an officer of a company shall forthwith notify the audit committee and the auditor of the company of any error or misstatement of which the director or officer becomes aware in an annual statement or other financial statement on which the auditor or any former auditor has reported. |
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Error noted by auditor |
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(2) If the auditor or a former auditor of a company is notified or becomes aware of an error or misstatement in an annual statement or other financial statement on which the auditor reported and in the auditors opinion the error or misstatement is material, the auditor or former auditor shall inform each director of the company accordingly. |
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Duty of directors |
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(3) When under subsection (2) the auditor or a former auditor of a company informs the directors of an error or misstatement in an annual statement or other financial statement, the directors shall |
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( a ) prepare and issue a revised annual statement or financial statement; or |
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( b ) otherwise inform the shareholders and the Superintendent of the error or misstatement. |
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Qualified privilege for statements |
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338. Any oral or written statement or report made under this Act by the auditor or a former auditor of a company has qualified privilege. |
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Remedial Actions |
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Derivative action |
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339. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a complainant or the Superintendent may apply to a court for leave to bring an action under this Act in the name and on behalf of a company or any of its subsidiaries, or to intervene in an action under this Act to which the company or a subsidiary of the company is a party, for the purpose of prosecuting, defending or discontinuing the action on behalf of the company or the subsidiary. |
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Conditions precedent |
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(2) No action may be brought and no intervention in an action may be made under subsection (1) by a complainant unless the court is satisfied that |
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( a ) the complainant has given reasonable notice to the directors of the company or the subsidiary of the complainants intention to apply to the court under that section if the directors of the company or its subsidiary do not bring, diligently prosecute or defend, or discontinue the action; |
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( b ) the complainant is acting in good faith; and |
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( c ) it appears to be in the interests of the company or the subsidiary that the action be brought, prosecuted, defended or discontinued. |
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Notice to Superintendent |
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(3) A complainant under subsection (1) shall give the Superintendent notice of the application and the Superintendent may appear and be heard in person or by counsel at the hearing of the application. |
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Powers of court |
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340. (1) In connection with an action brought or intervened in under subsection 339(1), the court may at any time make any order it thinks fit including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, |
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( a ) an order authorizing the Superintendent, the complainant or any other person to control the conduct of the action; |
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( b ) an order giving directions for the conduct of the action; |
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( c ) an order directing that any amount adjudged payable by a defendant in the action be paid, in whole or in part, directly to former and present security holders of the company or of the subsidiary instead of to the company or to the subsidiary; and |
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( d ) an order requiring the company or the subsidiary to pay reasonable legal fees incurred by the Superintendent or the complainant in connection with the action. |
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Jurisdiction |
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the court may not make any order in relation to any matter that would, under this Act, require the approval of the Minister or the Superintendent. |
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Status of shareholder approval |
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341. (1) An application made or an action brought or intervened in under subsection 339(1) or section 343 need not be stayed or dismissed by reason only that it is shown that an alleged breach of a right or duty owed to the company or its subsidiary has been or might be approved by the shareholders of the company or subsidiary or both, but evidence of approval by the shareholders may be taken into account by the court in making an order under section 340. |
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Court approval to discontinue |
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(2) An application made or an action brought or intervened in under subsection 339(1) or section 343 shall not be stayed, discontinued, settled or dismissed for want of prosecution without the approval of the court given on such terms as the court thinks fit and, if the court determines that the interests of any complainant might be substantially affected by any stay, discontinuance, settlement or dismissal, the court may order any party to the application or action to give notice to the complainant. |
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No security for costs |
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342. (1) A complainant is not required to give security for costs in any application made or any action brought or intervened in under subsection 339(1) or section 343. |
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Interim costs |
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(2) In an application made or an action brought or intervened in under subsection 339(1) or section 343, the court may at any time order the company or its subsidiary to pay to the complainant interim costs, including legal fees and disbursements, but the complainant may be held accountable by the court for those interim costs on final disposition of the application or action. |
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Application to rectify records |
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343. (1) If the name of a person is alleged to be or to have been wrongly entered or retained in, or wrongly deleted or omitted from, the securities register or any other record of a company, the |
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company, a security holder of the company or any aggrieved person may apply to a court for an order that the securities register or record be rectified. |
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Notice to Superintendent |
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(2) An applicant under this section shall give the Superintendent notice of the application and the Superintendent may appear and be heard in person or by counsel at the hearing of the application. |
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Powers of court |
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(3) In connection with an application under this section, the court may make any order it thinks fit including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, |
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( a ) an order requiring the securities register or other record of the company to be rectified; |
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( b ) an order restraining a company from calling or holding a meeting of shareholders or paying a dividend before the rectification; |
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( c ) an order determining the right of a party to the proceedings to have the partys name entered or retained in, or deleted or omitted from, the securities register or records of the company, whether the issue arises between two or more security holders or alleged security holders, or between the company and any security holder or alleged security holder; and |
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( d ) an order compensating a party who has incurred a loss. |
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Liquidation and Dissolution |
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Definition of court |
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344. For the purposes of subsections 351(1) and 352(1) and (2), sections 353 to 357, subsection 358(1), sections 360 and 362 to 364, subsections 368(3) and (4) and section 373, court means a court having jurisdiction in the place where the company has its head office. |
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Application of subsection (2) and sections 346 to 373 |
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345. (1) Subsection (2) and sections 346 to 373 do not apply to a company that is insolvent within the meaning of the Winding-up and Restructuring Act . |
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Staying proceedings on insolvency |
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(2) Any proceedings taken under this Part to dissolve or to liquidate and dissolve a company shall be stayed if the company is at any time found to be insolvent within the meaning of the Winding-up and Restructuring Act . |
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1991, c. 45, s. 345; 1996, c. 6, s. 167. |
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Returns to Superintendent |
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346. A liquidator appointed under this Part to wind up the business of a company shall provide the Superintendent with such information relating to the business and affairs of the company in such form as the Superintendent requires. |
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Simple Liquidation |
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No property and no liabilities |
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347. (1) A company that has no property and no liabilities may, if authorized by a special resolution of the shareholders or, if there are no shareholders, by a resolution of all the directors, apply to the Minister for letters patent dissolving the company. |
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Dissolution by letters patent |
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(2) Where the Minister has received an application under subsection (1) and is satisfied that all the circumstances so warrant, the Minister may issue letters patent dissolving the company. |
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Effect of letters patent |
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(3) A company in respect of which letters patent are issued under subsection (2) ceases to exist on the day stated in the letters patent. |
Proposing liquidation |
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348. (1) The voluntary liquidation and dissolution of a company, other than a company referred to in subsection 347(1), |
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( a ) may be proposed by its directors; or |
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( b ) may be initiated by way of a proposal made by a shareholder who is entitled to vote at an annual meeting of shareholders in accordance with sections 146 and 147. |
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Terms must be set out |
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(2) A notice of any meeting of shareholders at which the voluntary liquidation and dissolution of a company is to be proposed shall set out the terms of the proposal. |
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Shareholders resolution |
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349. Where the voluntary liquidation and dissolution of a company is proposed, the company may apply to the Minister for letters patent dissolving the company if authorized by a special resolution of the shareholders or, where the company has issued more than one class of shares, by special resolution of each class of shareholders whether or not those shareholders are otherwise entitled to vote. |
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Approval of Minister required |
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350. (1) No action directed toward the voluntary liquidation and dissolution of a company shall be taken by a company, other than as provided in sections 348 and 349, until an application made by the company pursuant to section 349 has been approved by the Minister. |
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Conditional approval |
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(2) Where the Minister is satisfied on the basis of an application made pursuant to section 349 that the circumstances warrant the voluntary liquidation and dissolution of a company, the Minister may, by order, approve the application. |
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Effect of approval |
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(3) Where the Minister has approved an application made pursuant to section 349 with respect to a company, the company shall not carry on business except to the extent necessary to complete its voluntary liquidation. |
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Liquidation process |
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(4) Where the Minister has approved an application made pursuant to section 349 with respect to a company, the company shall |
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( a ) cause notice of the approval to be sent to each known claimant against and creditor of the company; |
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( b ) publish notice of the approval once a week for four consecutive weeks in the Canada Gazette and once a week for two consecutive weeks in one or more newspapers in general circulation in each province in which the company transacted any business within the preceding twelve months; |
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( c ) proceed to collect its property, dispose of property that is not to be distributed in kind to its shareholders, discharge all its obligations and do all other acts required to liquidate its business; |
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( d ) where the company is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2), make such arrangements as are necessary to transfer to another company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2) money or other assets held in trust by the company, other than assets held in respect of guaranteed trust money; and |
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( e ) after giving the notice required under paragraphs ( a ) and ( b ) and adequately providing for the payment or discharge of all its obligations, distribute its remaining property, either in money or in kind, among its shareholders according to their respective rights. |
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Dissolution instrument |
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351. (1) Unless a court has made an order in accordance with subsection 352(1), the Minister may, if satisfied that the company has complied with subsection 350(4) and that all the |
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circumstances so warrant, issue letters patent dissolving the company. |
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Company dissolved |
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(2) A company in respect of which letters patent are issued under subsection (1) is dissolved and ceases to exist on the day stated in the letters patent. |
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Court-supervised Liquidation |
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Application for court supervision |
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352. (1) The Superintendent or any interested person may, at any time during the liquidation of a company, apply to a court for an order for the continuance of the voluntary liquidation under the supervision of the court in accordance with this section and sections 353 to 365 and on such application the court may so order and make any further order it thinks fit. |
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Idem |
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(2) An application under subsection (1) to a court to supervise a voluntary liquidation shall state the reasons, verified by an affidavit of the applicant, why the court should supervise the liquidation. |
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Notice to Superintendent |
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(3) Where a person, other than the Superintendent, makes an application under subsection (1), the person shall give the Superintendent notice of the application and the Superintendent may appear and be heard in person or by counsel at the hearing of the application. |
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Court supervision thereafter |
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353. (1) When a court makes an order under subsection 352(1), the liquidation of the company shall continue under the supervision of the court. |
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Commencement of liquidation |
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(2) The supervision of the liquidation of a company by the court pursuant to an order made under subsection 352(1) commences on the day the order is made. |
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Powers of court |
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354. In connection with the liquidation and dissolution of a company, the court may, where it is satisfied |
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( a ) that the company is able to pay or adequately provide for the discharge of all its obligations, and |
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( b ) in the case of a company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2), that the company is able to make satisfactory arrangements for the protection of persons in relation to whom the company is acting in a fiduciary capacity, |
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make any order it thinks fit including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, |
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( c ) an order to liquidate, |
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( d ) an order appointing a liquidator, with or without security, fixing a liquidators remuneration and replacing a liquidator, |
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( e ) an order appointing inspectors or referees, specifying their powers, fixing their remuneration and replacing inspectors or referees, |
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( f ) an order determining the notice to be given to any interested person, or dispensing with notice to any person, |
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( g ) an order determining the validity of any claims made against the company, |
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( h ) an order, at any stage of the proceedings, restraining the directors and officers of the company from |
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(i) exercising any of their powers, or |
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(ii) collecting or receiving any debt or other property of the company, and from paying out or |
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transferring any property of the company, except as permitted by the court, |
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( i ) an order determining and enforcing the duty or liability of any present or former director, officer or shareholder |
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(i) to the company, or |
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(ii) for an obligation of the company, |
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( j ) an order approving the payment, satisfaction or compromise of claims against the company and the retention of assets for that purpose, and determining the adequacy of provisions for the payment, discharge or transfer of any trust obligation or other obligation of the company, whether liquidated, unliquidated, future or contingent, |
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( k ) with the concurrence of the Superintendent, an order providing for the disposal or destruction of the documents, records or registers of the company, |
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( l ) on the application of a creditor, an inspector or the liquidator, an order giving directions on any matter arising in the liquidation, |
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( m ) after notice has been given to all interested parties, an order relieving the liquidator from any omission or default on such terms as the court thinks fit and confirming any act of the liquidator, |
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( n ) subject to sections 361 to 363, an order approving any proposed, interim or final distribution to shareholders, if any, or incorporators, in money or in property, |
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( o ) an order disposing of any property belonging to creditors, shareholders and incorporators who cannot be found, |
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( p ) on the application of any director, officer, shareholder, incorporator, creditor or the liquidator, |
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(i) an order staying the liquidation proceedings on such terms and conditions as the court thinks fit, |
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(ii) an order continuing or discontinuing the liquidation proceedings, or |
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(iii) an order to the liquidator to restore to the company all of its remaining property, and |
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( q ) after the liquidator has rendered the liquidators final account to the court, an order directing the company to apply to the Minister for letters patent dissolving the company. |
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Cessation of business and powers |
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355. (1) Where a court makes an order for the liquidation of a company, |
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( a ) the company continues in existence but shall cease to carry on business, except the business that is, in the opinion of the liquidator, required for an orderly liquidation; and |
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( b ) the powers of the directors and shareholders, if any, are vested in the liquidator and cease to be vested in the directors or shareholders, except as specifically authorized by the court. |
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Delegation by liquidator |
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(2) A liquidator may delegate any of the powers vested by paragraph (1)( b ) to the directors or shareholders, if any. |
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Appointment of liquidator |
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356. When making an order for the liquidation of a company or at any time thereafter, the court may appoint any person, including a director, an officer or a shareholder of the company or any other company, as liquidator of the company. |
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Vacancy in liquidators office |
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357. Where an order for the liquidation of a company has been made and the office of liquidator is or becomes vacant, the property of the company is under the control of the court until the office |
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of liquidator is filled. |
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Duties of liquidator |
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358. (1) A liquidator shall |
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( a ) forthwith after appointment give notice thereof to the Superintendent and to each claimant and creditor of the company known to the liquidator; |
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( b ) forthwith after appointment publish notice thereof once a week for four consecutive weeks in the Canada Gazette and once a week for two consecutive weeks in one or more newspapers in general circulation in each province in which the company has transacted any business within the preceding twelve months, requiring |
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(i) any person indebted to the company to render an account and pay to the liquidator at the time and place specified in the notice any amount owing, |
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(ii) any person possessing property of the company to deliver it to the liquidator at the time and place specified in the notice, and |
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(iii) any person having a claim against the company, whether liquidated, unliquidated, future or contingent, to present particulars thereof in writing to the liquidator not later than sixty days after the first publication of the notice; |
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( c ) take into custody and control the property of the company; |
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( d ) if the company is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2), make such arrangements as are necessary to transfer to another company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2) money or other assets held in trust by the company, other than assets held in respect of guaranteed trust money; |
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( e ) open and maintain a trust account for the moneys received by the liquidator in the course of the liquidation of the company; |
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( f ) keep accounts of the moneys received and paid out by the liquidator in the course of the liquidation of the company; |
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( g ) maintain separate lists of each class of creditors, shareholders and other persons having claims against the company; |
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( h ) if at any time the liquidator determines that the company is unable to pay or adequately provide for the discharge of its obligations, apply to the court for directions; |
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( i ) deliver to the court and to the Superintendent, at least once in every twelve month period after the liquidators appointment or more often as the court requires, the annual statement of the company prepared in accordance with subsection 313(1) or prepared in such manner as the liquidator thinks proper or as the court requires; and |
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( j ) after the final accounts are approved by the court, distribute any remaining property of the company among the shareholders, if any, or incorporators, according to their respective rights. |
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Powers of liquidator |
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(2) A liquidator may |
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( a ) retain lawyers, notaries, accountants, appraisers and other professional advisers; |
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( b ) bring, defend or take part in any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding in the name and on behalf of the company; |
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( c ) carry on the business of the company as required for an orderly liquidation; |
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( d ) sell by public auction or private sale any property of the company; |
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( e ) if the company is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2), make such arrangements as are necessary to transfer to another company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2) |
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money or other assets held in trust by the company, other than assets held in respect of guaranteed trust money; |
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( f ) do all acts and execute documents in the name and on behalf of the company; |
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( g ) borrow money on the security of the property of the company; |
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( h ) settle or compromise any claims by or against the company; and |
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( i ) do all other things necessary for the liquidation of the company and distribution of its property. |
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Reliance on statements |
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359. A liquidator is not liable if the liquidator relies in good faith on |
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( a ) financial statements of the company represented to the liquidator by an officer of the company, or on a written report of the auditor of the company, to reflect fairly the financial condition of the company; or |
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( b ) an opinion, a report or a statement of a lawyer, a notary, an accountant, an appraiser or other professional adviser retained by the liquidator. |
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Examination of others |
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360. (1) Where a liquidator has reason to believe that any property of the company is in the possession or under the control of a person or that a person has concealed, withheld or misappropriated any such property, the liquidator may apply to the court for an order requiring that person to appear before the court at the time and place designated in the order and to be examined. |
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Restoration and compensation |
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(2) Where an examination conducted pursuant to subsection (1) discloses that a person has concealed, withheld or misappropriated any property of the company, the court may order that person to restore the property or pay compensation to the liquidator. |
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Costs of liquidation |
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361. A liquidator shall pay the costs of liquidation out of the property of the company and shall pay or make adequate provision for all claims against the company. |
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Final accounts |
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362. (1) Within one year after the appointment of a liquidator and after paying or making adequate provision for all claims against the company, the liquidator shall apply to the court |
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( a ) for approval of the final accounts of the liquidator and for an order permitting the distribution, in money or in kind, of the remaining property of the company to its shareholders, if any, or to the incorporators, according to their respective rights; or |
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( b ) for an extension of time, setting out the reasons therefor. |
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Shareholder application |
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(2) If a liquidator fails to make the application required by subsection (1), a shareholder of the company or, if there are no shareholders of the company, an incorporator may apply to the court for an order for the liquidator to show cause why a final accounting and distribution should not be made. |
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Notification of final accounts |
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(3) A liquidator shall give notice of the liquidators intention to make an application under subsection (1) to the Superintendent, to each inspector appointed under section 354, to each shareholder of the company or, if there are no shareholders, to each incorporator and to any person who provided a security or fidelity bond for the liquidation. |
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Publication |
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(4) The liquidator shall publish the notice required under subsection (3) in the Canada Gazette and once a week for two consecutive weeks in one or more newspapers in general circulation in each province in which the company has transacted any business within the preceding twelve |
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months or as otherwise directed by the court. |
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Final order |
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363. (1) If the court approves the final accounts rendered by a liquidator, the court shall make an order |
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( a ) directing the company to apply to the Minister for letters patent dissolving the company; |
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( b ) directing the custody or disposal of the documents, records and registers of the company; and |
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( c ) discharging the liquidator except in respect of the duty of a liquidator under subsection (2). |
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Delivery of order |
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(2) The liquidator shall forthwith send a certified copy of the order referred to in subsection (1) to the Superintendent. |
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Right to distribution of money |
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364. (1) If in the course of the liquidation of a company the shareholders resolve to, or the liquidator proposes to, |
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( a ) exchange all or substantially all of the remaining property of the company for securities of another entity that are to be distributed to the shareholders or to the incorporators, or |
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( b ) distribute all or part of the remaining property of the company to the shareholders or to the incorporators in kind, |
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a shareholder or incorporator may apply to the court for an order requiring the distribution of the remaining property of the company to be in money. |
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Powers of court |
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(2) On an application under subsection (1), the court may order |
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( a ) all of the remaining property of the company to be converted into and distributed in money; or |
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( b ) the claim of any shareholder or incorporator applying under this section to be satisfied by a distribution in money. |
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Order by court |
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(3) Where an order is made by a court under paragraph (2)( b ), the court |
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( a ) shall fix a fair value on the share of the property of the company attributable to the shareholder or incorporator; |
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( b ) may in its discretion appoint one or more appraisers to assist the court in fixing a fair value in accordance with paragraph ( a ); and |
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( c ) shall render a final order against the company in favour of the shareholder or incorporator for the amount of the share of the property of the company attributable to the shareholder or incorporator. |
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Dissolution by letters patent |
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365. (1) On an application made pursuant to an order under paragraph 363(1)( a ), the Minister may issue letters patent dissolving the company. |
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Company dissolved |
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(2) A company in respect of which letters patent are issued under subsection (1) is dissolved and ceases to exist on the date of the issuance of the letters patent. |
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General |
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Definition of shareholder and |
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366. In sections 368 and 369, shareholder and incorporator include the heirs and personal |
incorporator |
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representatives of a shareholder or incorporator. |
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Continuation of actions |
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367. (1) Notwithstanding the dissolution of a company under this Part, |
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( a ) a civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding commenced by or against the company before its dissolution may be continued as if the company had not been dissolved; |
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( b ) a civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding may be brought against the company within two years after its dissolution as if the company had not been dissolved; and |
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( c ) any property that would have been available to satisfy any judgment or order if the company had not been dissolved remains available for that purpose. |
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Service on company |
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(2) Service of a document on a company after its dissolution may be effected by serving the document on a person shown as a director in the incorporating instrument of the company or, if applicable, in the latest return sent to the Superintendent under section 499. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 367; 1999, c. 31, s. 218. |
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Limitations on liability |
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368. (1) Notwithstanding the dissolution of a company, a shareholder or incorporator to whom any of its property has been distributed is liable to any person claiming under subsection 367(1) to the extent of the amount received by that shareholder or incorporator on the distribution. |
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Limitation |
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(2) An action to enforce liability under subsection (1) may not be commenced except within two years after the date of the dissolution of the company. |
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Action against class |
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(3) A court may order an action referred to in subsections (1) and (2) to be brought against the persons who were shareholders or incorporators as a class, subject to such conditions as the court thinks fit. |
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Reference |
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(4) If the plaintiff establishes a claim in an action under subsection (3), the court may refer the proceedings to a referee or other officer of the court who may |
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( a ) add as a party to the proceedings each person found by the plaintiff to have been a shareholder or incorporator; |
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( b ) determine, subject to subsection (1), the amount that each person who was a shareholder or incorporator must contribute towards satisfaction of the plaintiffs claim; and |
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( c ) direct payment of the amounts so determined. |
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Where creditor cannot be found |
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369. Where a creditor, shareholder or incorporator to whom property is to be distributed on the dissolution of a company cannot be found, the portion of the property to be distributed to that creditor, shareholder or incorporator shall be converted into money and paid in accordance with section 371. |
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Vesting in Crown |
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370. Subject to subsection 367(1) and sections 371 and 372, property of a company that has not been disposed of at the date of the dissolution of the company vests in Her Majesty in right of Canada. |
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Unclaimed money on winding-up |
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371. (1) Notwithstanding the Winding-up and Restructuring Act , where the business of a company is being wound up, the liquidator or the company shall pay to the Minister on demand and in any event before the final winding-up of that business any amount that is payable by the liquidator or the company to a creditor, shareholder or incorporator of the company to whom |
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payment thereof has not, for any reason, been made. |
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Records |
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(2) Where a liquidator or a company makes a payment to the Minister under subsection (1) with respect to a creditor, shareholder or incorporator, the liquidator or company shall concurrently forward to the Minister all documents, records and registers in the possession of the liquidator or company that relate to the entitlement of the creditor, shareholder or incorporator. |
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Payment to Bank of Canada |
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(3) The Minister shall pay to the Bank of Canada all amounts paid to the Minister under subsection (1) and shall provide the Bank of Canada with any document, record or register received by the Minister under subsection (2). |
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Liquidator and company discharged |
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(4) Payment by a liquidator or a company to the Minister under subsection (1) discharges the liquidator and the company in respect of which the payment is made from all liability for the amount so paid, and payment by the Minister to the Bank of Canada under subsection (3) discharges the Minister from all liability for the amount so paid. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 371; 1996, c. 6, s. 167. |
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Liability of Bank of Canada |
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372. (1) Subject to section 22 of the Bank of Canada Act , where payment has been made to the Bank of Canada of an amount under subsection 371(3), the Bank of Canada, if payment is demanded by a person who, but for subsection 371(4), would be entitled to receive payment of that amount from the liquidator, the company or the Minister, is liable to pay to that person at its head office an amount equal to the amount so paid to it, with interest thereon for the period, not exceeding ten years, from the day on which the payment was received by the Bank of Canada until the date of payment to the person, at such rate and computed in such manner as the Minister determines. |
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Enforcing liability |
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(2) The liability of the Bank of Canada under subsection (1) may be enforced by action against the Bank of Canada in the court in the province in which the debt or instrument was payable. |
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Custody of records after dissolution |
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373. A person who has been granted custody of the documents, records and registers of a dissolved company shall keep them available for production for six years following the date of the dissolution of the company or until the expiration of such shorter period as may be ordered by the court when it orders the dissolution. |
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Insolvency |
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374. (1) In the case of the insolvency of a company, |
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( a ) the payment of any amount due to Her Majesty in right of Canada, in trust or otherwise, except indebtedness evidenced by subordinated indebtedness, shall be a first charge on the assets of the company; |
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( b ) the payment of any amount due to Her Majesty in right of a province, in trust or otherwise, except indebtedness evidenced by subordinated indebtedness, shall be a second charge on the assets of the company; |
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( c ) the payment of the deposit liabilities of the company and all other liabilities of the company, except the liabilities referred to in paragraphs ( d ) and ( e ), shall be a third charge on the assets of the company; |
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( d ) subordinated indebtedness of the company and all other liabilities that by their terms rank equally with or subordinate to such subordinated indebtedness shall be a fourth charge on the assets of the company; and |
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( e ) the payment of any fines and penalties for which the company is liable shall be a last charge on the assets of the company. |
Amalgamation, etc., constitutes acquisition |
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(2) Where, as a result of an amalgamation, merger or reorganization, the entity that results therefrom would have a significant interest in a class of shares of a company, that entity shall be deemed to be acquiring a significant interest in that class of shares of the company through an acquisition for which the approval of the Minister is required pursuant to subsection (1). |
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Exemption |
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(3) On application by a company, the Superintendent may exempt from the application of this section and section 376 any class of non-voting shares of the company if the aggregate book value of the shares of the class is not more than 30 per cent of the aggregate book value of all the outstanding shares of the company. |
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(4) and (5) [Repealed, 2001, c. 9, s. 518] |
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1991, c. 45, s. 375; 2001, c. 9, s. 518. |
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No acquisition of control without approval |
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375.1 No person shall acquire control, within the meaning of paragraph 3(1)( d ), of a company, without the prior approval of the Minister. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 372; 2001, c. 9, s. 519. |
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Constraining registration |
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376. No company shall, unless the acquisition of the share has been approved by the Minister, record in its securities register a transfer or issue of any share of the company to any person or to any entity controlled by a person if |
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( a ) the transfer or issue of the share would cause the person to have a significant interest in any class of shares of the company; or |
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( b ) where the person has a significant interest in a class of shares of the company, the transfer or issue of the share would increase the significant interest of the person in that class of shares of the company. |
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Exception for small holdings |
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376.1 Notwithstanding section 376, where, as a result of a transfer or issue of shares of a class of shares of a company to a person, the total number of shares of that class registered in the securities register of the company in the name of that person |
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( a ) would not exceed five thousand, and |
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( b ) would not exceed 0.1 per cent of the outstanding shares of that class, |
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the company is entitled to assume that no person is acquiring or increasing a significant interest in that class of shares of the company as a result of that issue or transfer of shares. |
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1994, c. 47, s. 206. |
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Where approval not required |
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377. (1) Notwithstanding subsections 375(1) and (2) and section 376, approval of the Minister is not required where a person with a significant interest in a class of shares of a company or an entity controlled by a person with a significant interest in a class of shares of a company |
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( a ) purchases or otherwise acquires shares of that class, or |
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( b ) acquires control of any entity that holds any share of that class, |
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and the number of shares of that class purchased or otherwise acquired, or the acquisition of control of the entity, as the case may be, would not increase the significant interest of the person in that class of shares of the company to a percentage that is greater than the percentage referred to in subsection (2) or (3), whichever is applicable. |
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Percentage |
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(2) Subject to subsection (3), for the purposes of subsection (1), the percentage is 5 percentage points in excess of the significant interest of the person in that class of shares of the company on the |
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later of the day this Part comes into force and the day of the most recent purchase or other acquisition by |
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( a ) the person, or |
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( b ) any entity controlled by the person, other than the entity referred to in paragraph (1)( b ), |
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of shares of that class of shares of the company, or of control of an entity that held shares of that class of shares of the company, for which approval was given by the Minister. |
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Idem |
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(3) Where a person has a significant interest in a class of shares of a company and the persons percentage of that class has decreased after the date of the most recent purchase or other acquisition by |
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( a ) the person, or |
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( b ) any entity controlled by the person, other than the entity referred to in paragraph (1)( b ), |
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of shares of that class of shares of the company, or of control of an entity that held shares of that class of shares of the company, for which approval was given by the Minister, the percentage for the purposes of subsection (1) is the percentage that is the lesser of |
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( c ) 5 percentage points in excess of the significant interest of the person in that class of shares of the company on the later of the day this Part comes into force and the day of the most recent purchase or other acquisition by |
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(i) the person, or |
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(ii) any entity controlled by the person, other than the entity referred to in paragraph (1)( b ), |
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of shares of that class of shares of the company, or of control of an entity that held shares of that class of shares of the company, for which approval was given by the Minister, and |
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( d ) 10 percentage points in excess of the lowest significant interest of the person in that class of shares of the company at any time after the later of the day this Part comes into force and the day of the most recent purchase or other acquisition by |
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(i) the person, or |
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(ii) any entity controlled by the person, other than the entity referred to in paragraph (1)( b ), |
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of shares of that class of shares of the company, or of control of an entity that held shares of that class of shares of the company, for which approval was given by the Minister. |
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Exception |
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(4) Subsection (1) does not apply if the purchase or other acquisition of shares or the acquisition of control referred to in that subsection would |
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( a ) result in the acquisition of control of the company by the person referred to in that subsection; |
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( b ) where the person controls the company but the voting rights attached to the aggregate of any voting shares of the company beneficially owned by the person and by entities controlled by the person do not exceed 50 per cent of the voting rights attached to all of the outstanding voting shares of the company, cause the voting rights attached to that aggregate to exceed 50 per cent of the voting rights attached to all of the outstanding voting shares of the company; |
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( c ) result in the acquisition of a significant interest in a class of shares of the company by an entity controlled by the person and the acquisition of that investment is not exempted by the regulations; or |
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( d ) result in an increase in a significant interest in a class of shares of the company by an entity controlled by the person by a percentage that is greater than the percentage referred to in |
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subsection (2) or (3), whichever applies, and the increase is not exempted by the regulations. |
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Regulations |
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(5) The Governor in Council may make regulations |
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( a ) exempting from the application of paragraph (4)( c ) the acquisition of a significant interest in a class of shares of the company by an entity controlled by the person; and |
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( b ) exempting from the application of paragraph (4)( d ) an increase in a significant interest in a class of shares of the company by an entity controlled by the person by a percentage that is greater than the percentage referred to in subsection (2) or (3), whichever applies. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 377; 1997, c. 15, s. 373. |
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Where approval not required |
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378. (1) Despite sections 375 and 376, the approval of the Minister is not required if |
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( a ) the Superintendent has, by order, directed the company to increase its capital and shares of the company are issued and acquired in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified in the order; or |
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( b ) a person who controls, within the meaning of paragraph 3(1)( a ), the company acquires additional shares of the company. |
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Pre-approval |
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(2) For the purposes of subsections 375(1) and (2) and section 376, the Minister may approve |
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( a ) the purchase or other acquisition of such number or percentage of shares of a company as may be required in a particular transaction or series of transactions; or |
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( b ) the purchase or other acquisition of up to a specified number or percentage of shares of a company within a specified period. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 378; 2001, c. 9, s. 520. |
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Public holding requirement |
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379. (1) Every company shall, from and after the day determined under this section in respect of that company, have, and continue to have, voting shares that carry at least 35 per cent of the voting rights attached to all of the outstanding voting shares of the company and that are |
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( a ) shares of one or more classes of shares that are listed and posted for trading on a recognized stock exchange in Canada; and |
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( b ) shares none of which is beneficially owned by a person who is a major shareholder of the company in respect of the voting shares of the company or by any entity that is controlled by a person who is a major shareholder of the company in respect of such shares. |
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Determination of day |
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(2) If the company has equity of one billion dollars or more on the day it comes into existence, the day referred to in subsection (1) is the day that is three years after that day and, in the case of any other company, the day referred to in subsection (1) is the day that is three years after the day of the first annual meeting of the shareholders of the company held after the equity of the company first reaches one billion dollars. |
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Extension |
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(3) If general market conditions so warrant and the Minister is satisfied that a company has used its best efforts to be in compliance with this section on the day determined under subsection (2), the Minister may specify a later day as the day from and after which the company must comply with subsection (1). |
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1991, c. 45, s. 379; 2001, c. 9, s. 521. |
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Limit on assets |
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380. (1) Unless an exemption order with respect to the company is granted under section 382, if |
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a company fails to comply with section 379 in any month, the Minister may, by order, require the company not to have, until it complies with that section, average total assets in any three month period ending on the last day of a subsequent month exceeding the companys average total assets in the three month period ending on the last day of the month immediately before the month specified in the order. |
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Average total assets |
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(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the average total assets of a company in a three month period shall be computed by adding the total assets of the company as calculated for the month end of each of the three months in the period and by dividing the sum by three. |
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Definition of total assets |
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(3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), total assets, in respect of a company, has the meaning given that expression by the regulations. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 380; 2001, c. 9, s. 522. |
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Increase of capital |
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381. Where the Superintendent has, by order, directed a company to increase its capital and shares of the company are issued and acquired in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified in the order, section 379 shall not apply in respect of the company until such time as the Superintendent may, by order, specify. |
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Exemption by order of Minister |
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382. (1) An entity that controls a company and that is |
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( a ) a widely held bank, |
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( b ) a bank that would be in compliance with section 379 if it were a company, |
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( b .1) a widely held bank holding company, |
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( b .2) a bank holding company that would be in compliance with section 379 if it were a company, |
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( c ) a company that is in compliance with section 379, |
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( d ) an insurance company, other than a mutual company, to which the Insurance Companies Act applies that would be in compliance with section 379 if it were a company, |
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( d .1) a mutual company or a fraternal benefit society to which the Insurance Companies Act applies, |
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( d .2) an insurance holding company that would be in compliance with section 379 if it were a company, |
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( e ) an association to which the Cooperative Credit Associations Act applies, |
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( f ) a body corporate that is incorporated and regulated by or under an Act of the legislature of a province and that is a mutual insurance corporation or fraternal benefit society, |
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( g ) a cooperative credit society regulated by or under an Act of the legislature of a province, |
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( h ) a foreign institution, or |
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( i ) a body corporate incorporated or formed by or under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province whose activities, and those of any entities that it controls, are, in the opinion of the Minister, when viewed as a whole, primarily financial, |
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may apply to the Minister to exempt the company from the requirements of section 379. |
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Terms and conditions |
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(2) In the case of an entity referred to in any of paragraphs (1)( a ) to ( h ), the Minister may grant the exemption referred to in subsection (1) subject to such terms and conditions as the Minister |
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considers appropriate. |
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Idem |
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(3) In the case of a holding body corporate referred to in paragraph (1)( i ), the Minister may grant the exemption referred to in subsection (1) only if the Minister is satisfied that the holding body corporate will, if the exemption is granted, submit to and comply with sections 172 and 379 as though the holding body corporate were a company and the Minister may grant the exemption subject to such terms and conditions as the Minister considers appropriate. |
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Effect of order |
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(4) Subject to subsection (5) and to such terms and conditions as are set out in an exemption order granted under this section, a company in respect of which an exemption order is granted need not comply with section 379. |
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Expiration of exemption order |
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(5) The Minister may, by order, direct that an exemption order granted under this section in respect of a company shall expire if |
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( a ) the entity that applied for the exemption order ceases to control the company; |
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( b ) in the opinion of the Minister, the activities of the holding body corporate referred to in paragraph (1)( i ) that applied for the exemption order, whether carried on directly or through entities that it controls, are no longer primarily financial; |
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( c ) the holding body corporate referred to in paragraph (1)( i ) that applied for the exemption order ceases to comply with section 172 or 379; or |
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( d ) there is a breach of any term or condition set out in the exemption order. |
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Compliance with s. 379 |
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(6) Where an exemption order granted under this section expires, the company in respect of which the exemption order was granted shall comply with section 379 as of the day the exemption order expires. |
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Limit on assets |
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(7) Where a company fails to comply with section 379 on the day referred to in subsection (6), the company shall not, until it complies with section 379, have average total assets in any three month period ending on the last day of a subsequent month exceeding the companys average total assets in the three month period ending on the last day of the month immediately preceding the day referred to in subsection (6) or such later day as the Minister may, by order, specify. |
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Application of ss. 380(2) and (3) |
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(8) Subsections 380(2) and (3) apply for the purposes of subsection (7). |
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1991, c. 45, s. 382, c. 47, s. 753; 2001, c. 9, s. 523. |
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Exception |
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383. (1) Where a company fails to comply with section 379 as the result of |
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( a ) a distribution to the public of voting shares of the company, |
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( b ) a redemption or purchase of voting shares of the company, |
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( c ) the exercise of any option to acquire voting shares of the company, or |
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( d ) the conversion of any convertible securities into voting shares of the company, |
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section 380 shall not apply in respect of that company until the expiration of six months after the day the company failed to comply with section 379. |
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Shares acquiring voting rights |
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(2) Where, as the result of an event that has occurred and is continuing, shares of a company acquire voting rights in such number as to cause the company to no longer be in compliance with section 379, section 380 shall not apply in respect of that company until the expiration of six |
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months after the day the company ceased to be in compliance with section 379 or such later day as the Minister may, by order, specify. |
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Exception |
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(3) Where a holding body corporate referred to in subsection 382(3) fails to comply with section 379 as the result of |
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( a ) a distribution to the public of voting shares of the holding body corporate, |
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( b ) a redemption or purchase of voting shares of the holding body corporate, |
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( c ) the exercise of any option to acquire voting shares of the holding body corporate, or |
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( d ) the conversion of any convertible securities into voting shares of the holding body corporate, |
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paragraph 382(5)( c ) shall not apply in respect of that holding body corporate until the expiration of six months after the day the holding body corporate failed to comply with section 379. |
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Shares acquiring voting rights |
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(4) Where, as the result of an event that has occurred and is continuing, shares of a holding body corporate referred to in subsection 382(3) acquire voting rights in such number as to cause the holding body corporate to no longer be in compliance with section 379, paragraph 382(5)( c ) shall not apply in respect of that holding body corporate until the expiration of six months after the day the holding body corporate ceased to be in compliance with section 379 or such later day as the Minister may, by order, specify. |
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Acquisition of control permitted |
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384. (1) Subject to subsection (2) and sections 376 and 385, section 379 does not apply in respect of a company if a person acquires control of a company with equity of one billion dollars or more through the purchase or other acquisition of all or any number of the shares of the company by the person or by any entity controlled by the person. |
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Undertaking required |
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(2) Subsection (1) applies only if the person provides the Minister with an undertaking satisfactory to the Minister to do all things necessary so that, within three years after the acquisition, or any other period that the Minister may specify, the company has voting shares that carry at least 35 per cent of the voting rights attached to all of the outstanding voting shares of the company and that are |
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( a ) shares of one or more classes of shares that are listed and posted for trading on a recognized stock exchange in Canada; and |
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( b ) shares none of which is beneficially owned by a person who is a major shareholder of the company in respect of the voting shares of the company or by any entity that is controlled by a person who is a major shareholder of the company in respect of such shares. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 384; 2001, c. 9, s. 524. |
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Application of section 379 |
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385. At the expiration of the period for compliance with an undertaking referred to in subsection 384(2), section 379 shall apply in respect of the company to which the undertaking relates. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 385; 2001, c. 9, s. 524. |
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Restriction on voting rights |
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386. (1) If, with respect to any company, a particular person contravenes section 375 or 375.1 or fails to comply with an undertaking referred to in subsection 384(2) or with any term or condition imposed under section 389, no person, and no entity controlled by the particular person, shall, in person or by proxy, exercise any voting rights |
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( a ) that are attached to shares of the company beneficially owned by the particular person or any entity controlled by the particular person; or |
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( b ) that are subject to an agreement entered into by the particular person, or any entity controlled |
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by the particular person, pertaining to the exercise of the voting rights. |
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Subsection (1) ceases to apply |
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(2) Subsection (1) ceases to apply in respect of a person when, as the case may be, |
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( a ) the shares to which the contravention relates have been disposed of; |
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( b ) the person ceases to control the company within the meaning of paragraph 3(1)( d ); |
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( c ) if the person failed to comply with an undertaking referred to in subsection 384(2), the company complies with section 379; or |
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( d ) if the person failed to comply with a term or condition imposed under section 389, the person complies with the term or condition. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 386; 1997, c. 15, s. 374; 2001, c. 9, s. 524. |
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Approval Process |
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Application for approval |
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387. (1) An application for an approval of the Minister required under this Part must be filed with the Superintendent and contain the information, material and evidence that the Superintendent may require. |
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Applicant |
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(2) If, with respect to any particular transaction, this Part applies to more than one person, any one of those persons may make the application to the Minister for approval on behalf of all of those persons. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 387; 2001, c. 9, s. 525. |
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Matters for consideration |
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388. (1) Subject to subsection (2), if an application for an approval under section 375 is made, the Minister, in determining whether or not to approve the transaction, shall take into account all matters that the Minister considers relevant to the application, including |
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( a ) the nature and sufficiency of the financial resources of the applicant or applicants as a source of continuing financial support for the company; |
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( b ) the soundness and feasibility of the plans of the applicant or applicants for the future conduct and development of the business of the company; |
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( c ) the business record and experience of the applicant or applicants; |
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( d ) the character and integrity of the applicant or applicants or, if the applicant or any of the applicants is a body corporate, its reputation for being operated in a manner that is consistent with the standards of good character and integrity; |
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( e ) whether the company will be operated responsibly by persons with the competence and experience suitable for involvement in the operation of a financial institution; |
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( f ) the impact of any integration of the businesses and operations of the applicant or applicants with those of the company on the conduct of those businesses and operations; and |
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( g ) the best interests of the financial system in Canada. |
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National treatment |
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(2) Where a transaction in respect of which subsection 375(1) or (2) applies would cause a company to become a subsidiary of a foreign institution that is engaged in the trust and loan business, that does not have any other company as its subsidiary and that is a non-WTO Member foreign institution, the Minister shall not approve the transaction unless the Minister is satisfied that treatment as favourable for companies to which this Act applies exists or will be provided in the jurisdiction in which the foreign institution principally carries on business, either directly or |
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through a subsidiary. |
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Part XII of the Bank Act |
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(3) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) affects the operation of Part XII of the Bank Act . |
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1991, c. 45, s. 388; 1999, c. 28, s. 140; 2001, c. 9, s. 526. |
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Terms and conditions |
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389. The Minister may impose any terms and conditions in respect of an approval given under this Part that the Minister considers necessary to ensure compliance with any provision of this Act. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 389; 2001, c. 9, s. 527. |
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Certifying receipt of application |
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390. (1) If, in the opinion of the Superintendent, an application filed under this Part contains all the required information, the Superintendent shall without delay refer the application to the Minister and send a receipt to the applicant certifying the date on which the completed application was received by the Superintendent. |
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Incomplete application |
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(2) If, in the opinion of the Superintendent, an application filed under this Part is incomplete, the Superintendent shall send a notice to the applicant specifying the information required by the Superintendent to complete the application. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 390; 2001, c. 9, s. 528. |
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Notice of decision to applicant |
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391. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) and 392(1), the Minister shall, within a period of thirty days after the certified date referred to in subsection 390(1), send to the applicant |
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( a ) a notice approving the transaction to which the application relates; or |
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( b ) where the Minister is not satisfied that the transaction to which the application relates should be approved, a notice to that effect, advising the applicant of the right to make representations to the Minister in respect of the matter. |
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Idem |
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(2) Subject to subsections (4) and 392(2), where an application filed under subsection 387(1) involves the acquisition of control of a company, the Minister shall, within a period of forty-five days after the certified date referred to in subsection 390(1), send to the applicant |
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( a ) a notice approving the transaction to which the application relates; or |
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( b ) where the Minister is not satisfied that the transaction to which the application relates should be approved, a notice to that effect, advising the applicant of the right to make representations to the Minister in respect of the matter. |
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Extension of period for notice |
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(3) Where the Minister is unable to complete the consideration of an application within the period referred to in subsection (1), the Minister shall, |
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( a ) within that period, send a notice to that effect to the applicant; and |
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( b ) within a further period of thirty days after the date of the sending of the notice referred to in paragraph ( a ) or within such other further period as may be agreed on by the applicant and the Minister, send a notice referred to in paragraph (1)( a ) or ( b ) to the applicant. |
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Idem |
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(4) Where the Minister considers it appropriate to do so, the Minister may extend the period referred to in subsection (2) for one or more periods of forty-five days. |
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Reasonable opportunity to make representations |
|
392. (1) Where, after receipt of the notice referred to in paragraph 391(1)( b ), the applicant advises the Minister that the applicant wishes to make representations, the Minister shall provide the applicant with a reasonable opportunity within a period of thirty days after the date of the |
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notice, or within such further period as may be agreed on by the applicant and the Minister, to make representations in respect of the matter. |
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Idem |
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(2) Where, after receipt of the notice referred to in paragraph 391(2)( b ), the applicant advises the Minister that the applicant wishes to make representations, the Minister shall provide the applicant with a reasonable opportunity within a period of forty-five days after the date of the notice, or within such further period as may be agreed on by the applicant and the Minister, to make representations in respect of the matter. |
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Notice of decision |
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393. (1) Within a period of thirty days after the expiration of the period for making representations referred to in subsection 392(1), the Minister shall, in the light of any such representations and having regard to the matters to be taken into account, send a notice to the applicant indicating whether or not the Minister approves the share transaction to which the application relates. |
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Idem |
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(2) Within a period of forty-five days after the expiration of the period for making representations referred to in subsection 392(2), the Minister shall, in the light of any such representations and having regard to the matters to be taken into account, send a notice to the applicant indicating whether or not the Minister approves the share transaction to which the application relates. |
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Deemed approval |
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394. Where the Minister does not send a notice under subsection 391(1) or (3) or 393(1) within the period provided for in those subsections, the Minister is deemed to have approved the share transaction to which the application relates. |
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394.1 and 395. [Repealed, 1994, c. 47, s. 207] |
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Constraining registration: |
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396. (1) No company shall record in its securities register a transfer or issue of any share of the company to |
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Crown and foreign governments |
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( a ) Her Majesty in right of Canada or of a province or any agent or agency of Her Majesty in either of those rights; or |
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( b ) the government of a foreign country or any political subdivision thereof, or any agent or agency thereof. |
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Exception |
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a company that is a subsidiary of a foreign institution that is controlled by the government of a foreign country or any political subdivision thereof, or any agency thereof, may register a transfer or issue of a share or shares of the company to the foreign institution or to any subsidiary of the foreign institution. |
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397. and 398. [Repealed, 1994, c. 47, s. 208] |
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399. (1) [Repealed, 1994, c. 47, s. 209] |
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Suspension of voting rights held by governments |
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(2) Notwithstanding section 151, where any voting shares of a company are beneficially owned by |
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( a ) Her Majesty in right of Canada or of a province or any agency of Her Majesty in either of those rights, or |
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( b ) the government of a foreign country or any political subdivision thereof, or any agency thereof, |
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no person shall, in person or by proxy, exercise the voting rights attached to those shares. |
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Transitional |
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(3) Subsection (2) does not apply in respect of a government or agency referred to in that subsection that, on September 27, 1990, beneficially owned shares of a former-Act company where the exercise of the voting rights attached to those shares was not prohibited under subsection 41(2) of the Trust Companies Act or subsection 48(2) of the Loan Companies Act , as those subsections read immediately prior to June 1, 1992. |
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Transitional |
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(4) Subsection (3) ceases to apply where a government or agency referred to in that subsection acquires beneficial ownership of any additional voting shares of the former-Act company in such number that the percentage of the voting rights attached to all of the voting shares of the former-Act company beneficially owned by the government or agency is greater than the percentage of the voting rights attached to all of the voting shares of the former-Act company that were beneficially owned by the government or agency on September 27, 1990. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 399; 1994, c. 47, s. 209. |
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400. and 400.1 [Repealed, 1994, c. 47, s. 210] |
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DIVISION III |
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DIRECTIONS |
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Disposition of shareholdings |
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401. (1) If, with respect to any company, a person contravenes section 375 or 375.1 or fails to comply with an undertaking referred to in subsection 384(2) or with any terms and conditions imposed under section 389, the Minister may, if the Minister deems it in the public interest to do so, by order, direct that person and any person controlled by that person to dispose of any number of shares of the company beneficially owned by any of those persons that the Minister specifies in the order, within the time specified in the order and in the proportion, if any, as between the person and the persons controlled by that person that is specified in the order. |
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Representations |
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(2) No direction shall be made under subsection (1) unless the Minister has provided each person to whom the direction relates and the company concerned with a reasonable opportunity to make representations in respect of the subject-matter of the direction. |
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Appeal |
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(3) Any person with respect to whom a direction has been made under subsection (1) may, within thirty days after the date of the direction, appeal the matter in accordance with section 530. |
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(4) [Repealed, 2001, c. 9, s. 529] |
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1991, c. 45, s. 401; 1996, c. 6, s. 119; 2001, c. 9, s. 529. |
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Application to court |
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402. (1) Where a person fails to comply with a direction made under subsection 401(1), an application on behalf of the Minister may be made to a court for an order to enforce the direction. |
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Court order |
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(2) A court may, on an application under subsection (1), make such order as the circumstances require to give effect to the terms of the direction and may, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, require the company concerned to sell the shares that are the subject-matter of the direction. |
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Appeal |
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(3) An appeal from an order of a court under this section lies in the same manner as, and to the same court to which, an appeal may be taken from any other order of the court. |
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General Provisions |
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Interest of securities underwriter |
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403. This Part does not apply to a securities underwriter in respect of shares of a body corporate or ownership interests in an unincorporated entity that are acquired by the underwriter in the course of a distribution to the public of those shares or ownership interests and that are held by the underwriter for a period of not more than six months. |
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Arrangements to effect compliance |
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404. (1) The directors of a company may make such arrangements as they deem necessary to carry out the intent of this Part and, in particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, may |
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( a ) require any person in whose name a share of the company is held to submit a declaration setting out |
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(i) the beneficial ownership of the share, and |
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(ii) such other information as the directors deem relevant for the purposes of this Part; |
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( b ) require any person who wishes to have a transfer of a share registered in the name of, or to have a share issued to, that person to submit a declaration referred to in paragraph ( a ) as though the person were the holder of that share; and |
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( c ) determine the circumstances in which a declaration referred to in paragraph ( a ) is to be required, the form of the declaration and the times at which it is to be submitted. |
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Order of Superintendent |
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(2) The Superintendent may, by order, direct a company to obtain from any person in whose name a share of the company is held a declaration setting out the name of every entity controlled by that person and containing information concerning |
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( a ) the ownership or beneficial ownership of the share; and |
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( b ) such other related matters as are specified by the Superintendent. |
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Compliance required |
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(3) As soon as possible after receipt by a company of a direction under subsection (2), |
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( a ) the company shall comply with the direction; and |
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( b ) every person who is requested by the company to provide a declaration containing information referred to in subsection (1) or (2) shall comply with the request. |
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Outstanding declaration: effect |
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(4) Where, pursuant to this section, a declaration is required to be submitted by a shareholder or other person in respect of the issue or transfer of any share, a company may refuse to issue the share or register the transfer unless the required declaration is submitted. |
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Reliance on information |
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405. A company and any person who is a director or an officer, employee or agent of the company may rely on any information contained in a declaration required by the directors pursuant to section 404 or on any information otherwise acquired in respect of any matter that might be the subject of such a declaration, and no action lies against the company or any such person for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith in reliance on any such information. |
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406. [Repealed, 1994, c. 47, s. 211] |
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Exemption regulations |
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407. The Governor in Council may, by regulation, exempt from any of the provisions of this Part any share transaction or any class of share transactions involving the transfer of shares on the death of the beneficial owner thereof, or any arrangement made in contemplation of the death of the |
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(i) to provide information that is primarily financial or economic in nature, |
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(ii) to provide information that relates to the business of a permitted entity, as defined in subsection 449(1), or |
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(iii) for a prescribed purpose or in prescribed circumstances; |
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( d ) in Canada, engage in such activities referred to in paragraph ( c ) that the company was engaged in prior to June 1, 1992; |
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( d .1) engage, under prescribed terms and conditions, if any are prescribed, in specialized business management or advisory services; |
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( e ) promote merchandise and services to the holders of any payment, credit or charge card issued by the company; |
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( f ) engage in the sale of |
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(i) tickets, including lottery tickets, on a non-profit public service basis in connection with special, temporary and infrequent non-commercial celebrations or projects that are of local, municipal, provincial or national interest, |
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(ii) urban transit tickets, and |
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(iii) tickets in respect of a lottery sponsored by the federal government or a provincial or municipal government or an agency of any such government or governments; and |
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( g ) act as a custodian of property. |
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Restriction |
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(2) Except as authorized by or under this Act, a company shall not deal in goods, wares or merchandise or engage in any trade or other business. |
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Regulations |
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(3) The Governor in Council may make regulations |
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( a ) respecting what a company may or may not do with respect to the carrying on of the activities referred to in paragraphs (1)( c ), ( c .1) and ( d .1); |
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( b ) imposing terms and conditions in respect of the provision of the services referred to in paragraphs (1)( a ) and 409(2)( c ) and the carrying on of the activities referred to in paragraphs (1)( c ), ( c .1) and ( d .1); and |
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( c ) respecting the circumstances in which companies may be exempted from the requirement to obtain the approval of the Minister before carrying on a particular activity referred to in paragraph (1)( c ) or ( c .1). |
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1991, c. 45, s. 410; 1993, c. 34, s. 126(F); 1997, c. 15, s. 375; 2001, c. 9, s. 530. |
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Networking |
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411. Subject to section 416, a company may |
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( a ) act as agent for any person in respect of the provision of any service that is provided by a financial institution, a permitted entity as defined in subsection 449(1) or a prescribed entity and may enter into an arrangement with any person in respect of the provision of that service; or |
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( b ) refer any person to any such financial institution or entity. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 411; 2001, c. 9, s. 531. |
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Restriction on fiduciary activities |
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412. No company, other than a company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2), shall act in Canada as |
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( a ) an executor, administrator or official guardian or a guardian, tutor, curator, judicial adviser |
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or committee of a mentally incompetent person; or |
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( b ) a trustee for a trust. |
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Restriction on deposit taking |
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413. A company shall not accept deposits in Canada unless it is a member institution within the meaning of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act . |
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Restriction on guarantees |
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414. (1) A company shall not guarantee on behalf of any person the payment or repayment of any sum of money unless |
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( a ) the sum of money is a fixed sum of money with or without interest thereon; and |
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( b ) the person on whose behalf the company has undertaken to guarantee the payment or repayment has an unqualified obligation to reimburse the company for the full amount of the payment or repayment to be guaranteed. |
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Exception |
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(2) Paragraph (1)( a ) does not apply where the person on whose behalf the company has undertaken to guarantee a payment or repayment is a subsidiary of the company. |
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Idem |
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(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a company may guarantee repayment of the principal or payment of the interest, or both, of any moneys entrusted to the company for investment, on such terms and conditions as are agreed on. |
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Regulations |
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(4) The Governor in Council may make regulations imposing terms and conditions in respect of guarantees permitted by this section. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 414; 1997, c. 15, s. 376; 2001, c. 9, s. 532. |
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Restriction on securities activities |
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415. A company shall not deal in Canada in securities to the extent prohibited or restricted by such regulations as the Governor in Council may make for the purposes of this section. |
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Restriction on insurance business |
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416. (1) A company shall not undertake the business of insurance except to the extent permitted by this Act or the regulations. |
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Restriction on acting as agent |
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(2) A company shall not act in Canada as agent for any person in the placing of insurance and shall not lease or provide space in any branch in Canada of the company to any person engaged in the placing of insurance. |
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Regulations |
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(3) The Governor in Council may make regulations respecting the matters referred to in subsection (1) and regulations respecting relations between companies and |
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( a ) entities that undertake the business of insurance; or |
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( b ) insurance agents or insurance brokers. |
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Saving |
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(4) Nothing in this section precludes a company from |
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( a ) requiring insurance to be placed by a borrower for the security of the company; or |
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( b ) obtaining group insurance for its employees or the employees of any bodies corporate in which it has a substantial investment pursuant to section 453. |
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No pressure |
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(5) No company shall exercise pressure on a borrower to place insurance for the security of the company in any particular insurance company, but a company may require that an insurance |
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company chosen by a borrower meet with its approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. |
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Annuities |
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(6) For the purposes of this section, the business of insurance includes the issuance of any annuity where the liability thereon is contingent on the death of a person. |
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Restriction on leasing |
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417. A company shall not engage in Canada in any personal property leasing activity in which a financial leasing entity, within the meaning of subsection 449(1), is not permitted to engage. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 417; 2001, c. 9, s. 533. |
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Restriction on residential mortgages |
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418. (1) A company shall not make a loan in Canada on the security of residential property in Canada for the purpose of purchasing, renovating or improving that property, or refinance such a loan, if the amount of the loan, together with the amount then outstanding of any mortgage having an equal or prior claim against the property, would exceed 75 per cent of the value of the property at the time of the loan. |
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Exception |
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(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of |
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( a ) a loan made or guaranteed under the National Housing Act or any other Act of Parliament by or pursuant to which a different limit on the value of property on the security of which the company may make a loan is established; |
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( b ) a loan if repayment of the amount of the loan that exceeds the maximum amount set out in subsection (1) is guaranteed or insured by a government agency or a private insurer approved by the Superintendent; |
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( c ) the acquisition by the company from an entity of securities issued or guaranteed by the entity that are secured on any residential property, whether in favour of a trustee or otherwise, or the making of a loan by the company to the entity against the issue of such securities; or |
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( d ) a loan secured by a mortgage where |
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(i) the mortgage is taken back by the company on a property disposed of by the company, including where the disposition is by way of a realization of a security interest, and |
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(ii) the mortgage secures payment of an amount payable to the company for the property. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 418; 1997, c. 15, s. 377. |
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Policies re security interests |
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419. (1) The directors of a company shall establish and the company shall adhere to policies regarding the creation of security interests in property of the company to secure obligations of the company and the acquisition by the company of beneficial interests in property that is subject to security interests. |
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Order to amend policies |
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(2) The Superintendent may, by order, direct a company to amend its policies as specified in the order. |
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Compliance |
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(3) A company shall comply with an order made under subsection (2) within the time specified in the order. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 419; 1999, c. 31, s. 219(E); 2001, c. 9, s. 534. |
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Regulations and guidelines |
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419.1 The Governor in Council may make regulations and the Superintendent may make guidelines respecting the creation by a company of security interests in its property to secure obligations of the company and the acquisition by the company of beneficial interests in property that is subject to security interests. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 534. |
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Exception |
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419.2 Sections 419 and 419.1 do not apply in respect of a security interest created by a company to secure an obligation of the company to the Bank of Canada or the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 534. |
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Restriction on receivers |
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420. A company shall not grant to a person the right to appoint a receiver or a receiver and manager of the property or business of the company. |
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Restriction on partnerships |
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421. (1) Except with the approval of the Superintendent, a company may not be a general partner in a limited partnership or a partner in a general partnership. |
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Meaning of general partnership |
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(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), general partnership means any partnership other than a limited partnership. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 421; 2001, c. 9, s. 535. |
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Fiduciary Activities |
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Separate and distinct |
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422. (1) A company shall keep money and other assets acquired or held in trust by the company separate and distinct from its own assets and shall keep a separate account for each trust. |
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Common trust fund |
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(2) Unless the instrument creating a trust otherwise provides, a company may invest money it holds in trust in one or more common trust funds. |
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Deposit Acceptance |
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Deposit acceptance |
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423. (1) A company may, without the intervention of any other person, |
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( a ) accept a deposit from any person whether or not the person is qualified by law to enter into contracts; and |
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( b ) pay all or part of the principal of the deposit and all or part of the interest thereon to or to the order of that person. |
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Exception |
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(2) Paragraph (1)( b ) does not apply if, before payment, the money deposited in the company pursuant to paragraph (1)( a ) is claimed by some other person |
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( a ) in any action or proceeding to which the company is a party and in respect of which service of a writ or other process originating that action or proceeding has been made on the company, or |
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( b ) in any other action or proceeding pursuant to which an injunction or order made by the court requiring the company not to make payment of that money or make payment thereof to some person other than the depositor has been served on the company, |
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and, in the case of any such claim so made, the money so deposited may be paid to the depositor with the consent of the claimant or to the claimant with the consent of the depositor. |
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Guaranteed trust money |
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(3) A company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2) shall accept deposits only as guaranteed trust money. |
Profit |
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(4) Notwithstanding subsection (3), a company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2) that accepts deposits may retain the interest and profit resulting from the investment thereof in excess of the amount of interest payable to its depositors in respect thereof. |
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Assets to be identified |
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(5) Where a company that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2) accepts deposits, the company shall identify on its books assets to be held in respect thereof equal to the aggregate amount of the deposits. |
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Execution of trust |
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(6) A company is not bound to see to the execution of any trust to which any deposit made under the authority of this Act is subject, other than a trust of which the company is a trustee. |
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Payment when company has notice of trust |
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(7) Subsection (6) applies regardless of whether the trust is express or arises by the operation of law, and it applies even when the company has notice of the trust if it acts on the order of or under the authority of the holder or holders of the account into which the deposit is made. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 423; 2001, c. 9, s. 536. |
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Unclaimed Balances |
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Unclaimed balances |
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424. (1) Where |
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( a ) a deposit has been made in Canada that is payable in Canada in Canadian currency and in respect of which no transaction has taken place and no statement of account has been requested or acknowledged by the creditor during a period of ten years |
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(i) in the case of a deposit made for a fixed period, from the day on which the fixed period terminated, and |
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(ii) in the case of any other deposit, from the day on which the last transaction took place or a statement of account was last requested or acknowledged by the creditor, whichever is later, or |
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( b ) a cheque, draft or bill of exchange (including any such instrument drawn by one branch of a company on another branch of the company but not including such an instrument issued in payment of a dividend on the capital of a company) payable in Canada in Canadian currency has been issued, certified or accepted by a company in Canada and no payment has been made in respect thereof for a period of ten years after the date of issue, certification, acceptance or maturity, whichever is later, |
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the company shall pay to the Bank of Canada not later than December 31 in each year an amount equal to the principal amount of the deposit or instrument, plus interest, if any, calculated in accordance with the terms of the deposit or instrument, and payment accordingly discharges the company from all liability in respect of the deposit or instrument. |
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Particulars |
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(2) A company shall, on making a payment pursuant to subsection (1), provide the Bank of Canada, for each deposit or instrument in respect of which the payment is made, with all the particulars of the deposit or instrument listed in subsection 496(3) or 497(2), as the case may be, current as of the day the payment is made. |
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Payment to claimant |
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(3) Subject to section 22 of the Bank of Canada Act , where payment has been made to the Bank of Canada under subsection (1) in respect of any deposit or instrument, and if payment is demanded or the instrument is presented at the Bank of Canada by the person who, but for that section, would be entitled to receive payment of the deposit or instrument, the Bank of Canada is liable to pay, at its agency in the province in which the deposit or instrument was payable, an amount equal to the amount so paid to it together with interest, if interest was payable under the terms of the deposit or |
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instrument, |
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( a ) for a period not exceeding ten years from the day on which the payment was received by the Bank of Canada until the date of payment to the claimant; and |
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( b ) at such rate and computed in such manner as the Minister determines. |
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Enforcing liability |
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(4) The liability of the Bank of Canada under subsection (3) may be enforced by action against the Bank of Canada in the court in the province in which the deposit or instrument was payable. |
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Application of subsection (1) |
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(5) Subsection (1) applies only in respect of deposits made, and cheques, drafts and bills of exchange issued, certified or accepted after May 31, 1990. |
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Application |
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(6) This section shall not apply until the day that is eight years after the day on which this section comes into force. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 424; 1993, c. 34, s. 127. |
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Notice of unpaid amount |
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425. (1) A company shall mail to each person, in so far as is known to the company, |
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( a ) to whom a deposit referred to in paragraph 424(1)( a ) is payable, or |
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( b ) to whom or at whose request an instrument referred to in paragraph 424(1)( b ) was issued, certified or accepted, |
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at the persons recorded address, a notice stating that the deposit or instrument remains unpaid. |
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When notice to be given |
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(2) A notice required by subsection (1) shall be given during the month of January next following the end of the first two year period, and also during the month of January next following the end of the first five year period, |
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( a ) in the case of a deposit made for a fixed period, after the fixed period has terminated; |
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( b ) in the case of any other deposit, in respect of which no transaction has taken place and no statement of account has been requested or acknowledged by the creditor; and |
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( c ) in the case of a cheque, draft or bill of exchange, in respect of which the instrument has remained unpaid. |
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Accounts |
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Definitions |
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425.1 The following definitions apply in this section and in sections 431 to 434, 444.1 and 444.3. |
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member company
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member company means a company that is a member institution as defined in section 2 of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act . |
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personal deposit account
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personal deposit account means a deposit account in the name of one or more natural persons that is kept by that person or those persons for a purpose other than that of carrying on business. |
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retail deposit account
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retail deposit account means a personal deposit account that is opened with a deposit of less than $150,000 or any greater amount that may be prescribed.
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2001, c. 9, s. 538. |
Account charges |
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426. A company shall not, directly or indirectly, charge or receive any sum for the keeping of an account unless the charge is made by express agreement between the company and a customer or by order of a court. |
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Disclosure on opening account |
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427. (1) A company shall not, after the day that is six months after the coming into force of this Part, open or maintain an interest-bearing deposit account in Canada in the name of any natural person unless the company discloses, in accordance with the regulations, to the person who requests the company to open the account, the rate of interest applicable to the account and how the amount of interest to be paid is to be calculated. |
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Exception |
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(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of an interest-bearing deposit account that is opened with a deposit in excess of $150,000 or any greater amount that may be prescribed. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 427; 2001, c. 9, s. 539. |
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Disclosure in advertisements |
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428. No person shall authorize the publication, issue or appearance of any advertisement in Canada that indicates the rate of interest offered by a company on an interest-bearing deposit or a debt obligation unless the advertisement discloses, in accordance with the regulations, how the amount of interest is to be calculated. |
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Disclosure regulations |
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429. The Governor in Council may make regulations respecting |
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( a ) the manner in which and the time at which disclosure is to be made by a company of |
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(i) interest rates applicable to debts of the company and deposits with the company, and |
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(ii) the manner in which the amount of interest paid is to be calculated; |
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( b ) the manner in which any charges for the keeping of an account are to be disclosed by a company to its customers and when the disclosure is to be made; and |
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( c ) such other matters or things as may be necessary to carry out the requirements of sections 426 to 428. |
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430. [Repealed, 2001, c. 9, s. 540] |
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Disclosure required on opening a deposit account |
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431. (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (4), a company shall not open a deposit account in the name of a customer unless, at or before the time the account is opened, the company provides in writing to the individual who requests the opening of the account |
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( a ) a copy of the account agreement with the company; |
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( b ) information about all charges applicable to the account; |
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( c ) information about how the customer will be notified of any increase in those charges and of any new charges applicable to the account; |
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( d ) information about the companys procedures relating to complaints about the application of any charge applicable to the account; and |
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( e ) such other information as may be prescribed. |
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Exception |
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(2) If a deposit account is not a personal deposit account and the amount of a charge applicable to the account cannot be established at or before the time the account is opened, the company shall, as soon as is practicable after the amount is established, provide the customer in whose name the account is kept with a notice in writing of the amount of the charge. |
Exception |
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(3) If a company has a deposit account in the name of a customer and the customer by telephone requests the opening of another deposit account in the name of the customer and the company has not complied with subsection (1) in respect of the opening of that other account, the company shall not open the account unless it provides the customer orally with any information prescribed at or before the time the account is opened. |
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Disclosure in writing |
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(4) If a company opens an account under subsection (3), it shall, not later than seven business days after the account is opened, provide to the customer in writing the agreement and information referred to in subsection (1). |
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Right to close account |
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(5) A customer may, within 14 business days after a deposit account is opened under subsection (3), close the account without charge and in such case is entitled to a refund of any charges related to the operation of the account, other than interest charges, incurred while the account was open. |
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Regulations |
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(6) For the purposes of subsection (4), the Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing circumstances in which, and the time when, the agreement and information will be deemed to have been provided to the customer. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 431; 1997, c. 15, s. 378; 2001, c. 9, s. 541. |
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Disclosure of charges |
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432. A company shall disclose, in the prescribed manner and at the prescribed time, to its customers and to the public, the charges applicable to deposit accounts with the company and the usual amount, if any, charged by the company for services normally provided by the company to its customers and to the public. |
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No increase or new charges without disclosure |
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433. (1) A company shall not increase any charge applicable to a personal deposit account with the company or introduce any new charge applicable to a personal deposit account with the company unless the company discloses the charge in the prescribed manner and at the prescribed time to the customer in whose name the account is kept. |
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Idem |
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(2) With respect to such services in relation to deposit accounts, other than personal deposit accounts, as are prescribed, a company shall not increase any charge for any such service in relation to a deposit account with the company or introduce any new charge for any such service in relation to a deposit account with the company unless the company discloses the charge in the prescribed manner and at the prescribed time to the customer in whose name the account is kept. |
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Application |
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434. Sections 431 to 433 apply only in respect of charges applicable to deposit accounts with the company in Canada and services provided by the company in Canada. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 434; 2001, c. 9, s. 542. |
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Borrowing Costs |
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Definition of cost of borrowing |
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435. For the purposes of this section and sections 435.1 to 442, cost of borrowing means, in respect of a loan made by a company, |
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( a ) the interest or discount applicable to the loan; |
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( b ) any amount charged in connection with the loan that is payable by the borrower to the company; and |
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( c ) any charge prescribed to be included in the cost of borrowing. |
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For those purposes, however, cost of borrowing does not include any charge prescribed to be |
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excluded from the cost of borrowing. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 435; 1997, c. 15, s. 379; 2001, c. 9, s. 543. |
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Rebate of borrowing costs |
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435.1 (1) Where a company makes a loan in respect of which the disclosure requirements of section 436 apply and the loan is not secured by a mortgage on real property and is required to be repaid either on a fixed future date or by instalments, the company shall, if there is a prepayment of the loan, rebate to the borrower a portion of the charges included in the cost of borrowing in respect of the loan. |
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Exception |
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(2) The charges to be rebated do not include the interest or discount applicable to the loan. |
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Regulations |
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(3) The Governor in Council may make regulations governing the rebate of charges under subsection (1). The rebate shall be made in accordance with those regulations. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 379. |
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Disclosing borrowing costs |
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436. (1) A company shall not make a loan to a natural person that is repayable in Canada unless the cost of borrowing, as calculated and expressed in accordance with section 437, and other prescribed information have in the prescribed manner and at the prescribed time been disclosed by the company to the borrower. |
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Non-application |
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(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a loan that is of a prescribed class of loans. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 436; 1997, c. 15, s. 379. |
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Calculating borrowing costs |
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437. The cost of borrowing shall be calculated, in the prescribed manner, on the basis that all obligations of the borrower are duly fulfilled and shall be expressed as a rate per annum and, in prescribed circumstances, as an amount in dollars and cents. |
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Additional disclosure |
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438. (1) Where a company makes a loan in respect of which the disclosure requirements of section 436 are applicable and the loan is required to be repaid either on a fixed future date or by instalments, the company shall disclose to the borrower, in accordance with the regulations, |
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( a ) whether the borrower has the right to repay the amount borrowed before the maturity of the loan and, if applicable, |
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(i) any terms and conditions relating to that right, including the particulars of the circumstances in which the borrower may exercise that right, and |
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(ii) whether, in the event that the borrower exercises the right, any portion of the cost of borrowing is to be rebated, the manner in which any such rebate is to be calculated or, if a charge or penalty will be imposed on the borrower, the manner in which the charge or penalty is to be calculated; |
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( b ) in the event that an amount borrowed is not repaid at maturity or, if applicable, an instalment is not paid on the day the instalment is due to be paid, particulars of the charges or penalties to be paid by the borrower because of the failure to repay or pay in accordance with the contract governing the loan; |
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( c ) at such time and in such manner as may be prescribed, any changes respecting the cost of borrowing or the loan agreement as may be prescribed; |
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( d ) particulars of any other rights and obligations of the borrower; and |
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( e ) any other prescribed information, at such time and in such form and manner as may be prescribed. |
Disclosure in credit card applications |
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(1.1) A company shall, in accordance with the regulations, at such time and in such manner as may be prescribed, provide prescribed information in any application forms or related documents that it prepares for the issuance of credit, payment or charge cards and provide prescribed information to any person applying to it for a credit, payment or charge card. |
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Disclosure re credit cards |
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(2) Where a company issues or has issued a credit, payment or charge card to a natural person, the company shall, in addition to disclosing the costs of borrowing in respect of any loan obtained through the use of the card, disclose to the person, in accordance with the regulations, |
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( a ) any charges or penalties described in paragraph (1)( b ); |
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( b ) particulars of the persons rights and obligations; |
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( c ) any charges for which the person becomes responsible by accepting or using the card; |
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( d ) at such time and in such manner as may be prescribed, any changes respecting the cost of borrowing or the loan agreement as may be prescribed; and |
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( e ) any other prescribed information, at such time and in such form and manner as may be prescribed. |
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Additional disclosure re other loans |
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(3) Where a company enters into or has entered into an arrangement, including a line of credit, for the making of a loan in respect of which the disclosure requirements of section 436 apply and the loan is not a loan in respect of which subsection (1) or (2) applies, the company shall, in addition to disclosing the costs of borrowing, disclose to the person to whom the loan is made, in accordance with the regulations, |
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( a ) any charges or penalties described in paragraph (1)( b ); |
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( b ) particulars of the persons rights and obligations; |
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( c ) any charges for which the person is responsible under the arrangement; |
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( d ) at such time and in such manner as may be prescribed, any changes respecting the cost of borrowing under the arrangement as may be prescribed; and |
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( e ) any other prescribed information, at such time and in such form and manner as may be prescribed. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 438; 1997, c. 15, s. 380. |
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Renewal statement |
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438.1 If a company makes a loan in respect of which the disclosure requirements of section 436 apply and the loan is secured by a mortgage on real property, the company shall disclose to the borrower, at such time and in such manner as may be prescribed, such information as may be prescribed respecting the renewal of the loan. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 381. |
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Disclosure in advertising |
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439. No person shall authorize the publication, issue or appearance of any advertisement in Canada relating to arrangements referred to in subsection 438(3), loans, credit cards, payment cards or charge cards, offered to natural persons by a company, and purporting to disclose prescribed information about the cost of borrowing or about any other matter unless the advertisement contains such information as may be required by the regulations, in such form and manner as may be prescribed. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 439; 1997, c. 15, s. 381. |
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Regulations re borrowing costs |
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440. The Governor in Council may make regulations |
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( a ) respecting the manner in which, and the time at which, a company is to disclose to a borrower |
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(i) the cost of borrowing, |
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(ii) any rebate of the cost of borrowing, and |
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(iii) any other information relating to a loan, arrangement, credit card, payment card or charge card referred to in section 438; |
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( b ) respecting the contents of any statement disclosing the cost of borrowing and other information required to be disclosed by a company to a borrower; |
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( c ) respecting the manner of calculating the cost of borrowing; |
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( d ) respecting the circumstances under which the cost of borrowing is to be expressed as an amount in dollars and cents; |
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( e ) specifying any class of loans that are not to be subject to section 435.1, subsection 436(1) or 438(1) or (3) or section 438.1 or 439 or the regulations or any specified provisions of the regulations; |
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( f ) respecting the manner in which and the time at which any rights, obligations, charges or penalties referred to in sections 435.1 to 439 are to be disclosed; |
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( g ) prohibiting the imposition of any charge or penalty referred to in section 438 or providing that the charge or penalty, if imposed, will not exceed a prescribed amount; |
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( h ) respecting the nature or amount of any charge or penalty referred to in paragraph 438(1)( b ), (2)( a ) or (3)( a ) and the costs of the company that may be included or excluded in the determination of the charge or penalty; |
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( i ) respecting the method of calculating the amount of rebate of the cost of borrowing, or the portion of the cost of borrowing referred to in subparagraph 438(1)( a )(ii); |
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( j ) respecting advertisements made by a company regarding arrangements referred to in subsection 438(3), loans, credit cards, payment cards or charge cards; |
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( k ) respecting the renewal of loans; and |
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( l ) respecting such other matters or things as are necessary to carry out the purposes of sections 435.1 to 439. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 440; 1997, c. 15, s. 381. |
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Complaints |
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Procedures for dealing with complaints |
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441. (1) A company shall |
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( a ) establish procedures for dealing with complaints made by persons having requested or received products or services in Canada from the company; |
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( b ) designate an officer or employee of the company to be responsible for implementing those procedures; and |
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( c ) designate one or more officers or employees of the company to receive and deal with those complaints. |
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Procedures to be filed with Commissioner |
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(2) A company shall file with the Commissioner a copy of its procedures established under paragraph (1)( a ). |
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1991, c. 45, s. 441; 1997, c. 15, s. 382; 2001, c. 9, s. 545. |
Obligation to be member of complaints body |
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441.1 In any province, if there is no law of the province that makes a company subject to the jurisdiction of an organization that deals with complaints made by persons having requested or received products or services in the province from a company, the company shall be a member of an organization that is not controlled by it and that deals with those complaints that have not been resolved to the satisfaction of the persons under procedures established by companies under paragraph 441(1)( a ). |
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2001, c. 9, s. 546. |
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Information on contacting Agency |
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442. (1) A company shall, in the prescribed manner, provide a person requesting or receiving a product or service from it with prescribed information on how to contact the Agency if the person has a complaint about a deposit account, an arrangement referred to in subsection 438(3), a payment, credit or charge card, the disclosure of or manner of calculating the cost of borrowing in respect of a loan or about any other obligation of the company under a consumer provision. |
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Report |
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(2) The Commissioner shall prepare a report, to be included in the report referred to in section 34 of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act , respecting |
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( a ) procedures for dealing with complaints established by companies pursuant to paragraph 441(1)( a ); and |
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( b ) the number and nature of complaints that have been brought to the attention of the Agency by persons who have requested or received a product or service from a company. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 442; 1997, c. 15, s. 383; 2001, c. 9, s. 547. |
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MISCELLANEOUS |
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Prepayment protected |
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443. (1) A company shall not make a loan to a natural person that is repayable in Canada, the terms of which prohibit prepayment of the money advanced or any instalment thereon before its due date. |
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Minimum balance |
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(2) Except by express agreement between the company and the borrower, the making in Canada of a loan or advance by a company to a borrower shall not be subject to a condition that the borrower maintain a minimum credit balance with the company. |
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Non-application of subsection (1) |
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(3) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a loan |
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( a ) that is secured by a mortgage on real property; or |
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( b ) that is made for business purposes and the principal amount of which is more than $100,000 or such other amount as may be prescribed. |
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Government cheques |
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(4) A company shall not make a charge |
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( a ) for cashing a cheque or other instrument drawn on the Receiver General or on the Receiver Generals account in the Bank of Canada, in a company or in any other deposit-taking Canadian financial institution incorporated by or under an Act of Parliament; |
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( b ) for cashing any other instrument issued as authority for the payment of money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund; or |
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( c ) in respect of any cheque or other instrument that is |
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(i) drawn in favour of the Receiver General, the Government of Canada or any department thereof or any public officer acting in the capacity of a public officer, and |
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(ii) tendered for deposit to the credit of the Receiver General. |
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Deposits of Government of Canada |
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(5) Nothing in subsection (4) precludes any arrangement between the Government of Canada and a company concerning |
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( a ) compensation for services performed by the company for the Government of Canada; or |
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( b ) interest to be paid on any or all deposits of the Government of Canada with the company. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 443; 1997, c. 15, s. 384. |
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Regulations re customer information |
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444. The Governor in Council may make regulations |
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( a ) requiring a company to establish procedures regarding the collection, retention, use and disclosure of any information about its customers or any class of customers; |
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( b ) requiring a company to establish procedures for dealing with complaints made by a customer about the collection, retention, use or disclosure of information about the customer; |
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( c ) respecting the disclosure by a company of information relating to the procedures referred to in paragraphs ( a ) and ( b ); |
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( d ) requiring a company to designate the officers and employees of the company who are responsible for |
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(i) implementing the procedures referred to in paragraph ( b ), and |
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(ii) receiving and dealing with complaints made by a customer of the company about the collection, retention, use or disclosure of information about the customer; |
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( e ) requiring a company to report information relating to |
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(i) complaints made by customers of the company about the collection, retention, use or disclosure of information, and |
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(ii) the actions taken by the company to deal with the complaints; and |
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( f ) defining information, collection and retention for the purposes of paragraphs ( a ) to ( e ) and the regulations made under those paragraphs. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 444; 1997, c. 15, s. 385. |
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Notice of branch closure |
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444.1 (1) Subject to regulations made under subsection (5), a member company with a branch in Canada at which it, through a natural person, opens retail deposit accounts and disburses cash to customers, shall give notice in accordance with those regulations before closing that branch or having it cease to carry on either of those activities. |
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Pre-closure meeting |
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(2) After notice is given but before the branch is closed or ceases to carry on the activities, the Commissioner may, in prescribed situations, require the company to convene and hold a meeting between representatives of the company, representatives of the Agency and interested parties in the vicinity of the branch in order to exchange views about the closing or cessation of activities. |
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Meeting details |
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(3) The Commissioner may establish rules for convening a meeting referred to in subsection (2) and for its conduct. |
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Not statutory instruments |
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(4) The Statutory Instruments Act does not apply in respect of rules established under subsection (3). |
Regulations |
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(5) The Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing |
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( a ) the manner and time, which may vary according to circumstances specified in the regulation, in which notice shall be given under subsection (1), to whom it shall be given and the information to be included; |
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( b ) circumstances in which a member company is not required to give notice under subsection (1), circumstances in which the Commissioner may exempt a member company from the requirement to give notice under that subsection, and circumstances in which the Commissioner may vary the manner and time in which notice is required to be given under any regulation made under paragraph ( a ); and |
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( c ) circumstances in which a meeting may be convened under subsection (2). |
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2001, c. 9, s. 548. |
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Public accountability statements |
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444.2 (1) A company with equity of $1 billion or more shall, in accordance with regulations made under subsection (4), annually publish a statement describing the contribution of the company and its prescribed affiliates to the Canadian economy and society. |
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Filing |
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(2) A company shall, in the manner and at the time prescribed, file a copy of the statement with the Commissioner. |
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Provision of statement to public |
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(3) A company shall, in the manner and at the time prescribed, disclose the statement to its customers and to the public. |
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Regulations |
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(4) The Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing |
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( a ) the name, contents and form of a statement referred to in subsection (1) and the time in which it must be prepared; |
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( b ) affiliates of a company referred to in subsection (1); |
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( c ) the manner and time in which a statement must be filed under subsection (2); and |
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( d ) the manner and time in which a statement mentioned in subsection (3) is to be disclosed, respectively, to a companys customers and to the public. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 548. |
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Regulations re disclosure |
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444.3 The Governor in Council may, subject to any other provisions of this Act relating to the disclosure of information, make regulations respecting the disclosure of information by companies or any prescribed class of companies, including regulations respecting |
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( a ) the information that must be disclosed, including information relating to |
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(i) any product or service or prescribed class of products or services offered by them, |
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(ii) any of their policies, procedures or practices relating to the offer by them of any product or service or prescribed class of products or services, |
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(iii) anything they are required to do or to refrain from doing under a consumer provision, and |
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(iv) any other matter that may affect their dealings with customers or the public; |
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( b ) the manner, place and time in which, and the persons to whom information is to be disclosed; and |
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( c ) the content and form of any advertisement by companies or any prescribed class of companies relating to any matter referred to in paragraph ( a ). |
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2001, c. 9, s. 548. |
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Bank Act security |
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445. A bank that is continued as a company under this Act that, immediately before that continuance, held any outstanding security pursuant to section 426 or 427 of the Bank Act may continue to hold the security for the life of the loan to which the security relates and all the provisions of the Bank Act relating to the security and its enforcement continue to apply to the company as though it were a bank. |
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1991, c. 45, ss. 445, 559. |
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Transmission in case of death |
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446. (1) Where the transmission of a debt owing by a company by reason of a deposit, of property held by a company as security or for safe-keeping or of rights with respect to a safety deposit box and property deposited therein takes place because of the death of a person, the delivery to the company of |
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( a ) an affidavit or declaration in writing in form satisfactory to the company signed by or on behalf of a person claiming by virtue of the transmission stating the nature and effect of the transmission, and |
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( b ) one of the following documents, namely, |
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(i) when the claim is based on a will or other testamentary instrument or on a grant of probate thereof or on such a grant and letters testamentary or other document of like import or on a grant of letters of administration or other document of like import, purporting to be issued by any court of authority in Canada or elsewhere, an authenticated copy or certificate thereof under the seal of the court or authority without proof of the authenticity of the seal or other proof, or |
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(ii) when the claim is based on a notarial will, an authenticated copy thereof, |
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is sufficient justification and authority for giving effect to the transmission in accordance with the claim. |
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Idem |
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(2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall be construed to prevent a company from refusing to give effect to a transmission until there has been delivered to the company such documentary or other evidence of or in connection with the transmission as it may deem requisite. |
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Branch of account with respect to deposits |
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447. (1) For the purposes of this Act, the branch of account with respect to a deposit account is |
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( a ) the branch the address or name of which appears on the specimen signature card or other signing authority signed by a depositor with respect to the deposit account or that is designated by agreement between the company and the depositor at the time of opening of the deposit account; or |
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( b ) if no branch has been identified or agreed on as provided in paragraph ( a ), the branch that is designated as the branch of account with respect thereto by the company by notice in writing to the depositor. |
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Where debt payable |
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(2) The amount of any debt owing by a company by reason of a deposit in a deposit account in the company is payable to the person entitled thereto only at the branch of account and the person entitled thereto is not entitled to demand payment or to be paid at any other branch of the company. |
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Idem |
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(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), a company may permit, either occasionally or as a regular practice, the person to whom the company is indebted by reason of a deposit in a deposit account in |
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the company to withdraw moneys owing by reason of that deposit at a branch of the company other than the branch of account or to draw cheques or other orders for the payment of such moneys at a branch other than the branch of account. |
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Situs of indebtedness |
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(4) The indebtedness of a company by reason of a deposit in a deposit account in the company shall be deemed for all purposes to be situated at the place where the branch of account is situated. |
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Effect of writ, etc. |
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448. (1) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), the following documents are binding on property belonging to a person and in the possession of a company, or on money owing to a person by reason of a deposit account in a company, only if the document or a notice of it is served at the branch of the company that has possession of the property or that is the branch of account in respect of the deposit account, as the case may be: |
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( a ) a writ or process originating a legal proceeding or issued in or pursuant to a legal proceeding; |
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( b ) an order or injunction made by a court; |
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( c ) an instrument purporting to assign, perfect or otherwise dispose of an interest in the property or the deposit account; or |
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( d ) an enforcement notice in respect of a support order or support provision. |
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Notices |
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(2) Any notification sent to a company with respect to a customer of the company, other than a document referred to in subsection (1) or (3), constitutes notice to the company and fixes the company with knowledge of its contents only if sent to and received at the branch of the company that is the branch of account of an account held in the name of that customer. |
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Notices: Minister of National Revenue |
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(2.1) Despite subsections (1) and (2), a notice, demand, order or other document issued with respect to a customer of a company constitutes notice to the company and fixes the company with knowledge of its contents and, where applicable, is binding on property belonging to the customer and in the possession of the company or on money owing to the customer by reason of an account in the company, if it is sent to the branch of the company referred to in subsection (1) or (2), an office of the company referred to in paragraph (3)( a ) or any other office agreed to by the company and the Minister of National Revenue and it relates to |
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( a ) the administration of an Act of Parliament by the Minister of National Revenue; or |
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( b ) the administration of an Act of the legislature of a province or legislation made by an aboriginal government, where the Minister or the Minister of National Revenue has entered into a tax collection agreement under an Act of Parliament with the government of the province or the aboriginal government. |
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Exception |
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(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in respect of an enforcement notice in respect of a support order or support provision if |
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( a ) the enforcement notice, accompanied by a written statement containing the information required by the regulations, is served at an office of a company designated in accordance with the regulations in respect of a province; and |
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( b ) the order or provision can be enforced under the laws of that province. |
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Time of application |
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(4) Subsection (3) does not apply in respect of an enforcement notice in respect of a support order or support provision until the second business day following the day of service referred to in that subsection. |
Regulations |
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(5) The Governor in Council may make regulations |
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( a ) respecting the designation by a company of a place, for the purpose of subsection (3), in any province for the service of enforcement notices in respect of support orders and support provisions; |
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( b ) prescribing the manner in which a company shall publicize the locations of designated offices of the company; and |
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( c ) respecting the information that must accompany enforcement notices in respect of support orders and support provisions. |
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Definitions |
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(6) The following definitions apply in this section. |
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designated office
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designated office means a place designated in accordance with regulations made for the purpose of subsection (3). |
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enforcement notice
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enforcement notice, in respect of a support order or support provision, means a garnishee summons or other instrument issued under the laws of a province for the enforcement of the support order or support provision. |
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support order
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support order means an order or judgment or interim order or judgment for family financial support. |
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support provision
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support provision means a provision of an agreement relating to the payment of maintenance or family financial support. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 448; 2001, c. 9, s. 549; 2005, c. 19, s. 64. |
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PART IX |
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INVESTMENTS |
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DEFINITIONS AND APPLICATION |
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Definitions |
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449. (1) The following definitions apply in this Part. |
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commercial loan
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commercial loan means |
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( a ) any loan made or acquired by a company, other than |
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(i) a loan to a natural person in an amount of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars or less, |
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(ii) a loan to the Government of Canada, the government of a province, a municipality, or to any agency thereof, or to the government of a foreign country or any political subdivision thereof, or any agency thereof, or to a prescribed international agency, |
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(iii) a loan that is guaranteed by, or fully secured by securities issued by, a government, a municipality or an agency referred to in subparagraph (ii), |
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(iv) a loan that is secured by a mortgage on real property, where |
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(A) the mortgage is on residential property and the amount of the loan, together with the amount then outstanding of any mortgage having an equal or prior claim against the property, does not exceed 75% of the value of the property at the time the loan is made or |
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acquired, or |
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(B) the mortgage is on real property other than residential property and |
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(I) the amount of the loan, together with the amount then outstanding of any mortgage having an equal or prior claim against the property, does not exceed 75% of the value of the property at the time the loan is made or acquired, and |
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(II) at the time the loan is made or acquired, the property provides an annual income sufficient to pay all annual expenses related to the property, including the payments owing under the mortgage and the mortgages having an equal or prior claim against the property, |
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(v) a loan that is secured by a mortgage on real property, where |
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(A) the mortgage is on residential property and |
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(I) the amount of the loan, together with the amount then outstanding of any mortgage having an equal or prior claim against the property, exceeds 75% of the value of the property at the time the loan is made or acquired, and |
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(II) repayment of the amount of the loan that exceeds 75% of the value of the property is guaranteed or insured by a government agency or private insurer approved by the Superintendent, |
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(B) the mortgage is on real property other than residential property and |
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(I) the amount of the loan, together with the amount then outstanding of any mortgage having an equal or prior claim against the property, exceeds 75% of the value of the property at the time the loan is made or acquired, |
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(II) repayment of the amount of the loan that exceeds 75% of the value of the property is guaranteed or insured by a government agency or private insurer approved by the Superintendent, and |
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(III) at the time the loan is made or acquired, the property provides an annual income sufficient to pay all annual expenses related to the property, including the payments owing under the mortgage and the mortgages having an equal or prior claim against the property, or |
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(C) the loan is one referred to in paragraph 418(2)( d ), |
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(vi) a loan that |
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(A) consists of a deposit made by the company with another financial institution, |
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(B) is fully secured by a deposit with any financial institution, including the company, |
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(C) is fully secured by debt obligations guaranteed by any financial institution other than the company, or |
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(D) is fully secured by a guarantee of a financial institution other than the company, or |
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(vii) a loan to an entity controlled by the company; |
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( b ) an investment in debt obligations, other than |
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(i) debt obligations that are |
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(A) guaranteed by any financial institution other than the company, |
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(B) fully secured by deposits with any financial institution, including the company, or |
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(C) fully secured by debt obligations that are guaranteed by any financial institution other |
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than the company, |
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(ii) debt obligations issued by the Government of Canada, the government of a province, a municipality, or by any agency thereof, or by the government of a foreign country or any political subdivision thereof, or by any agency thereof, or by a prescribed international agency, |
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(iii) debt obligations that are guaranteed by, or fully secured by securities issued by, a government, a municipality or an agency referred to in subparagraph (ii), |
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(iv) debt obligations that are widely distributed, as that expression is defined by the regulations, or |
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(v) debt obligations of an entity controlled by the company; and |
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( c ) an investment in shares of a body corporate or ownership interests in an unincorporated entity, other than |
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(i) shares or ownership interests that are widely distributed, as that expression is defined by the regulations, |
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(ii) shares or ownership interests of an entity controlled by the company, or |
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(iii) participating shares. |
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factoring entity
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factoring entity means a factoring entity as defined in the regulations. |
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finance entity
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finance entity means a finance entity as defined in the regulations. |
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financial leasing entity
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financial leasing entity means an entity
( a ) the activities of which are limited to the financial leasing of personal property and such related activities as are prescribed and whose activities conform to such restrictions and limitations thereon as are prescribed; and |
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( b ) that, in conducting the activities referred to in paragraph ( a ) in Canada, does not |
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(i) direct its customers or potential customers to particular dealers in the leased property or the property to be leased, |
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(ii) enter into lease agreements with persons in respect of any motor vehicle having a gross vehicle weight, as that expression is defined by the regulations, of less than twenty-one tonnes, or |
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(iii) enter into lease agreements with natural persons in respect of personal household property, as that expression is defined by the regulations. |
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loan
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loan includes an acceptance, endorsement or other guarantee, a deposit, a financial lease, a conditional sales contract, a repurchase agreement and any other similar arrangement for obtaining funds or credit but does not include investments in securities. |
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motor vehicle
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motor vehicle means a motorized vehicle designed to be used primarily on a public highway for the transportation of persons or things, but does not include |
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( a ) a fire-engine, bus, ambulance or utility truck; or |
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( b ) any other special purpose motorized vehicle that contains significant special features that |
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make it suitable for a specific purpose. |
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mutual fund distribution entity
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mutual fund distribution entity means an entity whose principal activity is acting as a selling agent of units, shares or other interests in a mutual fund and acting as a collecting agent in the collection of payments for any such interests if |
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( a ) the proceeds of the sales of any such interests, less any sales commissions and service fees, are paid to the mutual fund; and |
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( b ) the existence of a sales commission and service fee in respect of the sale of any such interest is disclosed to the purchaser of the interest before the purchase of the interest. |
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mutual fund entity
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mutual fund entity means an entity
( a ) whose activities are limited to the investing of the funds of the entity so as to provide investment diversification and professional investment management to the holders of its securities; and |
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( b ) whose securities entitle their holders to receive, on demand, or within a specified period after demand, an amount computed by reference to the value of a proportionate interest in the whole or in a part of its net assets, including a separate fund or trust account of the entity. |
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participating share
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participating share means a share of a body corporate that carries the right to participate in the earnings of the body corporate to an unlimited degree and to participate in a distribution of the remaining property of the body corporate on dissolution. |
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permitted entity
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permitted entity means an entity in which a company is permitted to acquire a substantial investment under section 453. |
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prescribed subsidiary
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prescribed subsidiary means a subsidiary that is one of a prescribed class of subsidiaries. |
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specialized financing entity
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specialized financing entity means a specialized financing entity as defined in the regulations. |
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Members of a companys group |
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(2) For the purpose of this Part, a member of a companys group is any of the following: |
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( a ) an entity referred to in any of paragraphs 453(1)( a ) to ( f ) that controls the company; |
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( b ) a subsidiary of the company or of an entity referred to in any of paragraphs 453(1)( a ) to ( f ) that controls the company; |
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( c ) an entity in which the company, or an entity referred to in any of paragraphs 453(1)( a ) to ( f ) that controls the company, has a substantial investment; or |
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( d ) a prescribed entity in relation to the company. |
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Non-application of Part |
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(3) This Part does not apply in respect of |
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( a ) money or other assets held in trust by a company, other than guaranteed trust money and assets held in respect thereof; |
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( b ) the holding of a security interest in real property, unless the security interest is prescribed pursuant to paragraph 467( a ) to be an interest in real property; or |
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( c ) the holding of a security interest in securities of an entity. |
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(v) any prescribed person, if it is doing so under prescribed terms and conditions, if any are prescribed; |
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( d ) engaging in any activity that a company is permitted to engage in, other than an activity referred to in paragraph ( a ) or ( e ), that relates to |
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(i) the promotion, sale, delivery or distribution of a financial product or financial service that is provided by the company or any member of the companys group, or |
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(ii) if a significant portion of the business of the entity involves an activity referred to in subparagraph (i), the promotion, sale, delivery or distribution of a financial product or financial service that is provided by any other entity that is primarily engaged in the business of providing financial services; |
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( e ) engaging in the activities referred to in the definition mutual fund entity or mutual fund distribution entity in subsection 449(1); and |
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( f ) engaging in prescribed activities, under prescribed terms and conditions, if any are prescribed. |
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Restriction |
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(3) A company may not acquire control of, or acquire or increase a substantial investment in, an entity whose business includes any activity referred to in any of paragraphs (2)( a ) to ( e ) if the entity engages in the business of accepting deposit liabilities or if the activities of the entity include |
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( a ) activities that a company is not permitted to engage in under any of sections 417 and 418; |
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( b ) dealing in securities, except as may be permitted under paragraph (2)( e ) or as may be permitted to a company under paragraph 409(2)( c ); |
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( c ) acting as an executor, administrator or official guardian or as a guardian, tutor, curator, judicial adviser or committee of a mentally incompetent person; |
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( d ) being a trustee for a trust; |
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( e ) activities that a company is not permitted to engage in under any regulation made under section 416 if the entity engages in the activities of a finance entity or of any other entity as may be prescribed; |
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( f ) acquiring control of or acquiring or holding a substantial investment in another entity unless |
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(i) in the case of an entity that is controlled by the company, the company itself would be permitted under this Part to acquire a substantial investment in the other entity, or |
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(ii) in the case of an entity that is not controlled by the company, the company itself would be permitted to acquire a substantial investment in the other entity under subsection (1) or (2) or 451(2), paragraph 451(3)( b ) or ( c ) or subsection 451(4); or |
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( g ) any prescribed activity. |
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Control |
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(4) Subject to subsection (8) and the regulations, a company may not acquire control of, or acquire or increase a substantial investment in, |
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( a ) an entity referred to in any of paragraphs (1)( a ) to ( j ), unless |
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(i) the company controls, within the meaning of paragraph 3(1)( d ), the entity, or would thereby acquire control, within the meaning of that paragraph, of the entity, or |
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(ii) the company is permitted by regulations made under paragraph 459( a ) to acquire or increase the substantial investment; |
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( b ) an entity whose business includes one or more of the activities referred to in paragraph (2)( a ) and that engages, as part of its business, in any financial intermediary activity that exposes the |
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entity to material market or credit risk, including a finance entity, a factoring entity and a financial leasing entity, unless |
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(i) the company controls, within the meaning of paragraph 3(1)( d ), the entity, or would thereby acquire control, within the meaning of that paragraph, of the entity, or |
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(ii) the company is permitted by regulations made under paragraph 459( a ) to acquire or increase the substantial investment; or |
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( c ) an entity whose business includes an activity referred to in paragraph (2)( b ), including a specialized financing entity, unless |
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(i) the company controls, within the meaning of paragraph 3(1)( d ), the entity, or would thereby acquire control, within the meaning of that paragraph, of the entity, |
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(ii) the company is permitted by regulations made under paragraph 459( a ) to acquire or increase the substantial investment, or |
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(iii) subject to prescribed terms and conditions, if any are prescribed, the activities of the entity do not include the acquisition or holding of control of, or the acquisition or holding of shares or other ownership interests in, an entity referred to in paragraph ( a ) or ( b ) or an entity that is not a permitted entity. |
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Ministers approval |
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(5) Subject to the regulations, a company may not, without the prior written approval of the Minister, |
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( a ) acquire control of an entity referred to in paragraphs (1)( g ) to ( i ) from a person who is not a member of the companys group; |
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( b ) acquire control of an entity referred to in paragraph (1)( j ) or (4)( b ), other than an entity whose activities are limited to the activities of one or more of the following entities, if the control is acquired from an entity referred to in any of paragraphs (1)( a ) to ( f ) that is not a member of the companys group: |
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(i) a factoring entity, or |
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(ii) a financial leasing entity; |
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( c ) acquire control of, or acquire or increase a substantial investment in, an entity whose business includes one or more of the activities referred to in paragraph (2)( d ); |
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( d ) acquire control of, or acquire or increase a substantial investment in, an entity that engages in an activity described in paragraph 410(1)( c ) or ( c .1); or |
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( e ) acquire control of, or acquire or increase a substantial investment in, an entity engaging in an activity prescribed for the purposes of paragraph (2)( f ). |
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Superintendents approval |
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(6) Subject to subsection (7) and the regulations, a company may not acquire control of, or acquire or increase a substantial investment in, an entity referred to in any of paragraphs (1)( g ) to ( j ) and (4)( b ) and ( c ) unless the company obtains the approval of the Superintendent. |
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Exception |
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(7) Subsection (6) does not apply in respect of a particular transaction if |
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( a ) the company is acquiring control of an entity whose business includes an activity referred to in paragraph (2)( b ), other than a specialized financing entity; |
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( b ) the company is acquiring control of an entity whose activities are limited to the activities of a factoring entity or a financial leasing entity; or |
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( c ) the Minister has approved the transaction under subsection (5) or is deemed to have |
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approved it under subsection 454(1). |
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Control not required |
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(8) A company need not control an entity referred to in paragraph (1)( j ), or an entity that is incorporated or formed otherwise than by or under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province, if the laws or customary business practices of the country under the laws of which the entity was incorporated or formed do not permit the company to control the entity. |
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Prohibition on giving up control in fact |
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(9) A company that, under subsection (4), controls an entity may not, without the prior written approval of the Minister, give up control, within the meaning of paragraph 3(1)( d ), of the entity while it continues to control the entity. |
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Giving up control |
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(10) A company that, under subsection (4), controls an entity may, with the prior written approval of the Superintendent, give up control of the entity while keeping a substantial investment in the entity if |
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( a ) the company is permitted to do so by regulations made under paragraph 459( c ); or |
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( b ) the entity meets the conditions referred to in subparagraph (4)( c )(iii). |
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Subsections do not apply |
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(11) If a company controls, within the meaning of paragraph 3(1)( a ), ( b ) or ( c ), an entity, subsections (5) and (6) do not apply in respect of any subsequent increases by the company of its substantial investment in the entity so long as the company continues to control the entity. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 453; 1997, c. 15, s. 388; 1999, c. 28, s. 141; 2001, c. 9, s. 550. |
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Approval for indirect investments |
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454. (1) If a company obtains the approval of the Minister under subsection 453(5) to acquire control of, or to acquire or increase a substantial investment in, an entity and, through that acquisition or increase, the company indirectly acquires control of, or acquires or increases a substantial investment in, another entity that would require the approval of the Minister under subsection 453(5) or the Superintendent under subsection 453(6) and that indirect acquisition or increase is disclosed to the Minister in writing before the approval is obtained, the company is deemed to have obtained the approval of the Minister or the Superintendent for that indirect acquisition or increase. |
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Approval for indirect investments |
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(2) If a company obtains the approval of the Superintendent under subsection 453(6) to acquire control of, or to acquire or increase a substantial investment in, an entity and, through that acquisition or increase the company indirectly acquires control of, or acquires or increases a substantial investment in, another entity that would require the approval of the Superintendent under that subsection and that indirect acquisition or increase is disclosed to the Superintendent in writing before the approval is obtained, the company is deemed to have obtained the approval of the Superintendent for that indirect acquisition or increase. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 454; 2001, c. 9, s. 550. |
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Undertakings |
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455. (1) If a company controls a permitted entity, other than an entity referred to in any of paragraphs 453(1) ( a ) to ( f ), the company shall provide the Superintendent with any undertakings that the Superintendent may require regarding |
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( a ) the activities of the entity; and |
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( b ) access to information about the entity. |
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Undertakings |
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(2) If a company acquires control of an entity referred to in any of paragraphs 453(1)( g ) to ( j ), the company shall provide the Superintendent with any undertakings concerning the entity that the |
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Superintendent may require. |
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Agreements with other jurisdictions |
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(3) The Superintendent may enter into an agreement with the appropriate official or public body responsible for the supervision of an entity referred to in any of paragraphs 453(1)( g ) to ( j ) in each province or in any other jurisdiction concerning any matters referred to in paragraphs (1)( a ) and ( b ) or any other matter the Superintendent considers appropriate. |
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Access to records |
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(4) Despite any other provision of this Part, a company shall not control a permitted entity, other than an entity referred to in any of paragraphs 453(1)( a ) to ( f ), unless, in the course of the acquisition of control or within a reasonable time after the control is acquired, the company obtains from the permitted entity an undertaking to provide the Superintendent with reasonable access to the records of the permitted entity. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 455; 2001, c. 9, s. 550. |
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EXCEPTIONS AND EXCLUSIONS |
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Temporary investments in entity |
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456. (1) Subject to subsection (4), a company may, by way of a temporary investment, acquire control of, or acquire or increase a substantial investment in, an entity but, within two years, or any other period that may be specified or approved by the Superintendent, after acquiring control or after acquiring or increasing the substantial investment, as the case may be, it shall do all things necessary to ensure that it no longer controls the entity or has a substantial investment in the entity. |
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Transitional |
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(2) Despite subsection (1), if a company that was in existence immediately before June 1, 1992 had an investment in an entity on September 27, 1990 that is a substantial investment within the meaning of section 10 and the company subsequently increases that substantial investment by way of a temporary investment, the company shall, within two years, or any other period that is specified or approved by the Superintendent, after increasing the substantial investment, do all things necessary to ensure that its substantial investment in the entity is no greater than it was on September 27, 1990. |
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Extension |
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(3) The Superintendent may, in the case of any particular company that makes an application under this subsection, extend the period of two years, or the other period specified or approved by the Superintendent, that is referred to in subsection (1) or (2) for any further period or periods, and on any terms and conditions, that the Superintendent considers necessary. |
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Temporary investment |
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(4) If a company, by way of temporary investment, acquires control of, or acquires or increases a substantial investment in, an entity for which the approval of the Minister under subsection 453(5) is required, the company must, within 90 days after acquiring control or after acquiring or increasing the substantial investment, |
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( a ) apply to the Minister for approval to retain control of the entity or to continue to hold the substantial investment in the entity for a period specified by the Minister or for an indeterminate period on any terms and conditions that the Minister considers appropriate; or |
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( b ) do all things necessary to ensure that, on the expiry of the 90 days, it no longer controls the entity or does not have a substantial investment in the entity. |
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Indeterminate extension |
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(5) If a company, by way of temporary investment, acquires control of, or acquires or increases a substantial investment in, an entity for which the approval of the Superintendent under subsection 453(6) is required, the Superintendent may, in the case of any particular company that makes an application under this subsection, permit the company to retain control of the entity or to continue to hold the substantial investment in the entity for an indeterminate period, on any terms and |
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conditions that the Superintendent considers necessary. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 456; 2001, c. 9, s. 550. |
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Loan workouts |
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457. (1) Despite anything in this Part, if a company or any of its subsidiaries has made a loan to an entity and, under the terms of the agreement between the company, or any of its subsidiaries, and the entity with respect to the loan and any other documents governing the terms of the loan, a default has occurred, the company may acquire |
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( a ) if the entity is a body corporate, all or any of the shares of the body corporate; |
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( b ) if the entity is an unincorporated entity, all or any of the ownership interests in the entity; |
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( c ) all or any of the shares or all or any of the ownership interests in any entity that is an affiliate of the entity; or |
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( d ) all or any of the shares of a body corporate that is primarily engaged in holding shares of, ownership interests in or assets acquired from the entity or any of its affiliates. |
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Obligation of company |
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(2) If a company acquires shares or ownership interests in an entity under subsection (1), the company shall, within five years after acquiring them do all things necessary to ensure that the company does not control the entity or have a substantial investment in the entity. |
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Transitional |
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(3) Despite subsection (1), if a company that was in existence immediately before June 1, 1992 had an investment in an entity on September 27, 1990 that is a substantial investment within the meaning of section 10 and the company later increases that substantial investment by way of an investment made under subsection (1), the company shall, within five years after increasing the substantial investment, do all things necessary to ensure that its substantial investment in the entity is no greater than it was on September 27, 1990. |
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Extension |
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(4) The Superintendent may, in the case of any particular company that makes an application under this subsection, extend the period of five years referred to in subsection (2) or (3) for any further period or periods, and on any terms and conditions, that the Superintendent considers necessary. |
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Exception entities controlled by foreign governments |
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(5) Despite anything in this Part, if a company has made a loan to, or holds a debt obligation of, the government of a foreign country or an entity controlled by the government of a foreign country and, under the terms of the agreement between the company and that government or the entity, as the case may be, and any other documents governing the terms of the loan or debt obligation, a default has occurred, the company may acquire all or any of the shares of, or ownership interests in, that entity or in any other entity designated by that government, if the acquisition is part of a debt restructuring program of that government. |
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Time for holding shares |
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(6) If a company acquires any shares or ownership interests under subsection (5), the company may, on any terms and conditions that the Superintendent considers appropriate, hold those shares or ownership interests for an indeterminate period or for any other period that the Superintendent may specify. |
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Exception |
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(7) If, under subsection (1), a company acquires control of, or acquires or increases a substantial investment in, an entity that it would otherwise be permitted to acquire or increase under section 453, the company may retain control of the entity or continue to hold the substantial investment for an indeterminate period if the approval in writing of the Minister is obtained before the end of the period referred to in subsection (2) or (3), including any extension of it granted under subsection (4). |
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1991, c. 45, s. 457; 1997, c. 15, s. 389; 2001, c. 9, s. 550. |
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Realizations |
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458. (1) Despite anything in this Act, a company may acquire |
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( a ) an investment in a body corporate, |
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( b ) an interest in an unincorporated entity, or |
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( c ) an interest in real property, |
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if the investment or interest is acquired through the realization of a security interest held by the company or any of its subsidiaries. |
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Disposition |
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(2) Subject to subsection 76(2), if a company acquires control of, or acquires a substantial investment in, an entity by way of the realization of a security interest held by the company or any of its subsidiaries, the company shall, within five years after the day on which control or the substantial investment is acquired, do all things necessary, or cause its subsidiary to do all things necessary, as the case may be, to ensure that the company no longer controls the entity or has a substantial investment in the entity. |
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Transitional |
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(3) Despite subsection (2), if a company that was in existence immediately before June 1, 1992 had an investment in an entity on September 27, 1990 that is a substantial investment within the meaning of section 10 and the company later increases that substantial investment by way of a realization of a security interest under subsection (1), the company shall, within five years after increasing the substantial investment, do all things necessary to ensure that its substantial investment in the entity is no greater than it was on September 27, 1990. |
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Extension |
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(4) The Superintendent may, in the case of any particular company that makes an application under this subsection, extend the period of five years referred to in subsection (2) or (3) for any further period or periods, and on any terms and conditions, that the Superintendent considers necessary. |
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Exception |
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(5) If, under subsection (1), a company acquires control of, or acquires or increases a substantial investment in, an entity that it would otherwise be permitted to acquire or increase under section 453, the company may retain control of the entity or continue to hold the substantial investment for an indeterminate period if the approval in writing of the Minister is obtained before the end of the period referred to in subsection (2) or (3), including any extension of it granted under subsection (4). |
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1991, c. 45, s. 458; 1997, c. 15, s. 390; 2001, c. 9, s. 550. |
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Regulations restricting ownership |
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459. The Governor in Council may make regulations
( a ) for the purposes of subsection 453(4), permitting the acquisition of control or the acquisition or increase of substantial investments, or prescribing the circumstances under which that subsection does not apply or the companies or other entities in respect of which that subsection does not apply, including prescribing companies or other entities on the basis of the activities they engage in; |
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( b ) for the purposes of subsection 453(5) or (6), permitting the acquisition of control or the acquisition or increase of substantial investments, or prescribing the circumstances under which either of those subsections does not apply or the companies or other entities in respect of which either of those subsections does not apply, including prescribing companies or other entities on the basis of the activities they engage in; |
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( c ) for the purposes of subsection 453(10), permitting a company to give up control of an entity; |
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prescribed subsidiaries would thereby exceed the limit set out in section 461 only with the prior approval in writing of the Superintendent and in accordance with any terms and conditions that the Superintendent may specify. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 462; 1999, c. 28, s. 143; 2001, c. 9, s. 550. |
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Meaning of total assets |
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463. For the purposes of sections 461 and 462, total assets, in respect of a company, has the meaning given to that expression by the regulations. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 463; 2001, c. 9, s. 550. |
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REAL PROPERTY |
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Limit on total property interest |
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464. A company shall not, and shall not permit its prescribed subsidiaries to, purchase or otherwise acquire an interest in real property or make an improvement to any real property in which the company or any of its prescribed subsidiaries has an interest if the aggregate value of all interests of the company in real property exceeds, or the acquisition of the interest or the making of the improvement would cause that aggregate value to exceed the prescribed percentage of the regulatory capital of the company. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 464; 2001, c. 9, s. 550. |
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EQUITIES |
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Limits on equity acquisitions |
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465. A company shall not, and shall not permit its prescribed subsidiaries to, |
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( a ) purchase or otherwise acquire any participating shares of any body corporate or any ownership interests in any unincorporated entity, other than those of a permitted entity in which the company has, or by virtue of the acquisition would have, a substantial investment, or |
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( b ) acquire control of an entity that holds shares or ownership interests referred to in paragraph ( a ), |
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if the aggregate value of |
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( c ) all participating shares, excluding participating shares of permitted entities in which the company has a substantial investment, and |
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( d ) all ownership interests in unincorporated entities, other than ownership interests in permitted entities in which the company has a substantial investment, |
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beneficially owned by the company and its prescribed subsidiaries exceeds, or the purchase or acquisition would cause that aggregate value to exceed, the prescribed percentage of the regulatory capital of the company. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 465; 2001, c. 9, s. 550. |
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AGGREGATE LIMIT |
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Aggregate limit |
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466. A company shall not, and shall not permit its prescribed subsidiaries to, |
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( a ) purchase or otherwise acquire |
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(i) participating shares of a body corporate, other than those of a permitted entity in which the company has, or by virtue of the acquisition would have, a substantial investment, |
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(ii) ownership interests in an unincorporated entity, other than ownership interests in a permitted entity in which the company has, or by virtue of the acquisition would have, a |
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(i) fails to provide or obtain within a reasonable time the undertakings referred to in subsection 455(1), (2) or (4), or |
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(ii) is in default of an undertaking referred to in subsection 455(1) or (2) and the default is not remedied within ninety days after the day of receipt by the company of a notice from the Superintendent of the default, or |
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( b ) a permitted entity referred to in subsection 455(4) is in default of an undertaking referred to in that subsection and the default is not remedied within ninety days after the day of receipt by the company of a notice from the Superintendent of the default, |
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the Superintendent may, by order, require the company, within any period that the Superintendent considers reasonable, to do all things necessary to ensure that the company no longer has a substantial investment in the entity to which the undertaking relates. |
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Exception |
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(4) Subsection (2) does not apply in respect of an entity in which a company has a substantial investment permitted by this Part. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 468; 2001, c. 9, s. 550. |
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Deemed temporary investment |
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469. If a company controls or has a substantial investment in an entity as permitted by this Part and the company becomes aware of a change in the business or affairs of the entity that, if the change had taken place before the acquisition of control or of the substantial investment, would have caused the entity not to be a permitted entity or would have been such that approval for the acquisition would have been required under subsection 453(5) or (6), the company is deemed to have acquired, on the day the company becomes aware of the change, a temporary investment in respect of which section 456 applies. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 469; 1997, c. 15, s. 395; 2001, c. 9, s. 550. |
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Asset transactions |
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470. (1) A company shall not, and shall not permit its subsidiaries to, without the approval of the Superintendent, acquire assets from a person or transfer assets to a person if |
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A + B > C |
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where |
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A is the value of the assets; |
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B is the total value of all assets that the company and its subsidiaries acquired from or transferred to that person in the twelve months ending immediately before the acquisition or transfer; and |
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C is ten per cent of the total value of the assets of the company, as shown in the last annual statement of the company prepared before the acquisition or transfer. |
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Exception |
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(2) The prohibition in subsection (1) does not apply in respect of |
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( a ) an asset that is a debt obligation referred to in subparagraphs ( b )(i) to (v) of the definition commercial loan in subsection 449(1); or |
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( b ) a transaction or series of transactions by a company with another financial institution as a result of the companys participation in one or more syndicated loans with that financial institution. |
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Exception |
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(3) The approval of the Superintendent is not required if |
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( a ) the company sells assets under a sale agreement that is approved by the Minister under |
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section 241; |
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( b ) the company or its subsidiary acquires shares of, or ownership interests in, an entity for which the approval of the Minister under Part VII or subsection 453(5) is required or the approval of the Superintendent under subsection 453(6) is required; or |
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( c ) the transaction has been approved by the Minister under subsection 678(1) of the Bank Act or subsection 715(1) of the Insurance Companies Act . |
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Value of assets |
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(4) For the purposes of A in subsection (1), the value of the assets is |
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( a ) in the case of assets that are acquired, the purchase price of the assets or, if the assets are shares of, or ownership interests in, an entity the assets of which will be included in the annual statement of the company after the acquisition, the fair market value of the assets; and |
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( b ) in the case of assets that are transferred, the book value of the assets as stated in the last annual statement of the company prepared before the transfer, or if the assets are shares of, or ownership interests in, an entity the assets of which were included in the last annual statement of the company before the transfer, the value of the assets as stated in the annual statement. |
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Total value of all assets |
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(5) For the purposes of subsection (1), the total value of all assets that the company or any of its subsidiaries has acquired during the period of twelve months referred to in subsection (1) is the purchase price of the assets or, if the assets are shares of, or ownership interests in, an entity the assets of which immediately after the acquisition were included in the annual statement of the company, the fair market value of the assets of the entity at the date of the acquisition. |
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Total value of all assets |
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(6) For the purposes of subsection (1), the total value of all assets that the company or any of its subsidiaries has transferred during the period of twelve months referred to in subsection (1) is the book value of the assets as stated in the last annual statement of the company prepared before the transfer, or if the assets are shares of, or ownership interests in, an entity the assets of which were included in the last annual statement of the company before the transfer, the value of the assets of the entity as stated in the annual statement. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 470; 1997, c. 15, s. 396; 2001, c. 9, s. 550. |
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Transitional |
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471. Nothing in this Part requires |
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( a ) the termination of a loan made before February 7, 2001; |
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( b ) the termination of a loan made after that date as a result of a commitment made before that date; |
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( c ) the disposal of an investment made before that date; or |
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( d ) the disposal of an investment made after that date as a result of a commitment made before that date. |
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But if the loan or investment would be precluded or limited by this Part, the amount of the loan or investment may not, except as provided in subsections 456(2), 457(3) and 458(3), be increased after that date. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 471; 2001, c. 9, s. 550. |
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Saving |
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472. A loan or investment referred to in section 471 is deemed not to be prohibited by the provisions of this Part. |
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PART X |
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ADEQUACY OF CAPITAL AND LIQUIDITY |
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Adequacy of capital and liquidity |
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473. (1) A company shall, in relation to its operations, maintain
( a ) adequate capital, and |
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( b ) adequate and appropriate forms of liquidity, |
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and shall comply with any regulations in relation thereto. |
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Regulations and guidelines |
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(2) The Governor in Council may make regulations and the Superintendent may make guidelines respecting the maintenance by companies of adequate capital and adequate and appropriate forms of liquidity. |
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Directives |
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(3) Notwithstanding that a company is complying with regulations or guidelines made under subsection (2), the Superintendent may, by order, direct the company |
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( a ) to increase its capital; or |
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( b ) to provide additional liquidity in such forms and amounts as the Superintendent may require. |
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Compliance |
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(4) A company shall comply with an order made under subsection (3) within such time as the Superintendent specifies therein. |
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Notice of value |
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(5) Where an appraisal of any asset held by a company or any of its subsidiaries has been made by the Superintendent and the value determined by the Superintendent to be the appropriate value of the asset varies materially from the value placed by the company or subsidiary on the asset, the Superintendent shall send to the company, the auditor of the company and the audit committee of the company a written notice of the appropriate value of the asset as determined by the Superintendent. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 473; 1996, c. 6, s. 120. |
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PART XI |
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SELF-DEALING |
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INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION |
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Definition of senior officer |
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473.1 For the purposes of this Part, a senior officer of a body corporate is a person who is |
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( a ) a director of the body corporate who is a full-time employee of the body corporate; |
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( b ) the chief executive officer, chief operating officer, president, secretary, treasurer, controller, chief financial officer, chief accountant, chief auditor or chief actuary of the body corporate; |
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( c ) a natural person who performs functions for the body corporate similar to those performed by a person referred to in paragraph ( b ); |
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( d ) the head of the strategic planning unit of the body corporate; |
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( e ) the head of the unit of the body corporate that provides legal services or human resources services to the body corporate; or |
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( f ) any other officer reporting directly to the body corporates board of directors, chief executive |
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officer or chief operating officer. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 397. |
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Related party of company |
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474. (1) For the purposes of this Part, a person is a related party of a company where the person |
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( a ) is a person who has a significant interest in a class of shares of the company; |
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( b ) is a director or senior officer of the company or of a body corporate that controls the company or is acting in a similar capacity in respect of an unincorporated entity that controls the company; |
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( c ) is the spouse or common-law partner, or a child who is less than eighteen years of age, of a person described in paragraph ( a ) or ( b ); |
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( d ) is an entity that is controlled by a person referred to in any of paragraphs ( a ) to ( c ); |
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( e ) is an entity in which a person who controls the company has a substantial investment; |
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( f ) is an entity in which the spouse or common-law partner, or a child who is less than eighteen years of age, of a person who controls the company has a substantial investment; or |
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( g ) is a person, or a member of a class of persons, designated under subsection (3) or (4) as, or deemed under subsection (5) to be, a related party of the company. |
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( h ) [Repealed, 1997, c. 15, s. 398] |
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Exception subsidiaries and substantial investments of companies |
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(2) If an entity in which a company has a substantial investment would, but for this subsection, be a related party of the company only because a person who controls the company controls the entity or has a substantial investment in the entity, and the person does not control the entity or have a substantial investment in the entity otherwise than through the persons controlling interest in the company, the entity is not a related party of the company. |
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Designated related party |
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(3) For the purposes of this Part, the Superintendent may, with respect to a particular company, designate as a related party of the company |
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( a ) any person or class of persons whose direct or indirect interest in or relationship with the company or a related party of the company might reasonably be expected to affect the exercise of the best judgment of the company in respect of a transaction; or |
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( b ) any person who is a party to any agreement, commitment or understanding referred to in section 9 if the company referred to in that section is the particular company. |
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Idem |
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(4) Where a person is designated as a related party of a company pursuant to subsection (3), the Superintendent may also designate any entity in which the person has a substantial investment and any entity controlled by such an entity to be a related party of the company. |
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Deemed related party |
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(5) Where, in contemplation of a person becoming a related party of a company, the company enters into a transaction with the person, the person is deemed for the purposes of this Part to be a related party of the company in respect of that transaction. |
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Holders of exempted shares |
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(6) The Superintendent may, by order, designate a class of non-voting shares of a company for the purpose of this subsection. If a class of non-voting shares of a company is so designated, a person is deemed, notwithstanding paragraph (1)( a ), not to be a related party of the company if the person would otherwise be a related party of the company only because the person has a significant interest in that class. |
Determination of substantial investment |
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(7) For the purpose of determining whether an entity or a person has a substantial investment for the purposes of paragraph (1)( e ) or ( f ), the references to control and controlled in section 10 shall be construed as references to control, within the meaning of section 3, determined without regard to paragraph 3(1)( d ) and controlled, within the meaning of section 3, determined without regard to paragraph 3(1)( d ), respectively. |
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Determination of control |
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(8) For the purposes of paragraph (1)( d ), controlled means controlled, within the meaning of section 3, determined without regard to paragraph 3(1)( d ). |
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1991, c. 45, s. 474; 1997, c. 15, s. 398; 2000, c. 12, s. 302. |
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Non-application of Part |
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475. (1) This Part does not apply in respect of any transaction entered into prior to the coming into force of this Part but, after the coming into force of this Part, any modification of, addition to, or renewal or extension of a prior transaction is subject to this Part. |
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Idem |
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(2) This Part does not apply in respect of |
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( a ) money or other assets held in trust, other than guaranteed trust money and assets held in respect thereof; |
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( b ) the issue of shares of any class of shares of a company when fully paid for in money or when issued |
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(i) in accordance with any provisions for the conversion of other issued and outstanding securities of the company into shares of that class of shares, |
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(ii) as a share dividend, |
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(iii) in exchange for shares of a body corporate that has been continued as a company under Part III, |
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(iv) in accordance with the terms of an amalgamation under Part VI, |
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(v) by way of consideration in accordance with the terms of a sale agreement under Part VI, or |
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(vi) with the approval in writing of the Superintendent, in exchange for shares of another body corporate; |
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( c ) the payment of dividends by a company; |
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( d ) transactions that consist of the payment or provision by a company to persons who are related parties of the company of salaries, fees, stock options, pension benefits, incentive benefits or other benefits or remuneration in their capacity as directors, officers or employees of the company; |
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( e ) transactions approved by the Minister under subsection 678(1) of the Bank Act or subsection 715(1) of the Insurance Companies Act ; or |
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( f ) if a company is controlled by a widely held bank holding company or a widely held insurance holding company, transactions approved by the Superintendent that are entered as part of, or in the course of, a restructuring of the holding company or of any entity controlled by it. |
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Exception |
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(3) Nothing in paragraph (2)( d ) exempts from the application of this Part the payment by a company of fees or other remuneration to a person for |
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( a ) the provision of services referred to in paragraph 483(1)( a ); or |
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( b ) duties outside the ordinary course of business of the company. |
Exception for holding body corporate |
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(4) A holding body corporate of a company is not a related party of a company if the holding body corporate is a Canadian financial institution that is referred to in any of paragraphs ( a ) to ( d ) of the definition financial institution in section 2. |
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Substantial investment related party exception |
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(5) Where a holding body corporate of a company is, because of subsection (4), not a related party of the company, any entity in which the holding body corporate has a substantial investment is not a related party of the company if no related party of the company has a substantial investment in the entity otherwise than through the control of the holding body corporate. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 475, c. 48, s. 493; 1997, c. 15, s. 399; 2001, c. 9, s. 551. |
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Meaning of transaction |
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476. (1) For the purposes of this Part, entering into a transaction with a related party of a company includes |
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( a ) making a guarantee on behalf of the related party; |
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( b ) making an investment in any securities of the related party; |
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( c ) taking an assignment of or otherwise acquiring a loan made by a third party to the related party; and |
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( d ) taking a security interest in the securities of the related party. |
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Interpretation |
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(2) For the purposes of this Part, the fulfilment of an obligation under the terms of any transaction, including the payment of interest on a loan or deposit, is part of the transaction, and not a separate transaction. |
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Meaning of loan |
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(3) For the purposes of this Part, loan includes a deposit, a financial lease, a conditional sales contract, a repurchase agreement and any other similar arrangement for obtaining funds or credit, but does not include investments in securities or the making of an acceptance, endorsement or other guarantee. |
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PROHIBITED RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
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Prohibited transactions |
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477. (1) Except as provided in this Part, a company shall not, directly or indirectly, enter into any transaction with a related party of the company. |
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Transaction of entity |
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(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), a company is deemed to have indirectly entered into a transaction in respect of which this Part applies where the transaction is entered into by an entity that is controlled by the company. |
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Exception |
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(3) Subsection (2) does not apply where an entity that is controlled by a company is a financial institution incorporated or formed under the laws of a province and is subject to regulation and supervision, satisfactory to the Minister, regarding transactions with related parties of the company. |
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Idem |
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(4) Subsection (2) does not apply in respect of transactions entered into by an entity that is controlled by a company if the transaction is a prescribed transaction or is one of a class of prescribed transactions. |
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PERMITTED RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
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Nominal value transactions |
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478. Notwithstanding anything in this Part, a company may enter into a transaction with a related party of the company if the value of the transaction is nominal or immaterial to the company |
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when measured by criteria that have been established by the conduct review committee of the company and approved in writing by the Superintendent. |
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Secured loans |
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479. A company may make a loan to or a guarantee on behalf of a related party of the company or take an assignment of or otherwise acquire a loan to a related party of the company if |
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( a ) the loan or guarantee is fully secured by securities of or guaranteed by the Government of Canada or the government of a province; or |
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( b ) the loan is a loan permitted by section 418 made to a related party who is a natural person on the security of a mortgage of the principal residence of that related party. |
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Deposits |
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480. A company may enter into a transaction with a related party of the company if the transaction consists of a deposit by the company with a financial institution that is a direct clearer or a member of a clearing group under the by-laws of the Canadian Payments Association and the deposit is made for clearing purposes. |
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Borrowing, etc., from related party |
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481. A company may borrow money from, take deposits from, or issue debt obligations to, a related party of the company. |
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Acquisition of assets |
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482. (1) A company may purchase or otherwise acquire from a related party of the company |
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( a ) securities of, or securities guaranteed by, the Government of Canada or the government of a province; |
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( b ) assets fully secured by securities of, or securities guaranteed by, the Government of Canada or the government of a province; or |
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( c ) goods for use in the ordinary course of business. |
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Sale of assets |
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(2) Subject to section 470, a company may sell any assets of the company to a related party of the company if |
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( a ) the consideration for the assets is fully paid in money; and |
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( b ) there is an active market for those assets. |
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Asset transactions with financial institutions |
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(3) Notwithstanding any of the provisions of subsections (1) and (2), a company may, in the normal course of business and pursuant to arrangements that have been approved by the Superintendent in writing, acquire or dispose of any assets, other than real property, from or to a related party of the company that is a financial institution. |
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Asset transactions in restructuring |
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(4) Notwithstanding any of the provisions of subsections (1) and (2), a company may acquire any assets from, or dispose of any assets to, a related party of the company as part of, or in the course of, a restructuring, if the acquisition or disposition has been approved in writing by the Superintendent. |
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Goods or space for use in business |
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(5) A company may lease assets
( a ) from a related party of the company for use in the ordinary course of business of the company, or |
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( b ) to a related party of the company, |
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if the lease payments are made in money. |
Services |
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483. (1) A company may enter into a transaction with a related party of the company if the transaction |
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( a ) subject to subsection (2), consists of a written contract for the purchase by the company of services used in the ordinary course of business; |
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( b ) subject to subsection (4), involves the provision by the company of services, other than loans or guarantees, normally offered to the public by the company in the ordinary course of business; |
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( c ) consists of a written contract with a financial institution or an entity in which the company is permitted to have a substantial investment pursuant to section 453 that is a related party of the company |
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(i) for the networking of any services provided by the company or the financial institution or entity, or |
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(ii) for the referral of any person by the company to the financial institution or entity, or for the referral of any person by the financial institution or entity to the company; |
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( d ) consists of a written contract for such pension or benefit plans or their management or administration as are incidental to directorships or to the employment of officers or employees of the company or its subsidiaries; or |
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( e ) involves the provision by the company of management, advisory, accounting, information processing or other services in relation to any business of the related party. |
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Order concerning management by employees |
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(2) Where a company has entered into a contract pursuant to paragraph (1)( a ) and the contract, when taken together with all other such contracts entered into by the company, results in all or substantially all of the management functions of the company being exercised by persons who are not employees of the company, the Superintendent may, by order, if the Superintendent considers that result to be inappropriate, require the company, within such time as may be specified in the order, to take all steps necessary to ensure that management functions that are integral to the carrying on of business by the company are exercised by employees of the company to the extent specified in the order. |
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Service corporations |
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(3) Notwithstanding subsection 477(2), a company is deemed not to have indirectly entered into a transaction in respect of which this Part applies if the transaction is entered into by a service corporation, as defined in subsection 449(1), that is controlled by the company and the transaction is on terms and conditions at least as favourable to the company as market terms and conditions, as defined in subsection 489(2). |
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Loans or guarantees not included |
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(4) The provision of services, for the purposes of paragraph (1)( b ), does not include the making of loans or guarantees. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 483; 1997, c. 15, s. 400. |
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Transactions with holding companies |
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483.1 (1) Subject to subsection (2) and sections 483.2 and 483.3, if a widely held insurance holding company or a widely held bank holding company has a significant interest in any class of shares of a company, the company may enter into any transaction with the holding company or with any other related party of the company that is an entity in which the holding company has a substantial investment. |
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Policies and procedures |
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(2) The company shall adhere to policies and procedures established under subsection 199(3) when entering into the transaction. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 552. |
Restriction |
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483.2 (1) If a company enters into a transaction with a related party of the company with whom the company may enter into transactions under subsection 483.1(1) and that is not a federal financial institution, the company shall not directly or indirectly make, take an assignment of or otherwise acquire a loan to the related party, make an acceptance, endorsement or other guarantee on behalf of the related party or make an investment in the securities of the related party if, immediately following the transaction, the aggregate financial exposure, as that expression is defined by the regulations, of the company would exceed |
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( a ) in respect of all transactions of the company with the related party, the prescribed percentage of the companys regulatory capital or, if no percentage is prescribed, five per cent of the companys regulatory capital; or |
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( b ) in respect of all transactions of the company with such related parties of the company, the prescribed percentage of the companys regulatory capital or, if no percentage is prescribed, ten per cent of the companys regulatory capital. |
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Order |
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(2) If the Superintendent is of the opinion that it is necessary for the protection of the interests of the depositors and creditors of a company, the Superintendent may, by order, |
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( a ) reduce the limit in paragraph (1)( a ) or ( b ) that would otherwise apply to the company; and |
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( b ) impose limits on transactions by the company with related parties with whom the company may enter into transactions under subsection 483.1(1) that are federal financial institutions. |
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Order |
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(3) The Superintendent may, by order, increase the limit in paragraph (1)( a ) or ( b ) that would otherwise apply to a company on transactions by the company with related parties that are financial institutions that are regulated in a manner acceptable to the Superintendent. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 552. |
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Assets transactions |
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483.3 (1) Despite subsection 482(3), a company shall not, without the approval of the Superintendent and its conduct review committee, directly or indirectly acquire assets from a related party of the company with whom the company may enter into transactions under subsection 483.1(1) that is not a federal financial institution, or directly or indirectly transfer assets to such a related party if |
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A + B > C |
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where |
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A is the value of the assets; |
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B is the total value of all assets that the company directly or indirectly acquired from, or directly or indirectly transferred to, that related party in the twelve months ending immediately before the acquisition or transfer; and |
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C is five per cent, or the percentage that may be prescribed, of the total value of the assets of the company, as shown in the last annual statement of the company prepared before the acquisition or transfer. |
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Exception |
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(2) The prohibition in subsection (1) does not apply in respect of assets purchased or otherwise acquired under subsection 482(1), assets sold under subsection 482(2) or any other assets as may be prescribed. |
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Exception |
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(3) The approval of the Superintendent is not required if |
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( a ) the company sells assets under a sale agreement that is approved by the Minister under section 241; or |
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( b ) the company or its subsidiary acquires shares of, or ownership interests in, an entity for which the approval of the Minister under Part VII or subsection 453(5) is required or the approval of the Superintendent under subsection 453(6) is required. |
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Value of assets |
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(4) For the purposes of A in subsection (1), the value of the assets is |
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( a ) in the case of assets that are acquired, the purchase price of the assets or, if the assets are shares of, or ownership interests in, an entity the assets of which will be included in the annual statement of the company after the acquisition, the fair market value of the assets; and |
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( b ) in the case of assets that are transferred, the book value of the assets as stated in the last annual statement of the company prepared before the transfer or, if the assets are shares of, or ownership interests in, an entity the assets of which were included in the last annual statement of the company before the transfer, the value of the assets as stated in the annual statement. |
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Total value of all assets |
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(5) For the purposes of subsection (1), the total value of all assets that the company or any of its subsidiaries has acquired during the period of twelve months referred to in subsection (1) is the purchase price of the assets or, if the assets are shares of, or ownership interests in, an entity the assets of which immediately after the acquisition were included in the annual statement of the company, the fair market value of the assets of the entity at the date of the acquisition. |
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Total value of all assets |
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(6) For the purposes of subsection (1), the total value of all assets that the company or any of its subsidiaries has transferred during the period of twelve months referred to in subsection (1) is the book value of the assets as stated in the last annual statement of the company prepared before the transfer or, if the assets are shares of, or ownership interests in, an entity the assets of which were included in the last annual statement of the company before the transfer, the value of the assets of the entity as stated in the annual statement. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 552. |
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Directors and officers and their interests |
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484. (1) Subject to subsection (2) and sections 485 and 486, a company may enter into any transaction with a related party of the company if the related party is |
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( a ) a natural person who is a related party of the company only because the person is |
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(i) a director or senior officer of the company or of an entity that controls the company, or |
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(ii) the spouse or common-law partner, or a child who is less than eighteen years of age, of a director or senior officer of the company or of an entity that controls the company; or |
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( b ) an entity that is a related party of the company only because the entity is controlled by |
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(i) a director or senior officer of the company or of an entity that controls the company, or |
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(ii) the spouse or common-law partner, or a child who is less than eighteen years of age, of a director or senior officer referred to in subparagraph (i). |
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Loans to full-time senior officers |
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(2) A company may, with respect to a related party of the company referred to in subsection (1) who is a full-time senior officer of the company, make, take an assignment of or otherwise acquire a loan to the related party only if the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding loans to the related party that are held by the company and its subsidiaries, together with the principal amount of the proposed loan, does not exceed the greater of twice the annual salary of the related party and $100,000. |
Exception |
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(3) Subsection (2) does not apply in respect of |
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( a ) loans referred to in paragraph 479( b ), and |
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( b ) margin loans referred to in section 486, |
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and the amount of any such loans to a related party of a company shall not be included in determining, for the purposes of subsection (2), the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding loans made by the company to the related party. |
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Preferred terms loan to senior officer |
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(4) Notwithstanding section 489, a company may make a loan, other than a margin loan, to a senior officer of the company on terms and conditions more favourable to the officer than those offered to the public by the company if those terms and conditions have been approved by the conduct review committee of the company. |
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Preferred terms loan to spouse or common-law partner |
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(5) Notwithstanding section 489, a company may make a loan referred to in paragraph 479( b ) to the spouse or common-law partner of a senior officer of the company on terms and conditions more favourable than those offered to the public by the company if those terms and conditions have been approved by the conduct review committee of the company. |
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Preferred terms other financial services |
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(6) Notwithstanding section 489, a company may offer financial services, other than loans or guarantees, to a senior officer of the company, or to the spouse or common-law partner, or a child who is less than eighteen years of age, of a senior officer of the company, on terms and conditions more favourable than those offered to the public by the company if |
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( a ) the financial services are offered by the company to employees of the company on those favourable terms and conditions; and |
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( b ) the conduct review committee of the company has approved the practice of making those financial services available on those favourable terms and conditions to senior officers of the company or to the spouses or common-law partners, or the children under eighteen years of age, of senior officers of the company. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 484; 1997, c. 15, s. 401; 2000, c. 12, ss. 300, 302. |
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Board approval required |
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485. (1) Except with the concurrence of at least two thirds of the directors present at a meeting of the board of directors of the company, a company shall not, with respect to a related party of the company referred to in subsection 484(1), |
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( a ) make, take an assignment of or otherwise acquire a loan to the related party, including a margin loan referred to in section 486, |
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( b ) make a guarantee on behalf of the related party, or |
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( c ) make an investment in the securities of the related party |
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if, immediately following the transaction, the aggregate of |
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( d ) the principal amount of all outstanding loans to the related party that are held by the company and its subsidiaries, other than |
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(i) loans referred to in paragraph 479( b ), and |
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(ii) if the related party is a full-time senior officer of the company, loans to the related party that are permitted by subsection 484(2), |
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( e ) the sum of all outstanding amounts guaranteed by the company and its subsidiaries on behalf of the related party, and |
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( f ) where the related party is an entity, the book value of all investments by the company and its subsidiaries in the securities of the entity |
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would exceed 2 per cent of the regulatory capital of the company. |
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Limit on transactions with directors, officers and their |
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(2) A company shall not, with respect to a related party of the company referred to in subsection 484(1), |
interests |
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( a ) make, take an assignment of or otherwise acquire a loan to the related party, including a margin loan referred to in section 486, |
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( b ) make a guarantee on behalf of the related party, or |
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( c ) make an investment in the securities of the related party |
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if, immediately following the transaction, the aggregate of |
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( d ) the principal amount of all outstanding loans to all related parties of the company referred to in subsection 484(1) that are held by the company and its subsidiaries, other than |
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(i) loans referred to in section 479, and |
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(ii) loans permitted by subsection 484(2), |
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( e ) the sum of all outstanding amounts guaranteed by the company and its subsidiaries on behalf of all related parties of the company referred to in subsection 484(1), and |
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( f ) the book value of all investments by the company and its subsidiaries in the securities of all entities that are related parties of the company referred to in subsection 484(1) |
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would exceed 50 per cent of the regulatory capital of the company. |
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Exclusion of de minimis transactions |
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(3) Loans, guarantees and investments that are referred to in section 478 shall not be included in calculating the aggregate of loans, guarantees and investments referred to in subsections (1) and (2). |
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1991, c. 45, s. 485; 1997, c. 15, s. 402. |
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Margin loans |
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486. The Superintendent may establish terms and conditions with respect to the making by a company of margin loans to a director or senior officer of the company. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 486; 1997, c. 15, s. 403. |
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Exemption by order |
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487. (1) A company may enter into a transaction with a related party of the company if the Superintendent, by order, has exempted the transaction from the provisions of section 477. |
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Conditions for order |
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(2) The Superintendent shall not make an order referred to in subsection (1) unless the Superintendent is satisfied that the decision of the company to enter into the transaction has not been and is not likely to be influenced in any significant way by a related party of the company and does not involve in any significant way the interests of a related party of the company. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 487; 1996, c. 6, s. 121. |
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Prescribed transactions |
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488. A company may enter into a transaction with a related party of the company if the transaction is a prescribed transaction or one of a class of prescribed transactions. |
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RESTRICTIONS ON PERMITTED TRANSACTIONS |
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Market terms and |
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489. (1) Except as provided in subsections 484(4) to (6), any transaction entered into with a |
conditions |
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related party of the company shall be on terms and conditions that are at least as favourable to the company as market terms and conditions. |
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Meaning of market terms and conditions |
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(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), market terms and conditions means
( a ) in respect of a service or a loan facility or a deposit facility offered to the public by the company in the ordinary course of business, terms and conditions that are no more or less favourable than those offered to the public by the company in the ordinary course of business; and |
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( b ) in respect of any other transaction, |
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(i) terms and conditions, including those relating to price, rent or interest rate, that might reasonably be expected to apply in a similar transaction in an open market under conditions requisite to a fair transaction between parties who are at arms length and who are acting prudently, knowledgeably and willingly, or |
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(ii) if the transaction is one that would not reasonably be expected to occur in an open market between parties who are at arms length, terms and conditions, including those relating to price, rent or interest rate, that would reasonably be expected to provide the company with fair value, having regard to all the circumstances of the transaction, and that would be consistent with the parties to the transaction acting prudently, knowledgeably and willingly. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 489; 2001, c. 9, s. 553. |
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490. and 491. [Repealed, 1997, c. 15, s. 404] |
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DISCLOSURE |
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Company obligation |
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492. (1) Where, in respect of any proposed transaction permitted by this Part, other than those referred to in section 478, a company has reason to believe that the other party to the transaction is a related party of the company, the company shall take all reasonable steps to obtain from the other party full disclosure, in writing, of any interest or relationship, direct or indirect, that would make the other party a related party of the company. |
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Reliance on information |
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(2) A company and any person who is a director or an officer, employee or agent of the company may rely on any information contained in any disclosure received by the company pursuant to subsection (1) or any information otherwise acquired in respect of any matter that might be the subject of such a disclosure and no action lies against the company or any such person for anything done or omitted in good faith in reliance on any such information. |
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Notice to Superintendent |
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493. Where a company has entered into a transaction that the company is prohibited by this Part from entering into, or where a company has entered into a transaction for which approval is required under subsection 485(1) without having obtained the approval, the company shall, on becoming aware of that fact, notify the Superintendent without delay. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 493; 1997, c. 15, s. 405. |
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REMEDIAL ACTIONS |
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Order to void contract or to grant other remedy |
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494. (1) If a company enters into a transaction that it is prohibited from entering into by this Part, the company or the Superintendent may apply to a court for an order setting aside the transaction or for any other appropriate remedy, including an order directing that the related party of the company involved in the transaction account to the company for any profit or gain realized or that any director or senior officer of the company who authorized the transaction compensate the |
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company for any loss or damage incurred by the company. |
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Time limit |
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(2) An application under subsection (1) in respect of a particular transaction may only be made within the period of three months following the day the notice referred to in section 493 in respect of the transaction is given to the Superintendent or, if no such notice is given, the day the Superintendent becomes aware of the transaction. |
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Certificate |
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(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), a document purporting to have been issued by the Superintendent, certifying the day on which the Superintendent became aware of the transaction, shall, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, be received in evidence as conclusive proof of that fact without proof of the signature or of the official character of the person appearing to have signed the document and without further proof. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 494; 2001, c. 9, s. 554. |
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PART XII |
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REGULATION OF COMPANIES SUPERINTENDENT |
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SUPERVISION |
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Returns |
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Required information |
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495. A company shall provide the Superintendent with such information, at such times and in such form as the Superintendent may require. |
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Report of unclaimed deposits |
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496. (1) A company shall, within sixty days after the end of each calendar year, provide the Superintendent with a return, in such form as the Superintendent may determine, as of the end of that calendar year, in respect of all deposits made with the company in Canada in Canadian currency for which no transaction has taken place and no statement of account has been requested or acknowledged by the depositors during a period of nine years or more. |
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Period |
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(2) The period referred to in subsection (1) shall be calculated |
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( a ) in the case of a deposit made for a fixed period, from the day on which the fixed period terminated, and |
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( b ) in the case of any other deposit, from the day on which the last transaction took place or a statement of account was last requested or acknowledged by the depositor, whichever is later, |
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until the date of the return under that subsection. |
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Content of return |
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(3) A return made under subsection (1) shall show, in so far as is known to the company, |
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( a ) the name of each depositor in whose name each deposit is held; |
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( b ) the recorded address of each such depositor; |
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( c ) the outstanding amount of each deposit; and |
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( d ) the branch of the company at which the last transaction took place in respect of the deposit, and the date thereof. |
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Amounts under one hundred dollars |
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(4) Where the total outstanding amount of deposits in the name of a depositor is less than one hundred dollars, the company may omit the particulars in respect thereof required by subsection (3) |
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from the return required by subsection (1). |
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Application of subsection (1) |
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(5) Subsection (1) applies only in respect of deposits made after May 31, 1990. |
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Application |
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(6) This section does not apply until June 1, 1999. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 496; 1993, c. 34, s. 129. |
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Return on unclaimed bills of exchange |
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497. (1) A company shall, within sixty days after the end of each calendar year, provide the Superintendent with a return, in such form as the Superintendent may determine, as of the end of that calendar year, in respect of all negotiable instruments (including instruments drawn by one branch of the company on another branch of the company but not including instruments issued in payment of a dividend on the capital of the company) payable in Canada in Canadian currency that have been issued, certified or accepted by the company at branches of the company in Canada and for which no payment has been made for a period of nine years or more calculated from the date of issue, certification, acceptance or maturity, whichever is the latest, until the date of the return. |
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Content of return |
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(2) A return made under subsection (1) shall show, in so far as is known to the company, |
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( a ) the name of each person to whom or at whose request each instrument was issued, certified or accepted; |
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( b ) the recorded address of each such person; |
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( c ) the name of the payee of each instrument; |
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( d ) the amount and date of each instrument; |
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( e ) the name of the place where each instrument was payable; and |
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( f ) the branch of the company at which each instrument was issued, certified or accepted. |
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Amounts under one hundred dollars |
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(3) Where the amount of an instrument in respect of which subsection (1) applies is less than one hundred dollars, the company may omit the particulars in respect thereof required by subsection (2) from the return required by subsection (1). |
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Money orders |
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(4) A company may omit from a return required by subsection (1) the particulars required by subsection (2) in respect of any money order in respect of which subsection (1) applies. |
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Application of subsection (1) |
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(5) Subsection (1) applies only in respect of negotiable instruments issued, certified or accepted after May 31, 1990. |
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Application |
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(6) This section does not apply until June 1, 1999. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 497; 1993, c. 34, s. 130. |
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Total to be reported |
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498. Where a company, pursuant to subsection 496(4) or 497(3) or (4), omits from a return required by subsection 496(1) or 497(1) the particulars of any deposit or instrument, the total of the amounts of all deposits or instruments that have been so omitted shall be reported in the return. |
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Names of directors and auditors |
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499. (1) A company shall, within thirty days after each annual meeting of the company, provide the Superintendent with a return showing |
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( a ) the name, residence and citizenship of each director holding office immediately following the meeting; |
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( b ) the mailing address of each director holding office immediately following the meeting; |
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( c ) the bodies corporate of which each director referred to in paragraph ( a ) is an officer or director and the firms of which each director is a member; |
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( d ) the affiliation, within the meaning of section 166, with the company of each director referred to in paragraph ( a ); |
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( e ) the names of the directors referred to in paragraph ( a ) who are officers or employees of the company or any affiliate of the company, and the positions they occupy; |
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( f ) the name of each committee of the company on which each director referred to in paragraph ( a ) serves; |
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( g ) the date of expiration of the term of each director referred to in paragraph ( a ); and |
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( h ) the name, address and date of appointment of the auditor of the company. |
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Changes |
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(2) Where |
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( a ) any information relating to a director or auditor of a company shown in the latest return made to the Superintendent under subsection (1), other than information referred to in paragraph (1)( c ) or ( d ), becomes inaccurate or incomplete, |
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( b ) a vacancy in the position of auditor of the company occurs or is filled by another person, or |
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( c ) a vacancy on the board of directors of the company occurs or is filled, |
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the company shall forthwith provide the Superintendent with such information as is required to maintain the return in a complete and accurate form. |
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Copy of by-laws |
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500. A company shall send to the Superintendent, within thirty days after the coming into effect of a by-law or an amendment to a by-law, a copy of the by-law or amendment. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 500; 2001, c. 9, s. 556. |
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Register of companies |
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501. (1) The Superintendent shall, in respect of each company for which an order approving the commencement and carrying on of business has been made, cause a register to be maintained containing a copy of |
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( a ) the incorporating instrument of the company; and |
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( b ) the information referred to in paragraphs 499(1)( a ), ( c ) and ( e ) to ( h ) contained in the latest return sent to the Superintendent under section 499. |
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Form |
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(2) The register may be maintained in |
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( a ) a bound or loose-leaf form or in a photographic film form; or |
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( b ) a system of mechanical or electronic data processing or any other information storage device that is capable of reproducing any required information in intelligible written form within a reasonable time. |
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Access |
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(3) Persons are entitled to reasonable access to the register and may make copies of or take extracts from the information in it. |
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Evidence |
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(4) A statement containing information in the register and purporting to be certified by the Superintendent is admissible in evidence in all courts as proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of the facts stated in the statement without proof of the appointment or signature of the |
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Superintendent. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 501; 2001, c. 9, s. 556. |
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Production of information and documents |
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502. (1) The Superintendent may, by order, direct a person who controls a company or any entity that is affiliated with a company to provide the Superintendent with such information or documents as may be specified in the order where the Superintendent believes that the production of the information or documents is necessary in order to be satisfied that the provisions of this Act are being duly observed and that the company is in a sound financial condition. |
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Time |
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(2) Any person to whom a direction has been issued under subsection (1) shall provide the information or documents specified in the order within the time specified in the order and, where the order does not specify a time, the person shall provide the information or documents within a reasonable time. |
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Exemption |
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(3) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of an entity that controls a company or is affiliated with a company where that entity is a financial institution regulated |
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( a ) by or under an Act of Parliament; or |
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( b ) by or under an Act of the legislature of a province where the Superintendent has entered into an agreement with the appropriate official or public body responsible for the supervision of financial institutions in that province concerning the sharing of information on such financial institutions. |
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Confidential information |
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503. (1) Subject to sections 504 and 504.1, all information regarding the business or affairs of a company, or regarding a person dealing with a company, that is obtained by the Superintendent, or by any person acting under the direction of the Superintendent, as a result of the administration or enforcement of any Act of Parliament, and all information prepared from that information, is confidential and shall be treated accordingly. |
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Disclosure permitted |
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(2) Nothing in subsection (1) prevents the Superintendent from disclosing any information |
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( a ) to any government agency or body that regulates or supervises financial institutions, for purposes related to that regulation or supervision, |
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( a .01) to any other agency or body that regulates or supervises financial institutions, for purposes related to that regulation or supervision, |
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( a .1) to the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation for purposes related to its operation; and |
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( b ) to the Deputy Minister of Finance or any officer of the Department of Finance authorized in writing by the Deputy Minister of Finance or to the Governor of the Bank of Canada or any officer of the Bank of Canada authorized in writing by the Governor of the Bank of Canada, for the purposes of policy analysis related to the regulation of financial institutions, |
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if the Superintendent is satisfied that the information will be treated as confidential by the agency, body or person to whom it is disclosed. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 503; 1996, c. 6, s. 122; 1997, c. 15, s. 406; 2001, c. 9, s. 557. |
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Regulations |
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503.1 The Governor in Council may make regulations prohibiting, limiting or restricting the disclosure by companies of prescribed supervisory information. |
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1999, c. 28, s. 144. |
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Publication |
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504. The Superintendent shall cause to be published |
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( a ) in the Canada Gazette , the information contained in each of the returns made under sections 496 and 497 within sixty days after the expiration of the time provided by this Act for providing the return. |
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( b ) [Repealed, 1996, c. 6, s. 123] |
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1991, c. 45, s. 504; 1996, c. 6, s. 123. |
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Disclosure by Superintendent |
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504.1 (1) The Superintendent shall disclose at such times and in such manner as the Minister may determine, such information obtained by the Superintendent under this Act as the Minister considers ought to be disclosed for the purposes of the analysis of the financial condition of a company and that |
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( a ) is contained in returns filed pursuant to the Superintendents financial regulatory reporting requirements in respect of companies; or |
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( b ) has been obtained as a result of an industry-wide or sectoral survey conducted by the Superintendent in relation to an issue or circumstances that could have an impact on the financial condition of companies. |
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Prior consultation required |
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(2) The Minister shall consult with the Superintendent before making any determination under subsection (1). |
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1996, c. 6, s. 124. |
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Disclosure by a company |
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504.2 (1) A company shall make available to the public such information concerning |
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( a ) the compensation of its executives, as that expression is defined by the regulations, and |
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( b ) its business and affairs for the purpose of the analysis of its financial condition, |
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in such form and manner and at such times as may be required by or pursuant to such regulations as the Governor in Council may make for the purpose. |
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Exemption by regulation |
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(2) Paragraph (1)( a ) does not apply to a company that is within such class or classes of companies as may be prescribed. |
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1996, c. 6, s. 124. |
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Exceptions to disclosure |
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504.3 Subject to any regulations made under section 444, no information obtained by a company regarding any of its customers shall be disclosed or made available under subsection 504.1(1) or section 504.2. |
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1996, c. 6, s. 124. |
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Report respecting disclosure |
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504.4 The Superintendent shall prepare a report, to be included in the report referred to in section 40 of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act , respecting the disclosure of information by companies and describing the state of progress made in enhancing the disclosure of information in the financial services industry. |
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1996, c. 6, s. 124; 2001, c. 9, s. 558. |
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Inspection of Companies |
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Examination of companies |
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505. (1) The Superintendent, from time to time, but at least once in each calendar year, shall make or cause to be made any examination and inquiry into the business and affairs of each company that the Superintendent considers to be necessary or expedient to determine whether the |
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sufficient grounds for revoking the direction. |
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508. [Repealed, 1996, c. 6, s. 125] |
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Court enforcement |
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509. (1) Where a company or person |
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( a ) is contravening or has failed to comply with a prudential agreement entered into under section 506.1 or a direction of the Superintendent issued to the company or person pursuant to subsection 507(1) or (3), |
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( b ) is contravening this Act, or |
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( c ) has omitted to do any thing under this Act that is required to be done by or on the part of the company or person, |
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the Superintendent may, in addition to any other action that may be taken under this Act, apply to a court for an order requiring the company or person to comply with the prudential agreement or direction, cease the contravention or do any thing that is required to be done, and on such application the court may so order and make any other order it thinks fit. |
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Appeal |
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(2) An appeal from a decision of a court under subsection (1) lies in the same manner, and to the same court, as an appeal from any other order of the court. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 509; 2001, c. 9, s. 561. |
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Disqualification and Removal of Directors or Senior Officers |
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Meaning of senior officer |
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509.01 In sections 509.1 and 509.2, senior officer means the chief executive officer, secretary, treasurer or controller of a company or any other officer reporting directly to the companys board of directors or chief executive officer. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 562. |
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Application |
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509.1 (1) This section applies only in respect of a company |
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( a ) that has been notified by the Superintendent that this section applies to it where the company is subject to measures designed to maintain or improve its safety and soundness, which measures |
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(i) have been specified by the Superintendent by way of conditions or limitations in respect of the order approving the commencement and carrying on of the companys business, or |
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(ii) are contained in a prudential agreement entered into under section 506.1 or an undertaking given by the company to the Superintendent; or |
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( b ) that is the subject of a direction made under section 507 or an order made under subsection 473(3). |
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Information to be provided |
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(2) A company shall provide the Superintendent with the name of |
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( a ) each person who has been nominated for election or appointment as a member of its board of directors, |
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( b ) each person who has been selected by the company for appointment as a senior officer, and |
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( c ) each person who is newly elected as a director of the company at a meeting of shareholders and who was not proposed for election by anyone involved in the management of the company, |
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together with such other information about the background, business record and experience of the |
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person as the Superintendent may require. |
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When information to be provided |
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(3) The information required by subsection (2) shall be provided to the Superintendent |
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( a ) at least thirty days prior to the date or proposed date of the election or appointment or within such shorter period as the Superintendent may allow; or |
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( b ) in the case of a person referred to in paragraph (2)( c ), within fifteen days after the date of the election of the person. |
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Disqualification or removal |
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(4) If the Superintendent is of the opinion that, on the basis of the competence, business record, experience, conduct or character of a person, he or she is not suitable to hold that position, the Superintendent may, by order |
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( a ) in the case of a person referred to in paragraph (2)( a ) or ( b ), disqualify the person from being elected or appointed as a director of a company or from being appointed as a senior officer; or |
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( b ) in the case of a person referred to in paragraph (2)( c ), remove the person from office as a director of the company. |
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Risk of prejudice |
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(4.1) In forming an opinion under subsection (4), the Superintendent must consider whether the interests of the depositors and creditors of the company would likely be prejudiced if the person were to take office or continue to hold office, as the case may be. |
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Representations may be made |
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(5) The Superintendent must in writing notify the person concerned and the company of any action that the Superintendent proposes to take under subsection (4) and must afford them an opportunity within 15 days after the date of the notice, or within any longer period that the Superintendent allows, to make representations to the Superintendent in relation to the matter. |
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Prohibition |
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(6) Where an order has been made under subsection (4) |
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( a ) disqualifying a person from being elected or appointed to a position, the person shall not be, and the company shall not permit the person to be, elected or appointed to the position; or |
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( b ) removing a director from office, the person shall not continue to hold, and the company shall not permit the person to continue to hold, office as a director. |
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1996, c. 6, s. 126; 2001, c. 9, s. 563. |
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Removal of directors or senior officers |
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509.2 (1) The Superintendent may, by order, remove a person from office as a director or senior officer of a company if the Superintendent is of the opinion that the person is not suitable to hold that office |
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( a ) on the basis of the competence, business record, experience, conduct or character of the person; or |
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( b ) because the person has contravened or, by action or negligence, has contributed to the contravention of |
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(i) this Act or the regulations made under it, |
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(ii) a direction made under section 507, |
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(iii) an order made under subsection 473(3), |
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(iv) a condition or limitation in respect of the order approving the commencement and carrying on the companys business, or |
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(v) a prudential agreement entered into under section 506.1 or an undertaking given by the |
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company to the Superintendent. |
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Risk of prejudice |
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(2) In forming an opinion under subsection (1), the Superintendent must consider whether the interests of the depositors and creditors of the company have been or are likely to be prejudiced by the persons holding office as a director or senior officer. |
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Representations may be made |
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(3) The Superintendent must in writing notify the person concerned and the company of any removal order that the Superintendent proposes to make under subsection (1) and must afford them an opportunity within 15 days after the date of the notice, or within any longer period that the Superintendent allows, to make representations to the Superintendent in relation to the matter. |
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Suspension |
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(4) If the Superintendent is of the opinion that the public interest may be prejudiced by the director or senior officer continuing to exercise the powers or carry out the duties and functions of that office during the period for making representations, the Superintendent may make an order suspending the director or senior officer. The suspension may not extend beyond 10 days after the expiration of that period. |
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Notice of order |
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(5) The Superintendent shall, without delay, notify the director or senior officer, as the case may be, and the company of a removal order or suspension order. |
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Consequences of removal order |
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(6) The director or senior officer, as the case may be, ceases to hold that office as of the date the removal order is made or any later date specified in the order. |
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Appeal |
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(7) The director or senior officer, as the case may be, or the company may, within 30 days after the date of receipt of notice of the removal order under subsection (5), or within any longer period that the Court allows, appeal the matter to the Federal Court. |
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Powers of Federal Court |
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(8) The Federal Court, in the case of an appeal, may dismiss the appeal or set aside the removal order. |
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Order not stayed by appeal |
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(9) A removal order is not stayed by an appeal. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 564. |
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Supervisory Intervention |
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Superintendent may take control |
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510. (1) Subject to this Act, where any of the circumstances described in subsection (1.1) exist in respect of a company, the Superintendent may |
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( a ) take control, for a period not exceeding sixteen days, of the assets of the company and the assets held in trust by or under the administration of the company; or |
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( b ) unless the Minister advises the Superintendent that the Minister is of the opinion that it is not in the public interest to do so, |
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(i) take control, for a period exceeding sixteen days, of the assets of the company and the assets held in trust by or under the administration of the company, |
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(ii) where control of assets has been taken under paragraph ( a ), continue the control beyond the sixteen days referred to in that paragraph, or |
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(iii) take control of the company. |
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Circumstances for |
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(1.1) Control by the Superintendent under subsection (1) may be taken in respect of a company |
taking control |
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where |
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( a ) the company has failed to pay its liabilities or, in the opinion of the Superintendent, will not be able to pay its liabilities as they become due and payable; |
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( b ) [Repealed, 2001, c. 9, s. 565] |
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( c ) the assets of the company are not, in the opinion of the Superintendent, sufficient to give adequate protection to the companys depositors and creditors; |
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( d ) any asset appearing on the books or records of the company or held in trust by or under the administration of the company is not, in the opinion of the Superintendent, satisfactorily accounted for; |
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( e ) the regulatory capital of the company has, in the opinion of the Superintendent, reached a level or is eroding in a manner that may detrimentally affect the companys depositors or creditors; |
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( f ) the company has failed to comply with an order of the Superintendent under paragraph 473(3)( a ); |
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( g ) the companys deposit insurance has been terminated by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation; or |
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( h ) in the opinion of the Superintendent, any other state of affairs exists in respect of the company that may be materially prejudicial to the interests of the companys depositors or creditors or the beneficiaries of any trust under the companys administration, including where proceedings under a law relating to bankruptcy or insolvency have been commenced in Canada or elsewhere in respect of the holding body corporate of the company. |
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Notice of proposed action |
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(1.2) The Superintendent must notify a company of any action proposed to be taken in respect of it under paragraph (1)( b ) and of its right to make written representations to the Superintendent within the time specified in the notice not exceeding ten days after it receives the notice. |
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Objectives of Superintendent |
|
(2) Where, pursuant to subsection (1), the Superintendent has control of the assets of a company referred to in that subsection, the Superintendent may do all things necessary or expedient to protect the rights and interests of the depositors and creditors of the company or the beneficiaries of any trust under the administration of the company. |
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Powers of Superintendent |
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(3) Where, pursuant to subsection (1), the Superintendent has control of the assets of a company referred to in that subsection, |
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( a ) the company shall not make, acquire or transfer any loan or make any purchase, sale or exchange of securities or any disbursement or transfer of cash of any kind without the prior approval of the Superintendent or a representative designated by the Superintendent; and |
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( b ) no director, officer or employee of the company shall have access to any cash or securities held by or under the administration of the company unless |
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(i) a representative of the Superintendent accompanies the director, officer or employee, or |
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(ii) the access is previously authorized by the Superintendent or the Superintendents representative. |
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|
1991, c. 45, s. 510; 1996, c. 6, s. 127; 2001, c. 9, s. 565. |
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511. to 513. [Repealed, 1996, c. 6, s. 128] |
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Powers of directors and |
|
514. (1) Where the Superintendent takes control of a company pursuant to subparagraph |
officers suspended |
|
510(1)( b )(iii), the powers, duties, functions, rights and privileges of the directors of the company and of the officers of the company responsible for its management are suspended. |
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Superintendent to manage company |
|
(2) Where the Superintendent takes control of a company pursuant to subparagraph 510(1)( b )(iii), the Superintendent shall manage the business and affairs of the company and in so doing the Superintendent |
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( a ) may perform any of the duties and functions that the persons referred to in subsection (1) were performing prior to the taking of control; and |
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( b ) has and may exercise any power, right or privilege that any such person had or could have exercised prior to the taking of control. |
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Persons to assist |
|
(3) Where the Superintendent takes control of a company pursuant to subparagraph 510(1)( b )(iii), the Superintendent may appoint one or more persons to assist in the management of the company. |
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|
1991, c. 45, s. 514; 1996, c. 6, s. 129. |
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Expiration of control |
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515. Control by the Superintendent under subsection 510(1) of a company or of the assets of a company and the assets held in trust by or under the administration of the company expires on the day on which a notice by the Superintendent is sent to the directors and officers who conducted the business and affairs of the company stating that the Superintendent is of the opinion that the circumstances leading to the taking of control by the Superintendent have been substantially rectified and that the company can resume control of its business and affairs. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 515; 1996, c. 6, s. 129. |
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Superintendent may request winding-up |
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515.1 The Superintendent may, at any time before the receipt of a request under section 516 to relinquish control of a company or of the assets of a company and the assets held in trust by or under the administration of the company, request the Attorney General of Canada to apply for a winding-up order under section 10.1 of the Winding-up and Restructuring Act in respect of the company where |
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( a ) the assets of the company and the assets held in trust by or under the administration of the company are under the control of the Superintendent pursuant to subparagraph 510(1)( b )(i) or (ii); or |
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( b ) the company is under the control of the Superintendent pursuant to subparagraph 510(1)( b )(iii). |
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1996, c. 6, s. 129. |
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Requirement to relinquish control |
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516. Where no action has been taken by the Superintendent under section 515.1 and, after thirty days following the taking of control by the Superintendent under subsection 510(1) of a company or of the assets of a company and the assets held in trust by or under the administration of the company, the Superintendent receives from its board of directors a notice in writing requesting the Superintendent to relinquish control, the Superintendent must, not later than twelve days after receipt of the notice, |
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( a ) comply with the request; or |
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( b ) request the Attorney General of Canada to apply for a winding-up order under section 10.1 of the Winding-up and Restructuring Act in respect of the company. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 516; 1996, c. 6, s. 129. |
Advisory committee |
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517. The Superintendent may, from among the companies that are subject to an assessment under section 23 of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act and required to share in the expenses resulting from the taking of control of a company pursuant to subsection 510(1), appoint a committee of not more than six members to advise the Superintendent in respect of assets, management and all other matters pertinent to the duties and responsibilities of the Superintendent in exercising control of the company. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 517; 1996, c. 6, s. 129. |
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Expenses payable by company |
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518. (1) Where the Superintendent has taken control of a company pursuant to subparagraph 510(1)( b )(iii) and the control expires or is relinquished pursuant to section 515 or paragraph 516( a ), the Superintendent may direct that the company be liable for repayment of all or part of the expenses resulting from the taking of control of the company and assessed against and paid by other companies pursuant to section 23 of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act , together with such interest in respect thereof at such rate as is specified by the Superintendent. |
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Debt due to Her Majesty |
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(2) Where any direction is made under subsection (1), the amount for which the company is liable is a debt due to Her Majesty in right of Canada payable on demand and is recoverable in the Federal Court or any other court of competent jurisdiction. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 518; 1996, c. 6, s. 130. |
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Priority of claim in liquidation |
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519. In the case of the winding-up of a company, the expenses resulting from the taking of control of the company under subsection 510(1) and assessed against and paid by other companies pursuant to section 23 of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act , and interest in respect thereof at such rate as is specified by the Superintendent, constitute a claim of Her Majesty in right of Canada against the assets of the company that ranks after all other claims but prior to any claim in respect of the shares of the company. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 519; 1996, c. 6, s. 131(E). |
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Application of assessment |
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520. Any amount recovered pursuant to section 518 or 519 shall be applied to reduce the total amount of expenses incurred for or in connection with the administration of this Act. |
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PART XII.1 |
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REGULATION OF COMPANIES COMMISSIONER |
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Required information |
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520.1 A company shall provide the Commissioner with the information at the times and in the form that the Commissioner may require for the purposes of the administration of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act and the consumer provisions. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 566. |
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Confidential information |
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520.2 (1) Subject to subsection (2), information regarding the business or affairs of a company or regarding persons dealing with one that is obtained by the Commissioner or by any person acting under the direction of the Commissioner, in the course of the exercise or performance of powers, duties and functions referred to in subsection 5(1) of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act , and any information prepared from that information, is confidential and shall be treated accordingly. |
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Disclosure permitted |
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(2) If the Commissioner is satisfied that the information will be treated as confidential by the agency, body or person to whom it is disclosed, subsection (1) does not prevent the Commissioner |
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its transfer agent; and |
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( b ) the director at the directors latest address as shown in the records of the company or in the latest return made under section 499. |
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Presumption from return |
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522. A director named in the latest return sent by a company to the Superintendent under section 499 is presumed for the purposes of this Act to be a director of the company referred to in the return. |
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Presumption of receipt |
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523. (1) A notice or document sent by mail in accordance with section 521 to a shareholder or director is deemed to be received by the shareholder or director at the time it would be delivered in the ordinary course of mail unless there are reasonable grounds for believing that the shareholder or director did not receive the notice or document at that time or at all. |
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Undelivered notices |
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(2) If a company sends a notice or document to a shareholder in accordance with section 521 and the notice or document is returned on three consecutive occasions because the shareholder cannot be found, the company is not required to send any further notices or documents to the shareholder until informed in writing of the shareholders new address. |
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Service on a company |
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524. A notice or document required by this Act to be sent to or served on a company may be sent by registered mail to the head office of the company and, if so sent, is deemed to be received or served at the time it would be delivered in the ordinary course of mail unless there are reasonable grounds for believing that the company did not receive the notice or document at that time or at all. |
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Certificate of company |
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525. (1) A certificate issued on behalf of a company stating any fact that is set out in the incorporating instrument, the by-laws, the minutes of the meetings of the directors, a committee of directors or the shareholders, or in a contract to which the company is a party, may be signed by a director or an officer of the company. |
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Proof of certain cases |
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(2) When introduced as evidence in any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding, |
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( a ) a fact stated in a certificate referred to in subsection (1), |
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( b ) a certified extract from a securities register of a company, or |
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( c ) a certified copy of, or an extract from, minutes of a meeting of shareholders, directors or a committee of directors of a company |
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is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof of the facts so certified without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed the certificate. |
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Entry in securities register |
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526. An entry in the securities register of, or on a security certificate issued by, a company is evidence that the person in whose name the security is registered is the owner of the securities described in the register or in the certificate. |
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Verification of documents or fact |
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527. (1) The Superintendent may require that a document or a fact stated in a document that is required by or under this Act to be sent to the Superintendent or to the Minister be verified in accordance with subsection (2). |
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Form of proof |
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(2) A document or fact required by this Act or by the Superintendent to be verified may be verified by affidavit made under oath or by statutory declaration under the Canada Evidence Act before any commissioner for oaths or for taking affidavits. |
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Alternative means of |
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527.1 (1) Anything that is required by a provision of this Act to be published in the Canada |
publication |
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Gazette or to be published in any other way may, instead of being published in that way, be published in any manner that may be prescribed for the purpose of that provision. |
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Alternative means of publishing summaries |
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(2) Anything that is required by a provision of this Act to be summarized in a publication may instead be summarized and published in any manner that may be prescribed for the purpose of that provision. |
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Publication conditions |
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(3) Any condition under a provision of this Act that something be published in the Canada Gazette or in any other way is satisfied if that thing is published instead in any manner that may be prescribed for the purpose of that provision. |
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Other consequences |
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(4) Where a provision of this Act provides for consequences to follow the publication of something in the Canada Gazette or in any other manner, the same consequences follow the publication of that thing in any other manner that may be prescribed for the purpose of that provision. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 407. |
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APPROVALS: TERMS, CONDITIONS AND UNDERTAKINGS |
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Definition of approval |
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527.2 (1) In this section, approval includes any consent, order, exemption, extension or other permission granted by the Minister or the Superintendent under this Act, and includes the issuance of letters patent. |
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Minister terms, conditions and undertakings |
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(2) In addition to any other action that may be taken under this Act, the Minister may, in granting an approval, impose such terms and conditions or require such undertaking as the Minister considers necessary, including any terms, conditions or undertaking specified by the Superintendent to maintain or improve the safety and soundness of any financial institution regulated under an Act of Parliament and to which the approval relates or that may be affected by it. |
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Superintendent terms, conditions and undertakings |
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(3) In addition to any other action that may be taken under this Act, the Superintendent may, in granting an approval, impose such terms and conditions or require such undertaking as the Superintendent considers necessary. |
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Effect of non-compliance on approval |
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(4) Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Act, a failure to comply with a term or condition or an undertaking imposed or required under any provision of this Act does not invalidate the approval to which the term, condition or undertaking relates. |
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Non-compliance |
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(5) In addition to any other action that may be taken under this Act, in case of non-compliance by a person with a term, condition or undertaking imposed or required under any provision of this Act, the Minister or Superintendent, as the case may be, may |
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( a ) revoke, suspend or amend the approval to which the term, condition or undertaking relates; or |
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( b ) apply to a court for an order directing the person to comply with the term, condition or undertaking, and on such application the court may so order and make any other order it thinks fit. |
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Representations |
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(6) Before taking any action under subsection (5), the Minister or the Superintendent, as the case may be, shall afford the person concerned a reasonable opportunity to make representations. |
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Revocation, suspension |
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(7) At the request of the person concerned, the Minister or the Superintendent, as the case may |
or amendment |
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be, may revoke, suspend or amend any terms or conditions imposed by him or her or may revoke or suspend an undertaking given to him or her or approve its amendment. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 567. |
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ORDERS AND DIRECTIVES |
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Not statutory instruments |
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528. An instrument issued or made under this Act and directed to a single company or person, other than an order referred to in section 487, is not a statutory instrument for the purposes of the Statutory Instruments Act . |
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Form |
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529. The Superintendent may, by order, establish the form of any application to be made to the Minister or the Superintendent under this Act. |
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APPLICATIONS TO SUPERINTENDENT |
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Content of applications |
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529.1 (1) The following applications to the Superintendent must contain the information, material and evidence that the Superintendent may require: |
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( a ) applications for approval under subsection 68(1), 75(2), 78(4), 82(5), 83(1), 174(1), 222(3), 421(1), 453(6) or (10), 456(1) or (2) or 470(1), subparagraph 475(2)( b )(vi), section 478 or subsection 482(3) or (4) or 483.3(1); |
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( b ) applications for consent under subsection 74(1); |
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(c) applications for exemptions under subsection 160.05(3) or 250(1); and |
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(d) applications for extensions of time under subsection 456(3) or (5), 457(4) or 458(4). |
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Receipt |
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(2) Without delay after receiving the application, the Superintendent shall send a receipt to the applicant certifying the date on which it was received. |
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Notice of decision to applicant |
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(3) Subject to subsection (4), the Superintendent shall, within a period of thirty days after the receipt of the application, send to the applicant |
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( a ) a notice approving the application, subject to any terms and conditions that the Superintendent considers appropriate; or |
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( b ) if the Superintendent is not satisfied that it should be approved, a notice to that effect. |
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Extension of period |
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(4) If the Superintendent is unable to complete the consideration of the application within the period referred to in subsection (3), the Superintendent shall, within that period, send a notice to the applicant informing the applicant that the Superintendent has extended the period for a further period set out in the notice. |
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Deemed approval |
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(5) If the applicant does not receive the notice required by subsection (3) and, where applicable, subsection (4), within the required period, the Superintendent is deemed to have approved the application and granted the approval, consent, extension or exemption to which the application relates, regardless of whether the approval, consent, extension or exemption is to be in writing or not. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 568. |
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APPEALS |
Appeal to Federal Court |
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530. (1) An appeal lies to the Federal Court from any direction of the Minister made pursuant to subsection 401(1). |
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Powers |
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(2) The Federal Court may, in an appeal under subsection (1), |
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(a) dismiss the appeal; |
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(b) set aside the direction or decision; or |
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(c) set aside the direction or decision and refer the matter back for re-determination. |
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Certificate |
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(3) For the purposes of an appeal under subsection (1), the Minister shall, at the request of the company or person making the appeal, provide the company or person with a certificate in writing setting out the direction or decision appealed from and the reasons why the direction or decision was made. |
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1991, c. 45, ss. 530, 540; 1996, c. 6, s. 132. |
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REGULATIONS |
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Power to make regulations |
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531. The Governor in Council may make regulations |
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( a ) prescribing anything that is required or authorized by this Act to be prescribed; |
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( a .1) prescribing the way in which anything that is required or authorized by this Act to be prescribed shall be determined; |
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( b ) defining words and expressions to be defined for the purposes of this Act; |
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( c ) requiring the payment of a fee in respect of the filing, examining or issuing of any document or in respect of any action that the Superintendent is required or authorized to take under this Act, and fixing the amount thereof or the manner of determining the amount thereof; |
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( d ) respecting the regulatory capital and total assets of a company; |
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( e ) respecting the retention, in Canada, of assets of a company; |
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( f ) respecting the value of assets of a company to be held in Canada and the manner in which those assets are to be held; |
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( f .1) respecting, for any purpose of any provision of the Act, the determination of the equity of a company; |
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( g ) respecting the protection and maintenance of assets of a company and assets held in trust by a company, including regulations respecting the bonding of directors, officers and employees of a company; |
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( h ) respecting the holding of shares and ownership interests for the purposes of sections 73 and 77; |
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( i ) respecting information, in addition to the information required by section 501, to be maintained in the register referred to in that section; and |
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( j ) generally for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this Act. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 531; 1997, c. 15, s. 408; 1999, c. 31, s. 220(F); 2001, c. 9, s. 569. |
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DELEGATION |
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Delegation |
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532. The Minister may delegate any of the Ministers powers, duties and functions under this |
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offence is a party to and guilty of the offence and liable on summary conviction or on conviction on indictment to the punishment provided under paragraph 534(1)( a ) for the offence whether or not the entity has been prosecuted or convicted. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 535; 1997, c. 15, s. 410. |
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Limitation period |
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535.1 (1) Proceedings by way of summary conviction in respect of an offence under a provision of this Act may be commenced at any time within, but not later than, two years after the day on which the subject-matter of the proceedings became known, in the case of an offence under a consumer provision, to the Commissioner and, in any other case, to the Superintendent. |
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Certificate of Superintendent or Commissioner |
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(2) A document appearing to have been issued by the Superintendent or Commissioner, as the case may be, certifying the day on which the subject-matter of any proceedings became known to the Superintendent or Commissioner is admissible in evidence without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed it and is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof of the matter asserted in it. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 570. |
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Effect of offence on contracts |
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536. Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Act, a contravention of any provision of this Act or the regulations does not invalidate any contract entered into in contravention of the provision. |
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Restraining or compliance order |
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537. (1) If a company or any director, officer, employee or agent of a company does not comply with any provision of this Act or the regulations other than a consumer provision, or of the incorporating instrument or any by-law of the company, the Superintendent, any complainant or any creditor of the company may, in addition to any other right that person has, apply to a court for an order directing the company, director, officer, employee or agent to comply with or restraining the company, director, officer, employee or agent from acting in breach of the provision and, on the application, the court may so order and make any further order it thinks fit. |
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Compliance or restraining order consumer provisions |
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(2) If a company or any director, officer, employee or agent of a company does not comply with any applicable consumer provision, the Commissioner or any complainant may, in addition to any other right that person has, apply to a court for an order directing the company, director, officer, employee or agent to comply with or restraining the company, director, officer, employee or agent from acting in breach of the consumer provision and, on the application, the court may so order and make any further order it thinks fit. |
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1991, c. 45, s. 537; 2001, c. 9, s. 571. |
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Appeals |
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538. Any decision or order of a court under this Act may be appealed to the court of appeal. |
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Recovery and application of fines |
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539. All fines payable under this Act are recoverable and enforceable, with costs, at the suit of Her Majesty in right of Canada, instituted by the Attorney General of Canada, and, when recovered, belong to Her Majesty in right of Canada. |
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PART XV |
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GENERAL |
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TRANSITIONAL |
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540. [Amendments] |
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CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS |
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541. to 560. [Amendments] |
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REPEALS |
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561. and 562. [Repeals] |
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COMING INTO FORCE |
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Coming into force |
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* 563. (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act or any provision thereof shall come into force on a day or days to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council. |
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* [Note: Act, except subsections 250(1) and (2), in force June 1, 1992, see SI/92-89.] |
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Idem |
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(2) Subsections 250(1) and (2) shall come into force on the day that is six months after the coming into force of subsections 243(1) and (2). |
Exhibit 8(c) to Form T-6
Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act
An Act to establish the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation
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SHORT TITLE |
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Short title |
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1. This Act may be cited as the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act . |
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R.S., c. C-3, s. 1. |
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INTERPRETATION |
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Definitions |
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2. In this Act, |
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affairs
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affairs, with respect to a member institution, means its business and the relationships among the member institution and its affiliates and the shareholders, directors and officers of the member institution and its affiliates; |
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affiliate
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affiliate, in respect of a member institution that is |
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( a ) a bank, means an entity that is affiliated with the bank within the meaning of the Bank Act , or |
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( b ) other than a bank, means an entity that would be affiliated with the member institution within the meaning of the Bank Act if the member institution were a bank to which that Act applies; |
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appropriate provincial
minister
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appropriate provincial minister, in relation to a provincial institution, means the minister of the Crown of the province of incorporation of the institution responsible for the supervision of the provincial institution; |
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bank
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bank means a bank listed in Schedule I or II to the Bank Act ; |
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Board
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Board means the Board of Directors of the Corporation; |
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by-laws
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by-laws means the by-laws of the Corporation; |
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Chairman |
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Chairman[Repealed, 1996, c. 6, s. 21] |
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Chairperson
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Chairperson means the Chairperson of the Board; |
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Corporation
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Corporation means the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation established by section 3; |
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deposit and depositor
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deposit and depositor mean respectively a deposit and a depositor as defined in the schedule; |
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deposit insurance
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deposit insurance means the insurance referred to in paragraph 7( a ); |
federal institution
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federal institution means a bank, company or association referred to in section 8; |
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federal member
institution
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federal member institution means a federal institution that is a member institution; |
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member institution
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member institution means a corporation that has deposit insurance under this Act; |
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Minister
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|
Minister means the Minister of Finance; |
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policy of deposit
insurance
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policy of deposit insurance or policy means the instrument evidencing the deposit insurance of a member institution; |
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premium year
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premium year means, in relation to the calculation and payment of premiums pursuant to this Act, the period beginning on May 1 in one year and ending on April 30 in the next year; |
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provincial institution
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provincial institution means a company referred to in section 9; |
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provincial member
institution
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provincial member institution means a provincial institution that is a member institution; |
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provincial supervisor
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provincial supervisor, in relation to a provincial institution, means the official of the province of incorporation of the provincial institution who supervises the affairs of the provincial institution; |
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receiver
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receiver includes a receiver-manager; |
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representation
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representation means any oral or written statement and includes any advertisement and any mark, sign, trade name or other device; |
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share
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share includes |
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( a ) a conversion or exchange privilege that is convertible at any time into a share, and |
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( b ) an option or a right to acquire a share or a privilege referred to in paragraph ( a ) |
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issued by a member institution; |
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subordinated debt
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subordinated debt means debt of a member institution that, by the terms of any instrument evidencing the debt, will, in the event of the insolvency or winding-up of the member institution, be subordinate in right of payment to all deposit liabilities of the member institution and all other liabilities of the member institution except those that, by their terms, rank equally with or are subordinate to that debt and includes |
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( a ) a conversion or exchange privilege that is convertible at any time into subordinated debt, and |
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( a ) employed in any capacity in the federal public administration or holds any office or position for which any salary or other remuneration is payable out of public moneys; |
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( b ) a member of the Senate or House of Commons of Canada or a member of a provincial legislature; or |
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( c ) a director, officer or employee of a federal institution or provincial institution. |
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Alternate director |
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(2) A director referred to in paragraph (1)( b ) may, from time to time with the approval of the Minister, designate in writing an alternate to attend in the directors absence at any meeting of the Board of Directors, and the alternate shall be deemed to be a member of the Board while so attending a meeting of the Board. |
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Vacancy |
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(3) A vacancy on the Board does not impair the right of the remaining directors to act. |
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Acting chairperson |
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(4) Where the office of Chairperson is vacant, the Minister may appoint, for a period not exceeding ninety days, an acting Chairperson who shall, while so acting, be a member of the Board and have all the powers of the Chairperson. |
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Expenses of directors |
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(5) A director shall be paid by the Corporation reasonable travel and living expenses incurred by the director while absent from his ordinary place of residence in the course of his duties as a director but no director referred to in paragraph (1)( b ) shall receive any other remuneration for his services on the Board. |
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Remuneration of certain directors |
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(5.1) A director referred to in paragraph (1)( c ) shall be paid by the Corporation for attendance at meetings of the Board such remuneration as may be fixed by the Governor in Council. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 5; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (2nd Supp.), s. 1, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 48; 1996, c. 6, s. 47 (e ); 2001, c. 9, s. 204; 2003, c. 22, s. 224 (e ). |
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Chairperson |
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6. (1) The Governor in Council shall appoint a person of proven financial ability to be Chairperson of the Board. |
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Term of office |
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection 105(5) of the Financial Administration Act , the Chairperson shall be appointed to hold office during good behaviour for such term as the Governor in Council deems appropriate but may be reappointed on the expiration of his term of office and may be removed at any time by the Governor in Council for cause. |
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Disqualification |
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(3) No person is eligible to be appointed or to continue as Chairperson who |
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( a ) is not a Canadian citizen ordinarily resident in Canada; |
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( b ) is a member of the Senate or House of Commons or a member of a provincial legislature; |
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( c ) is a director, officer or employee of a federal institution or provincial institution; or |
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(d ) has reached the age of seventy-five years. |
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Presiding at meetings |
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(4) The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Board but where at any meeting the Chairperson is absent, one of the directors present thereat who is chosen so to act by the directors present shall preside and have all the powers of the Chairperson. |
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Remuneration of Chairperson |
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(5) The Chairperson shall be paid by the Corporation such remuneration as may be fixed by the Governor in Council. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 6; 1996, c. 6, s. 47 (e ). |
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OBJECTS, POWERS AND DUTIES |
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Objects |
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7. The objects of the Corporation are |
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( a ) to provide insurance against the loss of part or all of deposits; |
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( b ) to promote and otherwise contribute to the stability of the financial system in Canada; and |
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( c ) to pursue the objects set out in paragraphs ( a ) and ( b ) for the benefit of persons having deposits with member institutions and in such manner as will minimize the exposure of the Corporation to loss. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 7; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 49; 1996, c. 6, s. 22; 2005, c. 30, s. 98. |
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Federal institutions |
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8. For the purposes of this Act, the following are federal institutions: |
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( a ) a bank; |
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( b ) a company to which the Trust and Loan Companies Act applies; and |
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( c ) a retail association within the meaning of regulations made under the Cooperative Credit Associations Act . |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 8; 1991, c. 45, s. 541; 1999, c. 28, s. 99; 2001, c. 9, s. 205; 2005, c. 30, s. 99. |
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Provincial institutions |
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9. For the purposes of this Act, an incorporated company that carries on, under an Act of the legislature of a province or a constating instrument under provincial jurisdiction, a business substantially similar to the business of a company to which the Trust and Loan Companies Act applies and that is authorized by or under an Act of the legislature of a province to accept deposits from the public is a provincial institution. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 9; 1991, c. 45, s. 542. |
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Powers of Corporation |
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10. (1) The Corporation may do all things necessary or incidental to the objects of the Corporation and in particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Corporation may, in furtherance of its objects, |
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( a ) for the purpose of reducing a risk to the Corporation or reducing or averting a threatened loss to the Corporation, |
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(i) acquire assets from a member institution, |
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(ii) make or guarantee loans or advances, with or without security, to a member institution, and |
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(iii) make or guarantee a deposit with a member institution; |
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( a .1) [Repealed, 1996, c. 6, s. 23] |
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( a .2) enter into an agreement with the government of a province, or an agent of the government of a province, respecting any matter relating to the insurance of deposits with provincial institutions in that province; |
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( b ) make any investment and enter into any transaction necessary or desirable for the financial management of the Corporation; |
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( c ) act as liquidator, receiver or inspector of a member institution or a subsidiary thereof, when duly appointed as such and appoint qualified and competent persons, whether employees of the Corporation or not, to carry out any or all of the functions of the Corporation under the |
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appointment of the Corporation; |
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(d ) assume the costs of a winding-up of a member institution when the Corporation is appointed to act as a liquidator in the winding-up, or assume the costs of the receiver when the Corporation is appointed to act as such and charge those costs to the Accumulated Net Earnings of the Corporation; |
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(e ) guarantee the payment of the fees of, and the costs incurred by any person as, the liquidator or receiver of a member institution when that person is appointed as such and charge any amounts paid under the terms of the guarantee to the Accumulated Net Earnings of the Corporation; |
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(f ) acquire assets of a member institution from a liquidator or receiver thereof; |
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(f .1) acquire, by way of security or otherwise, shares and subordinated debt of a member institution and to hold and dispose of those shares and subordinated debt; |
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(g ) make an advance for the purpose of paying a claim, against a member institution for which the Corporation is acting as receiver or liquidator, in respect of any insured deposit and of becoming subrogated as an unsecured creditor for the amount of the advance; |
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(h ) make or cause to be made such inspections of a member institution as may be authorized under this Act or a policy of deposit insurance; |
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( i ) acquire, hold and alienate real and personal property; |
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( i .1) settle or compromise any claim by or against the Corporation; and |
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(j ) do all such other things as may be necessary for the exercising of any power of the Corporation. |
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Subsidiary corporations |
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(2) For the purposes of facilitating the acquisition, management or disposal of real property or other assets of a member institution that the Corporation may acquire as the result of its operations, the Corporation may, when authorized by order of the Governor in Council, |
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( a ) procure the incorporation of a corporation, all the shares of which, on incorporation, would be held by, on behalf of or in trust for the Corporation; or |
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( b ) acquire all of the shares of a corporation that, on acquisition, would be held by, on behalf of or in trust for the Corporation. |
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Subsidiary not an agent |
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(3) A corporation described in paragraph (2)( a ) or ( b ) is deemed not to be an agent of the Corporation or of Her Majesty in right of Canada. |
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Conditions applicable to the exercise of certain powers |
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(4) The Corporation shall, in exercising its powers under paragraph (1)( b ), comply with such directions of general application as the Minister may, in writing, give to the Corporation. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 10; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 50; 1992, c. 26, s. 3; 1996, c. 6, s. 23; 2001, c. 9, s. 206. |
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Loans to Corporation |
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10.1 (1) At the request of the Corporation, the Minister may, out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, lend money to the Corporation on such terms and conditions as the Minister may establish. |
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Other borrowing |
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(2) The Corporation may borrow money otherwise than under subsection (1) and may borrow by any means, including the issuance and sale of bonds, debentures, notes or any other evidence of indebtedness. |
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Total indebtedness |
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(3) The total principal indebtedness outstanding at any time in respect of borrowings under this section shall not exceed |
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( a ) six billion dollars; or |
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( b ) such greater amount as may be authorized for the purposes of this subsection by Parliament under an appropriation Act. |
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Fees for borrowing |
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(4) The Minister may fix a fee to be paid by the Corporation to the Receiver General in respect of any borrowings by the Corporation and the Minister shall notify the Corporation in writing of any such fee. |
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1996, c. 6, s. 24; 1997, c. 15, s. 111 (e ). |
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Powers of directors |
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11. (1) The Board shall administer the affairs of the Corporation in all things and make, or cause to be made, for the Corporation any description of contract that the Corporation may by law enter into. |
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By-laws |
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(2) The Board may make by-laws, |
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( a ) for the administration, management and control of the property and affairs of the Corporation; |
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( b ) governing the functions, duties and remuneration of all officers, agents and employees of the Corporation; |
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( b .1) concerning conflicts of interest and post-employment matters relating to conflicts of interest in respect of directors, officers and employees of the Corporation; |
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( c ) governing the appointment and activities of any special committees created for the purposes of the Corporation; |
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(d ) governing the time and place for the holding of meetings of the directors, and the quorum and procedure in all things at those meetings; |
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(e ) [Repealed, 2005, c. 30, s. 100] |
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(f ) respecting representations by member institutions and other persons with respect to |
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(i) what constitutes, or does not constitute, a deposit, |
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(ii) what constitutes, or does not constitute, a deposit that is insured by the Corporation, and |
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(iii) who is a member institution; |
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(g ) prescribing anything that, by virtue of any provision of this Act, is to be prescribed by the by-laws; |
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(h ) prescribing the form and manner in which payments under this Act are to be made by the Corporation; and |
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( i ) governing the conduct in all other particulars of the affairs of the Corporation. |
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Inspection powers |
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(3) In carrying out any inspection authorized by this Act or by a policy of deposit insurance, the directors of the Corporation have all the powers conferred on commissioners appointed under Part II of the Inquiries Act for the purpose of obtaining evidence under oath, and the directors may delegate those powers as occasion requires. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 11; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (2nd Supp.), s. 2, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 51; 1992, c. 26, s. 4; 2005, c. 30, s. 100. |
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DEPOSIT INSURANCE |
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Duty to insure |
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12. The Corporation shall insure each deposit with a member institution except |
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( a ) a deposit that is not payable in Canada or in Canadian currency; |
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( b ) a deposit in respect of which Her Majesty in right of Canada would be a preferred claimant; and |
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( c ) so much of any one deposit as exceeds one hundred thousand dollars. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 12; 2005, c. 30, s. 101. |
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Deposits with amalgamating institutions |
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13. (1) Where a person has deposits with two or more member institutions that amalgamate and continue in operation as one member institution, in this section referred to as the amalgamated institution, a deposit of that person with an amalgamating institution on the day on which the amalgamated institution is formed, less any withdrawals from the deposit, shall, for the purpose of deposit insurance with the Corporation, be deemed to be and continue to be separate from any deposit of that person on that day with the other amalgamating institution or institutions that become part of the amalgamated institution. |
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Deposits with amalgamated institution |
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(2) A deposit made by a person referred to in subsection (1) with an amalgamated institution after the day on which the amalgamated institution is formed shall be insured by the Corporation only to the extent that the aggregate of that persons deposits with the amalgamated institution, exclusive of the deposit in respect of which the calculation is made, is less than one hundred thousand dollars. |
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Where assets acquired |
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(3) For the purpose of deposit insurance with the Corporation, where a member institution assumes deposit liabilities of another member institution, those member institutions are deemed to be amalgamating institutions and subsections (1) and (2) apply where a person has deposits with both institutions. |
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Deemed deposits |
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(4) Where a member institution assumes deposit liabilities of another member institution, the deposits in respect of those liabilities are, for the purposes of sections 21, 23 and 25.1, deemed to be deposited with the member institution that assumes them as of the day on which they are assumed. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 13; 1992, c. 26, s. 5; 1996, c. 6, s. 25; 2005, c. 30, s. 102. |
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How payment to be made |
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14. (1) Where the Corporation is obliged to make payment in respect of any deposit insured by deposit insurance, the Corporation as soon as possible after the obligation arises shall, in respect of the deposit, make payment to such person as in the opinion of the Corporation appears to be entitled thereto, |
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( a ) by making available to that person a transferred deposit with another member institution for so much of the persons deposit as is insured by the Corporation; or |
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( b ) by paying that person an amount of money equal to so much of the persons deposit as is insured by the Corporation. |
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Obligatory payment |
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(2) The Corporation shall, in the manner described in subsection (1), make payment in respect of any deposit insured by deposit insurance where a winding-up order has been made in respect of the member institution that holds the deposit. |
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Discretionary payment |
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(2.1) The Corporation may, in the manner described in subsection (1), make payment in respect of any deposit insured by deposit insurance where |
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( a ) the member institution that holds the deposit is unable, by reason of an order of a court or of any action taken by a supervisory or regulatory body, to make any payment in respect of the |
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deposit; |
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( b ) the policy of deposit insurance of the member institution that holds the deposit is terminated or cancelled; or |
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( c ) an order is made in respect of the federal member institution under subsection 39.13(1). |
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(2.2) [Repealed, 1996, c. 6, s. 26] |
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How interest on deposit to be calculated |
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(2.3) For the purpose of calculating the payment of the Corporation in respect of any deposit insured by deposit insurance where a winding-up order has been made in respect of the member institution that holds the deposit, the interest accruing and payable in relation to the deposit shall be included only to the date of the commencement of the winding-up. |
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Corporation may pay interest |
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(2.4) Where the Corporation makes a payment pursuant to subsection (2), the Corporation may pay, in addition to the amount the Corporation is obliged to pay, interest on that amount at a rate determined in accordance with rules prescribed by the by-laws for the period commencing on the date of the commencement of the winding-up in respect of the member institution that holds the deposit and ending on the date of the making of the payment in respect of the deposit, but the aggregate of the payments made under this subsection and subsection (2) in relation to the deposit shall in no case exceed one hundred thousand dollars. |
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How interest and deposit to be calculated |
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(2.5) For the purpose of calculating the payment of the Corporation in respect of any deposit insured by deposit insurance where the Corporation makes a payment pursuant to subsection (2.1), |
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( a ) subject to paragraph ( b ), the interest accruing and payable in relation to the deposit shall be included only to the date of the payment by the Corporation; or |
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( b ) if a proceeding for the winding-up of the member institution that holds the deposit has been commenced before the date of the payment by the Corporation but a winding-up order has not yet been made, the interest accruing and payable in relation to the deposit shall be included only to the date of the commencement of the winding-up. |
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Interest on index-linked deposits |
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(2.51) The interest referred to in subsection (2.3) or (2.5) in relation to a deposit held by a member institution shall be determined in accordance with rules prescribed by the by-laws if a payment to be made by the member institution in respect of the deposit is to be determined, in whole or in part, by reference in any way to |
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( a ) the market price of a security, commodity or financial instrument; |
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( b ) the exchange rate between any two currencies; |
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( c ) a reference rate determined by reference to any one or more of those prices or rates; or |
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(d ) any other kind of variable index or reference point that may be described in rules prescribed by the by-laws. |
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Exception |
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(2.6) Where a winding-up order is made in respect of a member institution, subsection (2) does not apply to any deposit in respect of which payment was made pursuant to subsection (2.1). |
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Preparatory examination |
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(2.7) Where the Corporation believes that the making of a payment under this Act in respect of a deposit held by a member institution is imminent and that it would be in the best interest of both the depositors with the member institution and the Corporation that preparations be made to make that payment as soon as possible, the Corporation may, |
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( a ) with the approval of the Superintendent, in the case of a federal institution, or |
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( b ) after consultation with the appropriate provincial supervisor, in the case of a provincial |
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institution, |
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make or cause to be made by any person designated by the Corporation, an examination of the books, records and accounts of the member institution relating to its deposit liabilities and, for the purposes of the examination, the Corporation and the person designated by it have a right of access to those books, records and accounts and are entitled to require the directors, officers and auditors of and any receiver or liquidator thereof to furnish such information and explanations regarding the deposits held by the member institution as the Corporation or person may require. |
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Costs of examination |
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(2.8) The costs incurred by the Corporation in carrying out an examination in respect of a member institution under subsection (2.7) shall be paid by the member institution and may be recovered by the Corporation as a debt due and payable to the Corporation. |
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Date of computing liability |
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(2.9) For the purposes of calculating the payment to be made by the Corporation in respect of any deposit insured by deposit insurance, the amount of the deposit shall be determined, where the Corporation makes a payment pursuant to |
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( a ) subsection (2), as of the date of the commencement of the winding-up; |
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( b ) subsection (2.1) in the winding-up circumstances described in paragraph (2.5)( b ), as of the date of the commencement of the winding-up; or |
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( c ) subsection (2.1), otherwise than in the winding-up circumstances described in paragraph (2.5)( b ), as of the date on which any of the circumstances described in subsection (2.1) first occurs in respect of the member institution concerned. |
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Discharge of liability |
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(3) Payment under this section by the Corporation in respect of any deposit insured by deposit insurance discharges the Corporation from all liability to the extent of the amount of the payment made in respect of that deposit, and in no case is the Corporation under any obligation to see to the proper application in any way of the payment so made. |
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Subrogation |
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(4) Where the Corporation makes a payment under this section in respect of any deposit with a member institution, the Corporation is subrogated, to the extent of the amount of the payment made, to all the rights and interests of the depositor and may maintain an action in respect of those rights and interests in the name of the depositor or in the name of the Corporation. |
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Priority |
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(4.1) Where the Corporation makes a payment under this section in respect of any deposit with a member institution that is being wound up, the Corporation ranks, |
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( a ) to the extent that the payment was made pursuant to subsection (2) or (2.1), equally with the depositor in respect of his deposit; and |
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( b ) to the extent that the payment includes any interest paid pursuant to subsection (2.4), equally with the depositor in respect of interest accruing and payable on his deposit after the date of the making of the winding-up order. |
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Assignment |
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(5) Where the Corporation deems it advisable, it may withhold payment in respect of any deposit with a member institution until it has received an assignment in writing of all the rights and interests of the depositor in relation to the deposit. |
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Time limitation for claims |
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(6) No action may be taken against the Corporation in respect of the obligation of the Corporation to make a payment in relation to a deposit held by a member institution that is being wound up unless the action is commenced within ten years after the date of the commencement of the winding-up. |
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Interpretation |
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(7) In this section, commencement of the winding-up means the time a winding-up is deemed to |
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commence pursuant to section 5 of the Winding-up and Restructuring Act . |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 14; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 52; 1992, c. 26, s. 6; 1996, c. 6, s. 26; 1997, c. 15, s. 112; 2005, c. 30, s. 103. |
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Sale of information to liquidator |
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14.1 (1) The Corporation may sell to the liquidator of a member institution appointed under the Winding-up and Restructuring Act any information that was gathered or produced at the expense of the Corporation, if that expense is not one that may be recovered by the Corporation from the member institution under subsection 14(2.8). |
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Payment part of winding-up costs |
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(2) Any amount paid by the liquidator for that information is deemed for the purpose of section 94 of the Winding-up and Restructuring Act to be a cost incurred in the winding-up of the member institution. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 113. |
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Premiums recoverable |
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15. A premium assessed by the Corporation against a member institution for the purposes of this Act constitutes a debt owing to Her Majesty in right of Canada and the amount thereof together with any interest levied by the Corporation as an overdue charge is recoverable by action in any court of competent jurisdiction. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 15; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (2nd Supp.), s. 3, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 53. |
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16. [Repealed, R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 53] |
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Insurance of federal institutions |
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17. (1) The Corporation shall insure the deposits held by a federal institution in the manner and to the extent provided in this Act and the by-laws. |
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Insurance of provincial institutions |
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(1.1) On the application of a provincial institution, the Corporation may insure the deposits held by the institution in the manner and to the extent provided in this Act and the by-laws, if |
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( a ) the Corporation approves the institution for deposit insurance; |
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( b ) the institution is authorized by the province of its incorporation to apply for deposit insurance; |
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( c ) the institution agrees, in carrying on its business, not to exercise powers substantially different from the powers exercisable by a company to which the Trust and Loan Companies Act applies; and |
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(d ) the Corporation is satisfied that at all times the Corporation will have adequate access to information regarding the institution. |
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Deemed application |
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(2) Every federal institution that is a member institution on the day on which this subsection comes into force shall be deemed to have applied for a policy of deposit insurance and to have obtained a policy. |
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(3) [Repealed, 2005, c. 30, s. 104] |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 17; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 54; 1991, c. 45, s. 543; 2005, c. 30, s. 104. |
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Form of application for deposit insurance |
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18. (1) An application for deposit insurance shall be in the form, and accompanied by a fee of the amount and type, that may be prescribed by the by-laws. |
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(2) [Repealed, R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 55] |
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Form of policy |
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(3) A policy of deposit insurance shall be in such form and contain such provisions as may be |
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prescribed by the by-laws. |
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Policies deemed to be amended |
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(4) Where a by-law respecting the form or content of the policy of deposit insurance is amended, or revoked and replaced, every policy of deposit insurance, including policies of deposit insurance deemed to have been obtained under section 17, is deemed to be amended or replaced accordingly, and the Corporation may issue new policies of deposit insurance as a consequence of the amendment or revocation and replacement. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 18; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 55; 1992, c. 26, s. 7; 1999, c. 28, s. 100. |
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19. [Repealed, R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 56] |
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Deposit Insurance Fund |
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20. The Corporation shall maintain a fund, to be called the Deposit Insurance Fund, to which shall be credited all premiums received by the Corporation. |
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R.S., c. C-3, s. 18. |
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Assessment and collection of premiums |
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21. (1) The Corporation shall, for each premium year, assess and collect from each member institution an annual premium in an amount equal to the lesser of |
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( a ) the annual premium for that member institution determined under the by-laws, and |
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( b ) the maximum annual premium. |
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By-laws re premiums |
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(2) The Board may make by-laws respecting the determination of annual premiums for member institutions and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, may make by-laws |
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( a ) for the establishment of a system of classifying member institutions in different categories; |
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( b ) respecting the criteria or factors to be taken into account or procedures to be followed by the Corporation in determining the category in which a member institution is classified; and |
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( c ) fixing the amount of, or providing for the manner of determining the amount of, the annual premium applicable to each category. |
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When by-law not effective |
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(3) A by-law made under subsection (2) is not effective unless it has been approved in writing by the Minister. |
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Maximum annual premium |
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(4) In this section, maximum annual premium means, in respect of a member institution, the greater of |
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( a ) $5,000, and |
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( b ) one third of one per cent, or such smaller proportion of one per cent as may be fixed in respect of the premium year by the Governor in Council, of an amount equal to the sum of so much of the deposits as are considered to be insured by the Corporation and deposited with the member institution as of April 30 in the immediately preceding premium year. |
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Calculation of deposits |
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(5) For the purposes of this section, a member institution may use any method approved by the Corporation to determine the aggregate amount of its deposits that are considered to be insured by the Corporation. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 21; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 57; 1996, c. 6, s. 27. |
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Returns |
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22. (1) The premium payable by a member institution shall be based on returns to be certified by the institution and submitted in such form and at such time as the Corporation may require. |
Payable in instalments |
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(2) One half of the premium payable by a member institution shall be paid to the Corporation on or before July 15 in the premium year for which the premium is payable and the remainder shall be paid to the Corporation, without interest, on or before December 15 in that premium year. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 22; 1996, c. 6, s. 28. |
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Calculation of first premium |
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23. (1) The premium payable by a member institution in respect of the premium year in which it becomes a member institution shall be the same proportion of the lesser of |
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( a ) the annual premium for that member determined by by-law made under subsection 21(2) based on an amount equal to the sum of so much of the deposits as are considered to be insured by the Corporation and deposited with the member institution as of the end of the month in which it becomes a member institution, and |
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( b ) the greater of |
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(i) $5,000, and |
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(ii) one third of one per cent, or such smaller proportion of one per cent as may be fixed in respect of the premium year by the Governor in Council, of an amount equal to the sum of so much of the deposits as are considered to be insured by the Corporation and deposited with the member institution as of the end of the month in which it becomes a member institution, |
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as the number of days in which any of the deposits with that member institution are insured by the Corporation in that premium year is of 365. |
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Payment of first premium |
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection 22(2), |
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( a ) one-half of the premium payable by a member institution under subsection (1) shall be paid to the Corporation, without interest, within sixty days after the end of the month in which the member institution becomes a member institution; and |
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( b ) the remainder of the premium shall be paid to the Corporation, without interest, on or before December 31 immediately following the month in which the member institution becomes a member institution. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 23; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 58; 1996, c. 6, s. 29; 2001, c. 9, s. 207. |
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Where premiums payable |
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24. All premiums payable under sections 21 and 23 shall be paid to the Corporation at its head office. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 24; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 58. |
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No set-off on premium payment |
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24.1 No member institution shall, without the prior agreement of the Corporation, reduce or extinguish a premium payment, interest or other payment to be made to the Corporation by reason of a set-off or claim by the member institution against the Corporation. |
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1996, c. 6, s. 30; 2001, c. 9, s. 208. |
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Overdue charges |
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25. Notwithstanding anything in sections 21 to 23, the Corporation may charge interest at a rate equal to the rate prescribed pursuant to subsection 161(1) of the Income Tax Act plus two per cent on the unpaid amount of any premium instalment not paid on or before the due date of that instalment. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 25; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 58. |
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Premium surcharge |
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25.1 (1) Notwithstanding sections 21 to 25, where, in the opinion of the Corporation, a member institution is engaging in such practice as may be prescribed in the by-laws as warranting a premium |
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surcharge, the Corporation, after |
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( a ) consultation with the Superintendent or the provincial supervisor, as the case may be, and |
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( b ) giving the member institution an opportunity to be heard, |
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may assess and collect from the member institution a premium surcharge in respect of the premium year or any part thereof. |
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Amount of premium surcharge |
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(2) The amount of the premium surcharge that may be assessed against and collected from a member institution under subsection (1) in respect of any premium year shall be such amount as the Corporation may determine to be fair in the circumstances and in no case shall exceed an amount equal to one sixth of one per cent of so much of each deposit as is considered to be insured by the Corporation and deposited with the member institution as of April 30 in the immediately preceding premium year. |
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Application of sections 21 to 25 |
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(3) The provisions of sections 21 to 25 that are not inconsistent with subsections (1) and (2) apply, with such modifications as the circumstances require, in respect of any premium surcharge assessed under subsection (1). |
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R.S., 1985, c. 18 (2nd Supp.), s. 4, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 59; 1996, c. 6, s. 31. |
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Accumulated Net Earnings |
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26. (1) The Corporation shall maintain an account, to be called the Accumulated Net Earnings, to which shall be credited all earnings, including realized profits on the sale of securities, and to which shall be charged all operating expenses, losses and specific provisions for losses in respect of insurance operations and losses on the sale of securities. |
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(2) [Repealed, 1996, c. 6, s. 32] |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 26; 1996, c. 6, s. 32. |
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BANKS WITHOUT DEPOSIT INSURANCE |
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Interpretation |
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26.01 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), for the purposes of sections 26.02 to 26.06, deposit has the meaning that would be given to it by the schedule, for the purposes of deposit insurance, if the schedule were read without reference to subsections 2(2), (5) and (6) of the schedule. |
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Exception |
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(2) For the purposes of subparagraph 26.03(1)( c )(iii) and paragraph 26.03(1) (d ), deposit has the meaning that would be given to it by the schedule, for the purposes of deposit insurance, but does not include deposits not payable in Canada or in Canadian currency. |
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Exception |
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(3) For the purposes of paragraph 26.03(1)( b ) and subsection 26.03(2), deposit has the meaning that would be given to it by the schedule, for the purposes of deposit insurance, if the schedule were read without reference to subsections 2(2), (5) and (6) of the schedule, but does not include deposits prescribed by the by-laws. |
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By-laws |
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(4) The Board may make by-laws |
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( a ) prescribing the deposits referred to in subsection (3); and |
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( b ) prescribing terms and conditions with respect to the acceptance of those deposits. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 114; 1999, c. 28, s. 101. |
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Application |
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26.02 A bank may apply to the Corporation for authorization to accept deposits payable in Canada without being a member institution. The application must be in a form that is acceptable to the |
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Corporation and must contain such information as the Corporation may require. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 114. |
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Granting of application |
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26.03 (1) Subject to section 26.04, the Corporation may give that authorization if |
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( a ) [Repealed, 2001, c. 9, s. 209] |
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( b ) the sum of all the deposits held by the bank that are less than $150,000 and payable in Canada is less than one per cent of the sum of all the deposits held by the bank that are payable in Canada; |
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( c ) the bank has informed all its depositors, in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed by the by-laws, |
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(i) that the bank has applied to become authorized to accept deposits without being a member institution, |
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(ii) that after the bank receives that authorization, no deposit with the bank will be insured in whole or in part by the Corporation, and |
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(iii) that the banks obligation to repay the deposit to the depositor will be assumed by a member institution if an option referred to in subparagraph (d )(i) or (ii) is not exercised; |
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(d ) in respect of each deposit that is held by the bank, the bank has |
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(i) obtained from the depositor an acknowledgement in writing that the deposit will no longer be insured in whole or in part by the Corporation after the bank receives authorization to accept deposits without being a member institution, |
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(ii) at the request in writing of the depositor, paid to the depositor the principal amount of the deposit and interest determined in accordance with rules prescribed by the by-laws and has not charged any fee or penalty in connection with the payment, or |
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(iii) obtained from a member institution an agreement in writing to assume the banks liability in relation to the deposit on the same terms and conditions; and |
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(e ) the bank has paid to the Corporation a fee determined in accordance with rules prescribed by the by-laws. |
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Exchange rate |
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(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), the rate of exchange that shall be applied on any day in determining the amount in Canadian dollars of a deposit in a currency of a country other than Canada shall be determined in accordance with rules prescribed by the by-laws. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 114; 1999, c. 28, s. 102; 2001, c. 9, s. 209. |
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Minister to be informed |
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26.04 (1) Before giving an authorization under subsection 26.03(1), the Corporation must inform the Minister that it proposes to give the authorization. |
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Minister may prevent authorization |
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(2) If the Minister is of the opinion that giving the authorization would not be in the public interest, the Minister may, within thirty days after being informed about the proposal to give the authorization, direct the Corporation not to give the authorization. |
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Authorization after 30 days |
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(3) If the Minister does not issue that direction within those thirty days, the Corporation may then give the authorization under subsection 26.03(1). The giving of the authorization cancels the policy of deposit insurance of the member institution to which the authorization is given. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 114; 1999, c. 28, s. 103. |
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Fees by-law |
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26.05 A by-law prescribing rules for the purpose of paragraph 26.03(1) (e ) is not effective unless it |
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has been approved in writing by the Minister. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 114. |
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Deposits not insured |
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26.06 After a bank has been authorized under subsection 26.03(1) to accept deposits without being a member institution, no deposit with the bank is insured in whole or in part by the Corporation. |
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1997, c. 15, s. 114. |
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INSPECTION OF MEMBER INSTITUTIONS |
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Annual inspections |
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27. (1) The Superintendent shall, notwithstanding any other Act of Parliament, examine on behalf of the Corporation the affairs of each federal member institution once in each year and at the times that the Corporation may require for a specified purpose. |
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Costs |
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(2) Where an examination under subsection (1) is made for a specified purpose, such costs incurred in relation thereto as in the opinion of the Superintendent are extraordinary shall be borne by the Corporation. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 27; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 60; 1991, c. 45, s. 544; 1999, c. 28, s. 104. |
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Provincial member institutions |
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28. It is a condition of the policy of deposit insurance of a provincial member institution that |
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( a ) the Corporation or a person designated by the Corporation may, at least once in each year and at such other times as the Corporation deems appropriate, make or cause to be made such inspections of the affairs of the provincial member institution as the Corporation or that person may deem to be necessary or expedient; |
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( b ) the Corporation and the person designated by the Corporation have, for the purposes referred to in paragraph ( a ), a right of access to the records of the member institution; and |
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( c ) the member institution will cause its officers and auditors to furnish such information and explanations pertaining to its affairs as the Corporation or the person designated by the Corporation may require. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 28; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 60. |
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Costs may be charged back |
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28.1 Where an examination or an inspection is carried out other than once in each year, the Corporation may |
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( a ) pay the costs of the examination or inspection; |
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( b ) charge the costs to the member institution in respect of which they were incurred; and |
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( c ) recover the costs from the member institution as a debt due and payable to the Corporation. |
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1996, c. 6, s. 33; 1999, c. 28, s. 105. |
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Examination considerations |
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29. (1) The person who conducts an examination under section 27 or an inspection under section 28 in respect of a member institution shall make all examinations or inspections that the person considers necessary to |
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( a ) provide, by way of a rating or any other means, an assessment of the safety and soundness of the member institution, including its financial condition; |
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( b ) comment on the operations of the member institution; and |
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( c ) if the member institution is a provincial institution and the Corporation and the person agree, comment on whether the provisions of the statutes governing the provincial institution are being |
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complied with. |
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Reports |
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(2) The person shall provide written reports to the Corporation on the matters referred to in paragraphs (1)( a ) to ( c ) in a timely manner. |
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Right of Corporation to information |
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(3) The Corporation is entitled to all information obtained by or produced by or for the person, whether in the course of conducting an examination or inspection or otherwise, regarding the affairs of the member institution or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries or of any person dealing with the member institution or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, that relates to the safety and soundness, or the operations, of the member institution. |
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Obligation to provide other information |
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(4) Without limiting subsection (3), the person shall provide the Corporation with any information that the person considers relevant to any matter referred to in any of paragraphs (1)( a ) to ( c ) or to any report provided under subsection (2). |
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Obligation to inform |
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(5) The person shall without delay inform the Corporation if, at any time, whether in the course of conducting an examination or inspection or otherwise, there comes to the attention of the person any change in the circumstances of the member institution that might materially affect the position of the Corporation as an insurer. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 29; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 61; 1992, c. 26, s. 8 (e ); 1996, c. 6, s. 34; 1999, c. 28, s. 106; 2001, c. 9, s. 210; 2005, c. 30, s. 105. |
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Review of returns |
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29.1 If requested to do so by the Corporation, the person who conducts an examination under section 27 or an inspection under section 28 in respect of a member institution shall review, or cause another person to review on the persons behalf, within the time specified by the Corporation, the correctness of the returns made by the member institution on which its premiums are based and through which its premium classification is in part determined. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 210. |
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Certain reports to be provided to Corporation |
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29.2 When a report is sent by the Superintendent to the Minister under section 643 of the Bank Act , section 505 of the Trust and Loan Companies Act or section 437 of the Cooperative Credit Associations Act , a copy of the report shall be sent by the Superintendent at the same time to the Corporation. |
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2001, c. 9, s. 210. |
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Reporting defects or breaches |
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30. (1) Where, in the opinion of the Corporation, a member institution |
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( a ) [Repealed, 2005, c. 30, s. 106] |
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( b ) is in breach of any by-laws of the Corporation applicable thereto, or |
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( c ) is in breach of any of the conditions of its policy of deposit insurance, |
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the Corporation may send by registered mail or deliver by hand a report of the facts to the chief executive officer or chairperson of the board of directors of the member institution and shall provide a copy of the report to the Minister. |
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Presentation of report to directors |
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(2) The chief executive officer or chairman of the board of directors of a member institution to whom a report has been sent or delivered under subsection (1) shall, within fifteen days after the receipt of the report, cause |
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( a ) the report to be presented to a meeting of the board of directors of the member institution and |
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institution, or any other person, the risk to depositors or to the Corporation has been averted or substantially reduced, the Corporation may revoke its notice of termination. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 31; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 62; 1992, c. 26, s. 10 (e ); 1996, c. 6, s. 36; 2005, c. 30, s. 107. |
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Acceleration of termination of deposit insurance |
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31.1 (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, where, at any time after a notice of termination has been given to a provincial member institution under subsection 31(1), the Corporation concludes that |
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( a ) the financial condition of the provincial member institution has deteriorated since the giving of the notice, and |
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( b ) the interests of depositors will be adversely affected by any further delay in terminating the provincial member institutions policy of deposit insurance, |
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the Corporation shall forthwith send a notice by registered mail, or deliver a notice by hand, to the provincial member institution and to the appropriate provincial Minister, to the effect that the deposit insurance of the institution will be terminated on the expiration of a period of five days after the receipt of the notice by the institution. |
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Hearing |
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(2) A provincial member institution to which a notice is sent or delivered under subsection (1) may, by notice in writing sent to and received at the head office of the Corporation before the expiration of the period specified in the notice, request an opportunity to be heard. |
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Confirmation or revocation |
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(3) Where a hearing is requested under subsection (2), the Board of Directors of the Corporation or a committee thereof established by the Board for the purpose shall, before the expiration of the period specified in the notice sent or delivered under subsection (1), hear the provincial member institution in such manner as the Board or the committee, as the case may be, deems appropriate and the Board or the committee shall thereafter confirm or revoke the notice. |
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Revocation |
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(4) The Corporation shall revoke a notice sent or delivered under subsection (1) where the appropriate provincial Minister or provincial supervisor, as the case may be, has taken control of the provincial member institution or its assets. |
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Termination of policy |
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(5) Unless a notice sent or delivered under subsection (1) is revoked under subsection (3) or (4), the policy of deposit insurance of the provincial member institution to which the notice was sent or delivered shall terminate on the expiration of the period specified in the notice. |
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Effect of revocation |
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(6) The revocation of a notice under subsection (3) or (4) does not revoke a notice given under subsection 31(1). |
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R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 62; 1996, c. 6, s. 37. |
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Termination of policy by provincial member institution |
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32. (1) A provincial member institution may terminate a policy of deposit insurance by giving such notice of termination as may be required by the policy. |
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Effect of termination |
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(2) Unless the policy of deposit insurance of a provincial member institution otherwise provides, section 34 applies in respect of deposits with the institution on the termination of the policy by the institution. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 32; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 62. |
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Cancellation |
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33. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the deposit insurance of a member institution may be cancelled |
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forthwith by the Corporation |
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( a ) when in the opinion of the Corporation the member institution is or is about to become insolvent; or |
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( b ) when the member institution ceases to accept deposits. |
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No cancellation in certain cases |
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(2) The Corporation shall notify the Minister of the action it is proposing to take under subsection (1) and shall not take the action if it is advised by the Minister that in the opinion of the Minister taking the action would not be in the public interest. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 33; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 62; 1996, c. 6, s. 38. |
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Effect of termination or cancellation |
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34. (1) Where the deposit insurance of a member institution is terminated or cancelled by the Corporation, the deposits with the institution on the day the termination or cancellation takes effect, less any withdrawals from those deposits, continue to be insured under the terminated or cancelled deposit insurance for a period of two years or, in the case of a term deposit with a remaining term exceeding two years, to the maturity thereof. |
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Non-application of continued coverage |
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(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a deposit with |
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( a ) a member institution if the deposit has been assumed by another member institution; or |
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( b ) a former member institution that has received authorization to accept deposits payable in Canada without being a member institution and the policy of deposit insurance of which has been cancelled. |
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Corporations not member institutions |
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(3) A corporation is not considered to be a member institution by reason only that its deposits continue to be insured under subsection (1). |
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Continuing obligations |
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(4) Termination or cancellation of a policy of deposit insurance does not relieve a former member institution from obligations and liabilities to the Corporation that have accrued before the termination or cancellation. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 34; 1996, c. 6, s. 39; 1999, c. 28, s. 107. |
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Creditor remedies available |
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35. (1) Where in the opinion of the Corporation a member institution is or is about to become insolvent, the Corporation is deemed to be a creditor of the member institution and the Corporation may initiate and take any measures or proceedings that a creditor of the member institution may initiate or take under law to preserve the assets of the member institution or to have it wound up or liquidated. |
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No measures to be taken in certain cases |
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(1.1) The Corporation shall notify the Minister of the action it is proposing to take under subsection (1) and shall not take the action if it is advised by the Minister that in the opinion of the Minister taking the action would not be in the public interest. |
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Presumption |
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(2) For the purposes of this section, the Corporation is deemed to be a creditor of a member institution notwithstanding that the deposit insurance of the institution has been terminated or cancelled. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 35; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 63; 1992, c. 27, s. 90; 1993, c. 34, s. 14; 1996, c. 6, s. 40. |
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Removal of references to deposit insurance |
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36. (1) Where the deposit insurance of a member institution is terminated or cancelled, the member institution shall notify its depositors of that fact and shall remove all references to deposit |
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province; and |
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( b ) special examinations, by representatives of both parties to the agreement and at the request of either party, of any of the provincial institutions that are member institutions operating in that province. |
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In lieu of examination |
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(2) The Corporation may accept information received from an exchange of information referred to in paragraph (1)( a ) in lieu of any examination required by this Act. |
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R.S., c. C-3, s. 32. |
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Short term loans to insuring agents |
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39. The Corporation may, with the approval of the Governor in Council and on such terms and conditions as the Governor in Council may prescribe, enter into an agreement with an agent of the government of a province that guarantees or insures deposits with provincial institutions in that province, to extend to that agent short term loans, secured by such security as the Corporation deems adequate, to enable that agent to meet short term requirements for liquid funds arising from its operations. |
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R.S., c. C-3, s. 33. |
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RESTRUCTURING OF FEDERAL MEMBER INSTITUTIONS |
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VESTING OF SHARES AND SUBORDINATED DEBT OF FEDERAL MEMBER INSTITUTIONS IN CORPORATION |
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Report of Superintendent |
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39.1 (1) Where the Superintendent is of the opinion that |
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( a ) a federal member institution has ceased, or is about to cease, to be viable, and |
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( b ) the viability of the federal member institution cannot be restored or preserved by the exercise of the Superintendents powers under the Bank Act , the Trust and Loan Companies Act or the Cooperative Credit Associations Act , |
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the Superintendent, after providing the federal member institution with a reasonable opportunity to make representations, shall, in writing, report thereon to the Corporation. |
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Forming opinion |
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(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Superintendent may take into account all matters the Superintendent considers relevant, but in all cases the Superintendent shall have regard to whether, in the opinion of the Superintendent, |
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( a ) the federal member institution is dependent to an excessive extent on loans, advances, guarantees or other financial assistance to sustain its operations; |
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( b ) the federal member institution has lost the confidence of depositors and the public; |
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( c ) the federal member institutions regulatory capital, within the meaning assigned to that expression by the Bank Act , the Trust and Loan Companies Act or the Cooperative Credit Associations Act , whichever is applicable, is or is about to become substantially deficient; or |
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( d ) the federal member institution has failed to pay any liability that has become due and payable or will not be able to pay its liabilities as they become due and payable. |
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Report by Superintendent on winding-up circumstances |
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(3) Where the Superintendent is of the opinion that |
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( a ) circumstances exist in respect of a federal member institution that would allow the Superintendent to take control of the federal member institution under the Bank Act , the Trust and Loan Companies Act or the Cooperative Credit Associations Act , and |
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( b ) if such control were taken, grounds would exist for the making of a winding-up order in |
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respect of the federal member institution, |
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the Superintendent, after providing the federal member institution with a reasonable opportunity to make representations, shall, in writing, report thereon to the Corporation. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41; 2001, c. 9, s. 211. |
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Request of Corporation |
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39.11 On receipt of a report made by the Superintendent pursuant to section 39.1 and after having taken into account whether |
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( a ) an agreement for a transaction referred to in section 39.2 is reasonably likely to be expeditiously entered into after the making of the order, and |
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( b ) any such transaction would be consistent with the objects of the Corporation, |
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the Corporation may request the Minister to recommend that one or more orders be made under subsection 39.13(1). |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41; 1999, c. 31, s. 28 (f ). |
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Recommendation of Minister |
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39.12 Where a request referred to in section 39.11 is made by the Corporation, the Minister may, if the Minister is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so, recommend to the Governor in Council that one or more orders be made in respect of the federal member institution under subsection 39.13(1). |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Order of Governor in Council |
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39.13 (1) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister pursuant to section 39.12, do either or both of the following: |
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( a ) by order, vest the shares and subordinated debt of the federal member institution in the Corporation; or |
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( b ) by order, appoint the Corporation as receiver in respect of the federal member institution. |
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Effects of vesting order |
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(2) An order made under paragraph (1)( a ) |
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( a ) vests the shares and subordinated debt of the federal member institution in the Corporation free from any adverse claim, including any claim that a transfer was wrongful or that a particular adverse person was the owner of or had an interest in the shares or subordinated debt, even though the Corporation knows of the adverse claim; |
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( b ) extinguishes any such adverse claim to the extent that the claim is a claim that a person other than the Corporation is the owner of or has an interest in the shares or subordinated debt; |
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( c ) does not extinguish any such adverse claim to the extent that the claim is a personal claim against a person other than the Corporation or a person claiming under it; and |
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(d ) does not prevent a secured creditor or assignee or successor in interest of the person who was the holder of the shares or subordinated debt immediately before the making of the order from being entitled to receive compensation under section 39.28 or 39.32. |
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Effects of receivership order |
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(3) An order made under paragraph (1)( b ) |
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( a ) constitutes the Corporation as the exclusive receiver of the assets and undertaking of the federal member institution or of such part thereof as may be specified in the order; |
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( b ) gives the Corporation, as receiver, in respect of the assets and undertaking of the federal member institution or such part thereof as may be specified in the order, the power to |
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(i) enter the federal member institution and take possession and control of the assets and require any person therein to account for and deliver up to the Corporation possession and control of the assets, |
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(ii) subject to subparagraph (iii), sell or otherwise dispose of the assets and undertaking by private or public sale or in such other manner and on such terms and conditions as the Corporation deems appropriate, |
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(iii) sell or otherwise dispose of any asset that is subject to an agreement creating a security interest to any person who agrees to assume the obligation secured by the security interest, |
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(iv) arrange for the assumption by any person of all or any part of the federal member institutions liabilities, |
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(v) carry on the business of the federal member institution to the extent that the Corporation deems is necessary or beneficial to the receivership, |
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(vi) sue for, defend, compromise and settle, in the name of the federal member institution, any claim made by or against it, |
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(vii) in the name of the federal member institution, do all acts and execute all receipts and other documents and for that purpose, when necessary, use its seal, and |
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(viii) do all such other things as may be necessary or incidental to the exercise of the Corporations rights, powers, privileges and immunities as receiver; and |
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( c ) gives the Corporation the right to recover out of the assets of the federal member institution all the costs, charges and expenses properly incurred by the Corporation in the receivership, in priority to all other claims. |
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General, re orders |
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(4) For greater certainty, |
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( a ) shares and subordinated debt of a federal member institution that, immediately before the making of an order under paragraph (1)( a ), are vested in a trustee in bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act are vested in the Corporation; and |
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( b ) an order made under paragraph (1)( b ) prevents any person, other than the Corporation, who is the holder of shares or subordinated debt of the federal member institution, and any secured creditor or assignee or successor in interest of such person, from exercising any voting or other rights attached to the shares or subordinated debt or arising from the holders status as such in any manner that would or might tend to defeat or interfere with the rights, powers, privileges and immunities of the Corporation as receiver. |
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Receiver order dealings |
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(5) Where an order is made under paragraph (1)( b ), |
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( a ) the Corporation, as receiver, may exercise its powers, rights, privileges and immunities without leave, approval or other intervention of a court, but may seek the assistance of a superior court in order to give effect to those powers, rights, privileges and immunities, |
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( b ) an asset of the federal member institution that is acquired from the Corporation, as receiver, shall, except to the extent that it is an asset referred to in paragraph (3)( b )(iii), be acquired free of any adverse claim of the federal member institution or any other person, and |
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( c ) the Corporation, as receiver, may cause or refrain from causing any obligation of the federal member institution to be performed and may cause the federal member institution to incur an obligation or do so on its behalf, |
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and the Corporation shall not, by reason of its appointment as receiver or any action taken by it, be held to have assumed or incurred any obligation of the federal member institution for its own account. |
Order conclusive |
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(6) An order of the Governor in Council under this section is for all purposes final and conclusive and shall not be questioned or reviewed in any court. |
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1992, c. 26, ss. 11, 16; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Powers of Corporation |
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39.14 (1) Where an order in respect of a federal member institution is made under |
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( a ) paragraph 39.13(1)( a ), the powers, duties, functions, rights and privileges of the directors of the federal member institution and those of its officers responsible for its management are suspended, or |
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( b ) paragraph 39.13(1)( b ), the powers, duties, functions, rights and privileges of the directors of the federal member institution and those of its officers responsible for its management are suspended as regards the assets and undertaking of which the Corporation has been appointed receiver |
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and the Corporation may exercise or perform those powers, duties, functions, rights and privileges. |
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Persons to assist |
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(2) The Corporation may appoint one or more persons to assist it in the management of any federal member institution or in carrying out the Corporations functions as receiver and may delegate to those persons any of the powers, duties, functions, rights or privileges of the directors and officers of the federal member institution referred to in paragraph (1)( a ) or ( b ). |
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Certain powers, etc., of directors not affected |
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(3) Nothing in subsection (1) shall be construed as preventing the directors of the federal member institution from exercising the powers, duties, functions, rights and privileges of directors in respect of the rights of the federal member institution under sections 39.23 to 39.36. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Stay of proceedings |
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39.15 (1) Where an order is made under subsection 39.13(1), |
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( a ) no action or other civil proceeding may be commenced or continued against the federal member institution or in respect of its assets other than a proceeding under the Winding-up and Restructuring Act commenced by the Corporation; |
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( b ) no attachment, garnishment, execution or other method of enforcement of a judgment or order against the federal member institution or its assets may take place or continue; |
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( c ) no creditor of the federal member institution has any remedy against the federal member institution or its assets; |
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(d ) no creditor has any right of set-off against the federal member institution, which, for greater certainty, does not include the consolidation of accounts maintained in the normal course for the purpose of providing clearing and settlement services or the services referred to in paragraph (5)( c ); and |
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(e ) no person may terminate or amend any agreement with the federal member institution or claim an accelerated payment under any such agreement with the federal member institution by reason only of |
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(i) the federal member institutions insolvency, |
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(ii) a default, before the order was made, by the federal member institution in the performance of its obligations under the agreement, or |
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(iii) the making of the order. |
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Agreements overridden |
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(2) Where an order is made under subsection 39.13(1), any stipulation in an agreement is of no |
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force or effect if it |
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( a ) has the effect of providing for, or permitting, anything that, in substance, is contrary to paragraph (1) (e ) or 39.13(3)( b ); or |
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( b ) provides, in substance, that on |
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(i) the federal member institutions insolvency, |
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(ii) the default by the federal member institution in the performance of an obligation, or |
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(iii) the making of the order |
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the federal member institution ceases to have the rights to use or deal with assets that the federal member institution would otherwise have. |
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Clearing arrangements |
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(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply so as to prevent a member of the Canadian Payments Association from acting or ceasing to act as a clearing agent for a federal member institution in accordance with the Canadian Payments Act and the by-laws and rules of that Association. |
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Rights subject to set-off |
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(4) A federal member institution in respect of which an order is made under subsection 39.13(1) may not enforce against a person a right to receive an amount against which the person, but for paragraph (1) (d ), would have a right of set-off. |
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Further supplies and advances |
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(5) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) shall be construed |
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( a ) as prohibiting a person from requiring payments to be made in cash for goods, services, use of leased or licensed property or other valuable consideration provided after the making of the order; |
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( b ) as requiring the advance to a federal member institution in respect of which an order is made under subsection 39.13(1) of money or credit after the making of the order; or |
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( c ) as requiring the provision to a federal member institution in respect of which an order is made under subsection 39.13(1) of any of the following services where to do so would be likely, in the reasonable opinion of the person providing the service, to result in that person advancing money or credit to the federal member institution after the making of the order or to give rise, after the making of the order, to a claim of that person against the federal member institution, namely, |
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(i) cash management services, |
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(ii) services related to the redemption of debt instruments, |
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(iii) services related to the issuance of letters of credit or guarantees, |
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(iv) cheque certification services, |
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(v) currency supply services, |
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(vi) funds transfer services and remittance order services, |
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(vii) securities delivery and settlement services, |
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(viii) charge, credit, debit and payment card services, |
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(ix) automated banking and teller machine services, |
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(x) electronic funds transfer at point of sale services, |
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(xi) consignment cheque services, |
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(xii) other services similar to those referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (xi), |
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(xiii) any service of a kind prescribed by the regulations, and |
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(xiv) a guarantee of liabilities in respect of any of the services referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (xiii). |
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Security agreements |
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(6) Paragraphs (1)( b ) to (e ) and subsection (2) do not apply in respect of a remedy under, or a stipulation of, a security agreement creating a security interest in assets of a federal member institution if |
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( a ) an obligation secured by the security agreement is to the Bank of Canada or the Corporation; or |
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( b ) the Superintendent, on the application of the federal member institution, exempted the security agreement from the application of those paragraphs and that subsection before the making of an order under subsection 39.13(1). |
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Financial contracts |
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(7) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) prevents the termination of any of the following agreements in accordance with their terms or the setting off of an amount payable under or in connection with any of the following agreements, namely, |
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( a ) a currency or interest rate swap agreement; |
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( b ) a basis swap agreement; |
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( c ) a spot, future, forward or other foreign exchange agreement; |
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(d ) a cap, collar or floor transaction; |
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(e ) a commodity swap; |
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(f ) a forward rate agreement; |
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(g ) a repurchase or reverse repurchase agreement; |
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(h ) a spot, future, forward or other commodity contract; |
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( i ) an agreement to buy, sell, borrow or lend securities, to clear or settle securities transactions or to act as a depository for securities; |
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(j ) any derivative, combination or option in respect of, or agreement similar to, an agreement or contract referred to in paragraphs ( a ) to ( i ); |
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(k ) any master agreement in respect of any agreement or contract referred to in paragraphs ( a ) to (j ); |
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( l ) any master agreement in respect of a master agreement referred to in paragraph (k ); |
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( m ) a guarantee of the liabilities under an agreement or contract referred to in paragraphs ( a ) to ( l ); and |
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( n ) any agreement of a kind prescribed by the regulations. |
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Regulations |
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(8) The Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing |
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( a ) kinds of services for the purposes of subparagraph (5)( c )(xiii); and |
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( b ) kinds of agreements for the purposes of paragraph (7)( n ). |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41; 2001, c. 9, s. 212. |
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39.151 [Repealed, 1996, c. 6, s. 41] |
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Exemption |
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39.16 The Governor in Council may, in an order made under subsection 39.13(1), provide that |
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subsection 39.15(1) or (2) or any portion thereof does not apply in respect of the federal member institution. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Leave of court |
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39.17 (1) A superior court may, on such terms as it considers proper, grant leave to a person to do any thing that the person would otherwise be prevented from doing by section 39.15, if the court is satisfied |
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( a ) that the person is likely to be materially prejudiced if leave is not granted; or |
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( b ) that it is equitable on other grounds to grant leave. |
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Corporation to be made party |
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(2) The Corporation must be joined as a respondent in any application under subsection (1) and is entitled to such notice of the application as the court considers proper. |
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Orders of national effect |
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(3) An order of a superior court of a province under subsection (1) may, if the order so provides, have effect in all or a part of Canada outside the province. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Termination |
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39.18 Sections 39.14 and 39.15 cease to apply in respect of a federal member institution |
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( a ) on the date specified in a notice described in subsection 39.2(3) in respect of the federal member institution; or |
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( b ) on the date that a winding-up order is made in respect of the federal member institution. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Part VII of Bank Act , etc., inapplicable |
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39.19 (1) The following enactments do not apply in respect of shares of a federal member institution that are vested in the Corporation by an order made under paragraph 39.13(1)( a ): |
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( a ) sections 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 376.1, 376.2, 377, 377.1 379, 385, 401.2 and 401.3 of the Bank Act ; |
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( b ) sections 407, 407.01, 407.02, 407.03, 407.1, 407.2, 408, 411, 428 and 430 of the Insurance Companies Act ; and |
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( c ) sections 375, 375.1, 376, 379 and 396 and subsection 399(2) of the Trust and Loan Companies Act . |
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Public holding requirement re parent |
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(2) An exemption from the application of section 385 of the Bank Act , section 411 of the Insurance Companies Act or section 379 of the Trust and Loan Companies Act that is granted under section 388 of the Bank Act , section 414 of the Insurance Companies Act or section 382 of the Trust and Loan Companies Act continues in force notwithstanding that the entity that controls the bank, insurance company, trust company or loan company is a federal member institution the shares of which are vested in the Corporation by an order made under paragraph 39.13(1)( a ). |
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Termination |
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(3) Subsections (1) and (2) cease to apply in respect of a federal member institution on the date specified in a notice described in subsection 39.2(3) in respect of the federal member institution. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41; 2001, c. 9, s. 213. |
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RESTRUCTURING TRANSACTIONS |
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Restructuring transactions |
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39.2 (1) Where an order has been made under paragraph 39.13(1)( a ), the Corporation may, in |
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addition to and not in lieu of any other of its rights and powers, carry out, or cause the federal member institution to carry out, |
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( a ) a transaction or series of transactions that involves the sale of all or part of the shares or subordinated debt of the federal member institution; |
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( b ) a transaction that involves the amalgamation of the federal member institution; |
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( c ) a transaction or series of transactions that involves the sale or other disposition by the federal member institution of all or part of its assets or the assumption of all or part of its liabilities, or both; or |
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(d ) any other transaction or series of transactions the purpose of which is to restructure a substantial part of the business of the federal member institution. |
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Transactions for disposition of assets, etc., or restructuring |
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(2) Where an order has been made under paragraph 39.13(1)( b ), the Corporation, as receiver, may, in addition to any other of its rights and powers, carry out |
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( a ) a transaction or series of transactions that involves the sale or other disposition by the Corporation as receiver of all or part of the assets of the federal member institution or the assumption by another person of all or part of its liabilities, or both; or |
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( b ) any other transaction or series of transactions the purpose of which is to restructure a substantial part of the business of the federal member institution. |
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Completion of transaction |
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(3) Where the Corporation considers that a transaction or series of transactions referred to in subsection (1) or (2) has been substantially completed, it shall cause a notice to that effect, specifying the date on which the transaction or series of transactions was, in the opinion of the Corporation, substantially completed, to be published in the Canada Gazette . |
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Negative pledges inapplicable |
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(4) No restriction on the right of the federal member institution to amalgamate, to sell or otherwise dispose of any of its assets or to provide for the assumption of any of its liabilities, other than a restriction provided for in an Act of Parliament, applies so as to prevent the Corporation, the federal member institution or any other person from carrying out a transaction described in subsection (1) or (2). |
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Approval by Minister |
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(5) A transaction referred to in subsection (1) or (2) has no force or effect until it has been approved by the Minister. |
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Novation |
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(6) On approval of a transaction referred to in subsection (1) or (2), any person who assumes a liability of the federal member institution under the transaction becomes liable instead of the federal member institution to discharge the liability assumed. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Right transferable |
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39.21 Where the assets of a federal member institution that is a bank that are sold under a transaction described in section 39.2 include any outstanding security pursuant to section 426 or 427 of the Bank Act , the buyer of the assets may hold the security for the life of the loan to which the security relates and all the provisions of the Bank Act relating to the security and its enforcement continue to apply to the buyer as though the buyer were a bank. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Winding-up |
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39.22 (1) The Corporation shall apply for a winding-up order in respect of a federal member institution under the Winding-up and Restructuring Act if, in the opinion of the Corporation, a transaction or series of transactions referred to in section 39.2 is not substantially completed on or |
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before the date that is |
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( a ) sixty days after the making of the order under subsection 39.13(1); or |
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( b ) the expiration of any extension of that period. |
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Deeming |
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(2) For the purposes of the Winding-up and Restructuring Act , the Corporation is deemed to be a creditor of the federal member institution. |
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Extension |
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(3) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister, grant one or more extensions of the period set out in subsection (1) for a further period of not more than thirty days but the last extension must expire not later than one hundred and eighty days after the making of the order under subsection 39.13(1). |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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COMPENSATION |
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Definitions |
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39.23 In sections 39.24 to 39.37, |
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assessor
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assessor means a person who is appointed as assessor under section 39.29; |
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dissenting offerees
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dissenting offerees means the persons |
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( a ) who, immediately before the shares and subordinated debt of a federal member institution are vested in the Corporation by an order made under paragraph 39.13(1)( a ), together held at least 10 per cent of the shares of a given class, or at least 10 per cent of the principal amount of the subordinated debt of a given class, of the federal member institution, or the assignees or successors in interest of those persons, and |
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( b ) who notify the Corporation within thirty days after the date of the notice of the Corporation under section 39.24 of their objection to the offer or to the fact that no offer is being made. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Offer of compensation |
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39.24 (1) Where an order has been made under paragraph 39.13(1)( a ), the Corporation shall, within forty-five days after the date specified in a notice described in subsection 39.2(3) or the making of a winding-up order, give each person who, immediately before the making of the order under paragraph 39.13(1)( a ), was the holder of shares or subordinated debt of the federal member institution, or the assignee or successor in interest of that person, |
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( a ) a notice containing an offer of compensation in an amount or with a value estimated by the Corporation to be equal to the compensation to which that person would be entitled under paragraph 39.32(1)( a ); or |
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( b ) a notice stating that no offer of compensation is being made because the amount estimated by the Corporation to be equal to the compensation to which that person would be entitled under paragraph 39.32(1)( a ) is zero. |
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Offer of compensation federal member institution |
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(2) Where an order has been made under paragraph 39.13(1)( b ), the Corporation shall, within forty-five days after the date specified in a notice described in subsection 39.2(3) or the making of a winding-up order, give the federal member institution |
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( a ) a notice containing an offer of compensation in an amount or with a value estimated by the Corporation to be equal to the compensation to which the federal member institution would be |
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entitled under paragraph 39.32(2)( a ); or |
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( b ) a notice stating that no offer of compensation is being made because the amount estimated by the Corporation to be equal to the compensation to which the federal member institution would be entitled under paragraph 39.32(2)( a ) is zero. |
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Compensation may be cash or other compensation |
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(3) The compensation offered under paragraph (1)( a ) or (2)( a ) may be wholly or partly in cash or wholly or partly in such other form as the Corporation considers appropriate. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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39.241 [Repealed, 1996, c. 6, s. 41] |
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Contents of notice |
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39.25 (1) A notice under subsection 39.24(1) must be accompanied by the prescribed information and state |
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( a ) that an order has been made vesting the shares and subordinated debt of the federal member institution in the Corporation; |
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( b ) that each person who held, or is the assignee or successor in interest of a person who held, shares or subordinated debt of the federal member institution has thirty days from the date of the notice to accept or object to the offer or the fact that no offer is being made and to notify the Corporation of that acceptance or objection; |
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( c ) that, if the offer or the fact that no offer is being made is objected to by the persons, or the assignees or successors in interest of the persons, who together held at least 10 per cent of the shares of a given class, or at least 10 per cent of the principal amount of the subordinated debt of a given class, the compensation to be paid to those persons will be determined by an assessor; and |
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(d ) that a person who does not notify the Corporation of his or her objection within that period will receive the offered compensation or no compensation, if no compensation is being offered, but will have no right to contest its amount or value or the fact that no compensation is being offered. |
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Contents of notice |
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(2) A notice under subsection 39.24(2) must be accompanied by the prescribed information and state |
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( a ) that the federal member institution has ninety days from the date of the notice to accept or object to the offer or the fact that no offer is being made and to notify the Corporation of that acceptance or objection; |
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( b ) that, if the offer or the fact that no offer is being made is objected to by the federal member institution, the compensation to be paid will be determined by an assessor; and |
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( c ) that, if the federal member institution does not notify the Corporation of its objection within that period, it will receive the offered compensation or no compensation, if no compensation is being offered, as the case may be, and will have no right to contest the amount or value of offered compensation or the fact that no compensation is being offered. |
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Contents of notice |
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(3) A notice under subsection 39.24(1) may state that a transaction or series of transactions referred to in subsection 39.2(1) has been substantially completed and that the shares or subordinated debt are re-vested on the persons who held those shares or that debt immediately before the making of the order vesting those shares or that debt in the Corporation or, where, after the making of the order, the rights of those persons in respect of those shares or that subordinated debt have been assigned to or have devolved on other persons, those other persons. |
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Effects of notice |
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(4) A notice referred to in subsection (3) vests the shares or subordinated debt of the federal member institution on the date of the notice in the persons who held those shares or that debt |
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immediately before the making of the order vesting those shares or that debt in the Corporation or, where, after the making of the order, the rights of those persons in respect of those shares or that subordinated debt have been assigned to or have devolved on other persons, those other persons. |
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Notice to Corporation |
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(5) A notice of a persons or a federal member institutions acceptance of or objection to an offer or to the fact that no offer is being made must be sent or delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the regulations. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Publication of notice |
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39.26 A notice under subsection 39.24(1) shall be published twice in the Canada Gazette and in a newspaper in general circulation at or near the place where the head office or principal place of business of the federal member institution is located. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Securities in registered form |
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39.27 (1) A notice under subsection 39.24(1) shall be given to persons who, immediately before the making of the order under paragraph 39.13(1)( a ), were registered as the holders of shares or subordinated debt by sending or delivering it to them in accordance with the regulations. |
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Securities in bearer or order form |
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(2) A notice under subsection 39.24(1) shall be given to persons who, immediately before the making of the order under paragraph 39.13(1)( a ), were the holders of shares or subordinated debt in bearer or order form by publishing it in accordance with section 39.26. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Acceptance, etc., of offer |
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39.28 (1) An offeree is entitled to receive the offered compensation from the Corporation if the offeree, within thirty days after the date of the notice under subsection 39.24(1), |
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( a ) notifies the Corporation of his or her acceptance of the offer; |
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( b ) does not notify the Corporation of his or her acceptance of or objection to the offer; or |
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( c ) notifies the Corporation of his or her objection to the offer but there are no dissenting offerees in respect of the offer. |
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Acceptance, etc., of offer |
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(2) A federal member institution is entitled to receive the offered compensation from the Corporation if the federal member institution, within ninety days after the date of the notice under subsection 39.24(2), notifies the Corporation of its acceptance of the offer. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Appointment of assessor where offerees dissent |
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39.29 The Governor in Council shall, within sixty days after the date of a notice under subsection 39.24(1) or within one hundred and twenty days after the date of a notice under subsection 39.24(2), appoint as assessor a judge who is in receipt of a salary under the Judges Act , if, in the case of a notice under |
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( a ) subsection 39.24(1), there are dissenting offerees in respect of the offer or the fact that no offer was made; or |
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( b ) subsection 39.24(2), the federal member institution notifies the Corporation that it objects to the offer or the fact that no offer was made. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Notice to dissenters |
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39.3 The Corporation shall, in accordance with the regulations, send or deliver to each of the |
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dissenting offerees or the federal member institution, as the case may require, a notice of |
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( a ) the appointment of the assessor; |
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( b ) the right of each of the dissenting offerees or the federal member institution to appear before and be heard by the assessor in person or by counsel; and |
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( c ) the fact that each of the dissenting offerees or the federal member institution will be bound by the assessors determination as to the amount of compensation to be paid to |
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(i) the dissenting offeree for the shares or subordinated debt of the class in respect of which there are dissenting offerees, or |
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(ii) the federal member institution, |
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as the case may be. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Determination by assessor |
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39.31 (1) The assessor shall determine the amount of compensation to be paid to the dissenting offerees for the shares or subordinated debt of the class in respect of which there are dissenting offerees or to the federal member institution, as the case may be. |
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Factors to consider |
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(2) The assessor shall take into account such matters as the assessor considers relevant, and in all cases the assessor shall deduct the benefit derived from any special financial assistance provided directly or indirectly to the federal member institution by the Corporation or the Bank of Canada and the value immediately after re-vesting, as determined by the assessor, of any shares or subordinated debt re-vested in the dissenting offerees. |
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Amount of compensation |
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(3) The amount of compensation to be paid to dissenting offerees is |
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( a ) where the assessor determines that the Corporation has carried out or caused the federal member institution to carry out a transaction or series of transactions that involves the sale of all or part of the shares or subordinated debt of the federal member institution, or an amalgamation of the federal member institution, the amount that is equal to the portion of the consideration received under the transaction or transactions that is attributable to the value under the transaction or transactions of the shares or subordinated debt held by the dissenting offerees immediately before the making of an order under subsection 39.13(1); |
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( b ) where the assessor determines that the consideration obtained for the shares or subordinated debt or for the assets of the federal member institution that were sold or otherwise disposed of in a transaction or series of transactions referred to in subsection 39.2(1) was unreasonable in the circumstances, the amount equal to the value that the shares or subordinated debt that were held by the dissenting offerees immediately before the making of an order under subsection 39.13(1) would have had on the completion of the sale or other disposition had such consideration been reasonable, as determined by the assessor; or |
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( c ) in any other case, zero. |
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Amount of compensation |
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(4) The amount of compensation to be paid to a federal member institution is |
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( a ) where the assessor determines that the consideration obtained for the assets of the federal member institution that were sold or otherwise disposed of in a transaction or series of transactions referred to in subsection 39.2(2) was unreasonable in the circumstances, the amount by which the value of the consideration if it had been reasonable, as determined by the assessor, would have exceeded the value of the consideration obtained; and |
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( b ) in any other case, zero. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Compensation |
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39.32 (1) In a case referred to in subsection 39.31(3), each of the dissenting offerees is entitled to payment from the Corporation of |
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( a ) the amount of compensation for the shares or subordinated debt of the class in respect of which there are dissenting offerees that were held by that dissenting offeree immediately before the making of the order under subsection 39.13(1); |
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( b ) if the assessor determines that it is just and reasonable that interest be paid, interest on the amount payable under paragraph ( a ) from the day on which the order was made under paragraph 39.13(1)( a ) at the rate that is determined by the assessor to be just and reasonable; and |
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( c ) if the assessor determines that it is just and reasonable that costs in the proceeding before the assessor to make the determination referred to in section 39.31 be awarded to the dissenting offeree and against the Corporation, an amount that the assessor determines to be just and reasonable to award in respect of those costs. |
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Compensation |
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(2) In a case referred to in subsection 39.31(4), the federal member institution is entitled to payment from the Corporation of |
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( a ) the amount of compensation; |
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( b ) if the assessor determines that it is just and reasonable that interest be paid, interest on the amount payable under paragraph ( a ) from the day on which the order was made under paragraph 39.13(1)( b ) at the rate determined by the assessor to be just and reasonable; and |
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( c ) if the assessor determines that it is just and reasonable that costs in the proceeding before the assessor to make the determination referred to in section 39.31 be awarded to the federal member institution and against the Corporation, an amount that the assessor determines to be just and reasonable to award in respect of those costs. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Costs of Corporation |
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39.33 If the assessor determines that it is just and reasonable that costs in the proceeding before the assessor to make the determination referred to in section 39.31 be awarded to the Corporation and against some or all of the dissenting offerees or against the federal member institution, the amount that the assessor determines to be just and reasonable to award in respect of those costs constitutes a debt payable by those dissenting offerees or the federal member institution to the Corporation and may be recovered as such in any court of competent jurisdiction. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Determinations binding |
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39.34 (1) The determinations of an assessor under sections 39.31, 39.32 and 39.33 are final and conclusive and, except for judicial review under the Federal Courts Act , are not subject to appeal to or review by any court. |
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Rights before assessor in lieu of other rights |
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(2) The rights of an offeree or a federal member institution under sections 39.24 to 39.33 are in lieu of any other right of action that the offeree or federal member institution or any person claiming through the offeree or federal member institution might otherwise have against the Corporation. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41; 2002, c. 8, s. 182. |
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Payment of compensation |
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39.35 (1) The Corporation shall make the payment or delivery required by section 39.28 or 39.32 to the person who in the opinion of the Corporation appears to be entitled to it. |
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Time for payment |
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(2) The Corporation shall make the payment or delivery required by section 39.28 within sixty |
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days after the date of the notice referred to in subsection 39.24(1). |
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Time for payment |
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(3) The Corporation shall make the payment required by section 39.32 within thirty days after the expiration of the period for making an application for judicial review of the determination of the assessor under the Federal Courts Act or, if such an application is made, within thirty days after the application is finally disposed of. |
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Discharge of liability |
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(4) Payment or delivery under this section by the Corporation in respect of any share or subordinated debt discharges the Corporation from all liability in respect of the share or subordinated debt and in no case is the Corporation under any obligation to see to the proper application in any way of any such payment. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41; 2002, c. 8, s. 182. |
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Sittings and hearings |
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39.36 (1) An assessor may, for the purpose of making determinations under sections 39.31, 39.32 and 39.33, sit at any place or places and shall arrange for the sittings and hearings that may be required. |
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Powers of assessor |
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(2) The assessor has all the powers of a person appointed as a commissioner under Part II of the Inquiries Act for the purpose of obtaining evidence under oath. |
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Persons to assist |
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(3) An assessor may appoint one or more appraisers to assist the assessor in making a determination under section 39.31. |
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Payment of appraisers |
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(4) Fees and disbursements payable to an appraiser may be included by the assessor in an amount awarded in respect of costs under section 39.32 or 39.33. |
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1992, c. 26, s. 11; 1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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Review by court may be requested |
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39.361 (1) Notwithstanding subsection 39.34(2), at any time within 180 days after the date of a notice under subsection 39.24(2), the federal member institution or, subject to subsection (2), any creditor or holder of shares or subordinated debt of the federal member institution may, on notice to the Corporation, apply to a superior court to have the court review the allocation of the consideration for the sale or other disposition of all or part of the assets of the federal member institution or the assumption of all or part of its liabilities. |
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Restriction |
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(2) A reference in subsection (1) to |
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( a ) a creditor means a creditor who is owed at least $1,000 by the federal member institution, other than by way of subordinated debt; and |
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( b ) a holder of shares or subordinated debt means a holder who, whether alone or together with other applicants, holds not less than 10 per cent of the shares or subordinated debt of a given class of the federal member institution. |
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Court powers |
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(3) Where, on an application under subsection (1), the court finds that the Corporation has not allocated or caused the allocation of the consideration for the sale or other disposition of all or part of the assets of the federal member institution or the assumption of all or part of its liabilities, or both, among the creditors or, where applicable, the holders of shares or subordinated debt of the federal member institution, in the order in which it would have been allocated by a liquidator of the federal member institution, the court may make such order as the court deems necessary to require the Corporation to rectify the allocation. |
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1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
Regulations |
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39.37 The Governor in Council may make regulations |
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( a ) prescribing information that must accompany a notice under section 39.24; and |
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( b ) respecting the sending or delivery of notices under sections 39.25, 39.27 and 39.3. |
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1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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RESTRUCTURING OF PROVINCIAL MEMBER INSTITUTIONS |
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Federal-provincial agreements |
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39.38 (1) The Minister may, with the approval of the Governor in Council, enter into an agreement with an appropriate provincial minister providing for the application of any of sections 39.1 to 39.37 to provincial member institutions incorporated under the laws of that province. |
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Orders |
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(2) Where an agreement has been entered into with an appropriate provincial minister, the Governor in Council may make orders, which may not be inconsistent with the agreement, providing for the application of any of sections 39.1 to 39.37 to provincial member institutions incorporated under the laws of that province and adapting any of the provisions of those sections in their application to those provincial member institutions. |
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1996, c. 6, s. 41. |
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FINANCIAL |
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Financial year |
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40. The financial year of the Corporation shall end on December 31 in each year unless the Governor in Council otherwise directs. |
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R.S., c. C-3, s. 34; 1984, c. 31, s. 14. |
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Deposit accounts |
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41. The Corporation may maintain in its own name one or more accounts |
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( a ) with the Bank of Canada; |
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( b ) with any member institution; and |
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( c ) with the approval of the Minister, with any financial institution outside Canada. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 41; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 65. |
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42. [Repealed, 1996, c. 6, s. 42] |
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Auditor |
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43. The Auditor General of Canada is the auditor of the Corporation. |
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R.S., c. C-3, s. 38; 1984, c. 31, s. 14. |
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STAFF |
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Employment of staff |
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44. (1) The Corporation may, notwithstanding any other Act, employ such officers, agents and employees as are necessary for the purposes of the Corporation and, subject to section 45, the officers, agents and employees of the Corporation shall be deemed not to be employed in the federal public administration. |
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Oath of fidelity and secrecy |
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(2) Each officer, agent or employee of the Corporation shall, before entering on his duties with the Corporation, take an oath of fidelity and secrecy in the form prescribed by the by-laws. |
Use of departmental facilities |
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(3) In carrying out its functions under this Act, the Corporation may, with the approval of the Minister, make use of the personnel, facilities and services of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions and the Department of Finance to any extent not incompatible, in the opinion of the Minister, with the administration of that Office or Department. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 44; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 67; 2003, c. 22, s. 224 (e ). |
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Public Service Superannuation Act |
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45. (1) The officers and employees of the Corporation shall be deemed to be employed in the public service for the purposes of the Public Service Superannuation Act and the Corporation shall be deemed to be a Public Service corporation for the purposes of section 37 of that Act. |
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Application of other Acts |
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(2) For the purposes of the Government Employees Compensation Act and any regulation made pursuant to section 9 of the Aeronautics Act , the Chairperson and employees of the Corporation shall be deemed to be employees in the federal public administration. |
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Superannuation |
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(3) The Public Service Superannuation Act does not apply to the Chairperson, unless the Governor in Council otherwise directs, or to the director of the Corporation who holds the office of Governor of the Bank of Canada. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 45; 1996, c. 6, s. 47 (e ); 2003, c. 22, ss. 224 (e ), 225 (e ). |
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NO LIABILITY |
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No liability for acts in good faith |
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45.1 (1) The Corporation, its directors, officers and employees and any persons acting on the behalf of the Corporation are not liable to any member institution, depositor with, or creditor or shareholder of, any member institution, or to any other person, for any damages, payment, compensation or indemnity that any such member institution, depositor, creditor, shareholder or other person may suffer or claim by reason of anything done or omitted to be done, in good faith, in the exercise, execution or performance of any powers, duties and functions that by this Act are intended to be exercised, executed or performed. |
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Obligation remains |
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(2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall be construed to relieve the Corporation from the obligation to make payment in respect of a deposit insured under this Act. |
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R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 68. |
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CONFIDENTIALITY |
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Confidentiality |
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45.2 All information regarding the affairs of a federal institution or provincial institution or of any person dealing therewith that is obtained or produced by or for the Corporation is confidential and shall be treated accordingly. |
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R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 68; 1996, c. 6, s. 43; 2001, c. 9, s. 214. |
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WINDING-UP |
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Insolvency and winding-up |
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46. No statute relating to the insolvency or winding-up of any body corporate applies to the Corporation and in no case shall the affairs of the Corporation be wound up unless Parliament so provides. |
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R.S., c. C-3, s. 41. |
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ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS |
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False statements |
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47. A person is guilty of an offence if the person prepares, signs, approves or concurs in any account, statement, return, report or other document required to be submitted to the Corporation under this Act, the by-laws or an application to become a member institution or a policy of deposit insurance that |
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( a ) contains any false or deceptive information; or |
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( b ) fails to present fairly information required to be submitted to the Corporation. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 47; 1996, c. 6, s. 45; 2001, c. 9, s. 215. |
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Failure to make report known |
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48. A person who, being a chief executive officer or chairperson of the board of directors of a member institution, fails or neglects to present, as required by section 30, a report of the Corporation made under that section is guilty of an offence and, if the directors fail or neglect to incorporate that report in the minutes of a meeting of the directors as required by that section, each director present at that meeting who directed, authorized, assented to, acquiesced in or participated in the failure or neglect, is guilty of an offence. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 48; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 69; 1996, c. 6, s. 45. |
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Failure to provide information, etc. |
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49. Every member institution that fails or neglects |
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( a ) within the time limited for so doing, to provide the Corporation with any account, statement, return, report or other document respecting the affairs of the member institution that is required to be submitted to the Corporation pursuant to this Act, the by-laws or the policy of deposit insurance of the member institution, or |
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( b ) to respond, within a reasonable time, to a request for information or explanations respecting the member institution made by or on behalf of the Corporation pursuant to this Act, the by-laws or the policy of deposit insurance of the member institution |
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is guilty of an offence. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 49; 1996, c. 6, s. 45. |
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General offence |
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50. Every member institution that, or other person who, without reasonable cause, contravenes |
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( a ) a provision of this Act, other than section 47, 48 or 49, or |
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( b ) the by-laws |
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is guilty of an offence. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 50; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 70; 1996, c. 6, s. 45. |
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Punishment |
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50.1 Every member institution or other person who commits an offence under this Act is liable on summary conviction |
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( a ) in the case of a natural person, to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months, or to both; or |
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( b ) in any other case, to a fine not exceeding $500,000. |
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1996, c. 6, s. 45. |
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Court may order compliance |
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51. Where a member institution or other person has been convicted of an offence under this Act, the court may, in addition to any fine or term of imprisonment that may be imposed, order the member institution or person to rectify the contravention of this Act, the by-laws or the policy of deposit insurance in respect of which the member institution or person was convicted. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 51; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 71; 1996, c. 6, s. 45. |
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Additional monetary punishment |
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52. (1) Where a member institution or other person has been convicted of an offence under this Act, the court may, where it is satisfied that as a result of the commission of the offence the convicted member institution or person acquired a monetary benefit or that a monetary benefit accrued to the benefit of the member institution or person, order the convicted member institution or person to pay, notwithstanding the maximum amount of any fine that may otherwise be imposed under this Act, an additional fine in an amount equal to the courts estimation of the amount of the monetary benefit. |
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Restraining or compliance order |
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(2) If a member institution or other person does not comply with any provision of this Act, the by-laws or the policy of deposit insurance that applies in respect of the member institution or person, the Corporation may apply to a superior court for an order directing the member institution or person to comply with or restraining the member institution or person from acting in breach of the provision and, on the application, the court may so order and make any further order it thinks fit. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, s. 52; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 71; 1996, c. 6, s. 45. |
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Appeals |
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53. Any decision or order of a court that tries an issue under this Act may be appealed to the court having jurisdiction to hear appeals from that trial court. |
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R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 71; 1996, c. 6, s. 45. |
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Recovery and application of fines |
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54. All fines payable under this Act are recoverable and enforceable, with costs, at the suit of Her Majesty in right of Canada, instituted by the Attorney General of Canada and, when recovered, belong to Her Majesty in right of Canada. |
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1996, c. 6, s. 45. |
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SCHEDULE |
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( Section 2) |
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Definitions |
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1. In this schedule, |
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date of deposit
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date of deposit means, with respect to any moneys constituting a deposit, the day on which credit for the moneys is given to the account of the depositor or the day on which an instrument is issued for such moneys by the member institution, as the case may be; |
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depositor
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depositor means a person whose account has been or is to be credited in respect of moneys constituting a deposit or part of a deposit or a person to whom a member institution is liable in respect of an instrument issued for moneys constituting a deposit or part of a deposit; |
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loan company
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loan company means a member institution to which the Trust and Loan Companies Act applies and that is not a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2) of that Act; |
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person
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person includes an association of persons and a government; |
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subordinated note
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subordinated note means an instrument evidencing an indebtedness of a trust company or loan company that by its terms provides that the indebtedness evidenced by it will, in the event of the insolvency or winding-up of the company, rank equally with the indebtedness evidenced by other subordinated notes of the company but be subordinate in right of payment to all other indebtedness of the company except indebtedness in respect of subordinated shareholder loans; |
subordinated shareholder
loan
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subordinated shareholder loan means a loan made to a trust company or loan company by a shareholder of the company, or by a person who controls a shareholder of the company, for a fixed term and under the condition that the indebtedness arising therefrom will, in the event of the insolvency or winding-up of the company, rank equally with the indebtedness in respect of other subordinated shareholder loans but be subordinate in right of payment to all other indebtedness of the company; |
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trust company
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trust company means a member institution to which the Trust and Loan Companies Act applies and that is a trust company pursuant to subsection 57(2) of that Act. |
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Definition of deposit |
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2. (1) Subject to subsection (2), for the purposes of this Act and the by-laws of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, deposit means the unpaid balance of the aggregate of moneys received or held by a federal institution or provincial institution, from or on behalf of a person in the usual course of the deposit-taking business of the institution, for which the institution |
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( a ) has given or is obligated to give credit to that persons account or has issued or is obligated to issue a receipt, certificate, debenture (other than a debenture issued by a bank to which the Bank Act applies), transferable instrument, draft, certified draft or cheque, travellers cheque, prepaid letter of credit, money order or other instrument in respect of which the institution is primarily liable, and |
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( b ) is obligated to repay the moneys on a fixed day, on demand by that person or within a specified period of time following demand by that person, |
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including any interest accrued or payable to that person. |
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Included moneys |
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(1.1) For greater certainty, an unpaid balance of moneys received or held by an institution from or on behalf of a mortgagor in respect of realty taxes on mortgaged property is a deposit. The moneys are considered to be repayable on the earlier of the due date of the taxes or the date the mortgage is discharged. |
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Excluding moneys |
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(2) The following moneys are excluded from the moneys referred to in subsection (1): |
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( a ) moneys received or held by the institution if the date of deposit is or was on or after April 17, 1967 unless the institution is or was obligated, or may by the demand of that person become obligated, to repay the moneys on or before the expiration of five years after the date of the deposit; and |
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( b ) moneys held by the institution that were received by it when it was not a federal institution or provincial institution. |
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Where more than one repayment day |
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(2.1) For the purposes of subsection (2), where an institution is, in respect of deposit moneys received or held by it, obligated to repay the moneys to a person on a fixed day and also is or may become obligated to repay the moneys |
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( a ) on an earlier date by virtue of a right of withdrawal, reinvestment or other right afforded to the person by the terms under which the moneys were solicited or received or are held, only the fixed day shall be considered, or |
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( b ) on a later date by virtue of a right afforded to any person to extend the term of the deposit at a rate or rates of interest determined at the time the moneys were solicited or received, the later date is deemed to be the fixed day |
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in determining whether the institution is or may become obligated to repay the moneys on or before the expiration of five years after the date of the deposit, whether or not the right is exercised. |
Right to extend |
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(2.2) For greater certainty, a right referred to in paragraph (2.1)( b ) does not include a right to renew or reinvest a deposit at a rate or rates of interest prevailing on the date of renewal or reinvestment. |
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Obligation deemed |
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(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), if a trust company has deposited moneys in its own guaranteed trust fund on behalf of itself as trustee, it shall be deemed to be obligated to repay the moneys to the same extent as it would have been obligated to repay the moneys had the moneys been deposited by a trustee other than itself. |
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(4) [Repealed, 2001, c. 9, s. 216] |
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Idem |
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(5) Notwithstanding subsection (1), for the purposes of deposit insurance with the Corporation, where moneys are or were received by a member institution on or after April 1, 1977 for which the institution has issued or is obligated to issue an instrument evidencing a deposit, other than a draft, certified draft or cheque, travellers cheque, prepaid letter of credit or money order, |
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( a ) the moneys do not constitute a deposit unless the instrument and records of the institution specify the person entitled, at the date of issue of the instrument, to the repayment of the moneys evidenced thereby; |
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( b ) the person referred to in paragraph ( a ) shall be deemed to be the depositor in respect of the moneys unless particulars of a transfer of the instrument are entered in the records of the institution, in which case the most recent transferee shown in the records shall be deemed to be the depositor; and |
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( c ) the entry of a transfer in the records of a member institution is ineffective for the purposes of paragraph ( b ), if the entry is made subsequent to the termination or cancellation of the policy of deposit insurance of the member institution. |
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Idem |
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(6) Notwithstanding subsection (1), moneys received by a member institution on or after January 1, 1977, for which the institution has issued or is obligated to issue an instrument of indebtedness, other than a draft, certified draft or cheque, travellers cheque, prepaid letter of credit or money order, do not constitute a deposit where the instrument is payable outside Canada or in a currency other than Canadian currency. |
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Joint or trust deposit |
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3. (1) Where a member institution is obligated to repay moneys to a depositor who is acting as trustee for another or as joint owner with another, if the trusteeship or joint interest is disclosed on the records of the institution, the deposit of the depositor acting as trustee or as joint owner with another shall be deemed for the purposes of deposit insurance with the Corporation to be a deposit separate from any deposit of the depositor acting in his own right or acting in another joint or trust capacity with the institution. |
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Joint owners |
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(1.1) For greater certainty, where two or more persons are joint owners of two or more deposits, the aggregate of those deposits shall be insured to a maximum of one hundred thousand dollars. |
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Trust deposit separate |
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(2) Where a member institution is obligated to repay moneys to a depositor who is acting as trustee for a beneficiary, if the trusteeship is disclosed on the records of the institution, the interest of the beneficiary in the deposit shall be deemed for the purposes of deposit insurance with the Corporation to be a deposit separate from any deposit of the beneficiary made with the institution in his own right for his own use and separate from any interest of the beneficiary in respect of any other trust deposit of which he is a beneficiary. |
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Deposit of beneficiary |
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(3) Where a member institution is obligated to repay moneys to a depositor who is acting as trustee for two or more beneficiaries, if the interest of each beneficiary in the deposit is disclosed on |
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the records of the member institution, the interest of each beneficiary in the deposit shall be deemed for the purposes of deposit insurance with the corporation to be a separate deposit. |
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Trust arrangements |
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(3.01) A deposit held by a member institution for a depositor who is acting as trustee under a trust is deemed not to be a separate deposit if, in the opinion of the Corporation, the trust exists primarily for the purpose of obtaining or increasing deposit insurance under this Act. |
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By-laws |
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(3.1) For the purposes of subsections (1) to (3), the Board of Directors may make by-laws prescribing the time by which and the form and manner in which a joint interest, a trusteeship or the interest of a beneficiary in a deposit is to be disclosed on the records of a member institution. |
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Not part of deposit |
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(4) Where a member institution is obligated to repay to a person any moneys that are received or held by the institution, the amount of the moneys shall be deemed not to constitute part of a deposit for the purposes of deposit insurance with the Corporation if the date on which the person acquires his interest in the moneys is a date subsequent to the date on which the policy of deposit insurance of the institution is terminated or cancelled. |
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Registered retirement savings plan deposits |
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(5) Notwithstanding subsection (2), for the purposes of deposit insurance with the Corporation, where moneys received by a member institution from a depositor pursuant to a registered retirement savings plan, within the meaning given that expression for the purposes of the Income Tax Act , constitute a deposit or part of a deposit by or for the benefit of an individual, the aggregate of those moneys and any other moneys received from the same depositor pursuant to any other registered retirement savings plan and that constitutes a deposit or part of a deposit by or for the benefit of the same individual shall be deemed to be a single deposit separate from any other deposit of or for the benefit of that individual. |
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Registered retirement income fund |
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(6) Notwithstanding subsection (2), for the purposes of deposit insurance with the Corporation, where moneys received by a member institution from a depositor pursuant to a registered retirement income fund, within the meaning given that expression under the Income Tax Act , constitute a deposit or part of a deposit by or for the benefit of an individual, the aggregate of those moneys and any other moneys received from the same depositor pursuant to any other registered retirement income fund and that constitutes a deposit or part of a deposit by or for the benefit of the same individual, is deemed to be a single deposit separate from any other deposit of or for the benefit of that individual. |
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Realty taxes on mortgaged property |
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(7) An unpaid balance of money referred to in subsection 2(1.1) is deemed, for the purposes of deposit insurance with the Corporation, to be a deposit separate from any other deposit of that depositor with the member institution. |
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R.S., 1985, c. C-3, Sch.; R.S., 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), ss. 72, 73; 1991, c. 45, s. 545; 1996, c. 6, ss. 45.1, 46; 1999, c. 28, ss. 108, 109; 2001, c. 9, s. 216; 2005, c. 30, s. 108. |
Exhibit 8(d) to Form T-6
Business Corporations Act (Ontario)
R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER B.16
Amended by: 1993, c. 16, s. 2; 1994, c. 17, s. 30; 1994, c. 27, s. 71; 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, ss. 20-32; 1999, c. 6, s. 3; 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, ss. 1-9; 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3; 2000, c. 42, Sched., ss. 1, 2; 2001, c. 8, ss. 1, 2; 2001, c. 9, Sched. D, s. 2; 2001, c. 23, s. 6; 2002, c. 8, Sched. I, s. 2; 2002, c. 22, s. 8; 2002, c. 24, Sched. B, ss. 25, 27; 2004, c. 8, s. 46; 2004, c. 16, Sched. D, Table; 2004, c. 19, s. 3; 2004, c. 31, Sched. 4; 2005, c. 5, s. 4; 2005, c. 28, Sched. B, s. 1.
CONTENTS
PART I |
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DEFINITIONS, INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION |
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1 . |
Definitions and interpretation |
2 . |
Application |
PART II |
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INCORPORATION |
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3. |
Incorporation |
3.1 |
Professional corporations |
3.2 |
Application of Act to professional corporations |
3.3 |
Consequences of occurrence of certain events |
3.4 |
No limit on professional liability |
4. |
Articles of incorporation |
5. |
Contents of articles |
6. |
Certificate of incorporation |
7. |
Certificate of incorporation |
8. |
Assignment of number |
9. |
Name prohibition |
10. |
Restrictions on corporate name |
11. |
Unauthorized use of Limited, etc. |
12. |
Change of name if objectionable |
13. |
Corporate seal |
14. |
Registered office |
15. |
Corporate powers |
16. |
Capacity to act outside Ontario |
17. |
Corporate power |
18. |
Where notice is not deemed |
19. |
Indoor management rule |
20 . |
Financial assistance by corporation |
21 . |
Contract prior to corporate existence |
PART III |
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CORPORATE FINANCE |
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22. |
Shares |
23. |
Issuance of shares |
24. |
Separate capital account |
25. |
Special shares in series |
26. |
Pre-emptive rights |
27. |
Conversion privileges, etc. |
28. |
Subsidiaries not to hold shares of holding bodies corporate |
29. |
Exception to s. 28 |
30. |
Purchase of issued shares permitted |
31. |
Where s. 30 (2) does not apply |
32. |
Redemption of shares |
33. |
Donation of share |
34. |
Reduction of liability re unpaid share: stated capital |
35. |
Amount deducted from account upon purchase, etc., of shares |
36. |
Contract with corporation re purchase of its shares |
37. |
Commission on sale of shares |
38. |
Declaration of dividends |
39. |
Corporations with wasting assets |
40. |
Lien on share |
41. |
Shares personal property |
42. |
Restrictions on transfer, etc. |
43. |
Bearer debt obligations |
44. |
Irredeemable debt obligation |
PART IV |
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SALE OF RESTRICTED SHARES |
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45. |
Restricted shares held in contravention sale by corporation |
PART V |
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INDENTURE TRUSTEES |
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46. |
Trust indentures |
47. |
Duty of trustee |
48. |
Conflict of interest |
49. |
Evidence of compliance |
50. |
Trustee not to be receiver |
51. |
Notice of events of default |
52. |
Where list of debt obligation holders to be furnished |
PART VI |
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INVESTMENT SECURITIES |
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53. |
Definitions and interpretation |
54. |
Share certificates |
55. |
Signing of share certificates |
56. |
Contents of share certificate |
57. |
Certificate for fractional share or scrip certificates |
58. |
Overissue |
59. |
Evidence |
60. |
Selection of laws |
61. |
Form of transfer |
62. |
Position of issuer re guarantor |
63. |
Notice of terms of security |
64. |
Notice of defect |
65. |
Unauthorized signatures on issue |
66. |
Completion of blanks |
67. |
Effect of registration |
68. |
Warranties in issue |
69. |
Rights acquired by purchasers |
70. |
Notice of adverse claim |
71. |
Warranties |
72. |
Absence of endorsement |
73. |
Endorsement |
74. |
Delivery necessary |
75. |
Endorsement of security in bearer form |
76. |
Effect of unauthorized endorsement |
77. |
Guarantee of signature |
78. |
Delivery of a security |
79. |
Duty of seller to deliver |
80. |
Action for wrongful transfer |
81. |
Transferors duty to provide requisites for registration of transfer |
82. |
When seizure effective |
83. |
Transfer by agent in good faith not conversion |
84. |
Contract for sale |
85. |
Transfer through clearing agency |
86. |
Duty of issuer to register transfer |
87. |
Assurances required by issuer |
88. |
Notice to issuer of adverse claim |
89. |
Liability of issuer |
90. |
Loss, etc., of securities |
91. |
Duty of agents for issuer |
PART VII |
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SHAREHOLDERS |
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92. |
Shareholders liability limited |
93. |
Place of meetings |
94. |
Shareholders meetings |
95. |
Date for determining shareholders |
96. |
Notice of shareholders meetings |
97. |
Shareholders meeting |
98. |
Waiving notice |
99. |
Proposal |
100. |
List of shareholders |
101. |
Quorum |
102. |
Voting rights |
103. |
Manner of voting |
104. |
Resolution in lieu of meeting |
105. |
Requisition for shareholders meeting |
106. |
Requisition by court |
107. |
Determination of controversy |
108. |
Agreement between shareholders |
PART VIII |
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PROXIES |
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109. |
Definitions |
110. |
Proxies |
111. |
Mandatory solicitation of proxy |
112. |
Information circular |
113. |
Exemption order re ss.111, 112 |
114. |
Proxyholder |
PART IX |
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DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
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115. |
Directors |
116. |
By-laws by resolution |
117. |
First directors meeting |
118. |
Qualifications of directors |
119. |
First directors |
120. |
Cumulative voting for directors |
121. |
When director ceases to hold office |
122. |
Removal of directors |
123. |
Entitlement of director |
124. |
Vacancies |
125. |
Change in number of directors |
126. |
Place of meetings and quorum |
127. |
Delegation by directors |
128. |
Validity of acts of directors and officers |
129. |
Resolutions in writing |
130. |
Liability of directors |
131. |
Directors liability to employees for wages |
132. |
Disclosure: conflict of interest |
133. |
Officers |
134. |
Standards of care, etc., of directors, etc. |
135. |
Consent of director at meeting |
136. |
Indemnification of directors |
137. |
Remuneration of directors |
PART X |
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INSIDER LIABILITY |
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138. |
Insider liability |
PART XI |
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BOOKS AND RECORDS |
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139. |
Records |
140. |
Records, duties of corporation |
141. |
Securities register |
142. |
Transfer agents |
143. |
Registers, general |
144. |
Records open to examination by directors |
145. |
Examination of records by shareholders and creditors |
146. |
List of shareholders |
147. |
Trafficking in lists |
PART XII |
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AUDITORS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
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148. |
Exemption from audit requirements |
149. |
Auditors |
150. |
Resignation of auditor |
151. |
Auditors attendance at shareholders meetings |
152. |
Disqualification as auditor |
153. |
Examination by auditor |
154. |
Information to be laid before annual meeting |
155. |
Preparation of financial statements |
156. |
Filing by offering corporation |
157. |
Financial statements of subsidiaries |
158. |
Audit committee |
159. |
Approval by directors |
160. |
Interim financial statement |
PART XIII |
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INVESTIGATION |
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161. |
Investigation |
162. |
Matters that may be covered by court order |
163. |
Powers of inspector |
164. |
Rights at hearing |
165. |
Privileged statements |
166. |
Solicitor-client privilege |
167. |
Inquiries by Director |
PART XIV |
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FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES |
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168. |
Amendments |
169. |
Proposal to amend articles |
170. |
Authorization for variation of rights of special shareholders |
171. |
Articles of amendment |
172. |
Certificate of amendment |
173. |
Restated articles of incorporation |
174. |
Amalgamation |
175. |
Amalgamation agreement |
176. |
Submission of amalgamation agreement |
177. |
Amalgamations involving holding corporation |
178. |
Articles of amalgamation |
PART I
DEFINITIONS, interpretation AND APPLICATION
Definitions and interpretation
1. (1) In this Act,
affairs means the relationships among a corporation, its affiliates and the shareholders, directors and officers of such bodies corporate but does not include the business carried on by such bodies corporate; (affaires internes)
affiliate means an affiliated body corporate within the meaning of subsection (4); (membre du même groupe)
articles means the original or restated articles of incorporation, articles of amendment, articles of amalgamation, articles of arrangement, articles of continuance, articles of dissolution, articles of reorganization, articles of revival, letters patent, supplementary letters patent, a special Act and any other instrument by which a corporation is incorporated; (statuts)
associate, where used to indicate a relationship with any person, means,
(a) any body corporate of which the person beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, voting securities carrying more than 10 per cent of the voting rights attached to all voting securities of the body corporate for the time being outstanding,
(b) any partner of that person,
(c) any trust or estate in which the person has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which the person serves as trustee or in a similar capacity,
(d) any relative of the person, including the persons spouse, where the relative has the same home as the person, or
(e) any relative of the spouse of the person where the relative has the same home as the person; (personne qui a un lien)
auditor includes a partnership of auditors; (vérificateur)
beneficial interest or beneficial ownership includes ownership through a trustee, legal representative, agent or other intermediary; (intérêt bénéficiaire, propriété bénéficiaire)
body corporate means any body corporate with or without share capital and whether or not it is a corporation to which this Act applies; (personne morale)
certified copy means,
(a) in relation to a document of a corporation, a copy of the document certified to be a true copy by an officer thereof,
(b) in relation to a document issued by a court, a copy of the document certified to be a true copy under the seal of the court and signed by the registrar thereof,
(c) in relation to a document in the custody of the Director, a copy of the document certified to be a true copy by the Director and signed by the Director or by such officer of the Ministry as is designated by the regulations; (copie certifiée conforme)
Commission means the Ontario Securities Commission; (Commission)
corporation means a body corporate with share capital to which this Act applies; (société, société par actions)
corporation number means the number assigned by the (1) and number in Director to a corporation in accordance with subsection 8 relation to a corporation means the corporation number of that corporation; (numéro de la société, numéro)
court means the Superior Court of Justice; (tribunal)
day means a clear day and a period of days shall be deemed to commence the day following the event that began the period and shall be deemed to terminate at midnight of the last day of the period except that if the last day of the period falls on a Sunday or holiday the period shall terminate at midnight of the day next following that is not a Sunday or holiday; (jour)
debt obligation means a bond, debenture, note or other similar obligation or guarantee of such an obligation of a body corporate, whether secured or unsecured; (titre de créance)
Director means the Director appointed under section 278; (directeur)
director means a person occupying the position of director of a corporation by whatever name called, and directors and board of directors include a single director; (administrateur)
electronic signature means an identifying mark or process that is,
(a) created or communicated using telephonic or electronic means,
(b) attached to or associated with a document or other information, and
(c) made or adopted by a person to associate the person with the document or other information, as the case may be; (signature électronique)
endorse includes imprinting a stamp on the face of articles or other document sent to the Director; (apposer)
financial statement means a financial statement referred to in section 154; (état financier)
incorporator means a person who signs articles of incorporation; (fondateur)
individual means a natural person, but does not include a partnership, unincorporated association, unincorporated syndicate, unincorporated organization, trust, or a natural person in his or her capacity as trustee, executor, administrator or other legal representative; (particulier)
interim financial statement means a financial statement referred to in section 160; (état financier périodique)
liability includes a debt of a corporation arising under (f) or (g); (passif) (3) (29) or clause 248 section 36, subsection 185
Minister means the Minister of Consumer and Business Services or such other member of the Executive Council to whom the administration of this Act may be assigned; (ministre)
Ministry means the Ministry of the Minister; (ministère)
non-resident corporation means a corporation incorporated in Canada before the 27th day of April, 1965, and that is not deemed to be resident in Canada for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (4) of that Act; (société non résidente) (Canada) by subsection 250
number name means the name of a corporation that consists only of its corporation number followed by the word Ontario and one (1); (dénomination of the words or abbreviations provided for in subsection 10 sociale numérique)
offering corporation means a corporation that is offering its securities to the public within the meaning of subsection (6) and that is not the subject of an order of the Commission deeming it to have ceased to be offering its securities to the public; (société faisant appel au public)
officer means an officer designated under section 133 and includes the chair of the board of directors, a vice-chair of the board of directors, the president, a vice-president, the secretary, an assistant secretary, the treasurer, an assistant treasurer and the general manager of a corporation, and any other individual designated an officer of a corporation by by-law or by resolution of the directors or any other individual who performs functions for a corporation similar to those normally performed by an individual occupying any such office; (dirigeant)
ordinary resolution means a resolution that is submitted to a meeting of the shareholders of a corporation and passed, with or without amendment, at the meeting by at least a majority of the votes cast; (résolution ordinaire)
person includes an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, unincorporated association, unincorporated syndicate, unincorporated organization, trust, body corporate, and a natural person in his or her capacity as trustee, executor, administrator, or other legal representative; (personne)
personal representative, where used with reference to holding shares in that capacity, means an executor, administrator, guardian, tutor, trustee, receiver or liquidator or the committee of or curator to a mentally incompetent person; (ayant droit)
prescribed means prescribed by the regulations; (prescrit)
redeemable share means a share issued by a corporation,
(a) that the corporation may purchase or redeem upon the demand of the corporation, or
(b) that the corporation is required by its articles to purchase or redeem at a specified time or otherwise upon the demand of a shareholder; (action rachetable)
registered office means the office of a corporation located at the address specified in its articles or in the notice most recently (3); (siège social) filed by the corporation under subsection 14
regulations means the regulations made under this Act; (règlements)
related person, where used to indicate a relationship with any person, means,
(a) any spouse, son or daughter of that person,
(b) any relative of the person or of the persons spouse, other than an individual referred to in clause (a), who has the same home as the person, or
(c) any body corporate of which the person and any of the persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the partner or employer of the person, or any combination, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, voting securities carrying more than 50 per cent of the voting rights attached to all voting securities of the body corporate for the time being outstanding; (personne liée)
resident Canadian means an individual who is,
(a) a Canadian citizen ordinarily resident in Canada,
(b) a Canadian citizen not ordinarily resident in Canada who is a member of a prescribed class of persons, or
(c) a permanent resident within the meaning of the Immigration Act (Canada) and ordinarily resident in Canada; (résident canadien)
security means a share of any class or series of shares or a debt obligation of a body corporate and includes a certificate evidencing such a share or debt obligation; (valeur mobilière)
security interest means an interest in or charge upon the property of a body corporate by way of mortgage, hypothec, pledge or otherwise, to secure payment of a debt or performance of any other obligation of the body corporate; (sûreté)
send includes deliver or mail; (envoyer)
senior officer means,
(a) the chair of the board of directors, a vice-chair of the board of directors, the president, a vice-president, the secretary, the treasurer or the general manager of a corporation or any other individual who performs functions for a corporation similar to those normally performed by an individual occupying any such office, and
(b) each of the five highest paid employees of a corporation, including any individual referred to in clause (a); (cadre dirigeant)
series, in relation to shares, means a division of a class of shares; (série)
special resolution means a resolution that is,
(a) submitted to a special meeting of the shareholders of a corporation duly called for the purpose of considering the resolution and passed, with or without amendment, at the meeting by at least two-thirds of the votes cast, or
(b) consented to in writing by each shareholder of the corporation entitled to vote at such a meeting or the shareholders attorney authorized in writing; (résolution spéciale)
spouse means a person to whom the person is married or with whom the person is living in a conjugal relationship outside marriage; (conjoint)
telephonic or electronic means means telephone calls or messages, facsimile messages, electronic mail, transmission of data or information through automated touch-tone telephone systems, transmission of data or information through computer networks, any other similar means or any other prescribed means; (voie téléphonique ou électronique)
unanimous shareholder agreement means an agreement (2) or a declaration of a shareholder described in described in subsection 108 subsection 108 (3); (convention unanime des actionnaires)
voting security means any security other than a debt obligation of a body corporate carrying a voting right either under all circumstances or under some circumstances that have occurred and are continuing; (valeur mobilière avec droit de vote)
warrant means any certificate or other document issued by a corporation as evidence of conversion privileges or options or rights to acquire securities of the corporation. (bon de souscription) R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 1 (1); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (1); 1999, c. 6, s. 3; 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 1; 2001, c. 9, Sched. D, s. 2 (1, 2); 2005, c. 5, s. 4.
Interpretation: subsidiary body corporate
(2) For the purposes of this Act, a body corporate shall be deemed to be a subsidiary of another body corporate if, but only if,
(a) it is controlled by,
(i) that other, or
(ii) that other and one or more bodies corporate each of which is controlled by that other, or
(iii) two or more bodies corporate each of which is controlled by that other; or
(b) it is a subsidiary of a body corporate that is that others subsidiary. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 1 (2).
Holding body corporate
(3) For the purposes of this Act, a body corporate shall be deemed to be anothers holding body corporate if, but only if, that other is its subsidiary. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 1 (3).
Affiliated body corporate
(4) For the purposes of this Act, one body corporate shall be deemed to be affiliated with another body corporate if, but only if, one of them is the subsidiary of the other or both are subsidiaries of the same body corporate or each of them is controlled by the same person. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 1 (4).
Control
(5) For the purposes of this Act, a body corporate shall be deemed to be controlled by another person or by two or more bodies corporate if, but only if,
(a) voting securities of the first-mentioned body corporate carrying more than 50 per cent of the votes for the election of directors are held, other than by way of security only, by or for the benefit of such other person or by or for the benefit of such other bodies corporate; and
(b) the votes carried by such securities are sufficient, if exercised, to elect a majority of the board of directors of the first-mentioned body corporate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 1 (5).
Offering securities to public
(6) For the purposes of this Act, a corporation is offering its securities to the public only where,
(a) in respect of any of its securities a prospectus or statement of material facts has been filed under the Securities Act or any predecessor thereof, or in respect of which a prospectus has been filed under The Corporations Information Act , being chapter 72 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1960, or any predecessor thereof, so long as any of such securities are outstanding or any securities into which such securities are converted are outstanding; or
(b) any of its securities have been at any time since the 1st day of May, 1967, listed and posted for trading on any stock exchange in Ontario recognized by the Commission regardless of when such listing and posting for trading commenced,
except that where, upon the application of a corporation, the Commission is satisfied, in its discretion, that to do so would not be prejudicial to the public interest, the Commission may order, subject to such terms and conditions as the Commission may impose, that the corporation shall be deemed to have ceased to be offering its securities to the public. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 1 (6); 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3 (1, 2).
Execution of documents
(7) Any articles, notice, resolution, requisition, statement or other document required or permitted to be executed by more than one person for the purposes of this Act may be executed in several documents of like form each of which is executed by one or more of such persons, and such documents, when duly executed by all persons required or permitted, as the case may be, to do so, shall be deemed to constitute one document for the purposes of this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 1 (7).
Application
2. (1) This Act, except where it is otherwise expressly provided, applies to every body corporate with share capital,
(a) incorporated by or under a general or special Act of the Parliament of the former Province of Upper Canada;
(b) incorporated by or under a general or special Act of the Parliament of the former Province of Canada that has its registered office and carries on business in Ontario; or
(c) incorporated by or under a general or special Act of the Legislature,
but this Act does not apply to a corporation within the meaning of the Loan and Trust Corporations Act except as provided by that Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 2 (1).
Idem
(2) Despite The Railways Act , being chapter 331 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1950, and subject (6), this Act applies to a body corporate with share capital to subsection 168 that is a company as defined in that Act but that is not engaged in constructing or operating a railway, street railway or incline railway. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 2 (2).
Idem
(3) This Act does not apply to a body corporate with share capital that,
(a) is a company within the meaning of the Corporations Act and has objects in whole or in part of a social nature;
(b) is a corporation to which the Co-operative Corporations Act applies;
(c) is a corporation that is an insurer within the meaning of subsection 141 (1) of the Corporations Act ; or
(d) is a corporation to which the Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires Act applies. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 2 (3).
PART II
INCORPORATION
Incorporation
3. (1) Repealed: 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 1.
Incorporation
(2) A corporation may be incorporated under this Act with its powers restricted by its articles to lending and investing money on mortgage of real estate or otherwise, or with its powers restricted by its articles to accepting and executing the office of liquidator, receiver, assignee, trustee in bankruptcy or trustee for the benefit of creditors and to accepting the duty of and acting generally in the winding up of corporations, partnerships and estates, other than estates of deceased persons, and shall not by reason thereof be deemed to be a corporation within the meaning of the Loan and Trust Corporations Act , but the number of its shareholders, exclusive of persons who are in the employment of the corporation, shall be limited by its articles to five, and no such corporation shall issue debt obligations except to its shareholders, or borrow money on the security of its property except from its shareholders, or receive money on deposit or offer its securities to the public. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 3 (2).
Professional corporations
3.1 (1) In this section and in sections 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4,
member means a member of a profession governed by an Act that permits the profession to be practised through a professional corporation; (membre)
professional corporation means a corporation incorporated or continued under this Act that holds a valid certificate of authorization or other authorizing document issued under an Act governing a profession. (société professionnelle) 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2.
Professions
(2) Where the practice of a profession is governed by an Act, a professional corporation may practise the profession if,
(a) that Act expressly permits the practice of the profession by a corporation and subject to the provisions of that Act; or
(b) the profession is governed by an Act named in Schedule 1 of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 , one of the following Acts or a prescribed Act:
1. Certified General Accountants Association of Ontario Act, 1983 .
2. The Chartered Accountants Act, 1956 .
3. Law Society Act .
4. Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998 .
5. Veterinarians Act . 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2.
Regulations
(3) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing Acts for the purposes of clause (2) (b). 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2.
Application of Act to professional corporations
3.2 (1) This Act and the regulations apply with respect to a professional corporation except as otherwise set out in this section and sections 3.1, 3.3 and 3.4 and the regulations. 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2.
Conditions for professional corporations
(2) Despite any other provision of this Act but subject to subsection (6), a professional corporation shall satisfy all of the following conditions:
1. All of the issued and outstanding shares of the corporation shall be legally and beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by one or more members of the same profession.
2. All officers and directors of the corporation shall be shareholders of the corporation.
3. The name of the corporation shall include the words Professional Corporation or Société professionnelle and shall comply with the rules respecting the names of professional corporations set out in the regulations and with the rules respecting names set out in the regulations or by-laws made under the Act governing the profession.
4. The corporation shall not have a number name.
5. The articles of incorporation of a professional corporation shall provide that the corporation may not carry on a business other than the practice of the profession but this paragraph shall not be construed to prevent the corporation from carrying on activities related to or ancillary to the practice of the profession, including the investment of surplus funds earned by the corporation. 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2; 2002, c. 22, s. 8; 2005, c. 28, Sched. B, s. 1 (1).
Deemed compliance
(2.1) A professional corporation that has a name that includes the words société professionnelle shall be deemed to have complied with the requirements of subsection 10 (1). 2004, c. 19, s. 3 (1).
Corporate acts not invalid
(3) No act done by or on behalf of a professional corporation is invalid merely because it contravenes this Act. 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2.
Voting agreements void
(4) An agreement or proxy that vests in a person other than a shareholder of a professional corporation the right to vote the rights attached to a share of the corporation is void. 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2.
Unanimous shareholder agreements void
(5) Subject to subsection (6), a unanimous shareholder agreement in respect of a professional corporation is void unless each shareholder of the corporation is a member of the professional corporation. 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2; 2005, c. 28, Sched. B, s. 1 (2).
Special rules, health profession corporations
(6) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations,
(a) exempting classes of health profession corporations, as defined in section 1 (1) of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 , from the application of subsections (1) and (5) and such other provisions of this Act and the regulations as may be specified and prescribing terms and conditions that apply with respect to the health profession corporations in lieu of the provisions from which they are exempted;
(b) exempting classes of the shareholders of those health profession corporations from the application of subsections 3.4 (2), (4) and (6) and such other provisions of this Act and the regulations as may be specified and prescribing rules that apply with respect to the shareholders in lieu of the provisions from which they are exempted;
(c) exempting directors and officers of those health profession corporations from the application of such provisions of this Act and the regulations as may be specified and prescribing rules that apply with respect to the directors and officers in lieu of the provisions from which they are exempted. 2005, c. 28, Sched. B, s. 1 (3).
Consequences of occurrence of certain events
3.3 (1) Despite any other Act, a professional corporations certificate of authorization or other authorizing document remains valid and the corporation does not cease to be a professional corporation despite,
(a) the death of a shareholder;
(b) the divorce of a shareholder;
(c) the bankruptcy or insolvency of the corporation;
(d) the suspension of the corporations certificate of authorization or other authorizing document; or
(e) the occurrence of such other event or the existence of such other circumstance as may be prescribed. 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2; 2001, c. 8, s. 1 (1); 2001, c. 23, s. 6 (1).
Invalidity of certificate
(2) Subject to the regulations, a certificate of authorization or other authorizing document becomes invalid and the corporation ceases to be a professional corporation on the revocation of the certificate. 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2; 2001, c. 8, s. 1 (2).
Regulations
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations,
(a) prescribing events and circumstances for the purposes of clause (1) (e);
(a.1) providing that, despite clause (1) (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e), whichever applies, a professional corporations certificate of authorization or other authorizing document ceases to be valid and the corporation ceases to be a professional corporation because of a failure to meet the terms and conditions described in the regulation;
(a.2) prescribing terms and conditions that apply with respect to the events and circumstances referred to in clauses (1) (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e);
(a.3) prescribing exceptions to the events and circumstances referred to in clauses (1) (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e);
(b) prescribing the manner in which shares of a shareholder are to be dealt with on the occurrence of any event mentioned in clauses (1) (a) to (e), the time within which they are to be dealt with and any other matter related to dealing with the shares. 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2; 2001, c. 23, s. 6 (2).
Name change
(4) A corporation that ceases to be a professional corporation shall change its name to remove from it the word professional or professionnelle. 2001, c. 8, s. 1 (3).
No limit on professional liability
3.4 (1) Subsection 92 (1) shall not be construed as limiting the professional liability of a shareholder of a professional corporation under an Act governing the profession for acts of the shareholder or acts of employees or agents of the corporation. 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2.
Deemed acts
(2) For the purposes of professional liability, the acts of a professional corporation shall be deemed to be the acts of the shareholders, employees or agents of the corporation, as the case may be. 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2.
Professional liability
(3) The liability of a member for a professional liability claim is not affected by the fact that the member is practising the profession through a professional corporation. 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2.
Joint and several liability
(4) A person is jointly and severally liable with a professional corporation for all professional liability claims made against the corporation in respect of errors and omissions that were made or occurred while the person was a shareholder of the corporation. 2000, c. 42, Sched., s. 2.
Same
(5) The liability of a member under subsection (4) cannot be greater than his or her liability would be in the circumstances if he or she were not practising through the professional corporation. 2001, c. 8, s. 2.
Same, partnerships and limited liability partnerships
(6) If a professional corporation is a partner in a partnership or limited liability partnership, the shareholders of the corporation have the same liability in respect of the partnership or limited liability partnership as they would have if the shareholders themselves were the partners. 2001, c. 8, s. 2.
Articles of incorporation
4. (1) One or more individuals or bodies corporate or any combination thereof may incorporate a corporation by signing articles of incorporation and complying with section 6. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 4 (1).
Idem
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an individual who,
(a) is less than eighteen years of age;
(b) is of unsound mind and has been so found by a court in Canada or elsewhere; or
(c) has the status of bankrupt. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 4 (2).
Contents of articles
5. (1) Articles of incorporation shall follow the prescribed form and shall set out the prescribed information. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (2).
Directors consent
(2) If the articles name as first director an individual who is not an incorporator, the corporation shall keep, at its registered office address, the individuals consent, in the prescribed form, to act as a first director. 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 2.
Inspection of consent
(2.1) Upon request and without charge, the corporation shall permit a director, shareholder or creditor to inspect a consent mentioned in subsection (2) during the normal business hours of the corporation and to make a copy. 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 2.
Provisions in articles
(3) The articles may set out any provisions permitted by this Act or permitted by law to be set out in the by-laws of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 5 (3).
Where articles, etc., prevail
(4) Subject to subsection (5), if a greater number of votes of directors or shareholders are required by the articles or a unanimous shareholder agreement than are required by this Act to effect any action, the provisions of the articles or of the unanimous shareholder agreement prevail. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 5 (4).
Votes to remove director
(5) The articles shall not require a greater number of votes of shareholders to remove a director than the number specified in section 122. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 5 (5).
Certificate of incorporation
6. An incorporator shall send to the Director articles of incorporation and, upon receipt of the articles, the Director shall endorse thereon, in accordance with section 273, a certificate which shall constitute the certificate of incorporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 6.
Certificate of incorporation
7. A certificate of incorporation is conclusive proof that the corporation has been incorporated under this Act on the date set out in the certificate, except in a proceeding under section 240 to cancel the certificate for cause. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 7.
Assignment of number
8. (1) Every corporation shall be assigned a number by the Director and such number shall be specified as the corporation number in the certificate of incorporation and in any other certificate relating to the corporation endorsed or issued by the Director. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 8 (1).
Idem
(2) Where no name is specified in the articles that are delivered to the Director, the corporation shall be assigned a number name. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 8 (2).
Idem
(3) Where, through inadvertence or otherwise, the Director has assigned to a corporation a corporation number or number name that is the same as the number or name of any other corporation previously assigned, the Director may, without holding a hearing, issue a certificate of amendment to the articles of the corporation changing the number or name assigned to the corporation and, upon the issuance of the certificate of amendment, the articles are amended accordingly. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 8 (3).
Idem
(4) Where for any reason the Director has endorsed a certificate on articles that sets out the corporation number incorrectly, the Director may substitute a corrected certificate that bears the date of the certificate it replaces. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 8 (4).
Idem
(5) The file number that was assigned to each corporation by the Minister prior to the 29th day of July, 1983 shall be deemed to be that corporations number. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 8 (5).
Name prohibition
9. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a corporation shall not have a name,
(a) that contains a word or expression prohibited by the regulations;
(b) that is the same as or, except where a number name is proposed, similar to,
(i) the name of a known,
(A) body corporate,
(B) trust,
(C) association,
(D) partnership,
(E) sole proprietorship, or
(F) individual,
whether in existence or not, or
(ii) the known name under which any body corporate, trust, association, partnership, sole proprietorship, or individual, carries on business or identifies himself, herself or itself,
if the use of that name would be likely to deceive; or
(c) that does not meet the requirements prescribed by the regulations. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 9 (1).
Exception to subs. (1)
(2) A corporation may have a name described in clause (1) (b) upon complying with conditions prescribed by the regulations. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 9 (2).
Documents filed
(3) There shall be filed with the Director such documents relating to the name of the corporation as may be prescribed by the regulations. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 9 (3).
Restrictions on corporate name
10. (1) The word Limited, Limitée, Incorporated, Incorporée or Corporation or the corresponding abbreviations Ltd., Ltée, Inc. or Corp. shall be part, in addition to any use in a figurative or descriptive sense, of the name of every corporation, but a corporation may be legally designated by either the full or the abbreviated form. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 10 (1).
Languages
(2) Subject to this Act and the regulations, a corporation may have a name that is in,
(a) an English form only;
(b) a French form only;
(c) a French and English form, where the French and English are used together in a combined form;
(d) a French form and an English form, where the French and English forms are equivalent but are used separately. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (3).
Same
(2.1) A corporation that has a form of name described in clause (2) (d) may be legally designated by the French or English version of its names. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (3).
Other restrictions
(3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), only letters from the Roman alphabet or Arabic numerals or a combination thereof, together with such punctuation marks and other marks as are permitted by regulation, may form part of the name of a corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 10 (3).
Other languages
(4) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the regulations, a corporation may have in its articles a special provision permitting it to set out its name in any language and the corporation may be legally designated by that name. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 10 (4).
Legibility
(5) Despite subsection (4), a corporation shall set out its name in legible characters in all contracts, invoices, negotiable instruments and orders for goods or services issued or made by or on behalf of the corporation and in all documents sent to the Director under this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 10 (5).
Unauthorized use of Limited, etc.
11. (1) No person, while not incorporated, shall trade or carry on a business or undertaking under a name in which Limited, Incorporated or Corporation or any abbreviation thereof, or any version thereof in another language, is used. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 11 (1).
Idem
(2) Where a corporation carries on business or identifies itself to the public by a name or style other than as provided in the articles, that name or style shall not include the word Limited, Incorporated or Corporation or any abbreviation thereof or any version thereof in another language. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 11 (2).
Change of name if objectionable
12. (1) If a corporation, through inadvertence or otherwise, has acquired a name contrary to section 9 or 10, the Director may, after giving the corporation an opportunity to be heard, issue a certificate of amendment to the articles changing the name of the corporation to a name specified in the certificate and, upon the issuance of the certificate of amendment, the articles are amended accordingly. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 12 (1); 2004, c. 19, s. 3 (2).
Written hearing
(1.1) A hearing referred to in subsection (1) shall be in writing in accordance with the rules made by the Director under the Statutory Powers Procedure Act . 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 20.
Failure to perform undertaking
(2) Where an undertaking to dissolve or change its name is given by a corporation and the undertaking is not carried out within the time specified, the Director may, after giving the corporation an opportunity to be heard, issue a certificate of amendment to the articles changing the name of the corporation to a name specified in the certificate and, upon the issuance of a certificate of amendment, the articles are amended accordingly. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 12 (2).
Idem
(3) Where an undertaking to dissolve or change its name is given by a person who is not a corporation and the undertaking is not carried out within the time specified, the Director may, after giving the corporation that acquired the name by virtue of such undertaking an opportunity to be heard, issue a certificate of amendment to the articles changing
the name of the corporation to a name specified in the certificate and, upon the issuance of the certificate, the articles are amended accordingly. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 12 (3).
Corporate seal
13. A corporation may, but need not, have a corporate seal. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 13.
Registered office
14. (1) A corporation shall at all times have a registered office in Ontario at the location specified in its articles, in a resolution made under subsection (3) or in a special resolution made under subsection (4). 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (4); 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3 (3).
Idem
(2) The head office of every corporation incorporated prior to the 29th day of July, 1983 shall be deemed to be the registered office of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 14 (2).
Change of location
(3) A corporation may by resolution of its directors change the location of its registered office within a municipality or geographic township. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (5).
Change of municipality, etc.
(4) A corporation may by special resolution change the municipality or geographic township in which its registered office is located to another place in Ontario. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (5).
Validity
(5) Failure to file as set out in subsection (3) or (4) does not affect the validity of the resolution. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 14 (5).
Corporate powers
15. A corporation has the capacity and the rights, powers and privileges of a natural person. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 15.
Capacity to act outside Ontario
16. A corporation has the capacity to carry on its business, conduct its affairs and exercise its powers in any jurisdiction outside Ontario to the extent that the laws of such jurisdiction permit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 16.
Corporate power
17. (1) It is not necessary for a by-law to be passed in order to confer any particular power on the corporation or its directors. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 17 (1).
Power limited by articles, etc.
(2) A corporation shall not carry on any business or exercise any power that it is restricted by its articles from carrying on or exercising, nor shall the corporation exercise any of its powers in a manner contrary to its articles. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 17 (2).
Acting outside powers
(3) Despite subsection (2) and (2), no act of a corporation including a transfer of property to or subsection 3 by the corporation is invalid by reason only that the act is contrary to its articles, by-laws, a unanimous shareholder agreement or this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 17 (3).
Where notice is not deemed
18. No person is affected by or is deemed to have notice or knowledge of the contents of a document concerning a corporation by reason only that the document has been filed with the Director or is available for inspection at an office of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 18.
Indoor management rule
19. A corporation or a guarantor of an obligation of a corporation may not assert against a person dealing with the corporation or with any person who has acquired rights from the corporation that,
(a) the articles, by-laws or any unanimous shareholder agreement have not been complied with;
(b) the persons named in the most recent notice filed under the Corporations Information Act , or named in the articles, whichever is more current, are not the directors of the corporation;
(c) the location named in the most recent notice filed under subsection 14 (3) or named in the articles, whichever is more current, is not the registered office of the corporation;
(d) a person held out by a corporation as a director, an officer or an agent of the corporation has not been duly appointed or does not have authority to exercise the powers and perform the duties that are customary in the business of the corporation or usual for such director, officer or agent;
(e) a document issued by any director, officer or agent of a corporation with actual or usual authority to issue the document is not valid or not genuine; or
(f) financial assistance referred to in section 20 or a sale, lease or exchange of property referred to in subsection 184 (3) was not authorized, except where the person has or ought to have, by virtue of the persons position with or relationship to the corporation, knowledge to that effect. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 19.
Financial assistance by corporation
20. (1) A corporation may give financial assistance to any person for any purpose by means of a loan, guarantee or otherwise. 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3 (4).
Disclosure
(2) Subject to subsection (3), a corporation shall disclose to its shareholders all material financial assistance that it gives to,
(a) a shareholder, a beneficial owner of a share, a director, an officer or an employee of the corporation, an affiliate of the corporation, or an associate of any of them; or
(b) a person for the purpose of, or in connection with, the purchase of a share or a security convertible into or exchangeable for a share issued or to be issued by the corporation or an affiliate of the corporation. 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3 (4).
Exception
(3) A corporation is not required to disclose to its shareholders material financial assistance that it gives,
(a) to a person in the ordinary course of business if the lending of money is part of the corporations ordinary business;
(b) to a person on account of expenditures incurred or to be incurred on behalf of the corporation;
(c) to its holding body corporate if the corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of the holding body corporate;
(d) to a subsidiary body corporate of the corporation; or
(e) to employees of the corporation or any of its affiliates in accordance with a plan for the purchase of shares of the corporation or any of its affiliates. 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3 (4).
Extent of disclosure
(4) The disclosure that a corporation is required to make under subsection (2) in respect of financial assistance shall include,
(a) a brief description of the financial assistance given, including its nature and extent;
(b) the terms on which the financial assistance was given; and
(c) the amount of the financial assistance initially given and the amount, if any, outstanding. 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3 (4).
Time of disclosure
(5) A corporation that is not an offering corporation shall make the disclosure by giving a notice to all shareholders no later than 90 days after giving the financial assistance. 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3 (4).
Same, offering corporations
(6) An offering corporation shall make the disclosure,
(a) in each management information circular that it is required to send to its shareholders in respect of the first annual meeting called and held after it gives the financial assistance and in respect of each annual meeting thereafter so long as the financial assistance remains outstanding; or
(b) in a financial statement that the directors are required to place before the shareholders under subsection 154 (1) at the first annual meeting called and held after it gives the financial assistance and at each annual meeting thereafter so long as the financial assistance remains outstanding. 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3 (4).
Validity of contract
(7) A contract made by a corporation in contravention of subsection (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) may be enforced by or against the corporation. 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3 (4).
Contract prior to corporate existence
21. (1) Except as provided in this section, a person who enters into an oral or written contract in the name of or on behalf of a corporation before it comes into existence is personally bound by the contract and is entitled to the benefits thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 21 (1).
Adoption of contract by corporation
(2) A corporation may, within a reasonable time after it comes into existence, by any action or conduct signifying its intention to be bound thereby, adopt an oral or written contract made before it came into existence in its name or on its behalf, and upon such adoption,
(a) the corporation is bound by the contract and is entitled to the benefits thereof as if the corporation had been in existence at the date of the contract and had been a party thereto; and
(b) a person who purported to act in the name of or on behalf of the corporation ceases, except as provided in subsection (3), to be bound by or entitled to the benefits of the contract. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 21 (2).
Non-adoption of contract
(3) Except as provided in subsection (4), whether or not an oral or written contract made before the coming into existence of a corporation is adopted by the corporation, a party to the contract may apply to a court for an order fixing obligations under the contract as joint or joint and several or apportioning liability between the corporation and the person who purported to act in the name of or on behalf of the corporation, and, upon such application, the court may make any order it thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 21 (3).
Exception to subs. (1)
(4) If expressly so provided in the oral or written contract referred to in subsection (1), a person who purported to act in the name of or on behalf of the corporation before it came into existence is not in any event bound by the contract or entitled to the benefits thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 21 (4).
PART III
CORPORATE FINANCE
Shares
22. (1) Shares of a corporation shall be in registered form and shall be without nominal or par value. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 22 (1).
Idem
(2) Shares with nominal or par value of a corporation incorporated before the 29th day of July, 1983 shall be deemed to be shares without nominal or par value. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 22 (2).
Rights of shareholders
(3) Where a corporation has only one class of shares, the rights of the holders thereof are equal in all respects and include the rights,
(a) to vote at all meetings of shareholders; and
(b) to receive the remaining property of the corporation upon dissolution. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 22 (3).
Idem
(4) The articles may provide for more than one class of shares and where they so provide,
(a) the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the shares of each class shall be set out therein; and
(b) each of the rights set out in subsection (3) shall be attached to at least one class of shares, but both such rights are not required to be attached to any one class. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 22 (4).
Saving provision
(5) Despite subsection (4), the right of the holders of a class of shares to one vote for each share at all meetings of shareholders other than meetings of the holders of another class of shares, or to receive the remaining property of the corporation upon dissolution, need not be set out in the articles. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 22 (5).
Shares within a class equal
(6) Except as provided in section 25, each share of a class shall be the same in all respects as every other share of that class. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 22 (6).
Issuance of shares
23. (1) Subject to the articles, the by-laws, any unanimous shareholder agreement and section 26, shares may be issued at such time and to such persons and for such consideration as the directors may determine. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 23 (1).
Shares non-assessable
(2) Shares issued by a corporation are non-assessable and the holders are not liable to the corporation or to its creditors in respect thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 23 (2).
Fully-paid shares
(3) A share shall not be issued until the consideration for the share is fully paid in money or in property or past service that is not less in value than the fair equivalent of the money that the corporation would have received if the share had been issued for money. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 23 (3).
Value determined by directors
(4) The directors shall, in connection with the issue of any share not issued for money, determine,
(a) the amount of money the corporation would have received if the share had been issued for money; and
(b) either,
(i) the fair value of the property or past service in consideration of which the share is issued, or
(ii) that such property or past service has a fair value that is not less than the amount of money referred to in clause (a). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 23 (4).
Idem
(5) In determining the value of property or past service, the directors may take into account reasonable charges and expenses of organization and reorganization and payments for property and past service reasonably expected to benefit the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 23 (5).
Interpretation of property
(6) For the purposes of subsection (3) and of subsection 24 (3), a document evidencing indebtedness of a person to whom shares are to be issued, or of any other person not dealing at arms length with such person within the meaning of that term in the Income Tax Act (Canada), does not constitute property. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 23 (6).
Separate capital account
24. (1) A corporation shall maintain a separate stated capital account for each class and series of shares it issues. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 24 (1).
Idem
(2) A corporation shall add to the appropriate stated capital account in respect of any shares it issues the full amount of the consideration it receives as determined by the directors which, in the case of shares not issued for money, shall be the amount determined by the directors in accordance with clause 23 (4) (a) or, if a determination is made by the directors in accordance with subclause 23 (4) (b) (i), the amount so determined. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 24 (2).
Exception to subs. (2)
(3) Despite subsection (2) and subsection 23 (3), where a corporation issues shares,
(a) in exchange for,
(i) property of a person who immediately before the exchange does not deal with the corporation at arms length within the meaning of that term in the Income Tax Act (Canada), or
(ii) shares of a body corporate that immediately before the exchange or that, because of the exchange, does not deal with the corporation at arms length within the meaning of that term in the Income Tax Act (Canada); or
(b) under an agreement referred to in subsection 175 (1) or an arrangement referred to in clause 182 (1) (c) or (d) or to shareholders of an amalgamating corporation who receive the shares in addition to or instead of securities of the amalgamated corporation,
the corporation may, subject to subsection (4), add all or any portion of the consideration it received for the shares to the appropriate stated capital account. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 24 (3).
Addition to stated capital account
(4) On the issue of a share, a corporation shall not add to a stated capital account in respect of the share an amount greater than the amount referred to in subsection (2). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 24 (4).
Stated capital at time of coming into force or continuance
(5) Despite subsection (2), on the 29th day of July, 1983 or at such time thereafter as a corporation has been continued under this Act, as the case may be, the amount in the stated capital account maintained by a corporation in respect of each class or series of shares then issued shall be equal to the aggregate amount paid up on the shares of each such class or series of shares immediately prior thereto, and, after such time, a corporation may, upon complying with subsection (6), add to the stated capital account maintained by it in respect of any class or series of shares any amount it has credited to a retained earnings or other surplus account. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 24 (5).
Additions to stated capital account
(6) Where a corporation proposes to add any amount to a stated capital account that it maintains in respect of a (2), the addition class or series of shares otherwise than under subsection 38 to the stated capital account must be approved by special resolution if,
(a) the amount to be added,
(i) was not received by the corporation as consideration for the issue of shares, or
(ii) was received by the corporation as consideration for the issue of shares but does not form part of the stated capital attributable to such shares; and
(b) the corporation has outstanding shares of more than one class or series. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 24 (6).
Idem
(7) Where a class or series of shares of a corporation would be affected by the addition of an amount to any stated capital account under subsection (6) in a manner different from the manner in which any other class or series of shares of the corporation would be affected by such action, the holders of the differently affected class or series of shares are entitled to vote separately as a class or series, as the case may be, on the proposal to take the action, whether or not such shares otherwise carry the right to vote. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 24 (7).
Expressed in one or more currencies
(8) Stated capital accounts of a corporation may be expressed in one or more currencies. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 24 (8).
Reduction in stated capital
(9) A corporation shall not reduce its stated capital or any stated capital account except in the manner provided in this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 24 (9).
Non-application of Act
(10) The provisions of this Act relating to stated capital do not apply to an open-end mutual fund. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 24 (10).
Definition
(11) For the purposes of this section,
open-end mutual fund means an offering corporation that carries on only the business of investing the consideration it receives for the shares it issues, and all or substantially all the shares of which are redeemable upon the demand of the holders of such shares. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 24 (11).
Special shares in series
25. (1) The articles, subject to the limitations set out in them,
(a) may authorize the issue of any class of shares in one or more series and may fix the number of shares in, and determine the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the shares of, each series; and
(b) may, where the articles authorize the issue of any class of shares in one or more series, authorize the directors to fix the number of shares in, and to determine the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the shares of each series. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 25 (1).
Proportionate abatement
(2) If any amount,
(a) of cumulative dividends, whether or not declared, or declared non-cumulative dividends; or
(b) payable on return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of a corporation,
in respect of shares of a series is not paid in full, the shares of the series shall participate rateably with the shares of all other series of the same class in respect of,
(c) all accumulated cumulative dividends, whether or not declared, and all declared non-cumulative dividends; or
(d) all amounts payable on return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation,
as the case may be. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 25 (2).
No priority of shares of same class
(3) No rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions attached to a series of shares authorized under this section shall confer upon the shares of a series a priority in respect of,
(a) dividends; or
(b) return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation,
over the shares of any other series of the same class. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 25 (3).
Articles designating special shares
(4) Where, in respect of a series of shares, the directors exercise the authority conferred on them, before the issue of shares of such series, the directors shall send to the Director articles of amendment in the prescribed form designating such series. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 25 (4).
Certificate re special shares
(5) On receipt of articles of amendment designating a series of shares under subsection (4), the Director shall endorse thereon, in accordance with section 273, a certificate which shall constitute the certificate of amendment. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 25 (5).
Pre-emptive rights
26. If it is so provided in the articles or a unanimous shareholder agreement, no shares of a class or series shall be issued unless the shares have first been offered to the shareholders of the corporation holding shares of that class or series or of another class or series on such terms as are provided in the articles or unanimous shareholder agreement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 26.
Conversion privileges, etc.
27. (1) A corporation may issue warrants as evidence of conversion privileges or options or rights to acquire securities of the corporation, and shall set out the conditions thereof,
(a) in certificates evidencing the securities to which the conversion privileges, options or rights are attached; or
(b) in separate certificates or other documents. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 27 (1).
Idem
(2) Conversion privileges and options or rights to purchase securities of a corporation may be made transferable or non-transferable, and options or rights to purchase may be made separable or inseparable from any securities to which they are attached. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 27 (2).
Corporation to maintain sufficient reserve
(3) Where a corporation has granted privileges to convert any securities, other than shares issued by the corporation, into shares of the corporation or has issued or granted options or rights to acquire shares of the corporation and where the articles limit the number of authorized shares, the corporation shall reserve and continue to reserve sufficient authorized shares to meet the exercise of such conversion privileges, options and rights. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 27 (3).
Subsidiaries not to hold shares of holding bodies corporate
28. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) and sections 29 to 32, a corporation,
(a) shall not hold shares in itself or in its holding body corporate; and
(b) shall not permit any of its subsidiary bodies corporate to hold shares of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 28 (1).
Disposal of shares
(2) A corporation shall cause a subsidiary body corporate of the corporation that holds shares of the corporation to sell or otherwise dispose of those shares within five years from the date the body corporate became a subsidiary of the corporation. R.S.O.1990, c. B.16, s. 28 (2).
Exception to s. 28
29. (1) A corporation may in the capacity of a legal representative hold shares in itself or in its holding body corporate unless it or the holding body corporate or a subsidiary of either of them has a beneficial interest in the shares. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 29 (1).
Idem
(2) A corporation may permit a subsidiary body corporate to hold shares of the corporation in the capacity of a legal representative unless the corporation or the subsidiary body corporate or a subsidiary of either of them has a beneficial interest in the shares. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 29 (2).
Idem
(3) A corporation may hold shares in itself or in its holding body corporate by way of security for the purposes of a transaction entered into by it in the ordinary course of a business that includes the lending of money. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 29 (3).
Exception relating to Canadian ownership
(4) A corporation may, for the purpose of assisting the corporation or any of its affiliates or associates to qualify under any prescribed Act of Canada or a province or ordinance of a territory to receive licences, permits, grants, payments or other benefits by reason of attaining or maintaining a specified level of Canadian ownership or control, hold shares in itself that,
(a) are not restricted for the purpose of assisting the corporation or any of its affiliates or associates to so qualify; or
(b) are shares into which shares held under clause (a) were converted by the corporation that are restricted for the purpose of assisting the corporation to so qualify and that were not previously held by the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 29 (4).
Prohibited transfers
(5) A corporation shall not transfer shares held under subsection (4) to any person unless the corporation is satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that the ownership of the shares as a result of the transfer would assist the corporation or any of its affiliates or associates to achieve the purpose set out in subsection (4). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 29 (5).
Where shares are transferred
(6) Where shares held under subsection (4) are transferred by a corporation, subsections 23 (1), (3), (4), (5) and (6), clause 127 (3) (c) and subsection 130 (1) apply, with such modifications as the circumstances require, in respect of the transfer as if the transfer were an issue. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 29 (6).
Transfer not void
(7) No transfer of shares by a corporation shall be void or voidable solely because the transfer is in contravention of subsection (5). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 29 (7).
Corporation holding shares in itself
(8) A corporation holding shares in itself or in its holding body corporate or a subsidiary body corporate of a corporation holding shares of the corporation shall not vote or permit those shares to be voted unless the corporation or subsidiary body corporate, as the case may be,
(a) holds the shares in the capacity of a legal representative; and
(b) has complied with section 49 of the Securities Act where that section is applicable. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 29 (8).
Purchase of issued shares permitted
30. (1) Subject to subsection (2) and to its articles, a corporation may purchase or otherwise acquire any of its issued shares or warrants. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 30 (1).
Where prohibited
(2) A corporation shall not make any payment to purchase or otherwise acquire shares issued by it if there are reasonable grounds for believing that,
(a) the corporation is or, after the payment, would be unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or
(b) after the payment, the realizable value of the corporations assets would be less than the aggregate of,
(i) its liabilities, and
(ii) its stated capital of all classes. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 30 (2).
Where s. 30 (2) does not apply
31. (1) Despite subsection 30 (2) but subject to subsection (3) of this section and to its articles, a corporation may purchase or otherwise acquire shares issued by it to,
(a) settle or compromise a debt or claim asserted by or against the corporation;
(b) eliminate fractional shares; or
(c) fulfil the terms of a non-assignable agreement under which the corporation has an option or is obliged to purchase shares owned by a current or former director, officer or employee of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 31 (1).
Idem
(2) Despite subsection 30 (2), a corporation may purchase or otherwise acquire shares issued by it to,
(a) satisfy the claim of a shareholder who dissents under section 185; or
(b) comply with an order under section 248. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 31 (2).
Restriction on payment
(3) A corporation shall not make any payment to purchase or acquire under subsection (1) shares issued by it if there are reasonable grounds for believing that,
(a) the corporation is or, after the payment, would be unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or
(b) after the payment, the realizable value of the corporations assets would be less than the aggregate of,
(i) its liabilities, and
(ii) the amount that would be required to pay the holders of shares who have a right to be paid, on a redemption or in a liquidation, prior to the holders of the shares to be purchased or acquired. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 31 (3).
Redemption of shares
32. (1) Despite subsection 30 (2) and subsection 31 (3), but subject to subsection (2) and to its articles, a corporation may purchase or redeem any redeemable shares issued by it at prices not exceeding the redemption price thereof stated in the articles or calculated according to a formula stated in the articles. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 32 (1).
Restriction on redemption
(2) A corporation shall not make any payment to purchase or redeem any redeemable shares issued by it if there are reasonable grounds for believing that,
(a) the corporation is or, after the payment, would be unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or
(b) after the payment, the realizable value of the corporations assets would be less than the aggregate of,
(i) its liabilities, and
(ii) the amount that would be required to pay the holders of shares who have a right to be paid, on a redemption or in a liquidation, rateably with or prior to the holders of the shares to be purchased or redeemed. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 32 (2).
Donation of share
33. A corporation may accept from any shareholder a share of the corporation surrendered to it as a gift, but may not extinguish or reduce a liability in respect of an amount unpaid on any such share except in accordance with section 34. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 33.
Reduction of liability re unpaid share: stated capital
34. (1) Subject to subsection (4), a corporation may by special resolution,
(a) extinguish or reduce a liability in respect of an amount unpaid on any share; or
(b) reduce its stated capital for any purpose including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, for the purpose of,
(i) distributing to the holders of issued shares of any class or series of shares an amount not exceeding the stated capital of the class or series, or
(ii) declaring its stated capital to be reduced by,
(A) an amount that is not represented by realizable assets, or
(B) an amount otherwise determined in respect of which no amount is to be distributed to holders of issued shares of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 34 (1).
Right to vote where reduction under subs. (1)
(2) Where a class or series of shares of a corporation would be affected by a reduction of stated capital under clause (1) (b) in a manner different from the manner in which any other class or series of shares of the corporation would be affected by such action, the holders of the differently affected class or series of shares are entitled to vote separately as a class or series, as the case may be, on the proposal to take the action, whether or not the shares otherwise carry the right to vote. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 34 (2).
Account to be reduced specified
(3) A special resolution under this section shall specify the stated capital account or accounts from which the reduction of stated capital effected by the special resolution will be made. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 34 (3).
Restriction on reduction
(4) A corporation shall not take any action to extinguish or reduce a liability in respect of an amount unpaid on a share or to reduce its stated capital for any purpose other than the purpose (A) if there are reasonable grounds for (ii) (b) mentioned in sub-subclause (1) believing that,
(a) the corporation is or, after the taking of such action, would be unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or
(b) after the taking of such action, the realizable value of the corporations assets would be less than the aggregate of its liabilities. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 34 (4).
Application for order where improper reduction
(5) A creditor of a corporation is entitled to apply to the court for an order compelling a shareholder or other recipient,
(a) to pay to the corporation an amount equal to any liability of the shareholder that was extinguished or reduced contrary to this section; or
(b) to pay or deliver to the corporation any money or property that was paid or distributed to the shareholder or other recipient as a consequence of a reduction of capital made contrary to this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 34 (5).
(6) Repealed: 2002, c. 24, Sched. B, s. 25.
Class action
(7) Where it appears that there are numerous shareholders who may be liable under this section, the court may permit an action to be brought against one or more of them as representatives of the class and, if the plaintiff establishes a claim as creditor, may make an order of reference and add as parties in the referees office all such shareholders as may be found, and the referee shall determine the amount that each should contribute towards the plaintiffs claim, which amount may not, in the case of any particular shareholder, exceed the amount referred to in subsection (5), and the referee may direct payment of the sums so determined. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 34 (7).
Shareholder holding shares in fiduciary capacity
(8) No person holding shares in the capacity of a personal representative and registered on the records of the corporation as a shareholder and therein described as the personal representative of a named person is personally liable under this section, but the person named is subject to all liabilities imposed by this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 34 (8).
s. 130 does not apply
(9) This section does not affect any liability that arises under section 130. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 34 (9).
Amount deducted from account upon purchase, etc., of shares
35. (1) Upon a purchase, redemption or other acquisition by a corporation under section 30, 31, 32, 40 or 185 or clause 248 (3) (f) of shares or fractions thereof issued by it, the corporation shall deduct from the stated capital account maintained for the class or series of shares of which the shares purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired form a part, an amount equal to the result obtained by multiplying the stated capital of the shares of that class or series by the number of shares of that class or series or fractions thereof purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired, divided by the number of issued shares of that class or series immediately before the purchase, redemption or other acquisition. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 35 (1).
Idem
(2) A corporation shall deduct the amount of a payment made by the corporation to a shareholder under clause 248 (3) (g) from the stated capital account maintained for the class or series of shares in respect of which the payment was made. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 35 (2).
Adjustment in stated capital account
(3) A corporation shall adjust its stated capital account or accounts in accordance with any special resolution referred to in subsection 34 (3). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 35 (3).
Idem
(4) Upon a change under section 168, 186 or 248 of issued shares of a corporation, or upon a conversion of such shares pursuant to their terms, into shares of another class or series, the corporation shall,
(a) deduct from the stated capital account maintained for the class or series of shares changed or converted an amount equal to the result obtained by multiplying the stated capital of the shares of that class or series by the number of shares of that class or series changed or converted, and dividing by the number of issued shares of that class or series immediately before the change or conversion; and
(b) add the result obtained under clause (a) and any additional consideration received pursuant to the change or conversion to the stated capital account maintained or to be maintained for the class or series of shares into which the shares have been changed or converted. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 35 (4).
Idem
(5) For the purpose of subsection (4) and subject to its articles, where a corporation issues two classes or series of shares and there is attached to each class or series a right to convert a share of the one class or series into a share of the other class or series, the amount of stated capital attributable to a share in either class or series is the amount obtained when the sum of the stated capital of both classes or series of shares is divided by the number of issued shares of both classes or series of shares immediately before the conversion. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 35 (5).
Status of shares purchased, etc.
(6) Shares of any class or series or fractional shares issued by a corporation and purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired by it shall be cancelled or, if the articles limit the number of authorized shares of the class or series, may be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of the class. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 35 (6).
Interpretation
(7) For the purposes of this section,
(a) a corporation holding shares in itself as permitted by subsections 29 (1) and (2) shall be deemed not to have purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired the shares; and
(b) a corporation holding shares in itself under clause 29 (4) (a) shall be deemed not to have purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired the shares at the time they were acquired, but,
(i) any of those shares that are held by the corporation at the expiration of two years, and
(ii) any shares into which any of those shares were converted by the corporation and held under clause 29 (4) (b) that are held by the corporation at the expiration of two years after the shares from which they were converted were acquired,
shall be deemed to have been acquired at the expiration of the two years. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 35 (7).
Conversion of shares
(8) Where shares of a class or series are changed under section 168, 186 or 248, or converted pursuant to their terms, into the same or another number of shares of another class or series, such shares become the same in all respects as the shares of the class or series respectively into which they are changed or converted and, if the articles limit the number of shares of either of such classes or series, the number of authorized shares of such class or series is changed and the articles are amended accordingly. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 35 (8).
Contract with corporation re purchase of its shares
36. (1) A contract with a corporation providing for the purchase of shares of the corporation by the corporation is specifically enforceable against the corporation except to the extent that the corporation cannot perform the contract without thereby being in breach of section 30 or 31. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 36 (1).
Idem
(2) In any action brought on a contract referred to in subsection (1), the corporation has the burden of proving that performance thereof is prevented by section 30 or 31. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 36 (2).
Idem
(3) Until the corporation has fully performed a contract referred to in subsection (1), the other party to the contract retains the status of a claimant entitled to be paid as soon as the corporation is lawfully able to do so or in a liquidation to be ranked subordinate to the rights of creditors but in priority to the other shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 36 (3).
Commission on sale of shares
37. The directors may authorize the corporation to pay a reasonable commission to any person in consideration of the persons purchasing or agreeing to purchase shares of the corporation from the corporation or from any other person, or procuring or agreeing to procure purchasers for any such shares. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 37.
Declaration of dividends
38. (1) Subject to its articles and any unanimous shareholder agreement, the directors may declare and a corporation may pay a dividend by issuing fully paid shares of the corporation or options or rights to acquire fully paid shares of the corporation and, subject to subsection (3), a corporation may pay a dividend in money or property. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 38 (1).
Stock dividend
(2) If shares of a corporation are issued in payment of a dividend, the corporation shall add to the stated capital account maintained or to be maintained for the shares of the class or series issued in payment of the dividend the declared amount of the dividend stated as an amount of money. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 38 (2).
When dividend not to be declared
(3) The directors shall not declare and the corporation shall not pay a dividend if there are reasonable grounds for believing that,
(a) the corporation is or, after the payment, would be unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or
(b) the realizable value of the corporations assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of,
(i) its liabilities, and
(ii) its stated capital of all classes. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 38 (3).
Corporations with wasting assets
39. (1) Despite anything in this Act, a corporation,
(a) that for the time being carries on as its principal business the business of operating a producing mining, gas or oil property owned and controlled by it;
(b) that has at least 75 per cent of its assets being of a wasting character; or
(c) that is incorporated for the purpose of acquiring the assets or a substantial part of the assets of a body corporate and administering such assets for the purpose of converting them into cash and distributing the cash among the shareholders of the corporation,
may declare and pay dividends out of the funds derived from the operations of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 39 (1).
Extent of impairment of capital
(2) The powers conferred by subsection (1) may be exercised even though the value of the net assets of the corporation may be thereby reduced to less than its stated capital of all classes if the payment of the dividends does not reduce the value of its remaining assets to an amount insufficient to meet all the liabilities of the corporation, exclusive of its stated capital of all classes. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 39 (2).
Special resolution
(3) The powers conferred by subsection (1) may be exercised only under the authority of a special resolution. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 39 (3).
Lien on share
40. (1) Subject to subsection 56 (3), the articles or by-laws may provide that the corporation has a lien on a share registered in the name of a shareholder or the shareholders legal representative for a debt of that shareholder to the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 40 (1).
Where subs. (1) does not apply
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a corporation that has shares listed on a stock exchange recognized by the Commission. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 40 (2).
Enforcement of lien
(3) A corporation may enforce a lien referred to in subsection (1) in accordance with its articles or by-laws. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 40 (3).
Shares personal property
41. The shares of a corporation are personal property. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 41.
Restrictions on transfer, etc.
42. (1) A corporation shall not impose restrictions on the transfer or ownership of shares of any class or series except such restrictions as are authorized by its articles. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 42 (1); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (6).
No public offer if transfer, etc., restricted exceptions
(2) A corporation that has imposed restrictions on the transfer or ownership of its shares of any class or series shall not offer any of its shares to the public unless the restrictions are necessary,
(a) by or under any Act of Canada or Ontario as a condition to the obtaining, holding or renewal of authority to engage in any activity necessary to its undertaking;
(b) for the purpose of achieving or preserving its status as a Canadian body corporate for the purpose of any Act of Canada or Ontario;
(c) to limit to a specified level the ownership of its shares by any prescribed class of person for the purpose of assisting the corporation or any of its affiliates or associates to qualify under the Securities Act or similar legislation of a province or territory to obtain, hold or renew registration, or to qualify for membership in a stock exchange in Ontario recognized as such by the Commission; or
(d) to attain or to maintain a specified level of Canadian ownership or control for the purpose of assisting the corporation or any of its affiliates or associates to qualify to receive licences, permits, grants, payments or other benefits under any prescribed Act of Canada or a province or ordinance of a territory. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 42 (2); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (6).
Application of subs. (2) (c, d)
(3) Nothing in clause (2) (c) or (d) authorizes a corporation to impose restrictions on the transfer or ownership of shares of any class or series of which any shares are outstanding unless,
(a) in the case of restrictions in respect of a class, the shares of the class; or
(b) in the case of restrictions in respect of a series, the shares of the series,
are already subject to restrictions for the purpose (c) or (d). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 42 (3); 1994, described in clause (2) c. 27, s. 71 (6).
Idem
(4) A corporation may,
(a) limit the number of its shares that may be owned; or
(b) prohibit the ownership of its shares,
by any person whose ownership would adversely affect the ability of the corporation or any of its affiliates or associates to attain or maintain a level of Canadian ownership or control specified in its articles that equals or exceeds a specified level referred to in clause (2) (d). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 42 (4).
Bearer debt obligations
43. Nothing in this Act prohibits the issue of debt obligations in bearer form. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 43.
Irredeemable debt obligation
44. (1) A condition contained in a debt obligation or in an instrument for securing a debt obligation is not invalid by reason only that the debt obligation is thereby made irredeemable or redeemable only on the happening of a contingency, however remote, or on the expiration of a period, however long. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 44 (1).
Debt obligations
(2) Debt obligations issued, pledged, hypothecated or deposited by a corporation are not redeemed by reason only that the indebtedness evidenced by the debt obligations or in respect of which the debt obligations are issued, pledged, hypothecated or deposited is repaid. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 44 (2).
Idem
(3) Debt obligations issued by a corporation and purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired by it may be cancelled or, subject to any applicable trust indenture or other agreement, may be reissued, pledged or hypothecated to secure any obligation of the corporation then existing or thereafter incurred, and any such acquisition and reissue, pledge or hypothecation is not a cancellation of the debt obligations. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 44 (3).
PART IV
SALE OF RESTRICTED SHARES
Restricted shares held in contravention sale by corporation
45. (1) A corporation that has restrictions on the issue, transfer or ownership of its shares of any class or series in order to assist the corporation or any of its affiliates or associates to qualify,
(a) under the Securities Act or similar legislation of a province or territory, to obtain, hold or renew registration; or
(b) for membership in a stock exchange in Ontario recognized as such by the Commission,
by reason of limiting to a specified level the ownership of its shares by any prescribed class of person or,
(c) under any prescribed Act of Canada or a province or ordinance of a territory, to receive licences, permits, grants, payments or other benefits by reason of attaining or maintaining a specified level of Canadian ownership or control,
may, for a purpose set out in clause (a), (b) or (c) or, in the case of a corporation under clause (c), for the purpose of attaining or maintaining a level of Canadian ownership or control specified in its articles, under such conditions and after giving such notice as may be prescribed, sell, as if it were the owner thereof, any of the restricted shares that are owned, or that the directors determine in such manner as may be prescribed may be owned, contrary to the restrictions. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 45 (1).
Obligations of directors in sale
(2) Where shares are to be sold by a corporation under subsection (1), the directors of the corporation shall select the shares for sale in good faith and in a manner that is not unfairly prejudicial to, and does not unfairly disregard the interests of, the holders of the shares in the restricted class or series taken as a whole. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 45 (2).
Effect of sale
(3) Where shares are sold by a corporation under subsection (1), the owner of the shares immediately prior to the sale shall, by that sale, be divested of the owners interest in the shares, and the person who, but for the sale, would be the registered holder of the shares or a person who satisfies the corporation that, but for the sale, such person could properly be treated as the registered holder of the shares under section 67 shall, from the time of the sale, be entitled to receive only the net proceeds of the sale, together with any income earned thereon from the beginning of the month next following the date of the receipt by the corporation of the proceeds of the sale, less any taxes thereon and any costs of administration of a trust fund constituted under subsection (5) in relation thereto. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 45 (3).
s. 67 (4-6) apply
(4) Subsections 67 (4), (5) and (6) apply in respect of the person who is entitled under subsection (3) to receive the proceeds of a sale of shares under subsection (1) as if the proceeds were a security and the person were a registered holder of the security. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 45 (4).
Proceeds of sale to be trust fund
(5) The proceeds of a sale by a corporation under subsection (1) constitute a trust fund in the hands of the corporation for the benefit of the person entitled under subsection (3) to receive the proceeds of the sale, and any such trust fund may be commingled by the corporation with other such trust funds and shall be invested in such manner as may be prescribed. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 45 (5).
Cost of administration
(6) Reasonable costs of administration of a trust fund referred to in subsection (5) may be deducted from the trust fund and any income earned thereon. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 45 (6).
Appointment of trust corporation
(7) Subject to this section, a corporation may transfer any trust fund referred to in subsection (5) and the administration thereof, to a trust corporation in Canada registered as such under the laws of Canada, a province or a territory, and the corporation is thereupon discharged of all further liability in respect of the trust fund. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 45 (7).
Discharge of corporation and trust corporation
(8) A receipt signed by a person entitled under subsection (3) to receive the proceeds of a sale that constitute a trust fund under subsection (5) shall be a complete discharge of the corporation and of any trust corporation to which a trust fund is transferred under subsection (7), in respect of the trust fund and income earned thereon paid to the person. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 45 (8).
Forfeit to Crown
(9) A trust fund described in subsection (5) together with any income earned thereon, less any taxes thereon and costs of administration, that has not been claimed, by a person entitled under subsection (3) to receive the proceeds of a sale that constitute the trust fund for a period of ten years after the date of the sale is forfeited to the Crown. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 45 (9).
PART V
INDENTURE TRUSTEES
Trust indentures
46. (1) In this Part,
event of default means an event specified in a trust indenture on the occurrence of which,
(a) a security interest constituted by the trust indenture becomes enforceable, or
(b) the principal, interest and other money payable thereunder become or may be declared to be payable before the date of maturity,
but the event is not an event of default until all conditions prescribed by the trust indenture in connection with such event for the giving of notice or the lapse of time or otherwise have been satisfied; (cas de défaut)
trust indenture means any deed, indenture or other instrument, including any supplement or amendment thereto, made by a body corporate under which the body corporate issues or guarantees debt obligations and in which a person is appointed as trustee for the holders of the debt obligations issued or guaranteed thereunder; (acte de fiducie)
trustee means any person appointed as trustee under the terms of a trust indenture to which a body corporate is a party and includes any successor trustee, whether or not the person is a trust corporation authorized to carry on business in Ontario. (fiduciaire) R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 46 (1).
Application of this Part
(2) This Part applies to a trust indenture, whether entered into before or after the 29 th day of July, 1983, if, in respect of any debt obligations outstanding or guaranteed thereunder or to be issued or guaranteed thereunder, a prospectus or securities exchange issuer or take-over bid circular has been filed under the Securities Act or any predecessor thereof or in respect of which a prospectus has been filed under The Corporations Information Act , being chapter 72 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1960, or any predecessor thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 46 (2).
Resident trustee
(3) The person appointed as trustee under a trust indenture, or at least one of such persons if more than one is so appointed, shall be resident or authorized to do business in Ontario. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 46 (3).
Exemption by Commission
(4) Where, upon the application of a body corporate incorporated otherwise than under the laws of Canada, a province or a territory, the Commission is satisfied that to do so would not be prejudicial to the public interest, the Commission may exempt, subject to such terms and conditions as the Commission may impose, a trust indenture from this Part. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 46 (4).
Duty of trustee
47. (1) A trustee in exercising the trustees powers and discharging the trustees duties shall,
(a) act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the holders of the debt obligations issued under the trust indenture; and
(b) exercise the care, diligence and skill of a reasonably prudent trustee. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 47 (1).
Exculpatory clauses
(2) No term of a trust indenture or of any agreement between a trustee and the holders of debt obligations issued thereunder or between the trustee and the issuer or guarantor shall operate so as to relieve a trustee from the duties imposed upon the trustee in subsection (1). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 47 (2).
Conflict of interest
48. (1) No person shall be appointed as trustee if there is a material conflict of interest between the persons role as trustee and the persons role in any other capacity. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 48 (1).
Idem
(2) A trustee shall, within ninety days after becoming aware that a material conflict of interest exists,
(a) eliminate such conflict of interest; or
(b) resign from office. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 48 (2).
Validity not affected
(3) If, despite this section, a trustee has a material conflict of interest, the validity and enforceability of the trust indenture under which the trustee has been appointed, of the security interest constituted by or under such trust indenture and of the securities issued under such trust indenture are not affected in any manner whatsoever by reason only of the existence of such material conflict of interest. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 48 (3).
Replacing trustee
(4) If a trustee contravenes subsection (1) or (2), any interested person may apply to the court for an order that the trustee be replaced, and the court may make an order on such terms as it thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 48 (4).
Evidence of compliance
49. (1) An issuer or a guarantor of debt obligations issued or to be issued under a trust indenture, before doing any act referred to in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d), shall furnish the trustee with evidence of compliance with the conditions in the trust indenture relating to,
(a) the issue, certification and delivery of debt obligations under the trust indenture;
(b) the release or release and substitution of property subject to a security interest constituted by the trust indenture;
(c) the satisfaction and discharge of the trust indenture; or
(d) the taking of any other action to be taken by the trustee at the request of or on the application of the issuer or guarantor. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 49 (1).
Idem
(2) Evidence of compliance as required by subsection (1) shall consist in each case of,
(a) a statutory declaration or certificate made by a director or an officer of the issuer or guarantor stating that the conditions referred to in that section have been complied with in accordance with the terms of the trust indenture; and
(b) where the trust indenture requires compliance with conditions that are subject to review,
(i) by legal counsel, an opinion, and
(ii) by an auditor or accountant, an opinion or report of the auditor of the issuer or guarantor, or any accountant licensed under the Public Accounting Act, 2004 or comparable legislation of the jurisdiction in which the accountant practises, based on the examinations or enquiries required to be made under the trust indenture,
in each case approved by the trustee, that the conditions have been complied with in accordance with the terms of the trust indenture. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 49 (2); 2004, c. 8, s. 46.
Idem
(3) The evidence of compliance referred to in subsection (2) shall include a statement by the person giving the evidence,
(a) declaring that the person has read and understands the conditions of the trust indenture described in subsection (1);
(b) describing the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the person based the statutory declaration, certificate, opinion or report; and
(c) declaring that the person has made such examination or investigation as the person believes necessary to enable the person to make the statements or give the opinions contained or expressed therein. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 49 (3).
Certificate of issuer or guarantor
(4) At least once in each twelve-month period beginning on the date debt obligations are first issued under the trust indenture and at any other reasonable time upon the demand of a trustee, the issuer or guarantor of debt obligations issued under a trust indenture shall furnish the trustee with a certificate that the issuer or guarantor has complied with all requirements contained in the trust indenture that, if not complied with, would, with the giving of notice, lapse of time or otherwise, constitute an event of default, or, if there has been failure to so comply, giving particulars thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 49 (4).
Evidence of compliance
(5) Upon the demand of a trustee, the issuer or guarantor of debt obligations issued under a trust indenture shall furnish the trustee with evidence in such form as the trustee may require as to compliance with any condition therein relating to any action required or permitted to be taken by the issuer or guarantor under the trust indenture or as a result of any obligation imposed by the trust indenture. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 49 (5).
Reliance on opinions
(6) A trustee is not in (1) if the trustee relies in good faith upon contravention of subsection 47 statements contained in a statutory declaration, certificate, opinion or report that complies with this Act or the trust indenture. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 49 (6).
Trustee not to be receiver
50. A trustee under a trust indenture and any related person to the trustee shall not be appointed a receiver or receiver and manager or liquidator of the assets or undertaking of the issuer or guarantor of the debt obligations under the trust indenture. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 50.
Notice of events of default
51. (1) The trustee shall be required to give to the holders of debt obligations issued under the trust indenture, within a reasonable time but not exceeding thirty days after the trustee becomes aware of the occurrence thereof, notice of every event of default arising under the trust indenture unless the trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of the notice is in the best interests of the holders of the debt obligations and so advises the issuer or guarantor in writing. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 51 (1).
Idem
(2) Where notice of the occurrence of an event of default under a trust indenture is given under subsection (1) and the default is thereafter cured, notice that the default is no longer continuing shall be given by the trustee to the holders of the debt obligations within a reasonable time, but not exceeding thirty days, after the trustee becomes aware that the default has been cured. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 51 (2).
Where list of debt obligation holders to be furnished
52. (1) Any person, upon payment to a trustee of a reasonable fee therefor, may require the trustee to furnish, within ten days after delivering to the trustee the statutory declaration referred to in subsection (3), a list setting out,
(a) the names and addresses of the registered holders of the outstanding debt obligations;
(b) the principal amount of outstanding debt obligations owned by each such holder; and
(c) the aggregate principal amount of debt obligations outstanding,
as shown on the records maintained by the trustee on the day that the statutory declaration is delivered to the trustee. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 52 (1).
Information to be furnished to trustee
(2) Upon the demand of a trustee, the issuer of debt obligations shall furnish the trustee with the information required to enable the trustee to comply with subsection (1). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 52 (2).
Statutory declaration
(3) The statutory declaration required under subsection (1) shall state,
(a) the name and address of the person requiring the trustee to furnish the list and, if the person is a body corporate, the address for service thereof; and
(b) that the list will not be used except as permitted under subsection (5). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 52 (3).
Idem
(4) If the person requiring the trustee to furnish a list under subsection (1) is a body corporate, the statutory declaration required under that subsection shall be made by a director or officer of the body corporate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 52 (4).
Use of list
(5) No person shall use a list obtained under this section except in connection with,
(a) an effort to influence the voting of the holders of debt obligations;
(b) an offer to acquire debt obligations; or
(c) any other matter relating to the debt obligations or the affairs of the issuer or guarantor thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 52 (5).
PART VI
INVESTMENT SECURITIES
Definitions and interpretation
53. (1) In this Part,
adverse claim includes a claim that a transfer is or would be unauthorized or wrongful or that a particular adverse person is the owner of or has an interest in the security; (opposition)
appropriate person, when used to refer to a person endorsing a security, means,
(a) the person specified by the security or by special endorsement to be entitled to the security,
(b) where the person so specified is described as a trustee or other fiduciary but is no longer serving in that capacity and even though a successor has been appointed or qualified,
(i) where only one person is so described, that person or that persons successor, or
(ii) where more than one person is so described, the remaining persons,
(c) where the person so specified is an individual and is without capacity to act by virtue of death, incompetence, infancy or otherwise, the individuals executor, administrator, committee, guardian or like fiduciary,
(d) where the security or endorsement specified more than one person as joint tenants or with right of survivorship and by reason of death all cannot sign, the survivor or survivors,
(e) a person having the power to sign under the applicable law or controlling instrument, or
(f) to the extent any of the foregoing persons may act through an agent, the persons authorized agent; (personne compétente)
bearer form when applied to a security means a security that is payable to bearer according to its terms and not by reason of any endorsement; (au porteur)
broker means a person engaged full-time or part-time in the business of buying and selling securities and who, in the transaction concerned, acts for or buys a security from or sells a security to a customer; (courtier)
clearing agency means a person designated as a recognized clearing agency by the Commission; (agence de compensation)
custodian means a person acting as a custodian for a clearing agency; (dépositaire)
delivery means voluntary transfer of possession; (livraison)
fiduciary means a trustee, guardian, committee, curator, tutor, executor, administrator or representative of a deceased person, or any other person acting in a fiduciary capacity; (représentant)
fungible in relation to securities means securities of which any unit is, by nature or usage of trade, the equivalent of any other like unit; (fongibles)
genuine means free of forgery or counterfeiting; (authentique)
good faith means honesty in fact in the conduct of the transaction concerned; (bonne foi)
good faith purchaser means a purchaser for value, in good faith and without notice of any adverse claim,
(a) who takes delivery of a security certificate in bearer form or order form or of a security certificate in registered form issued to the purchaser or endorsed to the purchaser or endorsed in blank,
(b) in whose name an uncertificated security is registered or recorded in records maintained by or on behalf of the issuer as a result of the issue or transfer of the security to the purchaser, or
(c) who is a transferee or pledgee as provided in section 85; (acheteur de bonne foi)
holder means a person in possession of a security issued or endorsed to the person or to bearer or in blank; (détenteur)
issuer means a body corporate,
(a) that is required by this Act to maintain a securities register,
(b) that directly or indirectly creates fractional interests in its rights or property and issues security certificates or uncertificated securities as evidence of the fractional interests,
(c) that places or authorizes the placing of its name on a security certificate, otherwise than as an authenticating trustee, registrar or transfer agent, or that otherwise authorizes the issue of a security certificate or an uncertificated security evidencing a share, participation or other interest in its property or in an enterprise or evidencing its duty to perform an obligation, or
(d) that becomes responsible for or in place of any other person described as an issuer in this Part; (émetteur)
noted conspicuously and appearing conspicuously mean written in such a way that the person against whom words so noted or appearing are to operate ought reasonably to notice them; (indiqué visiblement, apparaissant visiblement)
order form when applied to a security means a security that is payable to the order or assigns of any person therein specified with reasonable certainty or to such person or such persons order; (à ordre)
overissue means the issue of securities in excess of any maximum number of securities that the issuer is authorized by its articles or a trust indenture to issue; (émission excédentaire)
proper form means regular on its face with regard to all formal matters; (en bonne et due forme)
purchaser means a person who takes by sale, mortgage, hypothec, pledge, issue, reissue, gift or any other voluntary transaction creating an interest in a security; (acquéreur)
registered form when applied to a security means a security that,
(a) specifies a person entitled to the security or to the rights it evidences, and the transfer of which is capable of being recorded in a securities register, or
(b) bears a statement that it is in registered form; (nominative)
security means a share, participation or other interest in property, rights or an enterprise of an issuer, or an obligation of an issuer, or any right to acquire such a share, participation, interest or obligation, of a type commonly dealt in upon securities exchanges or markets or commonly recognized as a medium for investment in any area in which it is issued or dealt in; (valeur mobilière)
security certificate means an instrument in bearer, order or registered form, issued by an issuer evidencing a security; (certificat de valeur mobilière)
transfer includes transmission by operation of law; (transfert)
trust indenture means a trust indenture as defined in Part V; (acte de fiducie)
unauthorized, when used with reference to a signature or an endorsement, means one made without authority, actual, apparent or of any other type and includes a forgery; (non autorisé)
uncertificated security means a security, not evidenced by a security certificate, the issue and any transfer of which is registered or recorded in records maintained for that purpose by or on behalf of the issuer; (valeur mobilière non constatée par un certificat)
valid means issued in accordance with the applicable law and the articles of the issuer or validated under section 58. (valide) R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 53 (1).
Application of this Part
(2) This Part does not apply to a promissory note or bill of exchange to which the Bills of Exchange Act (Canada) applies. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 53 (2).
Security as negotiable instrument
(3) Except where its transfer is restricted and noted on a security in accordance with subsection 56 (3), a security is a negotiable instrument. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 53 (3).
Share certificates
54. (1) Every security holder is entitled upon request to a security certificate in respect of the securities held by the security holder that complies with this Act or to a non-transferable written acknowledgement of the security holders right to obtain a security certificate from a corporation in respect of the securities of the corporation held by the security holder, but the corporation is not bound to issue more than one security certificate in respect of a security or securities held jointly by several persons, and delivery of a security certificate to one of several joint security holders is sufficient delivery to all. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 54 (1).
Fee
(2) A corporation may charge a fee of not more than $3 for a security certificate issued in respect of a transfer. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 54 (2).
Signing of share certificates
55. (1) A security certificate shall be signed manually by at least one director or officer of the corporation or by or on behalf of a registrar, transfer agent, branch transfer agent or issuing or other authenticating agent of the corporation, or by a trustee who certifies it in accordance with a trust indenture, and any additional signatures required on a security certificate may be printed or otherwise mechanically reproduced thereon. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 55 (1).
Idem
(2) If a security certificate contains a printed or mechanically reproduced signature of a person, the corporation may issue the security certificate even though the person has ceased to be a director or an officer of the corporation, and the security certificate is as valid as if the person were a director or an officer at the date of its issue. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 55 (2).
Where manual signature not required
(3) Despite subsection (1), a manual signature is not required on,
(a) a promissory note that is not issued under a trust indenture;
(b) a scrip certificate;
(c) a security certificate representing a fractional share; or
(d) a warrant. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 55 (3).
Contents of share certificate
56. (1) A corporation shall state upon the face of each share certificate issued by it,
(a) the name of the corporation and the words Incorporated under the law of the Province of Ontario or words of like effect;
(b) the name of the person to whom it was issued; and
(c) the number and class of shares and the designation of any series that the certificate represents. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 56 (1).
Idem
(2) Where a corporation is authorized to issue shares of more than one class or series, the corporation shall legibly state on each share certificate issued by it,
(a) the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the shares of each class and series that exists when the share certificate is issued; or
(b) that the class or series of shares that it represents has rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions attached thereto and that the corporation will furnish to a shareholder, on demand and without charge, a full copy of the text of,
(i) the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to that share and to each class authorized to be issued and to each series in so far as the same have been fixed by the directors, and
(ii) the authority of the directors to fix the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of subsequent series, if applicable. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 56 (2).
Where restriction, lien, etc., ineffective
(3) Where a share certificate issued by a corporation or by a body corporate before the body corporate was continued under section 180 is, or becomes, subject to,
(a) a restriction on its transfer other than a restriction referred to in subsection (8);
(b) a lien in favour of the corporation;
(c) a unanimous shareholder agreement; or
(d) an endorsement under subsection 185 (13),
the restriction, lien, agreement or endorsement is ineffective against a transferee of the share who has no actual knowledge of it, unless it or a reference to it is noted conspicuously on the share certificate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 56 (3).
Notice of restriction
(4) If a body corporate continued under section 180 has outstanding a share certificate issued prior to the date of the certificate of continuance and if the words private company or compagnie fermée appear on the certificate, those words are deemed to be a notice of a restriction, lien, agreement or endorsement for the purpose of subsection (3). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 56 (4).
Idem
(5) Where a corporation was incorporated as a private company under The Corporations Act , being chapter 89 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1970, or any predecessor thereof, before the 1st day of January, 1971, the words private company or compagnie fermée appearing conspicuously on the face of a share certificate issued before the 1st day of January, 1971 shall be deemed to be notice of a restriction on the transfer of the share for the purpose of subsection (3). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 56 (5).
Par value share certificate
(6) A share certificate issued,
(a) prior to the 29th day of July, 1983 by a corporation; or
(b) prior to the date of the certificate of continuance by a body corporate continued under section 180,
does not contravene this Act merely because the certificate refers to the share or shares represented thereby as having a nominal or par value. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 56 (6).
Information to be furnished by corporation
(7) Where a share certificate issued by a corporation contains the statement mentioned in clause (2) (b), the corporation shall furnish to a shareholder on demand and without charge a full copy of the text of,
(a) the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to that class authorized to be issued and to that series in so far as the same have been fixed by the directors; and
(b) the authority of the directors to fix the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of subsequent series, if applicable. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 56 (7).
Notice of restrictions
(8) Where the articles of a corporation restrict the issue, transfer or ownership of shares of any class or series for a purpose set out in clause 42 (2) (c) or (d), the restriction or a reference to it shall be noted conspicuously on every share certificate of the corporation evidencing a share that is subject to the restriction if the certificate is issued after the day on which the share becomes subject to the restriction under this Act and any reference to the restriction shall include a statement that the corporation will furnish to a shareholder, on demand and without charge, a full copy of the text of the restriction. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 56 (8).
Furnishing text of restrictions
(9) Where a share certificate of a corporation contains a reference to a restriction under subsection (8), the corporation shall furnish to a shareholder, on demand and without charge, a full copy of the text of the restriction. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 56 (9).
Omission to note restrictions
(10) The omission to note a restriction or a reference to it under subsection (8) shall not invalidate any share or share certificate and shall not render the restriction ineffective against an owner, holder or transferee of the share or share certificate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 56 (10).
Certificate for fractional share or scrip certificates
57. (1) A corporation may issue a certificate for a fractional share or may issue in place thereof scrip certificates in bearer form that entitle the holder to receive a certificate for a full share by exchanging scrip certificates aggregating a full share. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 57 (1).
Scrip certificates
(2) The directors may attach conditions to any scrip certificates issued by a corporation, including conditions that,
(a) the scrip certificates become void if not exchanged for a certificate representing a full share before a specified date; and
(b) any shares for which such scrip certificates are exchangeable may, despite any pre-emptive right, be issued by the corporation to any person and the proceeds thereof distributed rateably to the holders of the scrip certificates. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 57 (2).
Rights of holder of fractional share
(3) A holder of a fractional share issued by a corporation is not entitled to exercise voting rights or to receive a dividend in respect of the fractional share unless,
(a) the fractional share results from a consolidation of shares; or
(b) the articles of the corporation otherwise provide. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 57 (3).
Rights of holder of scrip certificate
(4) A holder of a scrip certificate is not entitled to exercise voting rights or to receive a dividend in respect of the scrip certificate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 57 (4).
Overissue
58. (1) The provisions of this Act that validate a security or compel its issue or reissue do not apply to the extent that validation, issue or reissue would result in overissue, but,
(a) if an identical security that does not constitute an overissue is reasonably available for purchase, the person entitled to issue or validation may compel the issuer to purchase and deliver such a security to the person against surrender of the security, if any, that the person holds; or
(b) if a security is not so available for purchase, the person entitled to issue or validation may recover from the issuer the price that the person or the last purchaser for value paid for it with interest from the date of the persons demand. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 58 (1).
Validation of overissue
(2) When an issuer subsequently amends its articles or a trust indenture to which it is a party to increase any maximum number of securities to a number equal to or in excess of the maximum number of securities previously authorized plus the amount of the securities overissued, the securities so overissued, and any act taken by any person in reliance upon the validity of such overissued securities, are valid from the date of their issue. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 58 (2).
Non-application of ss. 30, 31, 32, 35
(3) A purchase or payment by an issuer under subsection (1) is not a purchase or payment to which section 30, 31, 32 or 35 applies. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 58 (3).
Evidence
59. In an action on a security,
(a) unless specifically denied in the pleadings, each signature on the security or in a necessary endorsement is admitted;
(b) a signature on the security is presumed to be genuine and authorized but, if the effectiveness of the signature is put in issue, the burden of establishing that it is genuine and authorized is on the party claiming under the signature;
(c) if a signature is admitted or established, production of the instrument entitles a holder to recover on it unless the defendant establishes a defence or a defect going to the validity of the security; and
(d) if the defendant establishes that a defence or defect exists, the plaintiff has the burden of establishing that the defence or defect is ineffective against the plaintiff or some person under whom the plaintiff claims. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 59.
Selection of laws
60. (1) The validity of a security and the rights and duties with respect to the registration of a transfer of a security of an issuer that is a corporation or a body corporate incorporated under the laws of Ontario are governed by this Act and the laws of Ontario. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 60 (1).
Idem
(2) The validity of a security and the rights and duties with respect to the registration of a transfer of a security of an issuer that is a body corporate other than a corporation or a body corporate incorporated under the laws of Ontario are governed by the law, including the conflict of law rules, of the jurisdiction in which the body corporate was incorporated. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 60 (2).
Form of transfer
61. (1) Unless otherwise agreed and subject to any applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule, a person required to deliver securities may deliver any security of the specified issue in bearer form or registered in the name of the transferee or endorsed to the transferee or in blank. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 61 (1).
Default in payment
(2) Where the buyer fails to pay the price as it comes due under a contract of sale, the seller may recover the price,
(a) of any security accepted by the buyer; and
(b) of any security not accepted by the buyer if its resale would be unduly burdensome or there is no readily available market,
but resort to the remedy herein provided for shall not be construed so as to affect or limit any rights or remedies under applicable law. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 61 (2).
Position of issuer re guarantor
62. (1) The obligations and defences of an issuer apply to a guarantor of a security to the extent of the guarantee whether or not such an obligation is noted on the security. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 62 (1).
Issuer
(2) The person on whose behalf a register of transfers is maintained is an issuer for the purposes of the registration of a transfer under sections 86 to 89. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 62 (2).
Notice of terms of security
63. (1) Even against a purchaser for value and without notice of a defect going to the validity of a security, the terms of a security include those stated on the security and those incorporated therein by reference to another instrument, statute, rule, regulation or order to the extent that the terms so referred to do not conflict with the stated terms, but such a reference is not of itself notice to a purchaser for value of a defect going to the validity of the security, even if the security expressly states that a person accepting it admits such notice. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 63 (1).
Validity of security
(2) A security is valid in the hands of a purchaser for value without notice of any defect going to its validity. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 63 (2).
Defence of issuer
(3) Except as provided in section 65, the fact that a security is not genuine is a complete defence even against a good faith purchaser. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 63 (3).
Idem
(4) All other defences of the issuer including non-delivery and conditional delivery of the security are ineffective against a good faith purchaser. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 63 (4).
Idem
(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the right of a party to a when, as and if issued or a when distributed contract to cancel the contract in the event of a material change in the character of the security that is the subject of the contract or in the plan or arrangement under which such security is to be issued or distributed. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 63 (5).
Notice of defect
64. (1) After an act or event that creates a right to immediate performance of the principal obligation evidenced by the security or that sets a date on or after which the security is to be presented or surrendered for redemption or exchange, a purchaser is deemed to have notice of any defect in its issue or any defence of the issuer,
(a) if the act or event requires the payment of money or the delivery of securities or both on presentation or surrender of the security and such funds or securities are available on the date set for payment or exchange and the purchaser takes the security more than one year after that date; and
(b) if the act or event is not one to which clause (a) applies and the purchaser takes the security more than two years after the date set for surrender or presentation or the date on which such performance became due. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 64 (1).
Revoked call for redemption excepted
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a call for redemption that has been revoked. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 64 (2).
Unauthorized signatures on issue
65. An unauthorized signature placed on a security before or in the course of issue is ineffective, except that the signature is effective in favour of a good faith purchaser if the signing has been done by,
(a) an authenticating trustee, registrar, transfer agent or other person entrusted by the issuer with the signing of the security or of similar securities, or their immediate preparation for signing; or
(b) an employee of the issuer or of a person referred to in clause (a) who in the ordinary course of the employees duties handles the security. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 65.
Completion of blanks
66. (1) Where a security contains the signatures necessary to its issue or transfer but is incomplete in any other respect,
(a) any person may complete it by filling in the blanks in accordance with the persons authority; and
(b) even if the blanks are incorrectly filled in, the security as completed is enforceable by a purchaser who took it for value and without notice of such incorrectness. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 66 (1).
Improper alteration
(2) A completed security that has been improperly altered, even if fraudulently altered, remains enforceable but only according to its original terms. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 66 (2).
Effect of registration
67. (1) An issuer or a trustee defined in subsection 46 (1) may, subject to sections 95, 96 and 100, treat the registered holder of a security as the person exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notices, to receive any interest, dividend or other payments in respect of the security, and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of a holder of the security. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 67 (1).
Representatives, etc., may exercise rights of security holder
(2) Despite subsection (1), an issuer whose articles restrict the right to transfer its securities shall, and any other issuer may, treat a person referred to in clause (a), (b) or (c) as a registered security holder entitled to exercise all the rights of the security holder that the person represents, if that person furnishes evidence as described in subsection 87 (3) to the issuer that the person is,
(a) the executor, administrator, heir or legal representative of the heirs, of the estate of a deceased security holder;
(b) a guardian, committee, trustee, curator or tutor representing a registered security holder who is a minor, an incompetent person or a missing person; or
(c) a liquidator of, or a trustee in bankruptcy for, a registered security holder. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 67 (2).
Rights where ownership devolves by operation of law
(3) If a person upon whom the ownership of a security devolves by operation of law, other than a person referred to in subsection (2), furnishes proof of the persons authority to exercise rights or privileges in respect of a security of the issuer that is not registered in the persons name, the issuer shall treat the person as entitled to exercise those rights or privileges. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 67 (3).
Corporation has no duty to enforce performance
(4) An issuer is not required to inquire into the existence of, or see to the performance or observance of, any duty owed to a third person by a registered holder of any of its securities or by anyone whom it treats, as permitted or required by this section, as the owner or registered holder thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 67 (4).
Repudiation by minor
(5) If a minor exercises any rights of ownership in the securities of an issuer, no subsequent repudiation or avoidance is effective against the issuer. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 67 (5).
Joint holders
(6) Where a security is issued to several persons as joint holders, upon satisfactory proof of the death of one joint holder, the issuer may treat the surviving joint holders as owner of the security. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 67 (6).
Registration of executor, etc.
(7) Subject to any applicable law of Canada or a province of Canada relating to the collection of taxes, a person referred to in clause (2) (a) is entitled to become a registered holder or to designate a registered holder, if the person deposits with the issuer or its transfer agent,
(a) the original grant of probate or of letters of administration, or a copy thereof certified to be a true copy by,
(i) the court that granted the probate or letters of administration,
(ii) a trust corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province, or
(iii) a lawyer or notary acting on behalf of the person; or
(b) in the case of transmission by notarial will in the Province of Quebec, a copy thereof authenticated under the laws of that Province, together with,
(c) an affidavit or declaration of transmission made by the person stating the particulars of the transmission;
(d) the security certificate that was owned by the deceased holder,
(i) in case of a transfer to the person, with or without the endorsement of that person, and
(ii) in case of a transfer to any other person, endorsed in accordance with section 73; and
(e) any assurance the issuer may require under section 87. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 67 (7).
Idem
(8) Despite subsection (7), if the laws of the jurisdiction governing the transmission of a security of a deceased holder do not require a grant of probate or of letters of administration in respect of the transmission, a legal representative of the deceased holder is entitled, subject to any applicable law of Canada or a province of Canada relating to the collection of taxes, to become a registered holder or to designate a registered holder, if the legal representative deposits with the issuer or its transfer agent,
(a) the security certificate that was owned by the deceased holder; and
(b) reasonable proof of the governing laws, the deceased holders interest in the security and the right of the legal representative or the person the legal representative designates to become the registered holder. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 67 (8).
Recording in security register
(9) Deposit of the documents required by subsection (7) or (8) empowers an issuer or its transfer agent to record in a securities register the transmission of a security from the deceased holder to a person referred to in clause (2) (a) or to such person as that person may designate and, thereafter, to treat the person who thus becomes a registered holder as the owner of those securities. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 67 (9).
Warranties in issue
68. (1) A person signing a security as authenticating trustee, registrar or transfer agent warrants to a purchaser for value without notice of the particular defect that,
(a) the security is genuine and in proper form;
(b) the persons own participation in the issue of the security is within the persons capacity and within the scope of the authorization received by the person from the issuer; and
(c) the person has reasonable grounds to believe that the security is in the form and within the amount the issuer is authorized to issue. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 68 (1).
Idem
(2) Unless otherwise agreed, a person referred to in subsection (1) does not assume any further liability for the validity of a security. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 68 (2).
Rights acquired by purchasers
69. (1) Upon delivery of a security, the purchaser acquires the rights in the security that the transferor had or had actual authority to convey except that a purchaser who has been a party to any fraud or illegality affecting the security or who as a prior holder had notice of an adverse claim cannot improve the purchasers position by taking from a later good faith purchaser. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 69 (1).
Good faith purchaser
(2) A good faith purchaser in addition to acquiring the rights of a purchaser also acquires the security free of any adverse claim. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 69 (2).
Limited interest
(3) A purchaser of a limited interest acquires rights only to the extent of the interest purchased. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 69 (3).
Notice of adverse claim
70. (1) A purchaser, including a broker for a seller or purchaser, of a security is deemed to have notice of an adverse claim if,
(a) the security has been endorsed for collection or for surrender or for some other purpose not involving transfer; or
(b) the security has on it an unambiguous statement that it is the property of a person other than the transferor, but the mere writing of a name on a security is not such a statement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 70 (1).
Idem
(2) Even if a purchaser, including a broker for a seller or purchaser, has notice that a security is held for a third person or is registered in the name of or endorsed by a fiduciary, the purchaser has no duty to inquire into the rightfulness of the transfer and has no notice of an adverse claim, except that where a purchaser knows that the consideration is to be used for, or that the transaction is for, the personal benefit of the fiduciary or is otherwise in breach of the fiduciarys duty, the purchaser is deemed to have notice of an adverse claim. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 70 (2).
Idem
(3) An event that creates a right to immediate performance of the principal obligation evidenced by a security or that sets a date on or after which the security is to be presented or surrendered for redemption or exchange is not of itself notice of an adverse claim, except in the case of a purchase,
(a) after one year from any date set for such presentation or surrender for redemption or exchange; or
(b) after six months from any date for payment of money against presentation or surrender of the security if funds are available for payment on that date. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 70 (3).
Warranties
Warranties on presentment
71. (1) A person who presents a security for registration of transfer or for payment or exchange warrants to the issuer that the person is entitled to the registration, payment or exchange, except that a good faith purchaser who receives a new, reissued or reregistered security on registration of transfer warrants only that the purchaser has no knowledge of any unauthorized signature in a necessary endorsement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 71 (1).
Warranties on transfer
(2) A person by transferring a security to a purchaser for value warrants only that,
(a) the transfer is effective and rightful;
(b) the security is genuine and has not been materially altered; and
(c) the person knows of nothing that might impair the validity of the security. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 71 (2).
Warranties by intermediary
(3) Where a security is delivered by an intermediary known by the purchaser to be entrusted with delivery of the security on behalf of another or with collection of a draft or other claim to be collected against such delivery, the intermediary by such delivery warrants only the intermediarys own good faith and authority even if the intermediary has purchased or made advances against the draft or other claim to be collected against the delivery. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 71 (3).
Warranties of pledgee
(4) A pledgee or other holder for purposes of security who redelivers a security received, or after payment and on order of the debtor delivers that security to a third person, gives only the warranties of an intermediary under subsection (3). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 71 (4).
Warranties of broker
(5) A broker gives to a customer, to the issuer or to a purchaser, as the case may be, the warranties provided in this section and has the rights and privileges of a purchaser under this section, and those warranties of and in favour of the broker acting as an agent are in addition to warranties given by the customer and warranties given in favour of the customer. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 71 (5).
Absence of endorsement
72. Where a security in registered form has been delivered to a purchaser without a necessary endorsement, the purchaser may become a good faith purchaser only as of the time the endorsement is supplied, but against the transferor the transfer is complete upon delivery and the purchaser has a specifically enforceable right to have any necessary endorsement supplied. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 72.
Endorsement
73. (1) An endorsement of a security in registered form is made when an appropriate person signs on the security or on a separate document an assignment or transfer of the security or a power to assign or transfer it or when the signature of the person is written without more upon the back of the security. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 73 (1).
Idem
(2) An endorsement of a security may be,
(a) in blank, including to bearer; or
(b) a special endorsement, specifying the person to whom the security is to be transferred or who has the power to transfer it, and a holder may convert an endorsement in blank into a special endorsement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 73 (2).
Obligation of endorser
(3) Unless otherwise agreed, the endorser by making an endorsement assumes no obligation that the security will be honoured by the issuer. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 73 (3).
Partial endorsement
(4) An endorsement purporting to be only of part of a security representing units intended by the issuer to be separately transferable is effective to the extent of the endorsement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 73 (4).
Appropriate person
(5) Whether the person who has made an endorsement is appropriate shall be determined as of the date the endorsement was made and an endorsement by such person does not become unauthorized for the purposes of this Act by virtue of any subsequent change of circumstances. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 73 (5).
Improper endorsement by fiduciary
(6) Failure of a fiduciary to comply with a controlling instrument or with the law applicable to the fiduciary relationship, including any law requiring the fiduciary to obtain court approval of the transfer, does not render the fiduciarys endorsement unauthorized for the purposes of this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 73 (6).
Delivery necessary
74. An endorsement of a security whether special or in blank does not constitute a transfer until delivery of the security on which it appears, or if the endorsement is on a separate document until the delivery of both the document and the security. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 74.
Endorsement of security in bearer form
75. An endorsement of a security in bearer form may give notice of an adverse claim under section 70 but does not otherwise affect any right to registration that the holder has. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 75.
Effect of unauthorized endorsement
76. (1) The owner of a security may assert the ineffectiveness of an endorsement against the issuer or any purchaser, other than a good faith purchaser who received a new, reissued or reregistered security on registration of transfer, unless the owner,
(a) has ratified an unauthorized endorsement of the security; or
(b) is otherwise precluded from impugning the effectiveness of an unauthorized endorsement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 76 (1).
Idem
(2) An issuer who registers the transfer of a security upon an unauthorized endorsement is liable for improper registration. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 76 (2).
Guarantee of signature
77. (1) Every person who guarantees a signature of an endorser of a security warrants that at the time of signing,
(a) the signature was genuine;
(b) the signer was an appropriate person to endorse; and
(c) the signer had legal capacity to sign,
but the guarantor does not otherwise warrant the rightfulness of the particular transfer. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 77 (1).
Guarantee of endorsement
(2) Any person may guarantee an endorsement of a security and by so doing warrants not only the signature but also the rightfulness of the particular transfer in all respects. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 77 (2).
Idem
(3) No issuer may require a guarantee of endorsement as a condition to registration of transfer. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 77 (3).
Liability of guarantor
(4) The warranties referred to in this section are made to any person taking or dealing with the security in reliance on the guarantee and the guarantor is liable to such person for any loss resulting from breach of warranty. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 77 (4).
Delivery of a security
78. (1) Delivery of a security to a purchaser occurs when,
(a) the purchaser or a person designated by the purchaser acquires possession of a security certificate;
(b) the purchasers broker acquires possession of a security certificate specially endorsed or issued in the name of the purchaser;
(c) the purchasers broker sends the purchaser confirmation of the purchase and the broker in the brokers records identifies a specific security certificate in the brokers possession as belonging to the purchaser;
(d) with respect to an identified security to be delivered while still in the possession of a third person, that person acknowledges that it is being held for the purchaser;
(e) an uncertificated security is registered or recorded in the name of the purchaser in records maintained by or on behalf of the issuer;
(f) with respect to a security shown in the records of a clearing agency, if the purchaser is a participant in the clearing agency, an appropriate entry in the records of the clearing agency is made under section 85; or
(g) with respect to a security shown in the records of the clearing agency, if the purchasers broker is a participant in the clearing agency,
(i) an appropriate entry in the records of the clearing agency is made under section 85,
(ii) the broker in the brokers records identifies a specific security in the brokers possession as belonging to the purchaser, and
(iii) a security interest described in subsection 85 (1.1) is no longer attached to the security. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (7).
What constitutes ownership
(2) A purchaser is the owner of a security held for the purchaser by a broker, but is not the holder except as specified in clauses (1) (b), (c) and (e). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 78 (2).
Idem
(3) If a security is part of a fungible bulk, the purchaser is the owner of a proportionate property interest in the fungible bulk. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 78 (3).
Notice of adverse claim after delivery
(4) Notice of an adverse claim received by a broker or by a purchaser after the broker takes delivery as a holder for value is not effective against the broker or the purchaser except that as between the broker and the purchaser, the purchaser may demand delivery of an equivalent security as to which no notice of an adverse claim has been received. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 78 (4).
Duty of seller to deliver
79. (1) Unless otherwise agreed where a sale of a security is made on a stock exchange recognized for the purposes of this Part by the Commission or otherwise through brokers,
(a) the selling customer fulfils the duty to deliver by placing such a security in the possession of the selling broker or of a person designated by the broker or, if requested, causes an acknowledgement to be made to the selling broker that the security is held for the selling broker; and
(b) the selling broker including a correspondent broker acting for a selling customer fulfils the duty to deliver by placing the security or a like security in the possession of the buying broker or a person designated by the buying broker or by effecting clearance of the sale in accordance with the rules of the recognized stock exchange on which the transaction took place. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 79 (1).
Idem
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section and unless otherwise agreed, a transferors duty to deliver a security under a contract of purchase is not fulfilled until the transferor places the security in form to be negotiated by the purchaser in the possession of the purchaser or of a person designated by the purchaser or at the purchasers request causes an acknowledgement to be made to the purchaser that it is held for the purchaser. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 79 (2).
Idem
(3) A sale to a broker purchasing for the brokers own account is subject to subsection (2) and not subsection (1), unless the sale is made on a recognized stock exchange. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 79 (3).
Action for wrongful transfer
80. (1) A person against whom the transfer of a security is wrongful for any reason, including the persons incapacity, may against anyone except a good faith purchaser reclaim possession of the security or obtain possession of any new security evidencing all or part of the same rights or claim damages. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 80 (1).
Idem
(2) If the transfer of a security is wrongful by reason of an unauthorized endorsement, the owner may reclaim possession of the security or a replacing security even from a good faith purchaser if the ineffectiveness of the purported endorsement may be asserted against such purchaser under section 76. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 80 (2).
Specific performance and injunction
(3) The right to reclaim possession of a security may be specifically enforced, its transfer may be restrained and the security may be impounded pending litigation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 80 (3).
Transferors duty to provide requisites for registration of transfer
81. (1) Unless otherwise agreed, a transferor shall on demand supply a purchaser with proof of the transferors authority to transfer or with any other requisite that is necessary to obtain registration of the transfer of a security, but if the transfer is not for value a transferor need not do so unless the purchaser pays the reasonable and necessary costs of the proof and transfer. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 81 (1).
Effect of failure
(2) If the transferor fails to comply with a demand under subsection (1) within a reasonable time, the purchaser may reject or rescind the transfer. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 81 (2).
When seizure effective
82. No seizure of a security or other interest evidenced thereby is effective until the person making the seizure obtains possession of the security. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 82.
Transfer by agent in good faith not conversion
83. An agent or bailee who in good faith, including observance of reasonable commercial standards if the agent or bailee is in the business of buying, selling or otherwise dealing with securities, has received securities and sold, pledged or delivered them according to the instructions of his, her or its principal is not liable for conversion or for participation in breach of fiduciary duty although the principal has no right to dispose of them. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 83.
Contract for sale
84. A contract for the sale of securities is not enforceable by way of action or defence unless,
(a) there is some writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought or by the partys authorized agent or broker sufficient to indicate that a contract has been made for sale of a stated quantity of described securities at a defined or stated price;
(b) delivery of the security has been accepted or payment has been made, but the contract is enforceable under this provision only to the extent of such delivery or payment;
(c) within a reasonable time a writing in confirmation of the sale or purchase and sufficient against the sender under clause (a) has been received by the party against whom enforcement is sought and the party has failed to send written objection to its contents within a reasonable time after its receipt; or
(d) the party against whom enforcement is sought admits in the partys pleading, testimony or otherwise in court that a contract was made for sale of a stated quantity of described securities at a defined or stated price. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 84.
Transfer through clearing agency
85. (1) If a security shown in the records of a clearing agency is evidenced by,
(a) a security certificate in the custody of the clearing agency or a custodian or of a nominee of either, subject to the instructions of the clearing agency, and is in bearer form or endorsed in blank by an appropriate person or registered in the name of the clearing agency or a custodian or of a nominee of either; or
(b) an uncertificated security registered or recorded in records maintained by or on behalf of the issuer in the name of the clearing agency or a custodian or of a nominee of either, subject to the instructions of the clearing agency,
then, in addition to other methods, a transfer or pledge of the security or any interest therein may be effected by the making of an appropriate entry in the records of the clearing agency. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 85 (1).
Priority
(1.1) If the contract governing participation in a clearing agency includes provisions that constitute a security agreement creating a security interest in securities transferred or pledged to a participant in accordance with subsection (1) and that security interest is perfected, the security interest in the securities shall, regardless of the order of perfection, have priority over any interest, including a security interest of,
(a) the participant;
(b) a purchaser whose broker is the participant; or
(c) any other person claiming from or under the participant. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (8).
Interest in fungible bulk
(2) Under this section, entries may be in respect of like securities or interests therein as part of a fungible bulk and may refer merely to a quantity of a particular security without reference to the name of the registered owner, certificate or bond number or the like and, in appropriate cases, may be on a net basis taking into account other transfers or pledges of the same security. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 85 (2).
Constructive endorsement and delivery
(3) A transfer or pledge under this section has the effect of a delivery of a security in bearer form or duly endorsed in blank representing the amount of the obligation or the number of shares or rights transferred or pledged. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 85 (3).
Idem
(4) If a pledge or the creation of a security interest is intended, the making of entries has the effect of a taking of delivery by the pledgee or a secured party and the pledgee or secured party shall be deemed to have taken possession for all purposes including the purposes of the Personal Property Security Act . R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 85 (4).
Possession
(5) A participant depositing a security certificate or an uncertificated security with a clearing agency, or a participant which is a transferee or pledgee of a security under this section, shall be deemed to have possession of the security so deposited, transferred or pledged, as the case may be, for all purposes, including, if a pledge or the creation of a security interest is intended, for the purposes of the Personal Property Security Act . 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (9).
Not registration
(6) A transfer or pledge under this section does not constitute a registration of transfer under sections 86 to 90. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 85 (6).
Error in records
(7) The fact that entries in the records of the clearing agency as provided in subsection (1) are not appropriate does not affect the validity or effect of the entries nor the liabilities or obligations of the clearing agency to persons adversely affected thereby. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (9).
Conflict with other Acts
(7.1) If there is conflict between subsection (1.1) and another provision of this Act or the Personal Property Security Act , subsection (1.1) prevails. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (9).
Definitions
(8) In this section,
issuer includes a person, other than an individual, and a government or agency thereof,
(a) that is required by this Act to maintain a securities register,
(b) that directly or indirectly creates fractional interests in its rights or property and issues security certificates or uncertificated securities as evidence of the fractional interests,
(c) that places or authorizes the placing of its name on a security certificate, otherwise than as an authenticating trustee, registrar or transfer agent, or that otherwise authorizes the issue of a security certificate or an uncertificated security evidencing a share, participation or other interest in its property or in an enterprise or evidencing its duty to perform an obligation, or
(d) that becomes responsible for or in place of any other person described as an issuer in this section; (émetteur)
participant means a person for whom the clearing agency maintains an account in which entries may be made to effect a transfer or pledge of a security; (membre)
security, security certificate and uncertificated security, in addition to the meaning each has for the purposes of this Part, are extended to include a security, security certificate or uncertificated security, as the case may be, of an issuer within the meaning of this section. (valeur mobilière, certificat de valeur mobilière, valeur mobilière non constatée par un certificat) R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 85 (8); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (10).
Duty of issuer to register transfer
86. (1) Where a security in registered form is presented for transfer, the issuer shall register the transfer if,
(a) the security is endorsed by the appropriate person;
(b) reasonable assurance is given that that endorsement is genuine and effective;
(c) the issuer has no duty to inquire into adverse claims or has discharged any such duty;
(d) any applicable law of Canada or a province of Canada relating to the collection of taxes has been complied with;
(e) the transfer is rightful or is to a good faith purchaser; and
(f) any fee referred to in subsection 54 (2) has been paid. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 86 (1).
Liability for undue delay
(2) Where an issuer has a duty to register a transfer of a security, the issuer is liable to the person presenting it for registration or the persons principal for loss resulting from any unreasonable delay in registration or from failure or refusal to register the transfer. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 86 (2).
Assurances required by issuer
87. (1) For the purpose of obtaining reasonable assurance that each necessary endorsement required by section 73 is genuine and effective, the issuer may require a guarantee of the signature of the person endorsing or, where such guarantee is lacking,
(a) if the endorsement is by an agent, reasonable assurance of authority to sign;
(b) if the endorsement is by a fiduciary or a successor on whom title or control vests on the death of the holder, appropriate evidence of appointment or incumbency;
(c) if there is more than one fiduciary or successor, reasonable assurance that all who are required to sign have done so; and
(d) if the endorsement is by a person other than by a person mentioned in this section, assurance appropriate to the case equivalent as nearly as may be to those required by this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 87 (1).
Sufficiency of guarantee
(2) A guarantee of the signature in subsection (1) means a guarantee signed by or on behalf of a person reasonably believed by the issuer to be responsible, and the issuer may adopt reasonable standards with respect to responsibility. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 87 (2).
Appropriate evidence of appointment or incumbency
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1),
appropriate evidence of appointment or incumbency means,
(a) in the case of a fiduciary appointed by a court, a copy, certified in accordance with subsection 67 (7) not more than sixty days before the date the security is presented for transfer, of the order of the court,
(b) in the case of an estate of the deceased holder of net value less than $3,000 or if the market value of the securities is less than $600, proof thereof to the reasonable satisfaction of the issuer, or
(c) in any other case, a copy of a document showing the appointment or other evidence believed by the issuer to be appropriate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 87 (3).
Where contents not notice
(4) An issuer is not deemed to have notice of the contents of any document obtained under subsection (3) except to the extent that the contents relate directly to appointment or incumbency. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 87 (4).
Notice of additional assurances
(5) If an issuer demands assurance additional to that specified in this section for a purpose other than that specified in subsection (3) and obtains a copy of a will, trust or partnership agreement, by-law or similar document, the issuer shall be deemed to have notice of all matters contained therein affecting the transfer. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 87 (5).
Notice to issuer of adverse claim
88. (1) An issuer to whom a security is presented for registration has a duty to inquire into adverse claims if,
(a) written notice of an adverse claim is received at a time and in a manner that affords the issuer a reasonable opportunity to act on it before the issue of a new, reissued or reregistered security and the notice discloses the name and address of the claimant, the registered owner and the issue of which the security is a part;
(b) the issuer is deemed to have notice of an adverse claim from a document that is obtained under subsection 87 (5); or
(c) the issuer is given written notice by the registered owner that the security is lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 88 (1).
Discharge of duty of inquiry
(2) An issuer may discharge a duty of inquiry by any reasonable means, including notifying an adverse claimant by registered mail sent to the address furnished by the adverse claimant or, if no such address has been furnished, to the adverse claimants residence or regular place of business, that a security has been presented for registration of transfer by a named person, and that the transfer will be registered unless within thirty days from the date of mailing the notice either,
(a) the issuer is served with a restraining order or other order of a court; or
(b) the issuer is provided with an indemnity bond sufficient in the issuers judgment to protect the issuer and any registrar, transfer agent or other agent of the issuer from any loss that may be incurred by any of them as a result of complying with the adverse claim. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 88 (2).
Where no duty to inquire
(3) Unless an issuer is deemed to have notice of an adverse claim from a document that is obtained under subsection 87 (5) or has received notice of an adverse claim under subsection (1), if a security presented for registration is endorsed by the appropriate person, the issuer has no duty to inquire into adverse claims and in particular,
(a) an issuer registering a security in the name of a person who is a fiduciary or who is described as a fiduciary is not bound to inquire into the existence, extent or correct description of the fiduciary relationship and thereafter the issuer may assume without inquiry that the newly registered owner continues to be the fiduciary until the issuer receives written notice that the fiduciary is no longer acting as such with respect to the particular security;
(b) an issuer registering transfer on an endorsement by a fiduciary has no duty to inquire whether the transfer is made in compliance with the document or with the law of the jurisdiction governing the fiduciary relationship; and
(c) an issuer is deemed not to have notice of the contents of any court record or any registered document even if the record or document is in the issuers possession and even if the transfer is made on the endorsement of a fiduciary to that fiduciary or to that fiduciarys nominee. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 88 (3).
Limitation for notice
(4) A written notice of adverse claim received by an issuer is effective for twelve months from the date when it was received unless the notice is renewed in writing. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 88 (4).
Liability of issuer
89. (1) Except as otherwise provided in any applicable law of Canada or any province of Canada relating to the collection of taxes, the issuer is not liable to the owner or any other person who incurs a loss as a result of the registration of a transfer of a security if,
(a) the necessary endorsements were on or with the security; and
(b) the issuer had no duty to inquire into adverse claims or had discharged any such duty. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 89 (1).
Idem
(2) If an issuer has registered a transfer of a security to a person not entitled to it, the issuer shall deliver on demand a like security to the owner unless,
(a) subsection (1) applies;
(b) the owner is precluded by subsection 90 (1) from asserting any claim; or
(c) the delivery would result in overissue, in which case the issuers liability is governed by section 58. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 89 (2).
Loss, etc., of securities
90. (1) Where a security has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the owner fails to notify the issuer of that fact by giving the issuer written notice of the owners adverse claim within a reasonable time after the owner knows of the loss, destruction or taking and if the issuer has registered a transfer of the security before receiving such notice, the owner is precluded from asserting against the issuer any claim to a new security. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 90 (1).
Replacing loss, etc., of securities
(2) Where the owner of a security claims that the security has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, the issuer shall issue a new security in place of the original security if the owner,
(a) so requests before the issuer has notice that the security has been acquired by a good faith purchaser;
(b) files with the issuer an indemnity bond sufficient in the issuers opinion to protect the issuer and any transfer agent, registrar or other agent of the issuer from any loss that it or any of them may suffer by complying with the request to issue a new security; and
(c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the issuer. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 90 (2).
Rights of good faith purchaser
(3) If, after the issue of a new security under subsection (2), a good faith purchaser of the original security presents the original security for registration of transfer, the issuer shall register the transfer unless registration would result in overissue, in which case the issuers liability is governed by section 58. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 90 (3).
Rights of issuer
(4) In addition to any rights on an indemnity bond, the issuer may recover a new security issued under subsection (2) from the person to whom it was issued or any person taking under that person other than a good faith purchaser. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 90 (4).
Duty of agents for issuer
91. (1) An authenticating trustee, transfer agent, registrar or other agent for an issuer has in respect of the issue, registration of transfer, and cancellation of a security of the issuer,
(a) a duty to the issuer and to the holder or owner to exercise good faith and due diligence; and
(b) the same obligations to the holder or owner of a security and the same rights, privileges and immunities as the issuer. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 91 (1).
Notice to agents for issuer
(2) Notice to an authenticating trustee, transfer agent, registrar or other such agent is notice to the issuer with respect to the functions performed by the agent. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 91 (2).
PART VII
SHAREHOLDERS
Shareholders liability limited
92. (1) The shareholders of a corporation are not, as shareholders, liable for any act, default, obligation or liability of the corporation except under subsection 34 (5), subsection 108 (5) and section 243. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 92 (1).
Shares subject to call
(2) The provisions of the Corporations Act relating to the liability of a holder of shares that are not fully paid and to the enforcement of such liability apply in respect of shares that were not fully paid,
(a) on the 1st day of January, 1971, in the case of shares of a corporation that then became subject to The Business Corporations Act , being chapter 53 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1970; or
(b) on the day upon which any other body corporate was continued under The Business Corporations Act , being chapter 53 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1970, or under this Act, in the case of shares of such other body corporate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 92 (2).
Place of meetings
93. (1) Subject to the articles and any unanimous shareholder agreement, a meeting of shareholders of a corporation shall be held at such place in or outside Ontario as the directors determine or, in the absence of such a determination, at the place where the registered office of the corporation is located. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 93.
Meeting by electronic means
(2) A meeting held under subsection 94 (2) shall be deemed to be held at the place where the registered office of the corporation is located. 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 4.
Shareholders meetings
94. (1) Subject to subsection 104 (1), the directors of a corporation,
(a) shall call an annual meeting of shareholders not later than eighteen months after the corporation comes into existence and subsequently not later than fifteen months after holding the last preceding annual meeting; and
(b) may at any time call a special meeting of shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 94.
Meeting by electronic means
(2) Unless the articles or the by-laws provide otherwise, a meeting of the shareholders may be held by telephonic or electronic means and a shareholder who, through those means, votes at the meeting or establishes a communications link to the meeting shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to be present at the meeting. 2001, c. 9, Sched. D, s. 2 (3).
Date for determining shareholders
95. (1) For the purpose of determining shareholders,
(a) entitled to receive payment of a dividend;
(b) entitled to participate in a liquidation or distribution; or
(c) for any other purpose except the right to receive notice of or to vote at a meeting,
the directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for such determination of shareholders, but the record date shall not precede by more than fifty days the particular action to be taken. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 95 (1).
Idem
(2) For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive notice of a meeting of shareholders, the directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for such determination of shareholders, but the record date shall not precede by more than fifty days or by less than twenty-one days the date on which the meeting is to be held. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 95 (2).
Idem
(3) Where no record date is fixed,
(a) the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of a meeting of shareholders shall be,
(i) at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which the notice is given, or
(ii) if no notice is given, the day on which the meeting is held; and
(b) the record date for the determination of shareholders for any purpose other than to establish a shareholders right to receive notice of a meeting or to vote shall be at the close of business on the day on which the directors pass the resolution relating thereto. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 95 (3).
Notice of date
(4) If a record date is fixed, unless notice of the record date is waived in writing by every holder of a share of the class or series affected whose name is set out in the securities register at the close of business on the day the directors fix the record date, notice thereof shall be given, not less than seven days before the date so fixed,
(a) by advertisement in a newspaper published or distributed in the place where the corporation has its registered office and in each place in Canada where it has a transfer agent or where a transfer of its shares may be recorded; and
(b) by written notice to each stock exchange in Canada on which the shares of the corporation are listed for trading. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 95 (4).
Notice of shareholders meetings
96. (1) Notice of the time and place of a meeting of shareholders shall be sent, in the case of an offering corporation, not less than twenty-one days and, in the case of any other corporation, not less than ten days, but, in either case, not more than fifty days, before the meeting,
(a) to each shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting;
(b) to each director; and
(c) to the auditor of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 96 (1).
Idem
(2) A notice of a meeting is not required to be sent to shareholders who were not registered on the records of the corporation or its transfer agent on the record date determined under subsection 95 (2) or (3), but failure to receive a notice does not deprive a shareholder of the right to vote at the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 96 (2).
Idem
(3) If a meeting of shareholders is adjourned for less than thirty days, it is not necessary, unless the by-laws otherwise provide, to give notice of the adjourned meeting other than by announcement at the earliest meeting that is adjourned. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 96 (3).
Idem
(4) If a meeting of shareholders is adjourned by one or more adjournments for an aggregate of thirty days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as for an original meeting but, unless the meeting is adjourned by one or more adjournments for an aggregate of more than ninety days, section 111 does not apply. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 96 (4).
Special business
(5) All business transacted at a special meeting of shareholders and all business transacted at an annual meeting of shareholders, except consideration of the minutes of an earlier meeting, the financial statements and auditors report,
election of directors and reappointment of the incumbent auditor, shall be deemed to be special business. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 96 (5).
Idem
(6) Notice of a meeting of shareholders at which special business is to be transacted shall state or be accompanied by a statement of,
(a) the nature of that business in sufficient detail to permit the shareholder to form a reasoned judgment thereon; and
(b) the text of any special resolution or by-law to be submitted to the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 96 (6).
Shareholders meeting
97. Subject to this Act or the articles or by-laws of a corporation or a unanimous shareholder agreement,
(a) all questions proposed for the consideration of the shareholders shall be determined by the majority of the votes cast and the chair presiding at the meeting shall not have a second or casting vote in case of an equality of votes;
(b) the chair presiding at a meeting of shareholders may, with the consent of the meeting and subject to such conditions as the meeting decides, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place subject to subsections 96 (3) and (4); and
(c) the president or, in his or her absence, a vice-president who is a director shall preside as chair at a meeting of shareholders, but, if there is no president or such a vice-president or if at a meeting none of them is present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for the holding of the meeting, the shareholders present shall choose a person from their number to be the chair. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 97.
Waiving notice
98. A shareholder and any other person entitled to attend a meeting of shareholders may in any manner and at any time waive notice of a meeting of shareholders, and attendance of any such person at a meeting of shareholders is a waiver of notice of the meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 98.
Proposal
99. (1) A shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders may,
(a) submit to the corporation notice of a proposal; and
(b) discuss at the meeting any matter in respect of which the shareholder would have been entitled to submit a proposal. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 99 (1).
Circulating proposal
(2) Where a corporation receives notice of a proposal and the corporation solicits proxies, it shall set out the proposal in the management information circular required by section 112 or attach the proposal thereto. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 99 (2).
Statement in support of proposal
(3) If so requested by a shareholder giving notice of a proposal, the corporation shall include in the management information circular or attach thereto a statement by the shareholder of not more than two hundred words in support of the proposal along with the name and address of the shareholder. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 99 (3).
Proposal may include nominations
(4) A proposal may include nominations for the election of directors if the proposal is signed by one or more holders of shares representing in the aggregate not less than 5 per cent of the shares or 5 per cent of the shares of a class or series of shares of the corporation entitled to vote at the meeting to which the proposal is to be presented, but this subsection does not preclude nominations being made at a meeting of shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 99 (4).
Where subss. (2), (3) do not apply
(5) A corporation is not required to comply with subsections (2) and (3) where,
(a) the proposal is not submitted to the corporation at least sixty days before the anniversary date of the last annual meeting, if the matter is proposed to be raised at an annual meeting, or at least sixty days before a meeting other than the annual meeting, if the matter is proposed to be raised at a meeting other than the annual meeting;
(b) it clearly appears that the proposal is submitted by the shareholder primarily for the purpose of enforcing a personal claim or redressing a personal grievance against the corporation or any of its directors, officers or security holders, or for a purpose that is not related in any significant way to the business or affairs of the corporation;
(c) the corporation, at the shareholders request, included a proposal in a management information circular relating to a meeting of shareholders held within two years preceding the receipt of the request, and the shareholder failed to present the proposal, in person or by proxy, at the meeting; or
(d) substantially the same proposal was submitted to shareholders in a management information circular or a dissidents information circular relating to a meeting of shareholders held within two years preceding the receipt of the shareholders request and the proposal was defeated. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 99 (5).
Where no liability
(6) No corporation or person acting on its behalf incurs any liability by reason only of circulating a proposal or statement in compliance with this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 99 (6).
Where refusal to circulate proposal
(7) Where a corporation refuses to include a proposal in a management information circular, the corporation shall, within ten days after receiving the proposal, send notice to the shareholder submitting the proposal of its intention to omit the proposal from the management information circular and send to the shareholder a statement of the reasons for the refusal. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 99 (7).
Idem
(8) Upon the application of a shareholder aggrieved by a corporations refusal under subsection (7), the court may restrain the holding of the meeting to which the proposal is sought to be presented and make any further order it thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 99 (8).
Idem
(9) The corporation or any person aggrieved by a proposal may apply to the court for an order permitting the corporation to omit the proposal from the management information circular, and the court, if it is satisfied that subsection (5) applies, may make such order as it thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 99 (9).
Idem
(10) An applicant under subsection (8) or (9) shall give the Director notice of the application and the Director is entitled to appear and be heard in person or by counsel. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 99 (10).
Definition
(11) In this section,
proposal means a matter that a shareholder entitled to vote proposes to raise at a meeting of shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 99 (11).
List of shareholders
100. (1) A corporation shall prepare a list of shareholders entitled to receive notice of a meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the number of shares held by each shareholder, which list shall be prepared,
(a) if a record date is fixed under subsection 95 (2), not later than ten days after such record date; or
(b) if no record date is fixed,
(i) at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which notice is given, or
(ii) where no notice is given, on the day on which the meeting is held. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 100 (1).
Entitlement to vote
(2) Where a corporation fixes a record date under subsection 95 (2), a person named in the list prepared under clause (1) (a) is entitled to vote the shares shown opposite the persons name at the meeting to which the list relates, except to the extent that,
(a) the person has transferred any shares after the record date; and
(b) the transferee of those shares,
(i) produces properly endorsed share certificates, or
(ii) otherwise establishes that the transferee owns the shares,
and demands, not later than ten days before the meeting, or such shorter period before the meeting as the by-laws of the corporation may provide, that the transferees name be included in the list before the meeting, in which case the transferee is entitled to vote those shares at the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 100 (2).
Idem
(3) Where a corporation does not fix a record date under subsection 95 (2), a person named in a list prepared under clause (1) (b) is entitled to vote the shares shown opposite the persons name at the meeting to which the list relates, except to the extent that,
(a) the person has transferred any shares after the date on which a list referred to in subclause (1) (b) (i) is prepared; and
(b) the transferee of those shares,
(i) produces properly endorsed share certificates, or
(ii) otherwise establishes that the transferee owns the shares,
and demands not later than ten days before the meeting, or such shorter period before the meeting as the by-laws of the corporation may provide, that the transferees name be included in the list before the meeting, in which case the transferee is entitled to vote those shares at the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 100 (3).
Examination of list
(4) A shareholder may examine the list of shareholders,
(a) during usual business hours at the registered office of the corporation or at the place where its central securities register is maintained; and
(b) at the meeting of shareholders for which the list was prepared. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 100 (4).
Quorum
101. (1) Unless the by-laws otherwise provide, the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders, whether present in person or represented by proxy, constitute a quorum. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 101 (1).
Idem
(2) If a quorum is present at the opening of a meeting of shareholders, the shareholders present may, unless the by-laws otherwise provide, proceed with the business of the meeting even if a quorum is not present throughout the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 101 (2).
Idem
(3) If a quorum is not present at the time appointed for a meeting of shareholders, or within such reasonable time thereafter as the shareholders present may determine, the shareholders present may adjourn the meeting to a fixed time and place but may not transact any other business. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 101 (3).
Where only one shareholder
(4) If a corporation has only one shareholder, or only one holder of any class or series of shares, the shareholder present in person or by proxy constitutes a meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 101 (4).
Voting rights
102. (1) Unless the articles otherwise provide, each share of a corporation entitles the holder thereof to one vote at a meeting of shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 102 (1).
Representative
(2) Where a body corporate or association is a shareholder of a corporation, the corporation shall recognize any individual authorized by a resolution of the directors or governing body of the body corporate or association to represent it at meetings of shareholders of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 102 (2).
Idem
(3) An individual authorized as set out in subsection (2) may exercise on behalf of the body corporate or association he or she represents all the powers it could exercise if it were an individual shareholder. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 102 (3).
Joint shareholders
(4) Unless the by-laws otherwise provide, where two or more persons hold shares jointly, one of those holders present at a meeting of shareholders may in the absence of the others vote the shares, but if two or more of those persons are present, in person or by proxy, they shall vote as one on the shares jointly held by them. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 102 (4).
Manner of voting
103. (1) Unless the by-laws otherwise provide, voting at a meeting of shareholders shall be by show of hands, except where a ballot is demanded by a shareholder or proxyholder entitled to vote at the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 103 (1).
Idem
(2) A shareholder or proxyholder may demand a ballot either before or after any vote by show of hands. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 103 (2).
Entry in minutes
(3) Unless a ballot is demanded, an entry in the minutes of a meeting of shareholders to the effect that the chair declared a motion to be carried is admissible in evidence as proof of the fact, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the motion. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 103 (3).
Resolution in lieu of meeting
104. (1) Except where a written statement is submitted by a director under subsection 123 (2) or where representations in writing are submitted by an auditor under subsection 149 (6),
(a) a resolution in writing signed by all the shareholders or their attorney authorized in writing entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of shareholders is as valid as if it had been passed at a meeting of the shareholders; and
(b) a resolution in writing dealing with all matters required by this Act to be dealt with at a meeting of shareholders, and signed by all the shareholders or their attorney authorized in writing entitled to vote at that meeting, satisfies all the requirements of this Act relating to that meeting of shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 104 (1); 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3 (5, 6).
Copy of resolution kept with minutes
(2) A copy of every resolution referred to in subsection (1) shall be kept with the minutes of the meetings of shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 104 (2).
Requisition for shareholders meeting
105. (1) The holders of not less than 5 per cent of the issued shares of a corporation that carry the right to vote at a meeting sought to be held may requisition the directors to call a meeting of shareholders for the purposes stated in the requisition. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 105 (1).
Idem
(2) The requisition referred to in subsection (1) shall state the business to be transacted at the meeting and shall be sent to the registered office of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 105 (2).
Duty of directors to call meeting
(3) Upon receiving the requisition referred to in subsection (1), the directors shall call a meeting of shareholders to transact the business stated in the requisition unless,
(a) a record date has been fixed under subsection 95 (2) and notice thereof has been given under subsection 95 (4);
(b) the directors have called a meeting of shareholders and have given notice thereof under section 96; or
(c) the business of the meeting as stated in the requisition includes matters described in clauses 99 (5) (b) to (d). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 105 (3).
Where requisitionist may call meeting
(4) Subject to subsection (3), if the directors do not within twenty-one days after receiving the requisition referred to in subsection (1) call a meeting, any shareholder who signed the requisition may call the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 105 (4).
Calling of meeting
(5) A meeting called under this section shall be called as nearly as possible in the manner in which meetings are to be called under the by-laws, this Part and Part VIII. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 105 (5).
Repayment of expenses
(6) The corporation shall reimburse the shareholders for the expenses reasonably incurred by them in requisitioning, calling and holding the meeting unless the shareholders have not acted in good faith and in the interest of the shareholders of the corporation generally. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 105 (6).
Requisition by court
106. (1) If for any reason it is impracticable to call a meeting of shareholders of a corporation in the manner in which meetings of those shareholders may be called or to conduct the meeting in the manner prescribed by the by-laws, the articles and this Act, or if for any other reason the court thinks fit, the court, upon the application of a director or a shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting, may order a meeting to be called, held and conducted in such manner as the
court directs and upon such terms as to security for the costs of holding the meeting or otherwise as the court deems fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 106 (1).
Power of court
(2) Without restricting the generality of subsection (1), the court may order that the quorum required by the by-laws, the articles or this Act be varied or dispensed with at a meeting called, held and conducted under this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 106 (2).
Effect of meeting
(3) A meeting called, held and conducted under this section is for all purposes a meeting of shareholders of the corporation duly called, held and conducted. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 106 (3).
Determination of controversy
107. (1) A corporation, shareholder or director may apply to the court to determine any controversy with respect to an election or appointment of a director or auditor of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 107 (1).
Court order
(2) Upon an application under this section, the court may make any order it thinks fit including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(a) an order restraining a director or auditor whose election or appointment is challenged from acting pending determination of the dispute;
(b) an order declaring the result of the disputed election or appointment;
(c) an order requiring a new election or appointment and including in the order directions for the management of the business and affairs of the corporation until a new election is held or appointment made; and
(d) an order determining the voting rights of shareholders and of persons claiming to own shares. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 107 (2).
Agreement between shareholders
108. (1) A written agreement between two or more shareholders may provide that in exercising voting rights the shares held by them shall be voted as therein provided. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 108 (1).
Idem
(2) A written agreement among all the shareholders of a corporation or among all the shareholders and one or more persons who are not shareholders may restrict in whole or in part the powers of the directors to manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 108 (2).
Unanimous shareholder agreement
(3) Where a person who is the beneficial owner of all the issued shares of a corporation makes a written declaration that restricts in whole or in part the powers of the directors to manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of a corporation, the declaration shall be deemed to be a unanimous shareholder agreement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 108 (3).
Party to unanimous shareholder agreement
(4) Subject to subsection 56 (3), a transferee of shares subject to a unanimous shareholder agreement shall be deemed to be a party to the agreement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 108 (4).
Where shareholder has power, etc., of director
(5) A shareholder who is a party to a unanimous shareholder agreement has all the rights, powers, duties and liabilities of a director of the corporation, whether arising under this Act or otherwise, to which the agreement relates to the extent that the agreement restricts the discretion or powers of the directors to manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of the corporation and the directors are thereby relieved of their duties and liabilities, including any liabilities under section 131, to the same extent. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 108 (5).
Matter that a unanimous shareholder agreement may provide
(6) A unanimous shareholder agreement may, without restricting the generality of subsection (2), provide that,
(a) any amendment of the unanimous shareholder agreement may be effected in the manner specified therein; and
(b) in the event that shareholders who are parties to the unanimous shareholder agreement are unable to agree on or resolve any matter pertaining to the agreement, the matter may be referred to arbitration under such procedures and conditions as are specified in the unanimous shareholder agreement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 108 (6).
PART VIII
PROXIES
Definitions
109. In this Part,
dissidents information circular means the circular referred to in clause 112 (1) (b); (circulaire dinformation dun dissident)
form of proxy means a form that is in written or printed format or a format generated by telephonic or electronic means and that becomes a proxy when completed and signed in writing or electronic signature by or on behalf of a shareholder; (formule de procuration)
management information circular means the circular referred to in clause 112 (1) (a); (circulaire dinformation de la direction)
proxy means a completed and signed form of proxy by means of which a shareholder has appointed a proxyholder to attend and act on a shareholders behalf at a meeting of shareholders; (procuration)
solicit and solicitation include,
(a) a request for a proxy whether or not accompanied by or included in a form of proxy,
(b) a request to execute or not to execute a form of proxy or to revoke a proxy,
(c) the sending of a form of proxy or other communication to a shareholder under circumstances reasonably calculated to result in the procurement, withholding or revocation of a proxy, and
(d) the sending of a form of proxy to a shareholder under section 111,
but do not include,
(e) the sending of a form of proxy in response to an unsolicited request made by or on behalf of a shareholder,
(f) the performance of administrative acts or professional services on behalf of a person soliciting a proxy,
(g) the sending of material under section 49 of the Securities Act ,
(h) a solicitation by a person in respect of shares of which the person is the beneficial owner; (sollicitation, solliciter)
solicitation by or on behalf of the management of a corporation means a solicitation by any person under a resolution or the instructions of the directors of that corporation or a committee of such directors. (sollicitation effectuée par la direction ou pour son compte) R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 109; 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 6.
Proxies
110. (1) Every shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders may by means of a proxy appoint a proxyholder or one or more alternate proxyholders, who need not be shareholders, as the shareholders nominee to attend and act at the meeting in the manner, to the extent and with the authority conferred by the proxy. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 110 (1).
Signature
(2) Subject to subsection (4.2), a proxy must be signed,
(a) in writing or by electronic signature by the shareholder or an attorney who is authorized by a document that is signed in writing or by electronic signature; or
(b) if the shareholder is a body corporate, by an officer or attorney of the body corporate duly authorized. 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 7 (1).
Expiry
(2.1) A proxy appointing a proxyholder to attend and act at a meeting or meetings of shareholders of an offering corporation ceases to be valid one year from its date. 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 7 (1).
Form of proxy
(3) Every form of proxy shall comply with the regulations. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 110 (3).
Revocation
(4) A shareholder may revoke a proxy,
(a) by depositing an instrument in writing that complies with subsection (4.1) and that is signed by the shareholder or by an attorney who is authorized by a document that is signed in writing or by electronic signature;
(b) by transmitting, by telephonic or electronic means, a revocation that complies with subsection (4.1) and that, subject to subsection (4.2), is signed by electronic signature; or
(c) in any other manner permitted by law. 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 7 (2).
Time of revocation
(4.1) The instrument or the revocation must be received,
(a) at the registered office of the corporation at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the meeting, or any adjournment of it, at which the proxy is to be used; or
(b) by the chair of the meeting on the day of the meeting or an adjournment of it. 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 7 (2).
Electronic signature
(4.2) A shareholder or an attorney may sign, by electronic signature, a proxy, a revocation of proxy or a power of attorney authorizing the creation of either of them if the means of electronic signature permits a reliable determination that the document was created or communicated by or on behalf of the shareholder or the attorney, as the case may be. 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 7 (2).
Time limit for deposit
(5) The directors may by resolution fix a time not exceeding forty-eight hours, excluding Saturdays and holidays, preceding any meeting or adjourned meeting of shareholders before which time proxies to be used at that meeting must be deposited with the corporation or an agent thereof, and any period of time so fixed shall be specified in the notice calling the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 110 (5).
Mandatory solicitation of proxy
111. The management of an offering corporation shall, concurrently with or prior to sending notice of a meeting of shareholders, send a form of proxy to each shareholder who is entitled to receive notice of the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 111.
Information circular
112. (1) No person shall solicit proxies in respect of an offering corporation unless,
(a) in the case of solicitation by or on behalf of the management of the corporation, a management information circular in prescribed form, either as an appendix to or as a separate document accompanying the notice of the meeting; or
(b) in the case of any other solicitation, a dissidents information circular in prescribed form,
is sent to the auditor of the corporation, to each shareholder whose proxy is solicited and, if clause (b) applies, to the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 112 (1).
Filing copy
(2) A person, upon sending a management or dissidents information circular, shall concurrently file with the Commission,
(a) in the case of a management information circular, a copy thereof together with a copy of the notice of meeting, form of proxy and of any other documents for use in connection with the meeting; and
(b) in the case of a dissidents information circular, a copy thereof together with a copy of the form of proxy and of any other documents for use in connection with the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 112 (2).
Exemption order re ss. 111, 112
113. Upon the application of any interested person, the Commission may, if satisfied in the circumstances of the particular case that there is adequate justification for so doing, make an order, on such terms and conditions as the Commission may impose, exempting, in whole or in part, any person from the requirements of section 111 or from the requirements of section 112. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 113.
Proxyholder
114. (1) A person who solicits a proxy and is appointed proxyholder shall attend in person or cause an alternate proxyholder to attend the meeting in respect of which the proxy is given and comply with the directions of the shareholder who appointed the person. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 114 (1).
Rights of proxyholder
(2) A proxyholder or an alternate proxyholder has the same rights as the shareholder who appointed him or her to speak at a meeting of shareholders in respect of any matter, to vote by way of ballot at the meeting and, except where a proxyholder or an alternate proxyholder has conflicting instructions from more than one shareholder, to vote at such a meeting in respect of any matter by way of a show of hands. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 114 (2).
Vote
(3) Despite subsections (1) and (2), where the chair of a meeting of shareholders declares to the meeting that, to the best of his or her belief, if a ballot is conducted, the total number of votes attached to the shares represented at the meeting by proxy required to be voted against what will be the decision of the meeting in relation to any matter or group of matters is less than 5 per cent of all the votes that might be cast at the meeting on such ballot, and where a shareholder, proxyholder or alternate proxyholder does not demand a ballot,
(a) the chair may conduct the vote in respect of that matter or group of matters by a show of hands; and
(b) a proxyholder or alternate proxyholder may vote in respect of that matter or group of matters by a show of hands. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 114 (3).
PART IX
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Directors
115. (1) Subject to any unanimous shareholder agreement, the directors shall manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of a corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 115 (1).
Board of directors
(2) A corporation shall have a board of directors which shall consist of,
(a) in the case of a corporation that is not an offering corporation, at least one individual; and
(b) in the case of a corporation that is an offering corporation, not fewer than three individuals. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 115 (2); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (11).
Idem
(3) At least one-third of the directors of an offering corporation shall not be officers or employees of the corporation or any of its affiliates. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 115 (3).
Deemed directors
(4) Where all of the directors have resigned or have been removed by the shareholders without replacement, any person who manages or supervises the management of the business and affairs of the corporation shall be deemed to be a director for the purposes of this Act. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (12).
Exceptions
(5) Subsection (4) does not apply to,
(a) an officer who manages the business of the corporation under the direction or control of a shareholder or other person;
(b) a lawyer, accountant or other professional who participates in the management of the corporation solely for the purposes of providing professional services; or
(c) a trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, receiver-manager or secured creditor who participates in the management of the corporation or exercises control over its property solely for the purposes of enforcement of a security agreement or administration of a bankrupts estate, in the case of a trustee in bankruptcy. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (12).
By-laws by resolution
116. (1) Unless the articles, the by-laws or a unanimous shareholder agreement otherwise provide, the directors may, by resolution, make, amend or repeal any by-laws that regulate the business or affairs of a corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 116 (1).
Confirmation by shareholders
(2) Where the directors make, amend or repeal a by-law under subsection (1), they shall submit the by-law, amendment or repeal to the shareholders at the next meeting of shareholders, and the shareholders may confirm, reject or amend the by-law, amendment or repeal. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 116 (2).
Effective date
(3) Where a by-law is made, amended or repealed under subsection (1), the by-law, amendment or repeal is effective from the date of the resolution of the directors until it is confirmed, confirmed as amended or rejected by the shareholders under subsection (2) or until it ceases to be effective under subsection (4) and, where the by-law is confirmed or confirmed as amended, it continues in effect in the form in which it was so confirmed. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 116 (3).
Rejection, etc.
(4) If a by-law or an amendment or repeal of a by-law is rejected by the shareholders, or if the directors do not submit the by-law, amendment or repeal to the shareholders as required under subsection (2), the by-law, amendment or repeal ceases to be effective on the date of such rejection or on the date of the meeting of shareholders at which it should have been submitted, as the case may be, and no subsequent resolution of the directors to make, amend or repeal a by-
law having substantially the same purpose or effect is effective until it is confirmed or confirmed as amended by the shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 116 (4); 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 21.
By-law re shareholder proposal
(5) If a shareholder proposal to make, amend or repeal a by-law is made in accordance with section 99 and is adopted by shareholders at a meeting, the by-law, amendment or repeal is effective from the date of its adoption and requires no further confirmation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 116 (5).
By-law need not be so described
(6) A by-law need not be described as a by-law in a resolution referred to in this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 116 (6).
First directors meeting
117. (1) After incorporation, a meeting of the directors of a corporation shall be held at which the directors may,
(a) make by-laws;
(b) adopt forms of security certificates and corporate records;
(c) authorize the issue of securities;
(d) appoint officers;
(e) appoint one or more auditors to hold office until the first annual or special meeting of shareholders;
(f) make banking arrangements; and
(g) transact any other business. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 117 (1).
Resolution in writing
(2) Any matter referred to in subsection (1) may be dealt with by the directors by a resolution in writing in accordance with subsection 129 (1). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 117 (2).
Where subs. (1) does not apply
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a body corporate that is an amalgamated corporation under section 178 or that is continued under section 180. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 117 (3).
Calling meeting
(4) An incorporator or a director may call the meeting of directors referred to in subsection (1) by giving not less than five days notice thereof to each director, stating the time and place of the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 117 (4).
Qualifications of directors
118. (1) The following persons are disqualified from being a director of a corporation:
1. A person who is less than eighteen years of age.
2. A person who is of unsound mind and has been so found by a court in Canada or elsewhere.
3. A person who is not an individual.
4. A person who has the status of bankrupt. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 118 (1).
Holding shares
(2) Unless the articles otherwise provide, a director of a corporation is not required to hold shares issued by the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 118 (2).
Directors to be resident Canadians
(3) A majority of the directors of every corporation other than a non-resident corporation shall be resident Canadians but where a corporation has only one or two directors, that director or one of the two directors, as the case may be, shall be a resident Canadian. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 118 (3).
First directors
119. (1) Each director named in the articles shall hold office from the date of endorsement of the certificate of incorporation until the first meeting of shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 119 (1).
Resignation
(2) Until the first meeting of shareholders, the resignation of a director named in the articles shall not be effective unless at the time the resignation is to become effective a successor has been elected or appointed. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (13).
Powers and duties
(3) The first directors of a corporation named in the articles have all the powers and duties and are subject to all the liabilities of directors. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 119 (3).
Election of directors
(4) Subject to clause 120 (a), shareholders of a corporation shall elect, at the first meeting of shareholders and at each succeeding annual meeting at which an election of directors is required, directors to hold office for a term expiring not later than the close of the third annual meeting of shareholders following the election. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 119 (4).
Term for directors
(5) It is not necessary that all directors elected at a meeting of shareholders hold office for the same term. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 119 (5).
Idem
(6) A director not elected for an expressly stated term ceases to hold office at the close of the first annual meeting of shareholders following his or her election. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 119 (6).
Idem
(7) Despite this section, if directors are not elected at a meeting of shareholders the incumbent directors continue in office until their successors are elected. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 119 (7).
Failure to elect required number of directors
(8) If a meeting of shareholders fails to elect the number of directors required by the articles or by section 125 by reason of the disqualification, incapacity or death of one or more candidates, the directors elected at that meeting, if they constitute a quorum, may exercise all the powers of the directors of the corporation pending the holding of a meeting of shareholders in accordance with subsection 124 (3). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 119 (8).
Consent required
(9) Subject to subsection (10), the election or appointment of a director under this Act is not effective unless the person elected or appointed consents in writing before or within 10 days after the date of the election or appointment. 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 8.
Later consent
(10) If the person elected or appointed consents in writing after the time period mentioned in subsection (9), the election or appointment is valid. 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 8.
Exception
(11) Subsection (9) does not apply to a director who is re-elected or re-appointed where there is no break in the directors term of office. 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 8.
Cumulative voting for directors
120. Where the articles provide for cumulative voting,
(a) each shareholder entitled to vote at an election of directors has the right to cast a number of votes equal to the number of votes attached to the shares held by the shareholder multiplied by the number of directors to be elected, and the shareholder may cast all such votes in favour of one candidate or distribute them among the candidates in any manner;
(b) a separate vote of shareholders shall be taken with respect to each candidate nominated for director unless a resolution is passed unanimously permitting two or more persons to be elected by a single resolution;
(c) if a shareholder has voted for more than one candidate without specifying the distribution of the shareholders votes among the candidates, the shareholder is deemed to have distributed the shareholders votes equally among the candidates for whom the shareholder voted;
(d) if the number of candidates nominated for director exceeds the number of positions to be filled, the candidates who receive the least number of votes shall be eliminated until the number of candidates remaining equals the number of positions to be filled;
(e) each director ceases to hold office at the close of the first annual meeting of shareholders following his or her election;
(f) a director may not be removed from office if the votes cast against the directors removal would be sufficient to elect him or her and such votes could be voted cumulatively at an election at which the same total number of votes were cast and the number of directors required by the articles were then being elected;
(g) the number of directors required by the articles may not be decreased if the votes cast against the motion to decrease would be sufficient to elect a director and such votes could be voted cumulatively at an election at which the same total number of votes were cast and the number of directors required by the articles were then being elected; and
(h) the articles shall require a fixed number and not a minimum and maximum number of directors. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 120.
When director ceases to hold office
121. (1) A director of a corporation ceases to hold office when he or she,
(a) dies or, subject to subsection 119 (2), resigns;
(b) is removed in accordance with section 122; or
(c) becomes disqualified under subsection 118 (1). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 121 (1).
Idem
(2) A resignation of a director becomes effective at the time a written resignation is received by the corporation or at the time specified in the resignation, whichever is later. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 121 (2).
Removal of directors
122. (1) Subject to clause 120 (f), the shareholders of a corporation may by ordinary resolution at an annual or special meeting remove any director or directors from office. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 122 (1).
Idem
(2) Where the holders of any class or series of shares of a corporation have an exclusive right to elect one or more directors, a director so elected may only be removed by an ordinary resolution at a meeting of the shareholders of that class or series. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 122 (2).
Idem
(3) Subject to clauses 120 (a) to (d), a vacancy created by the removal of a director may be filled at the meeting of the shareholders at which the director is removed or, if not so filled, may be filled under section 124. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 122 (3).
Entitlement of director
123. (1) A director of a corporation is entitled to receive notice of and to attend and be heard at every meeting of shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 123 (1).
Idem
(2) A director who,
(a) resigns;
(b) receives a notice or otherwise learns of a meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of removing him or her from office; or
(c) receives a notice or otherwise learns of a meeting of directors or shareholders at which another person is to be appointed or elected to fill the office of director, whether because of the resignation or removal of the director or because his or her term of office has expired or is about to expire,
is entitled to submit to the corporation a written statement giving the reasons for the directors resignation or the reasons why he or she opposes any proposed action or resolution, as the case may be. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 123 (2).
Distribution of statement
(3) Upon receiving a statement under subsection (2), a corporation shall forthwith send a copy of the statement to every shareholder entitled to receive notice of meetings of shareholders unless the statement is included in or attached to a management information circular required by section 112. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 123 (3); 2004, c. 19, s. 3 (3).
No liability
(4) No corporation or person acting on its behalf incurs any liability by reason only of circulating a directors statement in compliance with subsection (3). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 123 (4).
Vacancies
124. (1) Despite subsection 126 (6), but subject to subsections (2), (4) and (5) of this section, a quorum of directors may fill a vacancy among the directors, except a vacancy resulting from,
(a) an increase in the number of directors otherwise than in accordance with subsection (2), or in the maximum number of directors, as the case may be; or
(b) a failure to elect the number of directors required to be elected at any meeting of shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 124 (1).
Appointment of directors subsequent to annual meeting
(2) Where a special resolution passed under subsection 125 (3) empowers the directors of a corporation the articles of which provide for a minimum and maximum number of directors to determine the number of directors, the directors may not, between meetings of shareholders, appoint an additional director if, after such appointment, the total number of directors would be greater than one and one-third times the number of directors required to have been elected at the last annual meeting of shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 124 (2).
Election of directors to make quorum
(3) If there is not a quorum of directors, or if there has been a failure to elect the number of directors required by the articles or by section 125, the directors then in office shall forthwith call a special meeting of shareholders to fill the vacancy and, if they fail to call a meeting or if there are no directors then in office, the meeting may be called by any shareholder. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 124 (3).
Where elected by class of shareholders
(4) Where the holders of any class or series of shares of a corporation have an exclusive right to elect one or more directors and a vacancy occurs among those directors,
(a) subject to subsection (5), the remaining directors elected by that class or series may fill the vacancy except a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors for that class or series or from a failure to elect the number of directors for that class or series; or
(b) if there are no such remaining directors, any holder of shares of that class or series may call a meeting of the holders thereof for the purpose of filling the vacancy. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 124 (4).
Idem, where no quorum
(5) The articles may provide that a vacancy among the directors shall only be filled by a vote of the shareholders, or by a vote of the holders of any class or series of shares having an exclusive right to elect one or more directors if the vacancy occurs among the directors elected by that class or series. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 124 (5).
Term
(6) A director appointed or elected to fill a vacancy holds office for the unexpired term of the directors predecessor. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 124 (6).
Change in number of directors
125. (1) A corporation may increase or decrease the number, or the minimum or maximum number, of its directors in accordance with clause 168 (1) (m), but no decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of an incumbent director. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 125 (1).
Articles amendment
(2) Where a corporation has increased or decreased the number of directors by special by-law under a predecessor of this Act, the special by-law shall be deemed to constitute an amendment to its articles. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 125 (2).
Number of directors
(3) Where a minimum and maximum number of directors of a corporation is provided for in its articles, the number of directors of the corporation and the number of directors to be elected at the annual meeting of the shareholders shall be such number as shall be determined from time to time by special resolution or, if the special resolution empowers the directors to determine the number, by resolution of the directors. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 125 (3).
Idem
(4) Where no resolution has been passed under subsection (3), the number of directors of the corporation shall be the number of directors named in its articles. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 125 (4).
(5) Repealed: 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 22 (1).
(6) Repealed: 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 22 (2).
Place of meetings and quorum
126. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a meeting of the board of directors shall be held at the place where the registered office of the corporation is located. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (1).
Exceptions
(2) Where the by-laws of the corporation so provide, a meeting of the board of directors may be held at any place within or outside Ontario, but, except where the corporation is a non-resident corporation or the articles or the by-laws otherwise provide, in any financial year of the corporation a majority of the meetings of the board of directors shall be held at a place within Canada. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (2).
Quorum
(3) Subject to the articles or by-laws and subsection (4), a majority of the number of directors or minimum number of directors required by the articles constitutes a quorum at any meeting of directors, but in no case shall a quorum be less than two-fifths of the number of directors or minimum number of directors, as the case may be. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (3).
Idem
(4) Where a corporation has fewer than three directors, all directors must be present at any meeting of directors to constitute a quorum. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (4).
Idem
(5) Subject to the articles or by-laws, where there is a vacancy or vacancies in the board of directors, the remaining directors may exercise all the powers of the board so long as a quorum of the board remains in office. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (5).
Transacting business
(6) Directors, other than directors of a non-resident corporation, shall not transact business at a meeting of directors unless a majority of directors present are resident Canadians or, where a corporation has fewer than three directors, one of the directors present is a resident Canadian. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (6).
Idem
(7) Despite subsection (6), directors may transact business at a meeting of directors where a majority of resident Canadian directors is not present if,
(a) a resident Canadian director who is unable to be present approves in writing or by telephone or other communications facilities the business transacted at the meeting; and
(b) a majority of resident Canadian directors would have been present had that director been present at the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (7).
Calling meeting of directors
(8) In addition to any other provision in the articles or by-laws of a corporation for calling meetings of directors, a quorum of the directors may, at any time, call a meeting of the directors for the transaction of any business the general nature of which is specified in the notice calling the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (8).
Notice
(9) In the absence of any other provision in that behalf in the by-laws of the corporation, notice of the time and place for the holding of the meeting called under subsection (8) shall be given to every director of the corporation by sending
the notice ten days or more before the date of the meeting to each directors latest address as shown on the records of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (9).
Waiver of notice
(10) A director may in any manner and at any time waive a notice of a meeting of directors and attendance of a director at a meeting of directors is a waiver of notice of the meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (10).
Adjourned meeting
(11) Notice of an adjourned meeting of directors is not required to be given if the time and place of the adjourned meeting is announced at the original meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (11).
Where one director
(12) Where a corporation has only one director, that director may constitute a meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (12).
Meeting by telephone, etc.
(13) Unless the by-laws otherwise provide, if all the directors of a corporation present at or participating in the meeting consent, a meeting of directors or of a committee of directors may be held by means of such telephone, electronic or other communication facilities as permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously, and a director participating in such a meeting by such means is deemed for the purposes of this Act to be present at that meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (13).
Place of meeting by telephone
(14) If a majority of the directors participating in a meeting held under subsection (13) are then in Canada, the meeting shall be deemed to have been held in Canada. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (14).
Delegation by directors
127. (1) Subject to the articles or by-laws, directors of a corporation may appoint from their number a managing director, who is a resident Canadian, or a committee of directors and delegate to such managing director or committee any of the powers of the directors. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 127 (1).
Idem
(2) If the directors of a corporation other than a non-resident corporation, appoint a committee of directors, a majority of the members of the committee shall be resident Canadians. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 127 (2).
Limitations on authority
(3) Despite subsection (1), no managing director and no committee of directors has authority to,
(a) submit to the shareholders any question or matter requiring the approval of the shareholders;
(b) fill a vacancy among the directors or in the office of auditor or appoint or remove any of the chief executive officers, however designated, the chief financial officer, however designated, the chair or the president of the corporation;
(c) subject to section 184, issue securities except in the manner and on the terms authorized by the directors;
(d) declare dividends;
(e) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares issued by the corporation;
(f) pay a commission referred to in section 37;
(g) approve a management information circular referred to in Part VIII;
(h) approve a take-over bid circular, directors circular or issuer bid circular referred to in Part XX of the Securities Act ;
(i) approve any financial statements referred to in clause 154 (1) (b) of the Act and Part XVIII of the Securities Act ;
(i.1) approve an amalgamation under section 177 or an amendment to the articles under subsection 168 (2) or (4); or
(j) adopt, amend or repeal by-laws. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 127 (3); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (16).
Validity of acts of directors and officers
128. An act done by a director or by an officer is not invalid by reason only of any defect that is thereafter discovered in his or her appointment, election or qualification. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 128.
Resolutions in writing
129. (1) A resolution in writing, signed by all the directors entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of directors or a committee of directors, is as valid as if it had been passed at a meeting of directors or a committee of directors. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 129 (1).
Copy to be kept
(2) A copy of every resolution passed under subsection (1) shall be kept with the minutes of the proceedings of the directors or committee of directors. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 129 (2).
Liability of directors
130. (1) Directors of a corporation who vote for or consent to a resolution authorizing the issue of a share for a consideration other than money contrary to section 23 are jointly and severally liable to the corporation to make good any amount by which the consideration received is less than the fair equivalent of the money that the corporation would have received if the share had been issued for money on the date of the resolution. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 130 (1).
Idem
(2) Directors of a corporation who vote for or consent to a resolution authorizing,
(a) any financial assistance contrary to section 20;
(b) a purchase, redemption or other acquisition of shares contrary to section 30, 31 or 32;
(c) a commission contrary to section 37;
(d) a payment of a dividend contrary to section 38;
(e) a payment of an indemnity contrary to section 136; or
(f) a payment to a shareholder contrary to section 185 or 248,
are jointly and severally liable to restore to the corporation any amounts so distributed or paid and not otherwise recovered by the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 130 (2).
Joint liability
(3) A director who has satisfied a judgment rendered under this section is entitled to contribution from the other directors who voted for or consented to the unlawful act upon which the judgment was founded. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 130 (3).
Application to court
(4) A director liable under subsection (2) is entitled to apply to the court for an order compelling a shareholder or other recipient to pay or deliver to the director any money or property that was paid or distributed to the shareholder or other recipient contrary to section 20, 30, 31, 32, 37, 38, 136, 185 or 248. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 130 (4).
What court may order
(5) In connection with an application under subsection (4), the court may, if it is satisfied that it is equitable to do so,
(a) order a shareholder or other recipient to pay or deliver to a director any money or property that was paid or distributed to the shareholder or other recipient contrary to section 20, 30, 31, 32, 37, 38, 136, 185 or 248;
(b) order a corporation to return or issue shares to a person from whom the corporation has purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired shares; or
(c) make any further order it thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 130 (5).
Exception to subs. (1)
(6) A director is not liable under subsection (1) if the director proves that he or she did not know and could not reasonably have known that the share was issued for a consideration less than the fair equivalent of the money that the corporation would have received if the share had been issued for money. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 130 (6).
(7) Repealed: 2002, c. 24, Sched. B, s. 25.
Directors liability to employees for wages
131. (1) The directors of a corporation are jointly and severally liable to the employees of the corporation for all debts not exceeding six months wages that become payable while they are directors for services performed for the corporation and for the vacation pay accrued while they are directors for not more than twelve months under the
Employment Standards Act , and the regulations thereunder, or under any collective agreement made by the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 131 (1).
Limitation of liability
(2) A director is liable under subsection (1) only if,
(a) the corporation is sued in the action against the director and execution against the corporation is returned unsatisfied in whole or in part; or
(b) before or after the action is commenced, the corporation goes into liquidation, is ordered to be wound up or makes an authorized assignment under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), or a receiving order under that Act is made against it, and, in any such case, the claim for the debt has been proved. 2002, c. 24, Sched. B, s. 27 (1).
Idem
(3) Where execution referred to in clause (2) (b) has issued, the amount recoverable from a director is the amount remaining unsatisfied after execution. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 131 (3).
Rights of director who pays debt
(4) Where a director pays a debt under subsection (1) that is proved in liquidation and dissolution or bankruptcy proceedings, the director is entitled to any preference that the employee would have been entitled to, and where a judgment has been obtained the director is entitled to an assignment of the judgment. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 131 (4).
Idem
(5) A director who has satisfied a claim under this section is entitled to contribution from the other directors who were liable for the claim. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 131 (5).
Disclosure: conflict of interest
132. (1) A director or officer of a corporation who,
(a) is a party to a material contract or transaction or proposed material contract or transaction with the corporation; or
(b) is a director or an officer of, or has a material interest in, any person who is a party to a material contract or transaction or proposed material contract or transaction with the corporation, shall disclose in writing to the corporation or request to have entered in the minutes of meetings of directors the nature and extent of his or her interest. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 132 (1).
by director
(2) The disclosure required by subsection (1) shall be made, in the case of a director,
(a) at the meeting at which a proposed contract or transaction is first considered;
(b) if the director was not then interested in a proposed contract or transaction, at the first meeting after he or she becomes so interested;
(c) if the director becomes interested after a contract is made or a transaction is entered into, at the first meeting after he or she becomes so interested; or
(d) if a person who is interested in a contract or transaction later becomes a director, at the first meeting after he or she becomes a director. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 132 (2).
by officer
(3) The disclosure required by subsection (1) shall be made, in the case of an officer who is not a director,
(a) forthwith after the officer becomes aware that the contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction is to be considered or has been considered at a meeting of directors;
(b) if the officer becomes interested after a contract is made or a transaction is entered into, forthwith after he or she becomes so interested; or
(c) if a person who is interested in a contract or transaction later becomes an officer, forthwith after he or she becomes an officer. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 132 (3).
Where contract or transaction does not require approval
(4) Despite subsections (2) and (3), where subsection (1) applies to a director or officer in respect of a material contract or transaction or proposed material contract or transaction that, in the ordinary course of the corporations business, would not require approval by the directors or shareholders, the director or officer shall disclose in writing to the corporation or request to have entered in the minutes of meetings of directors the nature and extent of his or her interest forthwith after the director or officer becomes aware of the contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 132 (4).
Director not to vote
(5) A director referred to in subsection (1) shall not vote on any resolution to approve the contract or transaction unless the contract or transaction is,
(a) an arrangement by way of security for money lent to or obligations undertaken by the director for the benefit of the corporation or an affiliate;
(b) one relating primarily to his or her remuneration as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or an affiliate;
(c) one for indemnity or insurance under section 136; or
(d) one with an affiliate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 132 (5).
General notice of interest
(6) For the purposes of this section, a general notice to the directors by a director or officer disclosing that he or she is a director or officer of or has a material interest in a person and is to be regarded as interested in any contract made or any transaction entered into with that person, is a sufficient disclosure of interest in relation to any contract so made or transaction so entered into. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 132 (6).
Effect of disclosure
(7) Where a material contract is made or a material transaction is entered into between a corporation and a director or officer of the corporation, or between a corporation and another person of which a director or officer of the corporation is a director or officer or in which he or she has a material interest,
(a) the director or officer is not accountable to the corporation or its shareholders for any profit or gain realized from the contract or transaction; and
(b) the contract or transaction is neither void nor voidable,
by reason only of that relationship or by reason only that the director is present at or is counted to determine the presence of a quorum at the meeting of directors that authorized the contract or transaction, if the director or officer disclosed his or her interest in accordance with subsection (2), (3), (4) or (6), as the case may be, and the contract or transaction was reasonable and fair to the corporation at the time it was so approved. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 132 (7).
Confirmation by shareholders
(8) Despite anything in this section, a director or officer, acting honestly and in good faith, is not accountable to the corporation or to its shareholders for any profit or gain realized from any such contract or transaction by reason only of his or her holding the office of director or officer, and the contract or transaction, if it was reasonable and fair to the corporation at the time it was approved, is not by reason only of the directors or officers interest therein void or voidable, where,
(a) the contract or transaction is confirmed or approved by special resolution at a meeting of the shareholders duly called for that purpose; and
(b) the nature and extent of the directors or officers interest in the contract or transaction are disclosed in reasonable detail in the notice calling the meeting or in the information circular required by section 112. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 132 (8).
Court setting aside contract
(9) Subject to subsections (7) and (8), where a director or officer of a corporation fails to disclose his or her interest in a material contract or transaction in accordance with this section or otherwise fails to comply with this section, the corporation or a shareholder of the corporation, or, in the case of an offering corporation, the Commission may apply to the court for an order setting aside the contract or transaction and directing that the director or officer account to the corporation for any profit or gain realized and upon such application the court may so order or make such other order as it thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 132 (9).
Officers
133. Subject to the articles, the by-laws or any unanimous shareholder agreement,
(a) the directors may designate the offices of the corporation, appoint officers, specify their duties and delegate to them powers to manage the business and affairs of the corporation, except, subject to section 184, powers to do anything referred to in subsection 127 (3);
(b) a director may be appointed to any office of the corporation; and
(c) two or more offices of the corporation may be held by the same person. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 133.
Standards of care, etc., of directors, etc.
134. (1) Every director and officer of a corporation in exercising his or her powers and discharging his or her duties shall,
(a) act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation; and
(b) exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 134 (1).
Duty to comply with Act, etc.
(2) Every director and officer of a corporation shall comply with this Act, the regulations, articles, by-laws and any unanimous shareholder agreement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 134 (2).
Cannot contract out of liability
(3) Subject to subsection 108 (5), no provision in a contract, the articles, the by-laws or a resolution relieves a director or officer from the duty to act in accordance with this Act and the regulations or relieves him or her from liability for a breach thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 134 (3).
Consent of director at meeting
135. (1) A director who is present at a meeting of directors or committee of directors is deemed to have consented to any resolution passed or action taken thereat unless the director,
(a) requests that his or her dissent be or his or her dissent is entered in the minutes of the meeting;
(b) sends a written dissent to the secretary of the meeting before the meeting is terminated; or
(c) sends a dissent by registered mail or delivers it to the registered office of the corporation immediately after the meeting is terminated. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 135 (1).
Idem
(2) A director who votes for or consents to a resolution is not entitled to dissent under subsection (1). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 135 (2).
Idem
(3) A director who was not present at a meeting at which a resolution was passed or action taken is deemed to have consented thereto unless within seven days after becoming aware of the resolution the director,
(a) causes his or her dissent to be placed with the minutes of the meeting; or
(b) sends his or her dissent by registered mail or delivers it to the registered office of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 135 (3).
Entitled to rely on statements, etc.
(4) A director is not liable under section 130 or 134 if the director relies in good faith upon,
(a) financial statements of the corporation represented to him or her by an officer of the corporation or in a written report of the auditor of the corporation to present fairly the financial position of the corporation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; or
(b) a report of a lawyer, accountant, engineer, appraiser or other person whose profession lends credibility to a statement made by any such person. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 135 (4).
Indemnification of directors
136. (1) A corporation may indemnify a director or officer of the corporation, a former director or officer of the corporation or a person who acts or acted at the corporations request as a director or officer of a body corporate of which the corporation is or was a shareholder or creditor, and his or her heirs and legal representatives, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him or her in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of such corporation or body corporate, if,
(a) he or she acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation; and
(b) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, he or she had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 136 (1).
Idem
(2) A corporation may, with the approval of the court, indemnify a person referred to in subsection (1) in respect of an action by or on behalf of the corporation or body corporate to procure a judgment in its favour, to which the person is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or an officer of the corporation or body corporate, against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action if he or she fulfils the conditions set out in clauses (1) (a) and (b). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 136 (2).
Idem
(3) Despite anything in this section, a person referred to in subsection (1) is entitled to indemnity from the corporation in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defence of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of the corporation or body corporate, if the person seeking indemnity,
(a) was substantially successful on the merits in his or her defence of the action or proceeding; and
(b) fulfils the conditions set out in clauses (1) (a) and (b). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 136 (3).
Liability insurance
(4) A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person referred to in subsection (1) against any liability incurred by the person,
(a) in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the corporation, except where the liability relates to the persons failure to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation; or
(b) in his or her capacity as a director or officer of another body corporate where the person acts or acted in that capacity at the corporations request, except where the liability relates to the persons failure to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the body corporate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 136 (4).
Application to court
(5) A corporation or a person referred to in subsection (1) may apply to the court for an order approving an indemnity under this section and the court may so order and make any further order it thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 136 (5).
Idem
(6) Upon an application under subsection (5), the court may order notice to be given to any interested person and such person is entitled to appear and be heard in person or by counsel. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 136 (6).
Remuneration of directors
137. Subject to the articles, the by-laws or any unanimous shareholder agreement, the directors of a corporation may fix the remuneration of the directors, officers and employees of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 137.
PART X
INSIDER LIABILITY
Insider liability
138. (1) In this Part,
corporation means a corporation that is not an offering corporation; (société)
insider means, with respect to a corporation,
(a) the corporation,
(b) an affiliate of the corporation,
(c) a director or officer of the corporation,
(d) a person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 10 per cent of the voting securities of the corporation or who exercises control or direction over more than 10 per cent of the votes attached to the voting securities of the corporation,
(e) a person employed or retained by the corporation, or
(f) a person who receives specific confidential information from a person described in this definition or in subsection (3), including a person described in this clause, and who has knowledge that the person giving the information is a person described in this definition or in subsection (3), including a person described in this clause; (initié)
security includes a warrant. (valeur mobilière) R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 138 (1).
Insider
(2) For the purposes of this Part,
(a) a director or officer of a body corporate that is an insider of a corporation is deemed to be an insider of the corporation;
(b) a director or officer of a body corporate that is a subsidiary is deemed to be an insider of its holding corporation;
(c) a person is deemed to own beneficially, voting securities beneficially owned by a body corporate controlled by the person directly or indirectly; and
(d) a body corporate is deemed to own beneficially, voting securities beneficially owned by its affiliates. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 138 (2).
Idem
(3) For the purposes of this Part,
(a) where a body corporate becomes an insider of a corporation, or enters into a business combination with a corporation, a director or an officer of the body corporate or a shareholder of the body corporate who is a person referred to in clause (d) of the definition of insider in subsection (1) is deemed to have been an insider of the corporation for the previous six months or for such shorter period as he or she was a director, an officer or such a shareholder of the body corporate; and
(b) where a corporation becomes an insider of a body corporate or enters into a business combination with a body corporate, a director or an officer of the body corporate or a shareholder of the body corporate who is a person referred to in clause (d) of the definition of insider in subsection (1) is deemed to have been an insider of the corporation for the previous six months or for such shorter period as he or she was a director, an officer or such a shareholder of the body corporate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 138 (3).
Business combination
(4) In subsection (3),
business combination means an acquisition of all or substantially all the property of one body corporate by another or an amalgamation of two or more bodies corporate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 138 (4).
Liability of insider
(5) An insider who, in connection with a transaction in a security of the corporation or any of its affiliates, makes use of any specific confidential information for the insiders own benefit or advantage that, if generally known, might reasonably be expected to affect materially the value of the security,
(a) is liable to compensate any person for any direct loss suffered by that person as a result of the transaction, unless the information was known or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should have been known to that person; and
(b) is accountable to the corporation for any direct benefit or advantage received or receivable by the insider as a result of the transaction. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 138 (5).
(6) Repealed: 2002, c. 24, Sched. B, s. 25.
PART XI
BOOKS AND RECORDS
Records
139. (1) Where this Act requires a record to be kept by a corporation, it may be kept in a bound or looseleaf book or may be entered or recorded by any system of mechanical or electronic data processing or any other information storage device. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 139 (1).
Guard against falsification of records
(2) The corporation shall,
(a) take adequate precautions, appropriate to the means used, for guarding against the risk of falsifying the information recorded; and
(b) provide means for making the information available in an accurate and intelligible form within a reasonable time to any person lawfully entitled to examine the records. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 139 (2).
Admissibility of records in evidence
(3) The bound or looseleaf book or, where the record is not kept in a bound or looseleaf book, the information in the form in which it is made available under clause (2) (b) is admissible in evidence as proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of all facts stated therein, before and after dissolution of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 139 (3).
False information
(4) No person shall remove, withhold or destroy information required by this Act or the regulations to be recorded, or,
(a) record or assist in recording any information in a record; or
(b) make information purporting to be accurate available in a form referred to in clause (2) (b),
knowing it to be untrue. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 139 (4).
Records, duties of corporation
140. (1) A corporation shall prepare and maintain, at its registered office or at such other place in Ontario designated by the directors,
(a) the articles and the by-laws and all amendments thereto, and a copy of any unanimous shareholder agreement known to the directors;
(b) minutes of meetings and resolutions of shareholders;
(c) a register of directors in which are set out the names and residence addresses, while directors, including the street and number, if any, of all persons who are or have been directors of the corporation with the several dates on which each became or ceased to be a director; and
(d) a securities register complying with section 141. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 140 (1).
Idem
(2) In addition to the records described in subsection (1), a corporation shall prepare and maintain,
(a) adequate accounting records; and
(b) records containing minutes of meetings and resolutions of the directors and any committee thereof,
but, provided the retention requirements of any taxing authority of Ontario, the government of Canada or any other jurisdiction to which the corporation is subject have been satisfied, the accounting records mentioned in clause (a) need only be retained by the corporation for six years from the end of the last fiscal period to which they relate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 140 (2).
Interpretation
(3) For the purposes of clause (1) (b) and subsection (2), where a body corporate is continued under this Act, records includes similar records required by law to be maintained by the body corporate before it was so continued. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 140 (3).
Securities register
141. (1) A corporation shall prepare and maintain at its registered office, or at any other place in Ontario designated by the directors, a securities register in which it records the securities issued by it in registered form, showing with respect to each class or series of securities,
(a) the names, alphabetically arranged of persons who,
(i) are or have been within six years registered as shareholders of the corporation, the address including the street and number, if any, of every such person while a holder, and the number and class of shares registered in the name of such holder,
(ii) are or have been within six years registered as holders of debt obligations of the corporation, the address including the street and number, if any, of every such person while a holder, and the class or series and principal amount of the debt obligations registered in the name of such holder, or
(iii) are or have been within six years registered as holders of warrants of the corporation, other than warrants exercisable within one year from the date of issue, the address including the street and number, if any, of every such person while a registered holder, and the class or series and number of warrants registered in the name of such holder; and
(b) the date and particulars of the issue of each security and warrant. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 141 (1).
Register of transfers
(2) A corporation shall cause to be kept a register of transfers in which all transfers of securities issued by the corporation in registered form and the date and other particulars of each transfer shall be set out. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 141 (2).
Definition
(3) In this section and in section 143,
registered form has the same meaning as in Part VI. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 141 (3).
Transfer agents
142. For each class of securities and warrants issued by it, a corporation may appoint,
(a) a trustee, transfer agent or other agent to keep the securities register and the register of transfers and one or more persons or agents to keep branch registers; and
(b) a registrar, trustee or agent to maintain a record of issued security certificates and warrants,
and, subject to section 48, one person may be appointed for the purposes of both clauses (a) and (b) in respect of all securities and warrants of the corporation or any class or classes thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 142.
Registers, general
143. (1) The securities register and the register of transfers shall be kept at the registered office of a corporation or at such other places in Ontario designated by the directors, and the branch register or registers of transfers may be kept at such offices of the corporation or other places, either within or outside Ontario, designated by the directors. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 143 (1).
Valid registration
(2) Registration of the transfer of a security or warrant of a corporation in the register of transfers or a branch register of transfers is a complete and valid registration for all purposes. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 143 (2).
Entry in branch transfer register
(3) In each branch register of transfers there shall be recorded only the particulars of the transfers of securities or warrants registered in that branch register of transfers. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 143 (3).
Entry in register of transfers
(4) Particulars of every transfer of securities and warrants registered in every branch register of transfers shall be recorded in the register of transfers. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 143 (4).
Documents not required to be produced
(5) A corporation or a person appointed under section 142 is not required to produce,
(a) any security certificate or warrant that is not in registered form; or
(b) any security certificate or warrant that is in registered form after six years,
(i) in the case of a share certificate, from the date of its cancellation,
(ii) in the case of a warrant, from the date of its transfer or exercise, whichever occurs first, or
(iii) in the case of a certificate representing a debt obligation, from the date of cancellation of such certificate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 143 (5).
Records open to examination by directors
144. (1) The records mentioned in sections 140 and 141 shall, during normal business hours of a corporation, be open to examination by any director and shall, except as provided in sections 140 and 143 and in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, be kept at the registered office of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 144 (1).
Records of account at branch
(2) A corporation may keep at any place where it carries on business such parts of the accounting records as relate to the operations, business and assets and liabilities of the corporation carried on, supervised or accounted for at such place, but there shall be kept at the registered office of the corporation or such other place as is authorized under this section such records as will enable the directors to ascertain quarterly with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 144 (2).
Off-site records
(3) A corporation may keep all or any of the records mentioned in subsection (1) at a place other than the registered office of the corporation if the records are available for inspection during regular office hours at the registered office by means of a computer terminal or other electronic technology. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (17).
Rescission of orders made under subs. (3)
(4) The Director may by order upon such terms as the Director thinks fit rescind any order made under subsection (3) or any order made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council or the Minister under a predecessor of that subsection. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 144 (4).
Examination of records by shareholders and creditors
145. (1) Shareholders and creditors of a corporation, their agents and legal representatives may examine the records (1) during the usual business hours of the referred to in subsection 140 corporation, and may take extracts therefrom, free of charge, and, where the corporation is an offering corporation, any other person may do so upon payment of a reasonable fee. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 145 (1).
Copy
(2) A shareholder of a corporation is entitled upon request and without charge to one copy of the articles and by-laws and of any unanimous shareholder agreement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 145 (2).
List of shareholders
146. (1) Shareholders and creditors of a corporation, their agents and legal representatives and, where the corporation is an offering corporation, any other person, upon payment of a reasonable fee and upon sending to the corporation or its transfer agent the statutory declaration referred to in subsection (6), may require the corporation or its transfer agent to furnish a basic list setting out the names of the shareholders of the corporation, the number of shares of each class and series owned by each shareholder and the address of each shareholder, all as shown on the records of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 146 (1).
Idem
(2) The basic list referred to in subsection (1) shall be furnished to the applicant as soon as is practicable and, when furnished, shall be as current as is practicable having regard to the form in which the securities register of the corporation is maintained, but, in any case, shall be furnished not more than ten days following the receipt by the corporation or its transfer agent of the statutory declaration referred to in subsection (1) and shall be made up to a date not more than ten days before the date on which it is actually furnished. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 146 (2).
Supplemental lists
(3) A person requiring a corporation to supply a basic list may, if the person states in the statutory declaration referred to in subsection (1) that the person requires supplemental lists, require the corporation or its agent upon payment of a reasonable fee to furnish supplemental lists setting out any changes from the basic list in the names or addresses of
the shareholders and the number of shares owned by each shareholder for each business day following the date to which the basic list is made up. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 146 (3).
Idem
(4) The corporation or its agent shall furnish a supplemental list required under subsection (3),
(a) on the date the basic list is furnished, where the information relates to changes that took place prior to that date; and
(b) on the business day following the day to which the supplemental list relates, where the information relates to changes that take place on or after the date the basic list is furnished. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 146 (4).
List of option holders
(5) A person requiring a corporation to supply a basic or supplemental list may also require the corporation to include in that list the name and address of any known holder of an option or right to acquire shares of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 146 (5).
Statutory declaration
(6) The statutory declaration required under subsection (1) shall state,
(a) the name and address including street and number, if any, of the applicant and whether the applicant is a shareholder, creditor or any other person referred to in the subsection;
(b) the name and address including street and number, if any, for service of the body corporate if the applicant is a body corporate; and
(c) that the basic list and any supplemental lists shall be used only as permitted under subsection (8). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 146 (6).
Idem
(7) If the applicant is a body corporate, the statutory declaration shall be made by a director or officer of the body corporate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 146 (7).
Use of list
(8) A list of shareholders obtained under this section shall not be used by any person except in connection with,
(a) an effort to influence the voting by shareholders of the corporation;
(b) an offer to acquire shares of the corporation; or
(c) any other matter relating to the affairs of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 146 (8).
Trafficking in lists
147. No person shall offer for sale or sell or purchase or otherwise traffic in a list or a copy of a list of all or any of the holders of securities or warrants of a corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 147.
PART XII
AUDITORS AND FINANCIAl STATEMENTS
Exemption from audit requirements
148. In respect of a financial year of a corporation, the corporation is exempt from the requirements of this Part regarding the appointment and duties of an auditor if,
(a) the corporation is not an offering corporation; and
(b) all of the shareholders consent in writing to the exemption in respect of that year. 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 23.
Auditors
149. (1) The shareholders of a corporation at their first annual or special meeting shall appoint one or more auditors to hold office until the close of the first or next annual meeting, as the case may be, and, if the shareholders fail to do so, the directors shall forthwith make such appointment or appointments. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 149 (1).
Idem
(2) The shareholders shall at each annual meeting appoint one or more auditors to hold office until the close of the next annual meeting and, if an appointment is not so made, the auditor in office continues in office until a successor is appointed. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 149 (2).
Casual vacancy
(3) The directors may fill any casual vacancy in the office of auditor, but, while such vacancy continues, the surviving or continuing auditor, if any, may act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 149 (3).
Removal of auditor
(4) The shareholders may, except where the auditor has been appointed by order of the court under subsection (8), by resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast at a special meeting duly called for the purpose, remove an auditor before the expiration of the auditors term of office, and shall by a majority of the votes cast at that meeting appoint a replacement for the remainder of the auditors term. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 149 (4).
Notice to auditor
(5) Before calling a special meeting for the purpose specified in subsection (4) or an annual or special meeting where the board is not recommending the reappointment of the incumbent auditor, the corporation shall, fifteen days or more before the mailing of the notice of the meeting, give to the auditor,
(a) written notice of the intention to call the meeting, specifying therein the date on which the notice of the meeting is proposed to be mailed; and
(b) a copy of all material proposed to be sent to shareholders in connection with the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 149 (5).
Right of auditor to make representations
(6) An auditor has the right to make to the corporation, three days or more before the mailing of the notice of the meeting, representations in writing, concerning,
(a) the auditors proposed removal as auditor;
(b) the appointment or election of another person to fill the office of auditor; or
(c) the auditors resignation as auditor,
and the corporation, at its expense, shall forward with the notice of the meeting a copy of such representations to each shareholders entitled to receive notice of the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 149 (6).
Remuneration
(7) The remuneration of an auditor appointed by the shareholders shall be fixed by the shareholders, or by the directors if they are authorized so to do by the shareholders, and the remuneration of an auditor appointed by the directors shall be fixed by the directors. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 149 (7).
Appointment by court
(8) If a corporation does not have an auditor, the court may, upon the application of a shareholder or the Director, appoint and fix the remuneration of an auditor to hold office until an auditor is appointed by the shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 149 (8).
Notice of appointment
(9) The corporation shall give notice in writing to an auditor of the auditors appointment forthwith after the appointment is made. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 149 (9).
Resignation of auditor
150. A resignation of an auditor becomes effective at the time a written resignation is sent to the corporation or at the time specified in the resignation, whichever is later. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 150.
Auditors attendance at shareholders meetings
151. (1) The auditor of a corporation is entitled to receive notice of every meeting of shareholders and, at the expense of the corporation, to attend and be heard thereat on matters relating to the auditors duties. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 151 (1).
Auditors attendance may be required
(2) If any director or shareholder of a corporation, whether or not the shareholder is entitled to vote at the meeting, gives written notice, not less than five days or more before a meeting of shareholders, to the auditor or a former auditor of the corporation, the auditor or former auditor shall attend the meeting at the expense of the corporation and answer questions relating to the auditors duties. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 151 (2).
Notice to corporation
(3) A director or shareholder who sends a notice referred to in subsection (2) shall send concurrently a copy of the notice to the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 151 (3).
Replacing auditor
(4) No person shall accept appointment or consent to be appointed as auditor of a corporation if the person is replacing an auditor who has resigned, been removed or whose term of office has expired or is about to expire until the person has requested and received from that auditor a written statement of the circumstances and the reasons why, in that auditors opinion, that auditor is to be replaced. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 151 (4).
Idem
(5) Despite subsection (4), a person otherwise qualified may accept appointment or consent to be appointed as auditor of a corporation if, within fifteen days after making the request referred to in that subsection, the person does not receive a reply. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 151 (5).
Idem
(6) Any interested person may apply to the court for an order declaring an auditor to be disqualified and the office of auditor to be vacant if the auditor has not complied with subsection (4), unless subsection (5) applies with respect to the appointment of the auditor. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 151 (6).
Statement by auditor privileged
(7) Any oral or written statement or report made under this Act by the auditor or former auditor of the corporation has qualified privilege. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 151 (7).
Disqualification as auditor
152. (1) Subject to subsection (5), a person is disqualified from being an auditor of a corporation if the person is not independent of the corporation, all of its affiliates, or of the directors or officers of the corporation and its affiliates. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 152 (1).
Independence
(2) For the purposes of this section,
(a) independence is a question of fact; and
(b) a person is deemed not to be independent if the person or the persons business partner,
(i) is a business partner, director, officer or employee of the corporation or any of its affiliates, or a business partner of any director, officer or employee of the corporation or any of its affiliates,
(ii) beneficially owns directly or indirectly or exercises control or direction over a material interest in the securities of the corporation or any of its affiliates, or
(iii) has been a receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator or trustee in bankruptcy of the corporation or any of its affiliates within two years of the persons proposed appointment as auditor of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 152 (2).
Resignation by auditor
(3) An auditor who becomes disqualified under this section shall, subject to subsection (5), resign forthwith upon becoming aware of such disqualification. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 152 (3).
Application to court
(4) An interested person may apply to the court for an order declaring an auditor to be disqualified under this section and the office of auditor to be vacant. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 152 (4).
(5) Repealed: 2004, c. 19, s. 3 (4).
(6) Repealed: 2004, c. 19, s. 3 (4).
Examination by auditor
153. (1) An auditor of a corporation shall make such examination of the financial statements required by this Act to be placed before shareholders as is necessary to enable the auditor to report thereon and the auditor shall report as prescribed and in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 153 (1).
Reporting error
(2) A director or an officer of a corporation shall forthwith notify the audit committee and the auditor or the former auditor of any error or misstatement of which he or she becomes aware in a financial statement that the auditor or the former auditor has reported upon if the error or misstatement in all the circumstances appears to be significant. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 153 (2).
Idem
(3) If the auditor or former auditor of a corporation is notified or becomes aware of an error or misstatement in a financial statement upon which he or she has reported, and if in his or her opinion the error or misstatement is material, the auditor or former auditor shall inform each director accordingly. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 153 (3).
Amendment of auditors report
(4) When under subsection (3) the auditor or former auditor informs the directors of an error or misstatement in a financial statement, the directors shall within a reasonable time,
(a) prepare and issue revised financial statements; or
(b) otherwise inform the shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 153 (4).
Right of access
(5) Upon the demand of an auditor of a corporation, the present or former directors, officers, employees or agents of the corporation shall furnish such,
(a) information and explanations; and
(b) access to records, documents, books, accounts and vouchers of the corporation or any of its subsidiaries,
as are, in the opinion of the auditor, necessary to enable the auditor to make the examination and report required under this section and that the directors, officers, employees or agents are reasonably able to furnish. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 153 (5).
Furnishing information
(6) Upon the demand of the auditor of a corporation, the directors of the corporation shall,
(a) obtain from the present or former directors, officers, employees and agents of any subsidiary of the corporation the information and explanations that the present or former directors, officers, employees and agents are reasonably able to furnish and that are, in the opinion of the auditor, necessary to enable the auditor to make the examination and report required under this section; and
(b) furnish the information and explanations so obtained to the auditor. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 153 (6).
Idem
(7) Any oral or written communication under this section between the auditor or former auditor of a corporation and its present or former directors, officers, employees or agents or those of any subsidiary of the corporation, has qualified privilege. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 153 (7).
Information to be laid before annual meeting
154. (1) The directors shall place before each annual meeting of shareholders,
(a) in the case of a corporation that is not an offering corporation, financial statements for the period that began on the date the corporation came into existence and ended not more than six months before the annual meeting or, if the corporation has completed a financial year, the period that began immediately after the end of the last completed financial year and ended not more than six months before the annual meeting;
(b) in the case of a corporation that is an offering corporation, the financial statements required to be filed under the Securities Act and the regulations thereunder relating separately to,
(i) the period that began on the date the corporation came into existence and ended not more than six months before the annual meeting or, if the corporation has completed a financial year, the period that began immediately after the end of the last completed financial year and ended not more than six months before the annual meeting, and
(ii) the immediately preceding financial year, if any;
(c) the report of the auditor, if any, to the shareholders; and
(d) any further information respecting the financial position of the corporation and the results of its operations required by the articles, the by-laws or any unanimous shareholder agreement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 154 (1).
Auditors report
(2) Except as provided in subsection 104 (1), the report of the auditor to the shareholders shall be open to inspection at the annual meeting by any shareholder. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 154 (2).
Copy of documents to shareholders
(3) A corporation shall, not less than twenty-one days, in the case of an offering corporation, and ten days, in the case of a corporation that is not an offering corporation, before each annual meeting of shareholders or before the signing of a resolution under clause 104 (1) (b) in lieu of the annual meeting, send a copy of the documents referred to in this section to each shareholder, except to a shareholder who has informed the corporation in writing that the shareholder does not wish to receive a copy of those documents. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 154 (3).
Preparation of financial statements
155. The financial statements required under this Act shall be prepared as prescribed by regulation and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 155.
Filing by offering corporation
156. An offering corporation shall prepare and file with the Commission the financial statements required under Part XVIII of the Securities Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 156.
Financial statements of subsidiaries
157. (1) True copies of the latest financial statements of each subsidiary of a holding corporation shall be kept on hand by the holding corporation at its registered office and shall be open to examination by the shareholders of the holding corporation and their agents and legal representatives who may make extracts therefrom free of charge on request during the normal business hours of the holding corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 157 (1).
Application to court
(2) A corporation may, within fifteen days after a request to examine under subsection (1), apply to the court for an order barring the right of any person to so examine, and the court may, if satisfied that such examination would be detrimental to the corporation or a subsidiary body corporate, bar such right and make any further order it thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 157 (2).
Audit committee
158. (1) A corporation that is an offering corporation shall, and any other corporation may, have an audit committee composed of not fewer that three directors of the corporation, a majority of whom are not officers or employees of the corporation or any of its affiliates, to hold office until the next annual meeting of the shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 158 (1).
Idem
(2) An audit committee shall review the financial statements of the corporation and shall report thereon to the board of directors of the corporation before such financial statements are approved under section 159. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 158 (2).
Auditor may attend committee meetings
(3) The auditor of a corporation is entitled to receive notice of every meeting of the audit committee and, at the expense of the corporation, to attend and be heard thereat, and, if so requested by a member of the audit committee, shall attend every meeting of the committee held during the term of office of the auditor. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 158 (3).
Calling meetings of committee
(4) The auditor of a corporation or a member of the audit committee may call a meeting of the committee. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 158 (4).
Right of auditor to be heard
(5) The auditor of a corporation shall be entitled to attend at the expense of the corporation and be heard at meetings of the board of directors of the corporation on matters relating to the auditors duties. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 158 (5).
Approval by directors
159. (1) The financial statements shall be approved by the board of directors and the approval shall be evidenced by the signature at the foot of the balance sheet by two of the directors duly authorized to sign or by the director where there is only one, and the auditors report, unless the corporation is exempt under section 148, shall be attached to or accompany the financial statements. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 159 (1).
Publishing, etc., copies of financial statements
(2) A corporation shall not issue, publish or circulate copies of the financial statements, referred to in section 154 unless the financial statements are,
(a) approved and signed in accordance with subsection (1); and
(b) accompanied by the report of the auditor of the corporation, if any. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 159 (2).
Interim financial statement
160. (1) An offering corporation shall send to each shareholder a copy of an interim financial statement required to be filed under the Securities Act and the regulations thereunder. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 160 (1).
Idem
(2) The interim financial statement required by subsection (1) shall be sent to each shareholder, within sixty days of the date to which it is made up, at the shareholders latest address as shown on the records of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 160 (2).
PART XIII
INVESTIGATION
Investigation
161. (1) A security holder of a corporation and, in the case of an offering corporation, the Commission may apply, without notice or upon such notice as the court may require, to the court for an order directing an investigation to be made of the corporation and any of its affiliates. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 161 (1).
Idem
(2) Where, upon an application under subsection (1), it appears to the court that,
(a) the business of the corporation or any of its affiliates is or has been carried on with intent to defraud any person;
(b) the business or affairs of the corporation or any of its affiliates are or have been carried on or conducted, or the powers of the directors are or have been exercised, in a manner that is oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to, or that unfairly disregards, the interests of a security holder;
(c) the corporation or any of its affiliates was formed for a fraudulent or unlawful purpose or is to be dissolved for a fraudulent or unlawful purpose; or
(d) persons concerned with the formation, business or affairs of the corporation or any of its affiliates have in connection therewith acted fraudulently or dishonestly,
the court may order an investigation to be made of the corporation and any of its affiliates. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 161 (2).
Notice
(3) If a security holder makes an application under subsection (1) and the corporation is an offering corporation, the security holder shall give the Commission reasonable notice thereof and the Commission is entitled to appear and be heard in person or by counsel. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (19).
Security for costs not required
(4) An applicant under this section is not required to give security for costs. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 161 (4).
Closed hearing
(5) The hearing of an application made without notice under this section shall be closed to the public. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 161 (5).
No publication without consent
(6) No person may publish anything relating to an application under this section except with the authorization of the court or the written consent of the corporation being investigated. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 161 (6).
Matters that may be covered by court order
162. (1) In connection with an investigation under this Part, the court may make any order it thinks fit including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(a) an order to investigate;
(b) an order appointing and fixing the remuneration of an inspector or replacing an inspector;
(c) an order determining the notice to be given to any interested person, or dispensing with notice to any person;
(d) an order authorizing an inspector to enter any premises in which the court is satisfied there might be relevant information, and to examine anything and make copies of any document or record found on the premises;
(e) an order requiring any person to produce documents or records to the inspector;
(f) an order authorizing an inspector to conduct a hearing, administer oaths and examine any person upon oath, and prescribing rules for the conduct of the hearing;
(g) an order requiring any person to attend a hearing conducted by an inspector and to give evidence upon oath;
(h) an order giving directions to an inspector or any interested person on any matter arising in the investigation;
(i) an order requiring an inspector to make an interim or final report to the court;
(j) an order determining whether a report of an inspector should be made available for public inspection and ordering that copies be sent to any person the court designates;
(k) an order requiring an inspector to discontinue an investigation;
(l) an order requiring the corporation to pay the costs of the investigation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 162 (1).
Inspectors report
(2) An inspector shall send to the Director and, where an offering corporation is involved, the Commission, a copy of every report made by the inspector under this Part which, subject to clause (1) (j), shall be placed on the corporation file for public inspection. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 162 (2).
Powers of inspector
163. (1) An inspector under this Part has the powers set out in the order appointing the inspector. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 163 (1).
Idem
(2) In addition to the powers set out in the order referred to in subsection (1), an inspector appointed to investigate a corporation may furnish to, or exchange information and otherwise co-operate with, any public official in Canada or elsewhere who is authorized to exercise investigatory powers and who is investigating, in respect of the corporation, any allegation of improper conduct that is the same as, or similar to, the conduct described in subsection 161 (2). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 163 (2).
Production of order
(3) An inspector shall produce upon request to an interested person a copy of any order made under subsection 162 (1). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 163 (3).
Rights at hearing
164. (1) Any interested person may apply to the court for an order that a hearing conducted under this Part be closed to the public and for directions on any matter arising in the investigation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 164 (1).
Right to counsel
(2) A person whose conduct is being investigated or who is being examined at a hearing conducted by an inspector under this Part has a right to be represented by counsel. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 164 (2).
Privileged statements
165. Any oral or written statement or report made by an inspector or any other person in an investigation under this Part has absolute privilege. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 165.
Solicitor-client privilege
166. Nothing in this Part shall be construed to affect the privilege that exists in respect of communications between a solicitor and his or her client. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 166.
Inquiries by Director
167. The Director may make inquiries of any person relating to compliance with this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 167.
PART XIV
FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES
Amendments
168. (1) Subject to sections 170 and 171, a corporation may from time to time amend its articles to add, change or remove any provision that is permitted by this Act to be, or that is, set out in its articles, including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to,
(a) change its name;
(b) Repealed: 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (20).
(c) add, change or remove any restriction upon the business or businesses that the corporation may carry on or upon the powers that the corporation may exercise;
(d) add, change or remove any maximum number of shares that the corporation is authorized to issue or any maximum consideration for which any shares of the corporation are authorized to be issued;
(e) create new classes of shares;
(f) Repealed: 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (20).
(g) change the designation of all or any of its shares, and add, change or remove any rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions, including rights to accrued dividends, in respect of all or any of its shares, whether issued or unissued;
(h) change the shares of any class or series, whether issued or unissued, into a different number of shares of the same class or series or into the same or a different number of shares of other classes or series;
(i) divide a class of shares, whether issued or unissued, into series and fix the number of shares in each series and the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions thereof;
(j) authorize the directors to divide any class of unissued shares into series and fix the number of shares in each series and the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions thereof;
(k) authorize the directors to change the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to unissued shares of any series;
(l) revoke, diminish or enlarge any authority conferred under clauses (j) and (k);
(m) subject to sections 120 and 125, increase or decrease the number, or minimum or maximum number, of directors; and
(n) add, change or remove restrictions on the issue, transfer or ownership of shares of any class or series. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 168 (1); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (20).
Idem
(2) Where the directors are authorized by the articles to divide any class of unissued shares into series and determine the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions thereof, they may authorize the amendment of the articles to so provide. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 168 (2).
Revocation of resolution
(3) The directors of a corporation may, if so authorized by a special resolution effecting an amendment under this section, revoke the resolution without further approval of the shareholders at any time prior to the endorsement by the Director of a certificate of amendment of articles in respect of such amendment. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 168 (3).
Change of number name
(4) Despite subsection (1), where a corporation has a number name, the directors may amend its articles to change that name to a name that is not a number name. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 168 (4).
Authorization
(5) An amendment under subsection (1) shall be authorized by a special resolution and an amendment under subsection (2) or (4) may be authorized by a resolution of the directors. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 168 (5).
Special Act corporations excepted
(6) This section does not apply to a corporation incorporated by special Act, except that a corporation incorporated by special Act, including a corporation to which The Railways Act, being chapter 331 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1950, applies, may under this section amend its articles to change its name. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 168 (6).
Proposal to amend articles
169. (1) The directors or any shareholder who is entitled to vote at an annual meeting of shareholders may, in accordance with section 99, make a proposal to amend the articles. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 169 (1).
Idem
(2) Notice of a meeting of shareholders at which a proposal to amend the articles is to be considered shall set out the proposed amendment and, where applicable, shall state that a dissenting shareholder is entitled to be paid the fair value of the shares in accordance with section 185, but failure to make that statement does not invalidate an amendment. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 169 (2).
Authorization for variation of rights of special shareholders
170. (1) The holders of shares of a class or, subject to subsection (2), of a series are, unless the articles otherwise provide in the case of an amendment referred to in clause (a), (b) or (e), entitled to vote separately as a class or series upon a proposal to amend the articles to,
(a) increase or decrease any maximum number of authorized shares of such class or series, or increase any maximum number of authorized shares of a class or series having rights or privileges equal or superior to the shares of such class or series;
(b) effect an exchange, reclassification or cancellation of the shares of such class or series;
(c) add to, remove or change the rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions attached to the shares of such class or series and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(i) remove or change prejudicially rights to accrued dividends or rights to cumulative dividends,
(ii) add, remove or change prejudicially redemption rights or sinking fund provisions,
(iii) reduce or remove a dividend preference or a liquidation preference, or
(iv) add, remove or change prejudicially conversion privileges, options, voting, transfer or pre-emptive rights, or rights to acquire securities of a corporation;
(d) add to the rights or privileges of any class or series of shares having rights or privileges equal or superior to the shares of such class or series;
(e) create a new class or series of shares equal or superior to the shares of such class or series, except in the case of a series under section 25;
(f) make a class or series of shares having rights or privileges inferior to the shares of such class or series equal or superior to the shares of such class or series;
(g) effect an exchange or create a right of exchange of the shares of another class or series into the shares of such class or series; or
(h) add, remove or change restrictions on the issue, transfer or ownership of the shares of such class or series. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 170 (1).
Idem
(2) The holders of a series of shares of a class are entitled to vote separately as a series under subsection (1) only if such series is affected by an amendment in a manner different from other shares of the same class. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 170 (2).
Idem
(3) Subsection (1) applies whether or not shares of a class or series otherwise carry the right to vote. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 170 (3).
Idem
(4) A proposed amendment to the articles referred to in subsection (1) is adopted when the shareholders have approved the amendment by a special resolution of the holders of the shares of each class or series entitled to vote thereon. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 170 (4).
Exception
(5) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a proposal to amend the articles to add a right or privilege for a holder to convert shares of a class or series into shares of another class or series that is subject to restrictions described in clause 42 (2) (d) but is otherwise equal to the class or series first mentioned. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 170 (5).
Deeming provision
(6) For the purpose of clause (1) (e), a new class of shares, the issue, transfer or ownership of which is to be restricted by an amendment to the articles for the purpose of clause 42 (2) (d) that is otherwise equal to an existing class of shares shall be deemed not to be equal or superior to the existing class of shares. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 170 (6).
Articles of amendment
171. (1) Articles of amendment in prescribed form shall be sent to the Director. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 171 (1).
Application of s. 34 (4, 5)
(2) If an amendment effects or requires a reduction of stated capital, subsections 34 (4) and (5) apply. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 171 (2).
Change of name
(3) No corporation shall change its name if,
(a) the corporation is unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or
(b) the realizable value of the corporations assets is less than the aggregate of its liabilities. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 171 (3).
Certificate of amendment
172. Upon receipt of articles of amendment, the Director shall endorse thereon in accordance with section 273 a certificate of amendment. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 172.
Restated articles of incorporation
173. (1) The directors may at any time restate the articles of incorporation as amended. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 173 (1).
Idem
(2) Restated articles of incorporation in prescribed form shall be sent to the Director. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 173 (2).
Restated certificate of incorporation
(3) Upon receipt of restated articles of incorporation, the Director shall endorse thereon in accordance with section 273 a certificate which shall constitute the restated certificate of incorporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 173 (3).
Idem
(4) Restated articles of incorporation supersede the original articles of incorporation and all amendments thereto. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 173 (4).
Amalgamation
174. Two or more corporations, including holding or subsidiary corporations, may amalgamate and continue as one corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 174.
Amalgamation agreement
175. (1) Where corporations propose to amalgamate, each such corporation shall enter into an agreement setting out the terms and means of effecting the amalgamation and, in particular, setting out,
(a) the provisions that are required to be included in articles of incorporation under section 5;
(b) subject to subsection (2), the basis upon which and manner in which the holders of the issued shares of each amalgamating corporation are to receive,
(i) securities of the amalgamated corporation,
(ii) money, or
(iii) securities of any body corporate other than the amalgamated corporation,
in the amalgamation;
(c) the manner of payment of money instead of the issue of fractional shares of the amalgamated corporation or of any other body corporate the securities of which are to be received in the amalgamation;
(d) whether the by-laws of the amalgamated corporation are to be those of one of the amalgamating corporations and the address where a copy of the proposed by-laws may be examined; and
(e) such other details as may be necessary to perfect the amalgamation and to provide for the subsequent management and operation of the amalgamated corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 175 (1).
Shares of amalgamating corporation held by another
(2) Where shares of one of the amalgamating corporations are held by or on behalf of another of the amalgamating corporations, the amalgamation agreement shall provide for the cancellation of such shares upon the amalgamation becoming effective without any repayment of capital in respect thereof, and no provision shall be made in the agreement for the conversion of such shares into shares of the amalgamated corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 175 (2).
Submission of amalgamation agreement
176. (1) The directors of each amalgamating corporation shall submit the amalgamation agreement for approval at a meeting of the shareholders of the amalgamating corporation of which they are directors and, subject to subsection (3), of the holders of shares of each class or series entitled to vote thereon. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 176 (1).
Notice of meeting
(2) The notice of the meeting of shareholders of each amalgamating corporation shall include or be accompanied by,
(a) a copy or summary of the amalgamation agreement; and
(b) a statement that a dissenting shareholder is entitled to be paid the fair value of the shares in accordance with section 185, but failure to make that statement does not invalidate an amalgamation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 176 (2).
Voting by class, etc.
(3) The holders of a class or series of shares of an amalgamating corporation, whether or not they are otherwise entitled to vote, are entitled to vote separately as a class or series in respect of an amalgamation if the amalgamation agreement contains a provision that, if contained in a proposed amendment to the articles, would entitle such holders to vote separately as a class or series under section 170. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 176 (3).
Adoption of amalgamation agreement
(4) An amalgamation agreement is adopted when the shareholders of each amalgamating corporation have approved of the amalgamation by a special resolution of the holders of the shares of each class or series entitled to vote thereon. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 176 (4).
Termination of agreement
(5) An amalgamation agreement may provide that at any time before the endorsement of a certificate of amalgamation the agreement may be terminated by the directors of an amalgamating corporation, despite approval of the agreement by the shareholders of all or any of the amalgamating corporations. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 176 (5).
Amalgamations involving holding corporation
177. (1) A holding corporation and one or more of its subsidiary corporations may amalgamate and continue as one corporation without complying with sections 175 and 176 if,
(a) the amalgamation is approved by a resolution of the directors of each amalgamating corporation;
(a.1) all of the issued shares of each amalgamating subsidiary corporation are held by one or more of the other amalgamating corporations; and
(b) the resolutions provide that,
(i) the shares of each amalgamating subsidiary corporation shall be cancelled without any repayment of capital in respect thereof,
(i.1) the by-laws of the amalgamated corporation shall be the same as the by-laws of the amalgamating holding corporation,
(ii) except as may be prescribed, the articles of amalgamation shall be the same as the articles of the amalgamating holding corporation, and
(iii) no securities shall be issued and no assets shall be distributed by the amalgamated corporation in connection with the amalgamation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 177 (1); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (21); 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 24.
Amalgamation of subsidiaries
(2) Two or more wholly-owned subsidiary corporations of the same holding body corporate may amalgamate and continue as one corporation without complying with sections 175 and 176 if,
(a) the amalgamation is approved by a resolution of the directors of each amalgamating corporation; and
(b) the resolutions provide that,
(i) the shares of all but one of the amalgamating subsidiary corporations shall be cancelled without any repayment of capital in respect thereof,
(i.1) the by-laws of the amalgamated corporation shall be the same as the by-laws of the amalgamating subsidiary corporation whose shares are not cancelled,
(ii) except as may be prescribed, the articles of amalgamation shall be the same as the articles of the amalgamating subsidiary corporation whose shares are not cancelled, and
(iii) the stated capital of the amalgamating subsidiary corporations whose shares are cancelled shall be added to the stated capital of the amalgamating subsidiary corporation whose shares are not cancelled. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 177 (2); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (22).
Articles of amalgamation
178. (1) Subject to subsection 176 (5), after an amalgamation has been adopted under section 176 or approved under section 177, articles of amalgamation in prescribed form shall be sent to the Director. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 178 (1).
Directors statement
(2) The articles of amalgamation shall have attached thereto a statement of a director or an officer of each amalgamating corporation stating that,
(a) there are reasonable grounds for believing that,
(i) each amalgamating corporation is and the amalgamated corporation will be able to pay its liabilities as they become due, and
(ii) the realizable value of the amalgamated corporations assets will not be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and stated capital of all classes;
(b) there are reasonable grounds for believing that,
(i) no creditor will be prejudiced by the amalgamation, or
(ii) adequate notice has been given to all known creditors of the amalgamating corporations;
(c) the grounds upon which the objections of all creditors who have notified the corporation that they object to the amalgamation, setting forth with reasonable particularity the grounds for such objections, are either frivolous or vexatious; and
(d) the corporation has given notice to each person who has, in the manner referred to in clause (c), notified the corporation of an objection to the amalgamation, that,
(i) the grounds upon which the persons objection is based are considered to be frivolous or vexatious, and
(ii) a creditor of a corporation who objects to an amalgamation has the status of a complainant under section 248. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 178 (2).
Notice
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), adequate notice is given if,
(a) a notice in writing is sent to each known creditor having a claim against the corporation that exceeds $2,500, at the last address of the creditor known to the corporation;
(b) a notice is published once in a newspaper published or distributed in the place where the corporation has its registered office; and
(c) each notice states that the corporation intends to amalgamate with one or more specified corporations in accordance with this Act unless a creditor of the corporation objects to the amalgamation within thirty days from the date of the notice. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 178 (3).
Certificate of amalgamation
(4) Upon receipt of articles of amalgamation, the Director shall endorse thereon in accordance with section 273 a certificate which shall constitute the certificate of amalgamation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 178 (4).
Effect of certificate
179. Upon the articles of amalgamation becoming effective,
(a) the amalgamating corporations are amalgamated and continue as one corporation under the terms and conditions prescribed in the amalgamation agreement;
(a.1) the amalgamating corporations cease to exist as entities separate from the amalgamated corporation;
(b) the amalgamated corporation possesses all the property, rights, privileges and franchises and is subject to all liabilities, including civil, criminal and quasi-criminal, and all contracts, disabilities and debts of each of the amalgamating corporations;
(c) a conviction against, or ruling, order or judgment in favour or against an amalgamating corporation may be enforced by or against the amalgamated corporation;
(d) the articles of amalgamation are deemed to be the articles of incorporation of the amalgamated corporation and, except for the purposes of subsection 117 (1), the certificate of amalgamation is deemed to be the certificate of incorporation of the amalgamated corporation; and
(e) the amalgamated corporation shall be deemed to be the party plaintiff or the party defendant, as the case may be, in any civil action commenced by or against an amalgamating corporation before the amalgamation has become effective. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 179; 2004, c. 19, s. 3 (5).
Articles of continuance
180. (1) A body corporate incorporated under the laws of any jurisdiction other than Ontario may, if it appears to the Director to be thereunto authorized by the laws of the jurisdiction in which it was incorporated, apply to the Director for a certificate of continuance. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 180 (1).
Idem
(2) Articles of continuance in prescribed form shall be sent to the Director together with any other prescribed documents. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 180 (2).
Amendments to original articles
(3) The articles of continuance shall make any amendments to the original or restated articles of incorporation, articles of amalgamation, letters patent, supplementary letters patent, a special Act and any other instrument by which the body corporate was incorporated and any amendments thereto necessary to make the articles of continuance conform to the laws of Ontario, and may make such other amendments as would be permitted under this Act if the body corporate were incorporated under the laws of Ontario, provided that at least the same shareholder approval has been obtained for
such other amendments as would have been required under this Part if the body corporate were incorporated under the laws of Ontario. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 180 (3).
Endorsement of certificate of continuance
(4) Upon receipt of articles of continuance and any other prescribed documents, the Director may, on such terms and subject to such limitations and conditions as the Director considers proper, endorse thereon in accordance with section 273 a certificate which shall constitute the certificate of continuance. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 180 (4).
Effect of certificate
(5) Upon the articles of continuance becoming effective,
(a) the body corporate becomes a corporation to which this Act applies as if it had been incorporated under this Act;
(b) the articles of continuance are deemed to be the articles of incorporation of the continued corporation; and
(c) except for the purposes of subsection 117 (1), the certificate of continuance is deemed to be the certificate of incorporation of the continued corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 180 (5).
Copy of certificate of continuance
(6) The Director shall send a copy of the certificate of continuance to the appropriate official or public body in the jurisdiction in which continuance under the Act was authorized. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 180 (6).
Rights, liabilities, etc., preserved
(7) When a body corporate is continued as a corporation under this Act,
(a) the corporation possesses all the property, rights, privileges and franchises and is subject to all the liabilities, including civil, criminal and quasi-criminal, and all contracts, disabilities and debts of the body corporate;
(b) a conviction against, or ruling, order or judgment in favour of or against, the body corporate may be enforced by or against the corporation; and
(c) the corporation shall be deemed to be the party plaintiff or the party defendant, as the case may be, in any civil action commenced by or against the body corporate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 180 (7).
Shares issued before body corporate continued under this Act
(8) Subject to subsection 56 (3), a share of a body corporate issued before the body corporate was continued under this Act shall be deemed to have been issued in compliance with this Act and with the provisions of the articles of continuance, irrespective that the share is not fully paid and of any designation, rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions set out on or referred to in the certificate representing the share, and continuance under this section does not deprive a holder of any right or privilege that the holder claims under, or relieve the holder of any liability in respect of, an issued share. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 180 (8).
Transfer of Ontario corporations
181. (1) Subject to subsection (9), a corporation may, if it is authorized by the shareholders and the Director in accordance with this section, apply to the appropriate official or public body of another jurisdiction requesting that the
corporation be continued as if it had been incorporated under the laws of that other jurisdiction. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 181 (1).
Notice to shareholders
(2) The notice of the meeting of shareholders shall include or be accompanied by a statement that a dissenting shareholder is entitled to be paid the fair value of the shares in accordance with section 185, but failure to make that statement does not invalidate an authorization under clause (3) (a). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 181 (2).
Application for continuance
(3) An application for continuance becomes authorized,
(a) by the shareholders when the shareholders voting thereon have approved of the continuance by a special resolution; and
(b) by the Director when, following receipt from the corporation of an application in prescribed form, the Director endorses an authorization on the application. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 181 (3).
Authorization by Director
(4) The Director may endorse the authorization if he or she is satisfied that the application is not prohibited by subsection (9). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 181 (4).
Abandoning application
(5) The directors of a corporation may, if authorized by the shareholders, abandon an application without further approval of the shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 181 (5).
Time limit to Directors authorization
(6) The authorization of the Director for an application for continuance expires six months after the date of endorsement of the authorization unless, within the six-month period, the corporation is continued under the laws of the other jurisdiction. 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3 (7).
Filing instrument of continuance
(7) The corporation shall file with the Director a copy of the instrument of continuance issued to it by the other jurisdiction within sixty days after the date of issuance. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 181 (7).
Effective date
(8) This Act ceases to apply to the corporation on the date upon which the corporation is continued under the laws of the other jurisdiction. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 181 (8).
Continuance in outside jurisdiction
(9) A corporation shall not apply under subsection (1) to be continued as a body corporate under the laws of another jurisdiction unless those laws provide in effect that,
(a) the property of the corporation continues to be the property of the body corporate;
(b) the body corporate continues to be liable for the obligations of the corporation;
(c) an existing cause of action, claim or liability to prosecution is unaffected;
(d) a civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding pending by or against the corporation may be continued to be prosecuted by or against the body corporate; and
(e) a conviction against the corporation may be enforced against the body corporate or a ruling, order or judgment in favour of or against the corporation may be enforced by or against the body corporate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 181 (9).
Continuation as co-operative corporation
181.1 (1) A corporation may, if it is authorized by the shareholders and the Director in accordance with this section, apply under the Co-operative Corporations Act to be continued as a co-operative corporation. 1994, c. 17, s. 30.
Notice to shareholders
(2) The notice of the meeting of shareholders to authorize an application under subsection (1) must include or be accompanied by a statement that a dissenting shareholder is entitled to be paid the fair value of the shares in accordance with section 185 but failure to make that statement does not invalidate an authorization under clause (3) (a). 1994, c. 17, s. 30.
Authorization
(3) An application for continuance is authorized,
(a) by the shareholders, when the shareholders voting thereon have approved of the continuance by a special resolution; and
(b) by the Director, when, following receipt from the corporation of an application in the prescribed form, the Director endorses an authorization on the application. 1994, c. 17, s. 30.
Abandoning application
(4) The directors of a corporation may, if authorized by the shareholders, abandon an application without further approval of the shareholders. 1994, c. 17, s. 30.
Time limit to Directors authorization
(5) The authorization of the Director for an application for continuance expires six months after the date of endorsement of the authorization unless, within the six-month period, the corporation is continued under the Co-operative Corporations Act . 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3 (8).
Certificate to be filed
(6) The corporation shall file with the Director a copy of the certificate of continuance issued to it under the Co-operative Corporations Act within 60 days after the date of issuance. 1994, c. 17, s. 30.
Act ceases to apply
(7) This Act ceases to apply to the corporation on the date upon which the corporation is continued under the Co-operative Corporations Act . 1994, c. 17, s. 30.
Arrangement
182. (1) In this section,
arrangement, with respect to a corporation, includes,
(a) a reorganization of the shares of any class or series of the corporation or of the stated capital of any such class or series,
(b) the addition to or removal from the articles of the corporation of any provision that is permitted by this Act to be, or that is, set out in the articles or the change of any such provision,
(c) an amalgamation of the corporation with another corporation,
(d) an amalgamation of a body corporate with a corporation that results in an amalgamated corporation subject to this Act,
(e) a transfer of all or substantially all the property of the corporation to another body corporate in exchange for securities, money or other property of the body corporate,
(f) an exchange of securities of the corporation held by security holders for other securities, money or other property of the corporation or securities, money or other property of another body corporate that is not a take-over bid as defined in Part XX of the Securities Act,
(g) a liquidation or dissolution of the corporation,
(h) any other reorganization or scheme involving the business or affairs of the corporation or of any or all of the holders of its securities or of any options or rights to acquire any of its securities that is, at law, an arrangement, and
(i) any combination of the foregoing. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 182 (1).
Scheme of arrangement
(2) A corporation proposing an arrangement shall prepare, for the approval of the shareholders, a statement thereof setting out in detail what is proposed to be done and the manner in which it is proposed to be done. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 182 (2).
Adoption of arrangement
(3) Subject to any order of the court made under subsection (5), where an arrangement has been approved by shareholders of a corporation and by holders of shares of each class or series entitled to vote separately thereon, in each case by special resolution, the arrangement shall have been adopted by the shareholders of the corporation and the corporation may apply to the court for an order approving the arrangement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 182 (3).
Separate votes
(4) The holders of shares of a class or series of shares of a corporation are not entitled to vote separately as a class or series in respect of an arrangement unless the statement of the arrangement referred to in subsection (2) contains a provision that, if contained in a proposed amendment to the articles, would entitle such holders to vote separately as a
class or series under section 170 and, if the statement of the arrangement contains such a provision, such holders are entitled to vote separately on the arrangement whether or not such shares otherwise carry the right to vote. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 182 (4).
Application to court
(5) The corporation may, at any time, apply to the court for advice and directions in connection with an arrangement or proposed arrangement and the court may make such order as it considers appropriate, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(a) an order determining the notice to be given to any interested person or dispensing with notice to any person;
(b) an order requiring a corporation to call, hold and conduct an additional meeting of, or to hold a separate vote of, all or any particular group of holders of any securities or warrants of the corporation in such manner as the court directs;
(c) an order permitting a shareholder to dissent under section 185 if the arrangement is adopted;
(d) an order appointing counsel, at the expense of the corporation, to represent the interests of shareholders;
(e) an order that the arrangement or proposed arrangement shall be deemed not to have been adopted by the shareholders of the corporation unless it has been approved by a specified majority that is greater than two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders, or any particular group of holders, of securities or warrants of the corporation; and
(f) an order approving the arrangement as proposed by the corporation or as amended in any manner the court may direct, subject to compliance with such terms and conditions, if any, as the court thinks fit,
and to the extent that any such order is inconsistent with this section such order shall prevail. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 182 (5).
Procedure
(6) Where a reorganization or scheme is proposed as an arrangement and involves an amendment of the articles of a corporation or the taking of any other steps that could be made or taken under any other provision of this Act, the procedure provided for in this section, and not the procedure provided for in such other provision, applies to such reorganization or scheme. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 182 (6).
(7) Repealed: 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (23).
Articles of arrangement sent to Director
183. (1) After an order referred to in clause 182 (5) (f) has been made, articles of arrangement in prescribed form shall be sent to the Director. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 183 (1).
Certificate of arrangement
(2) Upon receipt of articles of arrangement the Director shall endorse thereon in accordance with section 273 a certificate which shall constitute the certificate of arrangement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 183 (2).
Borrowing powers
184. (1) Unless the articles or by-laws of or a unanimous shareholder agreement otherwise provide, the articles of a corporation shall be deemed to state that the directors of a corporation may, without authorization of the shareholders,
(a) borrow money upon the credit of the corporation;
(b) issue, reissue, sell or pledge debt obligations of the corporation;
(c) subject to section 20, give a guarantee on behalf of the corporation to secure performance of an obligation of any person; and
(d) mortgage, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise create a security interest in all or any property of the corporation, owned or subsequently acquired, to secure any obligation of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 184 (1).
Delegation of powers
(2) Unless the articles or by-laws of or a unanimous shareholder agreement relating to a corporation otherwise provide, the directors may by resolution delegate any or all of the powers referred to in subsection (1) to a director, a committee of directors or an officer. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 184 (2).
Sale, etc., requires approval of shareholders
(3) A sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all the property of a corporation other than in the ordinary course of business of the corporation requires the approval of the shareholders in accordance with subsections (4) to (8). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 184 (3).
Notice
(4) The notice of a meeting of shareholders to approve a transaction referred to in subsection (3) shall be sent to all shareholders and shall include or be accompanied by,
(a) a copy or summary of the agreement of sale, lease or exchange; and
(b) a statement that a dissenting shareholder is entitled to be paid the fair value of the shares in accordance with section 185, but failure to make that statement does not invalidate a sale, lease or exchange referred to in subsection (3). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 184 (4); 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 25.
Shareholders may authorize sale, etc.
(5) At the meeting referred to in subsection (4), the shareholders may authorize the sale, lease or exchange and may fix or authorize the directors to fix any of the terms and conditions thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 184 (5).
Right to vote separately
(6) If a sale, lease or exchange by a corporation referred to in subsection (3) would affect a particular class or series of shares of the corporation in a manner different from the shares of another class or series of the corporation entitled to vote on the sale, lease or exchange at the meeting referred to in subsection (4), the holders of such first mentioned class or series of shares, whether or not they are otherwise entitled to vote, are entitled to vote separately as a class or series in respect to such sale, lease or exchange. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 184 (6).
When approval effective
(7) The approval of a sale, lease or exchange referred to in subsection (3) is effective when the shareholders have approved the sale, lease or exchange by a special resolution of the holders of the shares of each class or series entitled to vote thereon. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 184 (7).
Approval by directors
(8) The directors of a corporation may, if authorized by the shareholders approving a proposed sale, lease or exchange, and subject to the rights of third parties, abandon the sale, lease or exchange without further approval of the shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 184 (8).
Rights of dissenting shareholders
185. (1) Subject to subsection (3) and to sections 186 and 248, if a corporation resolves to,
(a) amend its articles under section 168 to add, remove or change restrictions on the issue, transfer or ownership of shares of a class or series of the shares of the corporation;
(b) amend its articles under section 168 to add, remove or change any restriction upon the business or businesses that the corporation may carry on or upon the powers that the corporation may exercise;
(c) amalgamate with another corporation under sections 175 and 176;
(d) be continued under the laws of another jurisdiction under section 181; or
(e) sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all its property under subsection 184 (3),
a holder of shares of any class or series entitled to vote on the resolution may dissent. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (1).
Idem
(2) If a corporation resolves to amend its articles in a manner referred to in subsection 170 (1), a holder of shares of any class or series entitled to vote on the amendment under section 168 or 170 may dissent, except in respect of an amendment referred to in,
(a) clause 170 (1) (a), (b) or (e) where the articles provide that the holders of shares of such class or series are not entitled to dissent; or
(b) subsection 170 (5) or (6). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (2).
Exception
(3) A shareholder of a corporation incorporated before the 29th day of July, 1983 is not entitled to dissent under this section in respect of an amendment of the articles of the corporation to the extent that the amendment,
(a) amends the express terms of any provision of the articles of the corporation to conform to the terms of the provision as deemed to be amended by section 277; or
(b) deletes from the articles of the corporation all of the objects of the corporation set out in its articles, provided that the deletion is made by the 29th day of July, 1986. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (3).
Shareholders right to be paid fair value
(4) In addition to any other right the shareholder may have, but subject to subsection (30), a shareholder who complies with this section is entitled, when the action approved by the resolution from which the shareholder dissents becomes effective, to be paid by the corporation the fair value of the shares held by the shareholder in respect of which the shareholder dissents, determined as of the close of business on the day before the resolution was adopted. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (4).
No partial dissent
(5) A dissenting shareholder may only claim under this section with respect to all the shares of a class held by the dissenting shareholder on behalf of any one beneficial owner and registered in the name of the dissenting shareholder. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (5).
Objection
(6) A dissenting shareholder shall send to the corporation, at or before any meeting of shareholders at which a resolution referred to in subsection (1) or (2) is to be voted on, a written objection to the resolution, unless the corporation did not give notice to the shareholder of the purpose of the meeting or of the shareholders right to dissent. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (6).
Idem
(7) The execution or exercise of a proxy does not constitute a written objection for purposes of subsection (6). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (7).
Notice of adoption of resolution
(8) The corporation shall, within ten days after the shareholders adopt the resolution, send to each shareholder who has filed the objection referred to in subsection (6) notice that the resolution has been adopted, but such notice is not required to be sent to any shareholder who voted for the resolution or who has withdrawn the objection. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (8).
Idem
(9) A notice sent under subsection (8) shall set out the rights of the dissenting shareholder and the procedures to be followed to exercise those rights. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (9).
Demand for payment of fair value
(10) A dissenting shareholder entitled to receive notice under subsection (8) shall, within twenty days after receiving such notice, or, if the shareholder does not receive such notice, within twenty days after learning that the resolution has been adopted, send to the corporation a written notice containing,
(a) the shareholders name and address;
(b) the number and class of shares in respect of which the shareholder dissents; and
(c) a demand for payment of the fair value of such shares. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (10).
Certificates to be sent in
(11) Not later than the thirtieth day after the sending of a notice under subsection (10), a dissenting shareholder shall send the certificates representing the shares in respect of which the shareholder dissents to the corporation or its transfer agent. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (11).
Idem
(12) A dissenting shareholder who fails to comply with subsections (6), (10) and (11) has no right to make a claim under this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (12).
Endorsement on certificate
(13) A corporation or its transfer agent shall endorse on any share certificate received under subsection (11) a notice that the holder is a dissenting shareholder under this section and shall return forthwith the share certificates to the dissenting shareholder. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (13).
Rights of dissenting shareholder
(14) On sending a notice under subsection (10), a dissenting shareholder ceases to have any rights as a shareholder other than the right to be paid the fair value of the shares as determined under this section except where,
(a) the dissenting shareholder withdraws notice before the corporation makes an offer under subsection (15);
(b) the corporation fails to make an offer in accordance with subsection (15) and the dissenting shareholder withdraws notice; or
(c) the directors revoke a resolution to amend the articles under subsection 168 (3), terminate an amalgamation agreement under subsection 176 (5) or an application for continuance under subsection 181 (5), or abandon a sale, lease or exchange under subsection 184 (8), in which case the dissenting shareholders rights are reinstated as of the date the dissenting shareholder sent the notice referred to in subsection (10), and the dissenting shareholder is entitled, upon presentation and surrender to the corporation or its transfer agent of any certificate representing the shares that has been endorsed in accordance with subsection (13), to be issued a new certificate representing the same number of shares as the certificate so presented, without payment of any fee. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (14).
Offer to pay
(15) A corporation shall, not later than seven days after the later of the day on which the action approved by the resolution is effective or the day the corporation received the notice referred to in subsection (10), send to each dissenting shareholder who has sent such notice,
(a) a written offer to pay for the dissenting shareholders shares in an amount considered by the directors of the corporation to be the fair value thereof, accompanied by a statement showing how the fair value was determined; or
(b) if subsection (30) applies, a notification that it is unable lawfully to pay dissenting shareholders for their shares. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (15).
Idem
(16) Every offer made under subsection (15) for shares of the same class or series shall be on the same terms. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (16).
Idem
(17) Subject to subsection (30), a corporation shall pay for the shares of a dissenting shareholder within ten days after an offer made under subsection (15) has been accepted, but any such offer lapses if the corporation does not receive an acceptance thereof within thirty days after the offer has been made. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (17).
Application to court to fix fair value
(18) Where a corporation fails to make an offer under subsection (15) or if a dissenting shareholder fails to accept an offer, the corporation may, within fifty days after the action approved by the resolution is effective or within such further period as the court may allow, apply to the court to fix a fair value for the shares of any dissenting shareholder. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (18).
Idem
(19) If a corporation fails to apply to the court under subsection (18), a dissenting shareholder may apply to the court for the same purpose within a further period of twenty days or within such further period as the court may allow. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (19).
Idem
(20) A dissenting shareholder is not required to give security for costs in an application made under subsection (18) or (19). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (20).
Costs
(21) If a corporation fails to comply with subsection (15), then the costs of a shareholder application under subsection (19) are to be borne by the corporation unless the court otherwise orders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (21).
Notice to shareholders
(22) Before making application to the court under subsection (18) or not later than seven days after receiving notice of an application to the court under subsection (19), as the case may be, a corporation shall give notice to each dissenting shareholder who, at the date upon which the notice is given,
(a) has sent to the corporation the notice referred to in subsection (10); and
(b) has not accepted an offer made by the corporation under subsection (15), if such an offer was made, of the date, place and consequences of the application and of the dissenting shareholders right to appear and be heard in person or by counsel, and a similar notice shall be given to each dissenting shareholder who, after the date of such first mentioned notice and before termination of the proceedings commenced by the application, satisfies the conditions set out in clauses (a) and (b) within three days after the dissenting shareholder satisfies such conditions. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (22).
Parties joined
(23) All dissenting (a) and (b) shareholders who satisfy the conditions set out in clauses (22) shall be deemed to be joined as parties to an application under subsection (18) or (19) on the later of the date upon which the application is brought and the date upon which they satisfy the conditions, and shall be bound by the decision rendered by the court in the proceedings commenced by the application. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (23).
Idem
(24) Upon an application to the court under subsection (18) or (19), the court may determine whether any other person is a dissenting shareholder who should be joined as a party, and the court shall fix a fair value for the shares of all dissenting shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (24).
Appraisers
(25) The court may in its discretion appoint one or more appraisers to assist the court to fix a fair value for the shares of the dissenting shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (25).
Final order
(26) The final order of the court in the proceedings commenced by an application under subsection (18) or (19) shall be rendered against the corporation and in favour of each dissenting shareholder who, whether before or after the date of the order, complies with the conditions set out in clauses (22) (a) and (b). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (26).
Interest
(27) The court may in its discretion allow a reasonable rate of interest on the amount payable to each dissenting shareholder from the date the action approved by the resolution is effective until the date of payment. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (27).
Where corporation unable to pay
(28) Where subsection (30) applies, the corporation shall, within ten days after the pronouncement of an order under subsection (26), notify each dissenting shareholder that it is unable lawfully to pay dissenting shareholders for their shares. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (28).
Idem
(29) Where subsection (30) applies, a dissenting shareholder, by written notice sent to the corporation within thirty days after receiving a notice under subsection (28), may,
(a) withdraw a notice of dissent, in which case the corporation is deemed to consent to the withdrawal and the shareholders full rights are reinstated; or
(b) retain a status as a claimant against the corporation, to be paid as soon as the corporation is lawfully able to do so or, in a liquidation, to be ranked subordinate to the rights of creditors of the corporation but in priority to its shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (29).
Idem
(30) A corporation shall not make a payment to a dissenting shareholder under this section if there are reasonable grounds for believing that,
(a) the corporation is or, after the payment, would be unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or
(b) the realizable value of the corporations assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of its liabilities. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 185 (30).
Court order
(31) Upon application by a corporation that proposes to take any of the actions referred to in subsection (1) or (2), the court may, if satisfied that the proposed action is not in all the circumstances one that should give rise to the rights arising under subsection (4), by order declare that those rights will not arise upon the taking of the proposed action, and the order may be subject to compliance upon such terms and conditions as the court thinks fit and, if the corporation is an offering corporation, notice of any such application and a copy of any order made by the court upon such application shall be served upon the Commission. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (24).
Commission may appear
(32) The Commission may appoint counsel to assist the court upon the hearing of an application under subsection (31), if the corporation is an offering corporation. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (24).
Reorganization
186. (1) In this section,
reorganization means a court order made under section 248, an order made under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) or an order made under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) approving a proposal. 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3 (9).
Articles amended
(2) If a corporation is subject to a reorganization, its articles may be amended by the order to effect any change that might lawfully be made by an amendment under section 168. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 186 (2).
Auxiliary powers of court
(3) Where a reorganization is made, the court making the order may also,
(a) authorize the issue of debt obligations of the corporation, whether or not convertible into shares of any class or having attached any rights or options to acquire shares of any class, and fix the terms thereof; and
(b) appoint directors in place of or in addition to all or any of the directors then in office. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 186 (3).
Articles of reorganization
(4) After a reorganization has been made, articles of reorganization in prescribed form shall be sent to the Director. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 186 (4).
Certificate
(5) Upon receipt of articles of reorganization, the Director shall endorse thereon in accordance with section 273 a certificate which shall constitute the certificate of amendment and the articles are amended accordingly. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 186 (5).
No dissent
(6) A shareholder is not entitled to dissent under section 185 if an amendment to the articles is effected under this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 186 (6).
PART XV
COMPULSORY ACQUISITIONS
Application and definitions
187. (1) This Part applies only to an offering corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 187 (1).
Definitions
(2) In this Part,
dissenting offeree means a person to whom a take-over bid or issuer bid is made who does not accept the take-over bid or issuer bid and includes a person who subsequently acquires a security that is the subject of the bid; (pollicité dissident)
equity security means any security other than a debt obligation of a corporation; (titre de participation)
issuer bid means an offer made by a corporation to security holders to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any or all of a class of the securities of the corporation, other than where,
(a) the securities to be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired are debt securities that are not convertible into equity securities,
(b) the securities are to be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof or otherwise agreed to at the time they were issued or subsequently varied by amendment of the documents setting out those terms and conditions, or are acquired to meet sinking fund requirements or from an employee or a former employee of the issuer or of an affiliate, or
(c) the purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions to be made are required by the instrument creating or governing the class of securities or by this Act; (offre de lémetteur)
offeree means a person to whom a take-over bid or an issuer bid is made; (pollicité)
offeree corporation means a corporation whose securities are the subject of a take-over bid; (société pollicitée)
offeror means a person, other than an agent, who makes a take-over bid or an issuer bid; (pollicitant)
take-over bid means an offer made to security holders of an offeree corporation to purchase directly or indirectly voting securities of the offeree corporation, where the voting securities that are the subject of the offer to purchase, the acceptance of the offer to sell or the combination thereof, as the case may be, together with the securities currently owned by the offeror, its affiliates and associates will carry, in the aggregate, 10 per cent or more of the voting rights attached to the voting securities of the offeree corporation that would be outstanding on exercise of all currently exercisable rights of purchase, conversion or exchange relating to voting securities of the offeree corporation; (offre dachat visant à la mainmise)
voting security includes,
(a) a security currently convertible into a voting security or into another security that is convertible into a voting security,
(b) a currently exercisable option or right to acquire a voting security or another security that is convertible into a voting security, or
(c) a security carrying an option or right referred to in clause (b). (valeur mobilière avec droit de vote) R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 187 (2).
Take-over or issuer bid
188. (1) If within 120 days after the date of a take-over bid or an issuer bid, the bid is accepted by the holders of not less than 90 per cent of the securities of any class of securities to which the bid relates, other than securities held at the date of the bid by or on behalf of the offeror, or an affiliate or associate of the offeror, the offeror is entitled, upon complying with this section, to acquire the securities held by dissenting offerees. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (1).
Shares of dissenting offeree
(2) An offeror may acquire the securities of any class to which the bid relates that are held by a dissenting offeree by sending, on or before the earlier of the sixtieth day following the termination of the bid and the one hundred and eightieth day following the date of the bid, an offerors notice to each dissenting offeree stating in substance that,
(a) offerees holding more than 90 per cent of the securities to which the bid relates other than securities held at the date of the bid by or on behalf of the offeror or an affiliate or associate of the offeror have accepted the bid;
(b) the offeror is bound to take up and pay for or has taken up and paid for the securities of the offerees who accepted the bid;
(c) a dissenting offeree is required to elect,
(i) to transfer his, her or its securities to the offeror on the terms on which the offeror acquired the securities of the offerees who accepted the bid, or
(ii) to demand payment of the fair value of his, her or its securities in accordance with subsections (13) to (21) by notifying the offeror within twenty days after receipt of the offerors notice;
(d) a dissenting offeree who does not notify the offeror in accordance with subclause (c) (ii) is deemed to have elected to transfer his, her or its securities to the offeror on the same terms that the offeror acquired the securities from the offerees who accepted the bid; and
(e) a dissenting offeree must send the certificates representing his, her or its securities to which the bid relates to the offeree corporation or, in the case of an issuer bid, to the offeror within twenty days after the dissenting offeree receives the offerors notice. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (2); 2000, c. 26, Sched. B, s. 3 (10).
Notice
(3) In the case of,
(a) a take-over bid, concurrently with sending the offerors notice under subsection (2), the offeror shall send or deliver to the offeree corporation a notice of adverse claim in accordance with section 88 with respect to each share held by a dissenting offeree; or
(b) an issuer bid, the offeror shall be deemed to have notice of an adverse claim for the purpose of section 88 with respect to each share held by a dissenting offeree. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (3).
Sending in share certificates
(4) A dissenting offeree to whom an offerors notice is sent under subsection (2) shall, within twenty days after receiving that notice,
(a) send the certificates representing his, her or its securities to which the take-over bid relates to the offeree corporation; or
(b) send the certificates representing his, her or its securities to which the issuer bid relates to the offeror. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (4).
Payment by offeror
(5) Within twenty days after the offeror sends an offerors notice under subsection (2), the offeror shall pay or transfer to the offeree corporation the amount of money or other consideration that the offeror would have had to pay or transfer to all dissenting offerees if they had elected to accept the take-over bid under subclause (2) (c) (i). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (5).
Trust funds
(6) An offeree corporation is deemed to hold in trust for dissenting offerees the money or other consideration it receives under subsection (5), and the offeree corporation shall deposit the money in a separate account in a bank or other body corporate any of whose deposits are insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation and shall place the other consideration in the custody of a bank or other such body corporate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (6).
Idem
(7) The offeror making an issuer bid is deemed to hold in trust for dissenting offerees the money or other consideration that the offeror would have had to pay or transfer to all dissenting offerees if they had elected to accept the issuer bid under subclause (2) (c) (i) and, within twenty days after the issuer sends an offerors notice under subsection (2), the issuer shall deposit any such money in a separate account in a bank or other body corporate any of whose deposits are insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation and shall place the other consideration in the custody of a bank or such other body corporate within twenty days after the offeror sends an offerors notice under subsection (2). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (7).
Notice of compliance
(8) Within ten days after the offeror complies with subsection (5) or subsection (7), as the case may be, the offeror shall give notice of the date of such compliance to all dissenting offerees. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (8).
Application to court
(9) At any time prior to the thirtieth day following the day upon which the offerors notice referred to in subsection (2) is sent to dissenting offerees, a dissenting offeree who has demanded payment of the fair value of his, her or its securities in accordance with subclause (2) (c) (ii) may apply to the court for an order requiring the person who has sent the offerors notice to provide, in such form as the court considers appropriate, such additional security for payment to dissenting offerees of the fair value of their securities as the court may determine to be necessary, pending the determination of such fair value. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (9).
Where shares deemed acquired
(10) The securities of all dissenting offerees shall be deemed to have been acquired by the offeror,
(a) where an application under subsection (9) has not been made within the time set out in subsection (9), upon the expiration of that time; or
(b) where an application has been made under subsection (9), upon compliance with the order made in respect of the application. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (10).
Duties of offeree corporation
(11) Within ten days after the acquisition of the securities of dissenting offerees under subsection (10) by an offeror who has made a take-over bid, the offeree corporation shall,
(a) issue to the offeror a security certificate in respect of the securities that were held by dissenting offerees;
(b) send to each dissenting offeree who elects to accept the take-over bid terms under subclause (2) (c) (i) and who sends his, her or its security certificates as required under clause (4) (a), the money or other consideration to which the dissenting offeree is entitled; and
(c) send to each dissenting offeree who has not sent his, her or its security certificates as required under clause (4) (a), notice stating in substance that,
(i) the certificates representing the dissenting offerees securities have been cancelled,
(ii) the offeree corporation or some designated person holds in trust for the dissenting offeree the money or other consideration to which the dissenting offeree is entitled as payment for or in exchange for his, her or its securities, and
(iii) the offeree corporation will, subject to subsections (13) to (21), send that money or other consideration to the dissenting offeree forthwith after receiving his, her or its securities. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (11).
Payment by offeror
(12) Within ten days after the acquisition of the securities of dissenting offerees under subsection (10) by an offeror who has made an issuer bid, the offeror shall,
(a) send to each dissenting offeree who elects to accept the issuer bid terms under subclause (2) (c) (i) and who sends his, her or its security certificates as required under clause (4) (b), the money or other consideration to which the dissenting offeree is entitled; and
(b) send to each dissenting offeree who has not sent his, her or its security certificates as required under clause (4) (b) a notice stating in substance that,
(i) the certificates representing the dissenting offerees securities have been cancelled,
(ii) the offeror or some designated person holds in trust for the dissenting offeree the money or other consideration to which the dissenting offeree is entitled as payment for or in exchange for his, her or its securities, and
(iii) the offeror will, subject to subsections (13) to (21), send that money or other consideration to the dissenting offeree forthwith after receiving his, her or its securities. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (12).
Application to fix fair value
(13) If a dissenting offeree has elected to demand payment of the fair value of his, her or its securities under subclause (2) (c) (ii), the offeror may, in the case of a take-over bid, within twenty days after it has complied with
subsection (5) or, in the case of an issuer bid, within twenty days after it has complied with subsection (7), apply to the court to fix the fair value of the securities of that dissenting offeree. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (13).
Idem
(14) If an offeror fails to apply to the court under subsection (13), a dissenting offeree may apply to the court for the same purpose within a further period of twenty days. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (14).
Where no application
(15) If no application is made to the court under subsection (13) or (14) within the periods set out in those subsections, a dissenting offeree is deemed to have elected to transfer his, her or its securities to the offeror on the same terms that the offeror acquired the securities from offerees who accepted the take-over or issuer bid and, provided that the dissenting offeree has complied with subsection (4), the issuer or the offeree corporation, as the case may be, shall pay or transfer to the dissenting offeree the money or other consideration to which the dissenting offeree is entitled. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (15).
Security for costs not required
(16) A dissenting offeree is not required to give security for costs in an application made under subsection (13) or (14). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (16).
Parties
(17) Upon an application under subsection (13) or (14),
(a) all dissenting offerees referred to in subclause (2) (c) (ii) whose securities have not been acquired by the offeror shall be joined as parties and are bound by the decision of the court; and
(b) the offeror shall notify each such dissenting offeree of the date, place and consequences of the application and of the dissenting offerees right to appear and be heard in person or by counsel. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (17).
Idem
(18) Upon an application to the court under subsection (13) or (14), the court may determine whether any other person is a dissenting offeree who should be joined as a party, and the court shall then fix a fair value for the securities of all dissenting offerees. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (18).
Appointment of appraisers
(19) The court may appoint one or more appraisers to assist the court in fixing a fair value for the securities of each dissenting offeree. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (19).
Final order
(20) The final order of the court shall be made against the offeror in favour of each dissenting offeree. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (20).
What court may order
(21) In connection with proceedings under this section, the court may make any order it thinks fit and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it may,
(a) fix the amount of money or other consideration that is required to be held in trust under subsection (6) or (7);
(b) order that the money or other consideration be held in trust by a person other than,
(i) the offeree corporation, or
(ii) in the case of an issuer bid, the offeror corporation;
(c) allow a reasonable rate of interest on the amount payable to each dissenting offeree from the date the dissenting offeree sends his, her or its security certificates under subsection (4) until the date of payment; or
(d) order that any money payable to a dissenting offeree who cannot be found be paid to the Public Trustee. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 188 (21).
Where corporation required to acquire securities
189. (1) Where 90 per cent or more of a class of securities of a corporation, other than debt obligations, are acquired by or on behalf of a person, the persons affiliates and the persons associates, then the holder of any securities of that class not counted for the purposes of calculating such percentage shall be entitled in accordance with this section to require the corporation to acquire the holders securities of that class. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 189 (1).
Notice
(2) Every corporation, within thirty days after it becomes aware that security holders are entitled to require it to acquire their securities under subsection (1), shall send a written notice to each such security holder that the security holder may within sixty days after the date of such notice require the corporation to acquire his, her or its securities. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 189 (2).
Idem
(3) The notice sent by the corporation under subsection (2) shall,
(a) set out a price that the corporation is willing to pay for the securities;
(b) give the basis for arriving at the price;
(c) state the location where any supporting material used for arriving at the price may be examined and extracts taken therefrom by the security holder or a duly authorized agent; and
(d) state that if the security holder is not satisfied with the price offered by the corporation in the notice, the security holder is entitled to have the fair value of his, her or its securities fixed by the court. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 189 (3).
Election by security holder
(4) Where a security holder receives a notice under subsection (2) and wishes the corporation to acquire his, her or its securities, the security holder may, within sixty days after the date of the notice,
(a) elect to accept the price offered by the corporation by giving notice of acceptance to the corporation and by forthwith sending his, her or its security certificates to the corporation; or
(b) notify the corporation that the security holder wishes to have the fair value of his, her or its securities fixed by the court. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 189 (4).
Application to fix fair value
(5) Where a security holder wishes to have the fair value of his, her or its securities fixed by the court, the corporation shall make an application to the court within ninety days after the date of the notice under subsection (2). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 189 (5).
Idem
(6) If a corporation fails to send notice under subsection (2), a security holder, after giving the corporation thirty days notice of intention so to do, may apply to the court to have the fair value of his, her or its securities fixed. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 189 (6).
Idem
(7) If a corporation fails to make an application to the court as required under subsection (5), a security holder may make the application. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 189 (7).
Parties
(8) Upon an application to the court under subsection (5), (6) or (7),
(a) all security holders who have notified the (b) may be joined as parties as the court thinks corporation under clause (4) fit and, if so joined, are bound by the decision of the court; and
(b) the corporation shall notify each security holder entitled to notice under subsection (2) of the date, place and purpose of the application and of the security holders right to appear and be heard in person or by counsel. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 189 (8).
Idem
(9) Upon an application to the court under subsection (5), (6) or (7), the court may determine whether any security holders should properly be sent or have been sent notice and whether such security holders should be joined as parties. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 189 (9).
Appointment of appraiser
(10) The court may appoint one or more appraisers to assist the court in fixing a fair value for the securities. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 189 (10).
Final order
(11) The final order of the court shall be made against the corporation in favour of each entitled security holder. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 189 (11).
Security not required
(12) A security holder requesting the court to fix the fair value of his, her or its securities is not required to give security for costs on the application. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 189 (12).
Costs
(13) The costs under this section shall be on a solicitor and client basis. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 189 (13).
Going private transaction
190. (1) In this section,
affected security means a participating security of a corporation in which the interest of the holder would be terminated by reason of a going private transaction; (valeur mobilière visée)
going private transaction means an amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or other transaction carried out under this Act by a corporation that would cause the interest of a holder of a participating security of the corporation to be terminated without the consent of the holder and without the substitution therefor of an interest of equivalent value in a participating security that,
(a) is issued by the corporation, an affiliate of the corporation or a successor body corporate, and
(b) is not limited in the extent of its participation in earnings to any greater extent than the participating security for which it is substituted,
but does not include,
(c) an acquisition under section 188,
(d) a redemption of, or other compulsory termination of the interest of the holder in, a security if the security is redeemed or otherwise acquired in accordance with the terms and conditions attaching thereto or under a requirement of the articles relating to the class of securities or of this Act, or
(e) a proceeding under Part XVI; (transformation en société fermée)
participating security means a security issued by a body corporate other than a security that is, in all circumstances, limited in the extent of its participation in earnings and includes,
(a) a security currently convertible into such a security, and
(b) currently exercisable warrants entitling the holder to acquire such a security or such a convertible security. (valeur mobilière participante) R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 190 (1).
Valuation
(2) A corporation that proposes to carry out a going private transaction shall have prepared by an independent, qualified valuer a written valuation indicating a per security value or range of values for each class of affected securities, and,
(a) the valuation shall be prepared or revised as of a date not more than 120 days before the announcement of the going private transaction, with appropriate adjustments for subsequent events other than the going private transaction;
(b) the valuation shall not contain a downward adjustment to reflect the fact that the affected securities do not form part of a controlling interest; and
(c) if the consideration to be received by the holders of the affected securities is wholly or partly other than cash, or a right to receive cash within ninety days after the approval by security holders of the going private transaction, the valuation shall include the valuers opinion whether the value of each affected security to be surrendered is equal to or greater than the total value of the consideration to be received therefor. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 190 (2).
Information circular
(3) The corporation shall send a management information circular to the holders of the affected securities not less than forty days prior to the date of a meeting which shall be called by it to consider that transaction, and the information circular shall contain, in addition to any other required information and subject to any exemption granted under subsection (6),
(a) a summary of the valuation prepared in compliance with subsection (2) and a statement that a holder of an affected security may inspect a copy of the valuation at the registered office of the corporation or may obtain a copy of the valuation upon request and payment of a specified amount sufficient to cover reasonable costs of reproduction and mailing;
(b) a statement of the approval or approvals of holders of affected securities required to be obtained in accordance with this section;
(c) a certificate signed by a senior officer or a director of the corporation certifying that he or she and, to his or her knowledge, the corporation are unaware of any material fact relevant to the valuation prepared in compliance with subsection (2) that was not disclosed to the valuer; and
(d) a statement of the class or classes of affected securities and of the number of securities of each class and, if any securities of any such class are, under paragraph 3 of subsection (4), not to be taken into account in the vote required by subsection (4), a statement of the number thereof and why they are not to be taken into account,
but if all or any portion of a class of affected securities is represented by certificates that are not in registered form, it shall be sufficient to make the information circular available to the holders of such affected securities in the manner provided for in the terms of the securities for sending notice to such holders or otherwise in such manner as may be prescribed. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 190 (3).
Idem
(4) A corporation shall not carry out a going private transaction unless, in addition to any other required security holder approval, the transaction is approved by the holders of each class of affected securities by a vote in accordance with the following provisions:
1. If the consideration to be received by a holder of an affected security of the particular class is,
i. payable wholly or partly other than in cash or a right to receive cash within ninety days after the approval of the going private transaction, or
ii. payable entirely in cash and is less in amount than the per security value or the mid-point of the range of per security values, arrived at by the valuation prepared in compliance with subsection (2),
then the approval shall be given by a special resolution.
2. In cases other than those referred to in paragraph 1, the approval shall be given by an ordinary resolution.
3. In determining whether the transaction has been approved by the requisite majority, the votes of,
i. securities held by affiliates of the corporation,
ii. securities the beneficial owners of which will, consequent upon the going private transaction, be entitled to a per security consideration greater than that available to other holders of affected securities of the same class,
iii. securities the beneficial owners of which, alone or in concert with others, effectively control the corporation and who, prior to distribution of the information circular, entered into an understanding that they would support the going private transaction, shall be disregarded both in determining the total number of votes cast and in determining the number of votes cast in favour of or against the transaction. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 190 (4).
Effect of section
(5) The rights provided by this section are in addition to any other rights of a holder of affected securities. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 190 (5).
Powers of Commission
(6) Upon an application by an interested person, the Commission may, subject to such terms and conditions as it may impose, exempt any person from any requirement of this section where in its opinion to do so would not be prejudicial to the public interest, and the Commission may publish guidelines as to the manner and circumstances in which it will exercise this discretion. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 190 (6).
Rights of security holder
(7) A holder of an affected security that is a share of any class of a corporation may dissent from a going private transaction upon compliance with the procedures set out in section 185, in which case the holder shall be entitled to the rights and remedies provided by that section. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 190 (7).
PART XVI
LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION
Definition
191. In sections 193 to 236,
contributory means a person who is liable to contribute to the property of a corporation in the event of the corporation being wound up under this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 191.
Application of ss. 193-205
192. Sections 193 to 205 apply to corporations being wound up voluntarily. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 192.
Voluntary winding up
193. (1) The shareholders of a corporation may, by special resolution, require the corporation to be wound up voluntarily. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 193 (1).
Appointment of liquidator
(2) At such meeting, the shareholders shall appoint one or more persons, who may be directors, officers or employees of the corporation, as liquidator of the estate and effects of the corporation for the purpose of winding up its business and affairs and distributing its property, and may at that or any subsequent meeting fix the liquidators remuneration and the costs, charges and expenses of the winding up. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 193 (2).
Review of remuneration by court
(3) On the application of any shareholder or creditor of the corporation or of the liquidator, the court may review the remuneration of the liquidator and, whether or not the remuneration has been fixed in accordance with subsection (2), the court may fix and determine the remuneration at such amount as it thinks proper. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 193 (3).
Publication of notice
(4) A corporation shall file notice, in the prescribed form, of a resolution requiring the voluntary winding up of the corporation with the Director within ten days after the resolution has been passed and shall publish the notice in The Ontario Gazette within twenty days after the resolution has been passed. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 193 (4).
Inspectors
194. The shareholders of a corporation being wound up voluntarily may delegate to any committee of shareholders, contributories or creditors, hereinafter referred to as inspectors, the power of appointing the liquidator and filling any vacancy in the office of liquidator, or may enter into any arrangement with creditors of the corporation with respect to the powers to be exercised by the liquidator and the manner in which they are to be exercised. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 194.
Vacancy in office of liquidator
195. If a vacancy occurs in the office of liquidator by death, resignation or otherwise, the shareholders may, subject to any arrangement the corporation may have entered into with its creditors upon the appointment of inspectors, fill such vacancy, and a meeting for that purpose may be called by the continuing liquidator, if any, or by any shareholder or contributory, and shall be deemed to have been duly held if called in the manner prescribed by the articles or by-laws of the corporation, or, in default thereof, in the manner prescribed by this Act for calling meetings of the shareholders of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 195.
Removal of liquidator
196. The shareholders of a corporation may by ordinary resolution passed at a meeting called for that purpose remove a liquidator appointed under section 193, 194 or 195, and in such case shall appoint a replacement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 196.
Commencement of winding up
197. A voluntary winding up commences at the time of the passing of the resolution requiring the winding up or at such later time as may be specified in the resolution. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 197.
Corporation to cease business
198. A corporation being wound up voluntarily shall, from the commencement of its winding up, cease to carry on its undertaking, except in so far as may be required as beneficial for the winding up thereof, and all transfers of shares, except transfers made to or with the sanction of the liquidator taking place after the commencement of its winding up, are void, but its corporate existence and all its corporate powers, even if it is otherwise provided by its articles or by-laws, continue until its affairs are wound up. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 198.
No proceedings against corporation after voluntary winding up except by leave
199. After the commencement of a voluntary winding up,
(a) no action or other proceeding shall be commenced against the corporation; and
(b) no attachment, sequestration, distress or execution shall be put in force against the estate or effects of the corporation,
except by leave of the court and subject to such terms as the court imposes. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 199.
List of contributories and calls
200. (1) Upon a voluntary winding up, the liquidator,
(a) shall settle the list of contributories; and
(b) may, before the liquidator has ascertained the sufficiency of the property of the corporation, call on all or any of the contributories for the time being settled on the list of contributories to the extent of their liability to pay any sum that the liquidator considers necessary for satisfying the liabilities of the corporation and the costs, charges and expenses of winding up and for adjusting the rights of the contributories among themselves. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 200 (1).
List is proof
(2) A list settled by the liquidator under clause (1) (a) is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof of the liability of the persons named therein to be contributories. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 200 (2).
Default on calls
(3) The liquidator in making a call under clause (1) (b) may take into consideration the probability that some of the contributories upon whom the call is made may partly or wholly fail to pay their respective portions of the call. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 200 (3).
Meetings of corporation during winding up
201. (1) The liquidator may, during the continuance of the voluntary winding up, call meetings of the shareholders of the corporation for any purpose the liquidator thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 201 (1).
Where winding up continues more than one year
(2) Where a voluntary winding up continues for more than one year, the liquidator shall call a meeting of the shareholders of the corporation at the end of the first year and of each succeeding year from the commencement of the winding up, and the liquidator shall lay before the meeting an account showing the liquidators acts and dealings and the manner in which the winding up has been conducted during the immediately preceding year. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 201 (2).
Arrangements with creditors
202. The liquidator, with the approval of the shareholders of the corporation or the inspectors, may make such compromise or other arrangement as the liquidator thinks expedient with any creditor or person claiming to be a creditor or having or alleging that he, she or it has a claim, present or future, certain or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, against the corporation or whereby the corporation may be rendered liable. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 202.
Power to compromise with debtors and contributories
203. The liquidator may, with the approval referred to in section 202, compromise all debts and liabilities capable of resulting in debts, and all claims, whether present or future, certain or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, subsisting or supposed to subsist between the corporation and any contributory, alleged contributory or other debtor or person who may be liable to the corporation and all questions in any way relating to or affecting the property of the corporation, or the winding up of the corporation, upon the receipt of such sums payable at such times and generally upon such terms as are agreed, and the liquidator may take any security for the discharge of such debts or liabilities and give a complete discharge in respect thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 203.
Power to accept shares, etc., as consideration for sale of property to another body corporate
204. (1) Where a corporation is proposed to be or is in the course of being wound up voluntarily and it is proposed to transfer the whole or a portion of its business or property to another body corporate, the liquidator, with the approval of a resolution of the shareholders of the corporation conferring either a general authority on the liquidator or an authority in respect of any particular arrangement, may receive, in compensation or in part-compensation for the transfer, cash or shares or other like interest in the purchasing body corporate or any other body corporate for the purpose of distribution among the creditors or shareholders of the corporation that is being wound up in the manner set forth in the arrangement, or may, in lieu of receiving cash or shares or other like interest, or in addition thereto, participate in the profits of or receive any other benefit from the purchasing body corporate or any other body corporate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 204 (1).
Confirmation of sale or arrangement
(2) A transfer made or arrangement entered into by the liquidator under this section is not binding on the shareholders of the corporation that is being wound up unless the transfer or arrangement is approved in accordance with subsections 184 (3), (6) and (7). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 204 (2).
Where resolution not invalid
(3) No resolution is invalid for the purposes of this section because it was passed before or concurrently with a resolution for winding up the corporation or for appointing the liquidator. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 204 (3).
Account of voluntary winding up to be made by liquidator to a meeting
205. (1) The liquidator shall make up an account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and the property of the corporation disposed of, and thereupon shall call a meeting of the shareholders of the corporation for the purpose of having the account laid before them and hearing any explanation that may be given by the liquidator, and the meeting shall be called in the manner prescribed by the articles or by-laws or, in default thereof, in the manner prescribed by this Act for the calling of meetings of shareholders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 205 (1).
Notice of holding of meeting
(2) The liquidator shall within ten days after the meeting is held file a notice in the prescribed form with the Director stating that the meeting was held and the date thereof and shall forthwith publish the notice in The Ontario Gazette . R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 205 (2).
Dissolution
(3) Subject to subsection (4), on the expiration of three months after the date of the filing of the notice, the corporation is dissolved. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 205 (3).
Extension
(4) At any time during the three-month period mentioned in subsection (3), the court may, on the application of the liquidator or any other person interested, make an order deferring the date on which the dissolution of the corporation is to take effect to a date fixed in the order, and in such event the corporation is dissolved on the date so fixed. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 205 (4).
Dissolution by court order
(5) Despite anything in this Act, the court at any time after the affairs of the corporation have been fully wound up may, upon the application of the liquidator or any other person interested, make an order dissolving it, and it is dissolved on the date fixed in the order. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 205 (5).
Copy of extension order to be filed
(6) The person on whose application an order was made under subsection (4) or (5) shall within ten days after it was made file with the Director a certified copy of the order and forthwith publish notice of the order in The Ontario Gazette . R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 205 (6).
Application of ss. 207-218
206. Sections 207 to 218 apply to corporations being wound up by order of the court. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 206.
Winding up by court
207. (1) A corporation may be wound up by order of the court,
(a) where the court is satisfied that in respect of the corporation or any of its affiliates,
(i) any act or omission of the corporation or any of its affiliates effects a result,
(ii) the business or affairs of the corporation or any of its affiliates are or have been carried on or conducted in a manner, or
(iii) the powers of the directors of the corporation or any of its affiliates are or have been exercised in a manner,
that is oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to or that unfairly disregards the interests of any security holder, creditor, director or officer; or
(b) where the court is satisfied that,
(i) a unanimous shareholder agreement entitled a complaining shareholder to demand dissolution of the corporation after the occurrence of a specified event and that event has occurred,
(ii) proceedings have been begun to wind up voluntarily and it is in the interest of contributories and creditors that the proceedings should be continued under the supervision of the court,
(iii) the corporation, though it may not be insolvent, cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and it is advisable to wind it up, or
(iv) it is just and equitable for some reason, other than the bankruptcy or insolvency of the corporation, that it should be wound up; or
(c) where the shareholders by special resolution authorize an application to be made to the court to wind up the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 207 (1).
Court order
(2) Upon an application under this section, the court may make such order under this section or section 248 as it thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 207 (2).
Who may apply
208. (1) A winding-up order may be made upon the application of the corporation or of a shareholder or, where the corporation is being wound up voluntarily, of the liquidator or of a contributory or of a creditor having a claim of $2,500 or more. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 208 (1).
Notice
(2) Except where the application is made by the corporation, four days notice of the application shall be given to the corporation before the making of the application. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 208 (2).
Power of court
209. The court may make the order applied for, may dismiss the application with or without costs, may adjourn the hearing conditionally or unconditionally or may make any interim or other order as is considered just, and upon the making of the order may, according to its practice and procedure, refer the proceedings for the winding up to an officer of the court for inquiry and report and may authorize the officer to exercise such powers of the court as are necessary for the reference. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 209.
Appointment of liquidator
210. (1) The court in making the winding-up order may appoint one or more persons as liquidator of the estate and effects of the corporation for the purpose of winding up its business and affairs and distributing its property. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 210 (1).
Remuneration
(2) The court may at any time fix the remuneration of the liquidator. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 210 (2).
Vacancy
(3) If a liquidator appointed by the court dies or resigns or the office becomes vacant for any reason, the court may by order fill the vacancy. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 210 (3).
Notice of appointment
(4) A liquidator appointed by the court under this section shall forthwith give to the Director notice in the prescribed form of the liquidators appointment and shall, within twenty days after being appointed publish the notice in The Ontario Gazette . R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 210 (4).
Removal of liquidator
211. The court may by order remove for cause a liquidator appointed by it, and in such case shall appoint a replacement. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 211.
Costs and expenses
212. The costs, charges and expenses of a winding up by order of the court shall be assessed by an assessment officer of the Superior Court of Justice. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 212; 2001, c. 9, Sched. D, s. 2 (4).
Commencement of winding up
213. Where a winding-up order is made by the court without prior voluntary winding-up proceedings, the winding up shall, unless a court otherwise orders, be deemed to commence at the time of the service of notice of the application, and, where the application is made by the corporation, at the time the application is made. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 213.
Proceedings in winding up after order
214. Where a winding-up order has been made by the court, proceedings for the winding up of the corporation shall be taken in the same manner and with the like consequences as provided for a voluntary winding up, except that the list of contributories shall be settled by the court unless it has been settled by the liquidator before the winding-up order, in which case the list is subject to review by the court, and except that all proceedings in the winding up are subject to the order and direction of the court. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 214.
Orders following winding-up order
Meetings of shareholders
215. (1) Where a winding-up order has been made by the court, the court may direct meetings of the shareholders of the corporation to be called, held and conducted in such manner as the court thinks fit for the purpose of ascertaining their wishes, and may appoint a person to act as chair of any such meeting and to report the result of it to the court. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 215 (1).
Order for delivery by contributories and others of property, etc.
(2) Where a winding-up order has been made by the court, the court may require any contributory for the time being settled on the list of contributories, or any director, officer, employee, trustee, banker or agent of the corporation to pay, deliver, convey, surrender or transfer forthwith, or within such time as the court directs, to the liquidator any sum or balance, documents, records, estate or effects that are in his, her or its hands and to which the corporation is apparently entitled. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 215 (2).
Inspection of documents and records
(3) Where a winding-up order has been made by the court, the court may make an order for the inspection of the documents and records of the corporation by its creditors and contributories, and any documents and records in the possession of the corporation may be inspected in conformity with the order. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 215 (3).
Proceedings against corporation after court winding up
216. After the commencement of a winding up by order of the court,
(a) no action or other proceeding shall be proceeded with or commenced against the corporation; and
(b) no attachment, sequestration, distress or execution shall be put in force against the estate or effects of the corporation,
except by leave of the court and subject to such terms as the court imposes. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 216.
Provision for discharge and distribution by the court
217. (1) Where the realization and distribution of the property of a corporation being wound up under an order of the court has proceeded so far that in the opinion of the court it is expedient that the liquidator should be discharged and that the property of the corporation remaining in the liquidators hands can be better realized and distributed by the court, the court may make an order discharging the liquidator and for payment, delivery and transfer into court, or to such person as the court directs, of such property, and it shall be realized and distributed by or under the direction of the court among the persons entitled thereto in the same way as nearly as may be as if the distribution were being made by the liquidator. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 217 (1).
Disposal of documents and records
(2) In such case, the court may make an order directing how the documents and records of the corporation and of the liquidator are to be disposed of, and may order that they be deposited in court or otherwise dealt with as the court thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 217 (2).
Order for dissolution
218. (1) The court at any time after the business and affairs of the corporation have been fully wound up may, upon the application of the liquidator or any other person interested, make an order dissolving it, and it is dissolved on the date fixed in the order. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 218 (1).
Copy of dissolution order to be filed
(2) The person on whose application the order was made shall within ten days after it was made file with the Director a certified copy of the order and shall forthwith publish notice of the order in The Ontario Gazette . R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 218 (2).
Application of ss. 220-236
219. Sections 220 to 236 apply to corporations being wound up voluntarily or by order of the court. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 219.
Where no liquidator
220. Where there is no liquidator,
(a) the court may by order on the application of a shareholder of the corporation appoint one or more persons as liquidator; and
(b) the estate and effects of the corporation shall be under the control of the court until the appointment of a liquidator. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 220.
Consequences of winding up
221. (1) Upon a winding up,
(a) the liquidator shall apply the property of the corporation in satisfaction of all its debts, obligations and liabilities and, subject thereto, shall distribute the property rateably among the shareholders according to their rights and interests in the corporation;
(b) in distributing the property of the corporation, debts to employees of the corporation for services performed for it due at the commencement of the winding up or within one month before, not exceeding three months wages and vacation pay accrued for not more than twelve months, shall be paid in priority to the claims of the ordinary creditors, and such persons are entitled to rank as ordinary creditors for the residue of their claims;
(c) all the powers of the directors cease upon the appointment of a liquidator, except in so far as the liquidator may sanction the continuance of such powers. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 221 (1).
Distribution of property
(2) Section 53 of the Trustee Act applies with necessary modifications to liquidators. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 221 (2).
Payment of costs and expenses
222. The costs, charges and expenses of a winding up, including the remuneration of the liquidator, are payable out of the property of the corporation in priority to all other claims. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 222.
Powers of liquidators
223. (1) A liquidator may,
(a) bring or defend any action, suit or prosecution, or other legal proceedings, civil or criminal, in the name and on behalf of the corporation;
(b) carry on the business of the corporation so far as may be required as beneficial for the winding up of the corporation;
(c) sell the property of the corporation by public auction or private sale and receive payment of the purchase price either in cash or otherwise;
(d) do all acts and execute, in the name and on behalf of the corporation, all documents, and for that purpose use the seal of the corporation, if any;
(e) draw, accept, make and endorse any bill of exchange or promissory note in the name and on behalf of the corporation;
(f) raise upon the security of the property of the corporation any requisite money;
(g) take out in the liquidators official name letters of administration of the estate of any deceased contributory and do in the liquidators official name any other act that is necessary for obtaining payment of any money due from a contributory or from the contributorys estate and which act cannot be done conveniently in the name of the corporation; and
(h) do and execute all such other things as are necessary for winding up the business and affairs of the corporation and distributing its property. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 223 (1).
Bills of exchange, etc., to be deemed drawn in the course of business
(2) The drawing, accepting, making or endorsing of a bill of exchange or promissory note by the liquidator on behalf of a corporation has the same effect with respect to the liability of the corporation as if such bill or note had been drawn,
accepted, made or endorsed by or on behalf of the corporation in the course of carrying on its business. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 223 (2).
Where money deemed to be due to liquidator
(3) Where the liquidator takes out letters of administration or otherwise uses the liquidators official name for obtaining payment of any money due from a contributory, such money shall be deemed, for the purpose of enabling the liquidator to take out such letters or recover such money, to be due to the liquidator rather than to the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 223 (3).
What liquidator may rely upon
(4) A liquidator who acts in good faith is entitled to rely upon,
(a) financial statements of the corporation represented to the liquidator by an officer of the corporation or in a written report of the auditor of the corporation to present fairly the financial position of the corporation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; or
(b) an opinion, a report or a statement of a lawyer, an accountant, an engineer, an appraiser or other professional adviser retained by the liquidator. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 223 (4).
Acts by more than one liquidator
224. Where more than one person is appointed as liquidator, any power conferred by sections 193 to 236 on a liquidator may be exercised by such one or more of such persons as may be determined by the resolution or order appointing them or, in default of such determination, by any number of them not fewer than two. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 224.
Nature of liability of contributory
225. The liability of a contributory creates a debt accruing due from the contributory at the time the contributorys liability commenced, but payable at the time or respective times when calls are made for enforcing such liability. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 225.
Liability in case of contributorys death
226. If a contributory dies before or after having been placed on the list of contributories, the contributorys personal representative is liable in due course of administration to contribute to the property of the corporation in discharge of the liability of the deceased contributory and shall be a contributory accordingly. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 226.
Deposit of money
227. (1) The liquidator shall deposit all money that the liquidator has belonging to the corporation and amounting to $100 or more in any bank of Canada listed in Schedule I or II to the Bank Act (Canada) or in any trust corporation or loan corporation that is registered under the Loan and Trust Corporations Act or in any other depository approved by the court. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 227 (1); 2002, c. 8, Sched. I, s. 2.
Approval by inspectors
(2) If inspectors have been appointed, the depository under subsection (1) shall be one approved by them. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 227 (2).
Separate deposit account to be kept; withdrawal from account
(3) Such deposit shall not be made in the name of the liquidator individually, but a separate deposit account shall be kept of the money belonging to the corporation in the liquidators name as liquidator of the corporation and in the name of the inspectors, if any, and such money shall be withdrawn only by order for payment signed by the liquidator and one of the inspectors, if any. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 227 (3).
Liquidator to produce bank pass-book
(4) At every meeting of the shareholders of the corporation, the liquidator shall produce a pass-book, or statement of account showing the amount of the deposits, the dates at which they were made, the amounts withdrawn and the dates of withdrawal, and mention of such production shall be made in the minutes of the meeting, and the absence of such mention is admissible in evidence as proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the pass-book or statement of account was not produced at the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 227 (4).
Idem
(5) The liquidator shall also produce the pass-book or statement of account whenever so ordered by the court upon the application of the inspectors, if any, or of a shareholder of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 227 (5).
Proving claim
228. For the purpose of proving claims, sections 23, 24 and 25 of the Assignments and Preferences Act apply with necessary modifications, except that where the word judge is used therein, the word court as used in this Act shall be substituted. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 228.
Application for direction
229. Upon the application of the liquidator or of the inspectors, if any, or of any creditors, the court, after hearing such parties as it directs to be notified or after such steps as the court prescribes have been taken, may by order give its direction in any matter arising in the winding up. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 229.
Examination of persons as to estate
230. (1) The court may at any time after the commencement of the winding up summon to appear before the court or liquidator any director, officer or employee of the corporation or any other person known or suspected of having possession of any of the estate or effects of the corporation, or alleged to be indebted to it, or any person whom the court thinks capable of giving information concerning its trade, dealings, estate or effects. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 230 (1).
Damages against delinquent directors, etc.
(2) Where in the course of the winding up it appears that a person who has taken part in the formation or promotion of the corporation or that a past or present director, officer, employee, liquidator or receiver of the corporation has misapplied or retained in that persons own hands, or become liable or accountable for, property of the corporation, or has committed any misfeasance or breach of trust in relation to it, the court may, on the application of the liquidator or of any creditor, shareholder or contributory, examine the conduct of that person and order that person to restore the property so misapplied or retained, or for which that person has become liable or accountable, or to contribute such sum to the property of the corporation by way of compensation in respect of such misapplication, retention, misfeasance or breach of trust, or both, as the court thinks just. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 230 (2).
Proceedings by shareholders
231. (1) Where a shareholder of the corporation desires to cause any proceeding to be taken that, in the shareholders opinion, would be for the benefit of the corporation, and the liquidator, under the authority of the shareholders or of the inspectors, if any, refuses or neglects to take such proceeding after being required so to do, the shareholder may obtain an order of the court authorizing the shareholder to take such proceeding in the name of the liquidator or corporation, but at the shareholders own expense and risk, upon such terms and conditions as to indemnity to the liquidator or corporation as the court prescribes. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 231 (1).
Benefits: when for shareholders
(2) Any benefit derived from a proceeding under subsection (1) belongs exclusively to the shareholder causing the institution of the proceeding for the shareholders benefit and that of any other shareholder who has joined together in causing the institution of the proceeding. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 231 (2).
when for corporation
(3) If, before the order is granted, the liquidator signifies to the court the liquidators readiness to institute the proceeding for the benefit of the corporation, the court shall make an order prescribing the time within which the liquidator is to do so, and in that case the advantage derived from the proceeding, if instituted within such time, belongs to the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 231 (3).
Rights conferred by Act to be in addition to other powers
232. The rights conferred by this Act are in addition to any other right to institute a proceeding against any contributory, or against any debtor of the corporation, for the recovery of any sum due from such contributory or debtor or an estate thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 232.
Stay of winding up proceedings
233. At any time during a winding up, the court, upon the application of a shareholder, creditor or contributory and upon proof to its satisfaction that all proceedings in relation to the winding up ought to be stayed, may make an order staying the proceedings altogether or for a limited time on such terms and subject to such conditions as the court thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 233.
Where creditor unknown
234. (1) Where the liquidator is unable to pay all the debts of the corporation because a creditor is unknown or a creditors whereabouts is unknown, the liquidator may, by agreement with the Public Trustee, pay to the Public Trustee an amount equal to the amount of the debt due to the creditor to be held in trust for the creditor, and thereupon subsections 238 (5) and (6) apply thereto. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 234 (1).
Idem
(2) A payment under subsection (1) shall be deemed to be in satisfaction of the debt for the purposes of winding up. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 234 (2).
Where shareholder unknown
235. (1) Where the liquidator is unable to distribute rateably the property of the corporation among the shareholders because a shareholder is unknown or a shareholders whereabouts is unknown, the share of the property of the corporation of such shareholder may, by agreement with the Public Trustee, be delivered or conveyed by the liquidator to the Public Trustee to be held in trust for the shareholder, and thereupon subsections 238 (5) and (6) apply thereto. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 235 (1).
Idem
(2) A delivery or conveyance under subsection (1) shall be deemed to be a distribution to that shareholder of his, her or its rateable share for the purposes of the winding up. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 235 (2).
Disposal of records, etc., after winding up
236. (1) Where a corporation has been wound up under sections 192 to 235 and is about to be dissolved, its documents and records and those of the liquidator may be disposed of as it by resolution directs in case of voluntary winding up, or as the court directs in case of winding up under an order. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 236 (1).
When responsibility as to custody of records, etc., to cease
(2) After the expiration of five years after the date of the dissolution of the corporation, no responsibility rests on it or the liquidator, or anyone to whom the custody of the documents and records has been committed, by reason that the same or any of them are not forthcoming to any person claiming to be interested therein. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 236 (2).
Voluntary dissolution
237. A corporation may be dissolved upon the authorization of,
(a) a special resolution passed at a meeting of the shareholders of the corporation duly called for the purpose or, in the case of a corporation that is not an offering corporation, by such other proportion of the votes cast as the articles provide, but such other proportion shall not be less than 50 per cent of the votes of all the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting;
(b) the consent in writing of all the shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting; or
(c) all its incorporators or their personal representatives at any time within two years after the date set out in its certificate of incorporation where the corporation has not commenced business and has not issued any shares. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 237.
Articles of dissolution where corporation active
238. (1) For the purpose of bringing the dissolution authorized under clause 237 (a) or (b) into effect, articles of dissolution shall follow the prescribed form and shall set out,
(a) the name of the corporation;
(b) that its dissolution has been duly authorized under clause 237 (a) or (b);
(c) that it has no debts, obligations or liabilities or its debts, obligations or liabilities have been duly provided for in accordance with subsection (3) or its creditors or other persons having interests in its debts, obligations or liabilities consent to its dissolution;
(d) that after satisfying the interests of creditors in all its debts, obligations and liabilities, if any, it has no property to distribute among its shareholders or that it has distributed its remaining property rateably among its shareholders according to their rights and interests in the corporation or in accordance with subsection (4) where applicable; and
(e) that there are no proceedings pending in any court against it.
(f) Repealed: 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (25).
R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 238 (1); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (25).
Articles of dissolution where corporation never active
(2) For the purpose of bringing a dissolution authorized under clause 237 (c) into effect, articles of dissolution shall follow the prescribed form and shall set out,
(a) the name of the corporation;
(b) the date set out in its certificate of incorporation;
(c) that the corporation has not commenced business;
(d) that none of its shares has been issued;
(e) that dissolution has been duly authorized under clause 237 (c);
(f) that it has no debts, obligations or liabilities;
(g) that after satisfying the interests of creditors in all its debts, obligations and liabilities, if any, it has no property to distribute or that it has distributed its remaining property to the persons entitled thereto; and
(h) that there are no proceedings pending in any court against it.
(i) Repealed: 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (26).
R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 238 (2); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (26).
Where creditor unknown
(3) Where a corporation authorizes its dissolution and a creditor is unknown or a creditors whereabouts is unknown, the corporation may, by agreement with the Public Trustee, pay to the Public Trustee an amount equal to the amount of the debt due to the creditor to be held in trust for the creditor, and such payment shall be deemed to be due provision for the debt for the purposes of clause (1) (c). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 238 (3).
Where shareholder unknown
(4) Where a corporation authorizes its dissolution and a shareholder is unknown or a shareholders whereabouts is unknown, it may, by agreement with the Public Trustee, deliver or convey the shareholders share of the property to the Public Trustee to be held in trust for the shareholder, and such delivery or conveyance shall be deemed to be a distribution to that shareholder of his, her or its rateable share for the purposes of the dissolution. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 238 (4).
Power to convert
(5) If the share of the property so delivered or conveyed to the Public Trustee under subsection (4) is in a form other than cash, the Public Trustee may at any time, and within ten years after such delivery or conveyance shall, convert it into cash. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 238 (5).
Payment to person entitled
(6) If the amount paid under subsection (3) or the share of the property delivered or conveyed under subsection (4) or its equivalent in cash, as the case may be, is claimed by the person beneficially entitled thereto within ten years after it was so delivered, conveyed or paid, it shall be delivered, conveyed or paid to the person, but, if not so claimed, it vests in the Public Trustee for the use of Ontario, and, if the person beneficially entitled thereto at any time thereafter establishes a right thereto to the satisfaction of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, an amount equal to the amount so vested in the Public Trustee shall be paid to the person. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 238 (6).
Certificate of dissolution
239. (1) Upon receipt of the articles of dissolution, the Director shall endorse thereon in accordance with section 273 a certificate which shall constitute the certificate of dissolution. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 239 (1).
Incorporators to sign articles of dissolution
(2) Despite clause 273 (1) (a), articles of dissolution for the purposes of subsection 238 (2) shall be signed by all its incorporators or their personal representatives. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 239 (2).
Cancellation of certificate, etc., by Director
240. (1) Where sufficient cause is shown to the Director, despite the imposition of any other penalty in respect thereof and in addition to any rights the Director may have under this or any other Act, the Director may, after having given the corporation an opportunity to be heard, by order, upon such terms and conditions as the Director thinks fit, cancel a certificate of incorporation or any other certificate issued or endorsed under this Act or a predecessor of this Act, and,
(a) in the case of the cancellation of a certificate of incorporation, the corporation is dissolved on the date fixed in the order; and
(b) in the case of the cancellation of any other certificate, the matter that became effective upon the issuance of the certificate ceases to be in effect from the date fixed in the order. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 240 (1).
Definition
(2) In this section,
sufficient cause, with respect to cancellation of a certificate of incorporation, includes,
(a) Repealed: 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (27).
(b) failure to comply with subsection 115 (2) or subsection 118 (3),
(c) Repealed: 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (27).
(d) a conviction of the corporation for an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada) or any other federal statute or an offence as defined in the Provincial Offences Act , in circumstances where cancellation of the certificate is in the public interest, or
(e) conduct described in subsection 248 (2). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 240 (2); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (27, 28).
Notice of dissolution
241. (1) Where the Director is notified by the Minister of Revenue that a corporation is in default in complying with the provisions of the Corporations Tax Act , the Director may give notice by registered mail to the corporation or by publication once in The Ontario Gazette that an order dissolving the corporation will be issued unless the corporation remedies its default within ninety days after the giving of the notice. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 241 (1); 2004, c. 16, Sched. D, Table.
Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, subsection (1) is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2004, chapter 31, Schedule 4, section 1 and the following substituted:
Notice of dissolution
(1) Where the Director is notified by the Minister of Finance that a corporation is in default of complying with any of the following Acts, the Director may give notice by registered mail to the corporation or by publication once in The Ontario Gazette that an order dissolving the corporation will be issued unless the corporation remedies its default within 90 days after the notice is given:
1. Corporations Tax Act .
2. Employer Health Tax Act .
3. Fuel Tax Act .
4. Gasoline Tax Act .
5. Land Transfer Tax Act .
6. Retail Sales Tax Act .
7. Tobacco Tax Act . 2004, c. 31, Sched. 4, s. 1.
See: 2004, c. 31, Sched. 4, ss. 1, 2 (2).
Idem
(2) Where the Director is notified by the Commission that a corporation has not complied with sections 77 and 78 of the Securities Act , the Director may give notice by registered mail to the corporation or by publication once in The Ontario Gazette that an order dissolving the corporation will be issued unless the corporation complies with sections 77 and 78 of the Securities Act within ninety days after the giving of the notice. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 241 (2).
Same, non-filing
(3) Where a corporation fails to comply with a filing requirement under the Corporations Information Act or fails to pay a fee required under this Act, the Director may give notice in accordance with section 263 to the corporation or by publication once in The Ontario Gazette that an order dissolving the corporation will be issued unless the corporation, within 90 days after the notice is given, complies with the requirement or pays the fee. 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 26 (1).
Order for dissolution
(4) Upon default in compliance with the notice given under subsection (1), (2) or (3), the Director may by order cancel the certificate of incorporation and, subject to subsection (5), the corporation is dissolved on the date fixed in the order. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 241 (4).
Revival
(5) Where a corporation is dissolved under subsection (4) or any predecessor of it, the Director on the application of any interested person, may, in his or her discretion, on the terms and conditions that the Director sees fit to impose, revive the corporation; upon revival, the corporation, subject to the terms and conditions imposed by the Director and to the rights, if any, acquired by any person during the period of dissolution, shall be deemed for all purposes to have never been dissolved. 1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 9.
Articles of revival
(6) The application referred to in subsection (5) shall be in the form of articles of revival which shall be in prescribed form. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 241 (6).
Certificate of revival
(7) Upon receipt of articles of revival and any other prescribed documents, the Director, subject to subsection (5), shall endorse thereon in accordance with section 273 a certificate which shall constitute the certificate of revival. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 241 (7).
Actions after dissolution
242. (1) Despite the dissolution of a corporation under this Act,
(a) a civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding commenced by or against the corporation before its dissolution may be continued as if the corporation had not been dissolved;
(b) a civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding may be brought against the corporation as if the corporation had not been dissolved;
(c) any property that would have been available to satisfy any judgment or order if the corporation had not been dissolved remains available for such purpose; and
(d) title to land belonging to the corporation immediately before the dissolution remains available to be sold in power of sale proceedings. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 242 (1); 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 27 (1, 2).
Interpretation
(1.1) In this section and section 244,
proceeding includes a power of sale proceeding relating to land commenced pursuant to a mortgage. 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 27 (3).
Service after dissolution
(2) For the purposes of this section, the service of any process on a corporation after its dissolution shall be deemed to be sufficiently made if it is made upon any person last shown on the records of the Ministry as being a director or officer of the corporation before the dissolution. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 242 (2).
Notice of action
(3) A person who commences an action, suit or other proceeding against a corporation after its dissolution, shall serve the writ or other document by which the action, suit or other proceeding was commenced, on the Public Guardian
and Trustee in accordance with the rules that apply generally to service on a party to an action, suit or other proceeding. 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 27 (4).
Same, power of sale proceeding
(4) A person who commences a power of sale proceeding relating to land against a corporation after its dissolution shall serve a notice of the proceeding on the Public Guardian and Trustee in accordance with the notice requirements in the Mortgages Act that apply with respect to a person with an interest in the land recorded in the records of the appropriate land registry office. 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 27 (4).
Liability of shareholders to creditors
243. (1) Despite the dissolution of a corporation, each shareholder to whom any of its property has been distributed is liable to any person claiming under section 242 to the extent of the amount received by that shareholder upon the distribution, and an action to enforce such liability may be brought. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 243 (1); 2002, c. 24, Sched. B, s. 27 (2).
Party action
(2) The court may order an action referred to in subsection (1) to be brought against the persons who were shareholders as a class, subject to such conditions as the court thinks fit and, if the plaintiff establishes his, her or its claim, the court may refer the proceedings to a referee or other officer of the court who may,
(a) add as a party to the proceedings before him or her each person who was a shareholder found by the plaintiff;
(b) determine, subject to subsection (1), the amount that each person who was a shareholder shall contribute towards satisfaction of the plaintiffs claim; and
(c) direct payment of the amounts so determined. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 243 (2).
Definition
(3) In this section,
shareholder includes the heirs and legal representatives of a shareholder. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 243 (3).
Forfeiture of undisposed property
244. (1) Any property of a corporation that has not been disposed of at the date of its dissolution is immediately upon such dissolution forfeit to and vests in the Crown. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 244 (1); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (31).
Exception
(2) Despite subsection (1), if a judgment is given or an order or decision is made or land is sold in an action, suit or proceeding commenced in accordance with section 242 and the judgment, order, decision or sale affects property belonging to the corporation before the dissolution, unless the plaintiff, applicant or mortgagee has not complied with subsection 242 (3) or (4),
(a) the property shall be available to satisfy the judgment, order or other decision; and
(b) title to the land shall be transferred to a purchaser free of the Crowns interest, in the case of a power of sale proceeding. 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 28 (1).
Further exception
(3) A forfeiture of land under subsection (1) or a predecessor of subsection (1) is not effective against a purchaser for value of the land if the forfeiture occurred more than 20 years before the deed or transfer of the purchaser is registered in the proper land registry office. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (32).
No notice
(4) Despite subsection (2), if a person commences a power of sale proceeding relating to land before the dissolution of a corporation but the sale of the land is not completed until after the dissolution, the person is not required to serve the notice mentioned in subsection 242 (4) and title to the land may be transferred to a purchaser free of the Crowns interest. 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 28 (2).
PART XVII
REMEDIES, OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
Definitions
245. In this Part,
action means an action under this Act; (action)
complainant means,
(a) a registered holder or beneficial owner, and a former registered holder or beneficial owner, of a security of a corporation or any of its affiliates,
(b) a director or an officer or a former director or officer of a corporation or of any of its affiliates,
(c) any other person who, in the discretion of the court, is a proper person to make an application under this Part. (plaignant) R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 245.
Derivative actions
246. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a complainant may apply to the court for leave to bring an action in the name and on behalf of a corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or intervene in an action to which any such body corporate is a party, for the purpose of prosecuting, defending or discontinuing the action on behalf of the body corporate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 246 (1).
Idem
(2) No action may be brought and no intervention in an action may be made under subsection (1) unless the complainant has given fourteen days notice to the directors of the corporation or its subsidiary of the complainants intention to apply to the court under subsection (1) and the court is satisfied that,
(a) the directors of the corporation or its subsidiary will not bring, diligently prosecute or defend or discontinue the action;
(b) the complainant is acting in good faith; and
(c) it appears to be in the interests of the corporation or its subsidiary that the action be brought, prosecuted, defended or discontinued. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 246 (2).
Application
(3) Where a complainant on an application made without notice can establish to the satisfaction of the court that it is not expedient to give notice as required under subsection (2), the court may make such interim order as it thinks fit pending the complainant giving notice as required. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 246 (3).
Interim order
(4) Where a complainant on an application can establish to the satisfaction of the court that an interim order for relief should be made, the court may make such order as it thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 246 (4).
Court order
247. In connection with an action brought or intervened in under section 246, the court may at any time make any order it thinks fit including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(a) an order authorizing the complainant or any other person to control the conduct of the action;
(b) an order giving directions for the conduct of the action;
(c) an order directing that any amount adjudged payable by a defendant in the action shall be paid, in whole or in part, directly to former and present security holders of the corporation or its subsidiary instead of to the corporation or its subsidiary; and
(d) an order requiring the corporation or its subsidiary to pay reasonable legal fees and any other costs reasonably incurred by the complainant in connection with the action. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 247.
Oppression remedy
248. (1) A complainant and, in the case of an offering corporation, the Commission may apply to the court for an order under this section. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (33).
Idem
(2) Where, upon an application under subsection (1), the court is satisfied that in respect of a corporation or any of its affiliates,
(a) any act or omission of the corporation or any of its affiliates effects or threatens to effect a result;
(b) the business or affairs of the corporation or any of its affiliates are, have been or are threatened to be carried on or conducted in a manner; or
(c) the powers of the directors of the corporation or any of its affiliates are, have been or are threatened to be exercised in a manner, that is oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to or that unfairly disregards the interests of any security holder, creditor, director or officer of the corporation, the court may make an order to rectify the matters complained of. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 248 (2).
Court order
(3) In connection with an application under this section, the court may make any interim or final order it thinks fit including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(a) an order restraining the conduct complained of;
(b) an order appointing a receiver or receiver-manager;
(c) an order to regulate a corporations affairs by amending the articles or by-laws or creating or amending a unanimous shareholder agreement;
(d) an order directing an issue or exchange of securities;
(e) an order appointing directors in place of or in addition to all or any of the directors then in office;
(f) an order directing a corporation, subject to subsection (6), or any other person, to purchase securities of a security holder;
(g) an order directing a corporation, subject to subsection (6), or any other person, to pay to a security holder any part of the money paid by the security holder for securities;
(h) an order varying or setting aside a transaction or contract to which a corporation is a party and compensating the corporation or any other party to the transaction or contract;
(i) an order requiring a corporation, within a time specified by the court, to produce to the court or an interested person financial statements in the form required by section 154 or an accounting in such other form as the court may determine;
(j) an order compensating an aggrieved person;
(k) an order directing rectification of the registers or other records of a corporation under section 250;
(l) an order winding up the corporation under section 207;
(m) an order directing an investigation under Part XIII be made; and
(n) an order requiring the trial of any issue. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 248 (3).
Idem
(4) Where an order made under this section directs amendment of the articles or by-laws of a corporation,
(a) the directors shall forthwith comply with subsection 186 (4); and
(b) no other amendment to the articles or by-laws shall be made without the consent of the court, until the court otherwise orders. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 248 (4).
Shareholder may not dissent
(5) A shareholder is not entitled to dissent under section 185 if an amendment to the articles is effected under this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 248 (5).
Where corporation prohibited from paying shareholder
(6) A corporation shall not make a payment to a shareholder under clause (3) (f) or (g) if there are reasonable grounds for believing that,
(a) the corporation is or, after the payment, would be unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or
(b) the realizable value of the corporations assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of its liabilities. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 248 (6).
Discontinuance and settlement
249. (1) An application made or an action brought or intervened in under this Part shall not be stayed or dismissed by reason only that it is shown that an alleged breach of a right or duty owed to the corporation or its affiliate has been or may be approved by the shareholders of such body corporate, but evidence of approval by the shareholders may be taken into account by the court in making an order under section 207, 247 or 248. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 249 (1).
Idem
(2) An application made or an action brought or intervened in under this Part shall not be stayed, discontinued, settled or dismissed for want of prosecution without the approval of the court given upon such terms as the court thinks fit and, if the court determines that the interests of any complainant may be substantially affected by such stay, discontinuance, settlement or dismissal, the court may order any party to the application or action to give notice to the complainant. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 249 (2).
Costs
(3) A complainant is not required to give security for costs in any application made or action brought or intervened in under this Part. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 249 (3).
Idem
(4) In an application made or an action brought or intervened in under this Part, the court may at any time order the corporation or its affiliate to pay to the complainant interim costs, including reasonable legal fees and disbursements, for which interim costs the complainant may be held accountable to the corporation or its affiliate upon final disposition of the application or action. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 249 (4).
Rectifying error in entering, etc., name
250. (1) Where the name of a person is alleged to be or have been wrongly entered or retained in, or wrongly deleted or wrongly omitted from, the registers or other records of a corporation, the corporation, a security holder of the corporation or any aggrieved person may apply to the court for an order that the registers or records be rectified. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 250 (1).
Idem
(2) In connection with an application under this section, the court may make any order it thinks fit including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(a) an order requiring the registers or other records of the corporation to be rectified;
(b) an order restraining the corporation from calling or holding a meeting of shareholders or paying a dividend or making any other distribution or payment to shareholders before the rectification;
(c) an order determining the right of a party to the proceedings to have the partys name entered or retained in, or deleted or omitted from, the registers or records of the corporation, whether the issue arises between two or more security holders, or between the corporation and any security holders or alleged security holders;
(d) an order compensating a party who has incurred a loss. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 250 (2).
Notice of refusal to file
251. (1) Where the Director refuses to endorse a certificate on articles or any other document required by this Act to be endorsed with a certificate by the Director before it becomes effective, the Director shall give written notice to the person who delivered the articles or other document of the Directors refusal, specifying the reasons therefor. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 251 (1).
Failure to act deemed refusal
(2) Where, within six months after the delivery to the Director of articles or other documents referred to in subsection (1), the Director has not endorsed a certificate on such articles or other document, the Director shall be deemed for the purposes of section 252 to have refused to endorse it. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 251 (2).
Appeal from Director
252. (1) A person aggrieved by a decision of the Director,
(a) to refuse to endorse a certificate on articles or on any other document;
(b) to issue or to refuse to issue a certificate of amendment under section 12;
(c) to refuse to grant an order under section 144;
(d) to grant or refuse to grant exemption under section 148;
(e) to refuse to endorse an authorization under section 181; or
(f) to issue an order under section 240,
may appeal to the Divisional Court. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 252 (1).
Form of appeal
(2) Every appeal shall be by notice of appeal sent by registered mail to the Director within thirty days after the mailing of the notice of the decision. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 252 (2).
Certificate of Director
(3) The Director shall certify to the Divisional Court,
(a) the decision of the Director together with a statement of the reasons therefor;
(b) the record of any hearing; and
(c) all written submissions to the Director or other material that is relevant to the appeal. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 252 (3).
Representation
(4) The Director is entitled to be heard, by counsel or otherwise, upon the argument of an appeal under this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 252 (4).
Court order
(5) Where an appeal is taken under this section, the court may by its order direct the Director to make such decision or to do such other act as the Director is authorized and empowered to do under this Act and as the court thinks proper, having regard to the material and submissions before it and to this Act, and the Director shall make such decision or do such act accordingly. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 252 (5).
Director may make further decision
(6) Despite an order of the court under subsection (5), the Director has power to make any further decision upon new material or where there is a material change in the circumstances, and every such decision is subject to this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 252 (6).
Orders for compliance
253. (1) Where a corporation or any shareholder, director, officer, employee, agent, auditor, trustee, receiver and manager, receiver, or liquidator of a corporation does not comply with this Act, the regulations, articles, by-laws, or a unanimous shareholder agreement, a complainant or a creditor of the corporation may, despite the imposition of any penalty in respect of such non-compliance and in addition to any other right the complainant or creditor has, apply to the court for an order directing the corporation or any person to comply with, or restraining the corporation or any person from acting in breach of, any provisions thereof, and upon such application the court may so order and make any further order it thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 253 (1).
Idem
(2) Where it appears to the Commission that any person to whom section 111 or subsection 112 (1) applies has failed to comply with or is contravening either or both of such provisions, despite the imposition of any penalty in respect of such non-compliance or contravention, the Commission may apply to the court and the court may, upon such application, make any order it thinks fit including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(a) an order restraining a solicitation, the holding of a meeting or any person from implementing or acting upon any resolution passed at a meeting, to which such non-compliance with or contravention of section 111 or subsection 112 (1) relates;
(b) an order requiring correction of any form of proxy or information circular and a further solicitation; or
(c) an order adjourning the meeting to which such non-compliance with or contravention of section 111 or subsection 112 (1) relates. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 253 (2).
Application made without notice
254. Where this Act states that a person may apply to the court, that person may apply for injunctive relief without notice as the rules of the court provide. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 254.
Appeal
255. An appeal lies to the Divisional Court from any order made by the court under this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 255.
Offences
256. (1) In this section,
misrepresentation means,
(a) an untrue statement of material fact, or
(b) an omission to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in the light of the circumstances in which it was made. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 256 (1).
Offence, false statements, etc.
(2) Every person who,
(a) makes or assists in making a statement in any material, evidence or information submitted or given under this Act or the regulations to the Director, the Directors delegate or the Commission or any person appointed to make an investigation or audit under this Act that, at the time and in the light of the circumstances under which it is made, is a misrepresentation;
(b) makes or assists in making a statement in any application, articles, consent, financial statement, information circular, notice, report or other document required to be filed with, furnished or sent to the Director or the Commission under this Act or the regulations that, at the time and in the light of the circumstances under which it is made, is a misrepresentation;
(c) fails to file with the Director or the Commission any document required by this Act to be filed with the Director or the Commission; or
(d) fails to observe or to comply with any direction, decision, ruling, order or other requirement made by the Director or the Commission under this Act or the regulations,
is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both, or, if such person is a body corporate, to a fine of not more than $25,000. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 256 (2).
Idem
(3) Where a body corporate is guilty of an offence under subsection (2), every director or officer of such body corporate who, without reasonable cause, authorized, permitted or acquiesced in the offence is also guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 256 (3).
Defence
(4) No person is guilty of an offence under clause (2) (a) or (b) if the person did not know and in the exercise of reasonable diligence could not have known that the statement was a misrepresentation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 256 (4).
Consent
257. No proceeding under section 256 shall be commenced except with the consent or under the direction of the Minister. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 257.
Offence
258. (1) Every person who,
(a) fails without reasonable cause to comply with subsection 29 (5);
(b) without reasonable cause uses a list of holders of securities in contravention of subsection 52 (5) or subsection 146 (8);
(c) fails without reasonable cause to send a prescribed form of proxy to each shareholder of an offering corporation with notice of a meeting of shareholders in contravention of section 111;
(d) fails without reasonable cause to send an information circular in connection with a proxy solicitation in contravention of subsection 112 (1);
(e) being a proxyholder or alternate proxyholder, fails, without reasonable cause, to comply with the directions of the shareholder who appointed him or her in contravention of subsection 114 (1);
(f) without reasonable cause contravenes section 145;
(g) being a director of a corporation, fails, without reasonable cause, to appoint an auditor or auditors, as the case may be, under subsection 149 (1);
(h) being an auditor or former auditor of a corporation fails without reasonable cause to comply with subsection 151 (2);
(i) fails without reasonable cause to comply with subsection 154 (1); or
(j) otherwise without reasonable cause commits an act contrary to or fails or neglects to comply with any provision of this Act or the regulations,
is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both, or if such person is a body corporate, to a fine of not more than $25,000. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 258 (1).
Idem
(2) Where a body corporate is guilty of an offence under subsection (1), every director or officer of such body corporate who, without reasonable cause, authorized, permitted or acquiesced in such offence is also guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 258 (2).
Limitation
259. (1) No proceeding under section 256 or under clause 258 (1) (j) for a contravention of section 144 shall be commenced more than two years after the facts upon which the proceedings are based first came to the knowledge of the Director as certified by him or her. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 259 (1).
Idem
(2) Subject to subsection (1), no proceeding for an offence under this Act or the regulations shall be commenced more than two years after the time when the subject-matter of the offence arose. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 259 (2).
Information containing more than one offence
260. An information in respect of any contravention of this Act may be for one or more offences and no information, summons, warrant, conviction or other proceeding in any prosecution is objectionable as insufficient by reason of the fact that it relates to two or more offences. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 260.
Civil remedy not affected
261. No civil remedy for an act or omission is suspended or affected by reason that the act or omission is an offence under this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 261.
PART XVIII
GENERAL
Notice to directors or shareholders
262. (1) A notice or document required by this Act, the regulations, the articles or the by-laws to be sent to a shareholder or director of a corporation may be sent by prepaid mail addressed to, or may be delivered personally to,
(a) a shareholder at the shareholders latest address as shown in the records of the corporation or its transfer agent; and
(b) a director at his or her latest address as shown in the records of the corporation or in the most recent notice filed under the Corporations Information Act , whichever is the more current. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 262 (1).
Idem
(2) A notice or document sent in accordance with subsection (1) to a shareholder or director of a corporation is deemed to be received by the addressee on the fifth day after mailing. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 262 (2).
Director
(3) A director named in the articles or the most recent return or notice filed under the Corporations Information Act , or a predecessor thereof, is presumed for the purposes of this Act to be a director of the corporation referred to in the articles, return or notice. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 262 (3).
Where notice returned
(4) Where a corporation sends a notice or document to a shareholder in accordance with subsection (1) and the notice or document is returned on three consecutive occasions because the shareholder cannot be found, the corporation is not required to send any further notices or documents to the shareholder until the shareholder informs the corporation in writing of the shareholders new address. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 262 (4).
Application to court
(5) Where it is impracticable or impossible to comply with subsection (1), a person may apply to the court for such order as the court thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 262 (5).
Notice to corporation
263. (1) Except where otherwise provided in this Act, a notice or document required to be sent to a corporation may be sent to the corporation by prepaid mail at its registered office as shown on the records of the Director or may be delivered personally to the corporation at such office and shall be deemed to be received by the corporation on the fifth day after mailing. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 263.
Exception
(2) A notice or other document that is required or permitted by this Act or the regulations to be sent by the Director may be sent by ordinary mail or by any other method, including registered mail, certified mail or prepaid courier, to an address referred to in section 262 or 263 if there is a record by the person who has delivered it that the notice or document has been sent. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (34).
Same
(3) A notice or other document referred to in subsection (2) may be sent by telephone transmission of a facsimile of the notice or other document or by any other form of electronic transmission if there is a record that the notice or other document has been sent. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (34).
Deemed delivery
(4) A notice or other document sent by mail by the Director shall be deemed to have been received by the intended recipient on the earlier of,
(a) the day the intended recipient actually receives it; or
(b) the fifth business day after the day it is mailed. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (34).
Same
(5) A notice or other document sent by a method referred to in subsection (3) shall be deemed to have been received by the intended recipient on the earlier of,
(a) the day the intended recipient actually receives it; or
(b) the first business day after the day the transmission is sent by the Director. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (34).
Waiver of notice and abridgement of times
264. Where a notice or document is required by this Act or the regulations to be sent, the notice may be waived or the time for the sending of the notice or document may be waived or abridged at any time with the consent in writing of the person entitled thereto. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 264.
Delegation of powers and duties
265. (1) The Director may delegate in writing any of the Directors duties or powers under this Act to any public servant in the Ministry. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 265 (1).
Execution of certificate of Director
(2) Where this Act requires or authorizes the Director to endorse or issue a certificate or to certify any fact, the certificate shall be signed by the Director or any other person designated by the regulations. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 265 (2).
Certificate as evidence
(3) A certificate referred to in subsection (2) or a certified copy thereof, when introduced as evidence in any civil, criminal, or administrative action or proceeding, is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof of the facts so certified without personal appearance to prove the signature or official position of the person appearing to have signed the certificate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 265 (3).
Mechanical reproduction of signature
(4) For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3), any signature of the Director or any signature of an officer of the Ministry designated by the regulations may be printed or otherwise mechanically reproduced. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 265 (4).
Non-application
(5) Subsections (2), (3) and (4) do not apply to certificates which are in electronic form. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (35).
Certificate that may be signed by directors, etc.
266. (1) A certificate issued on behalf of a corporation stating any fact that is set out in the articles, the by-laws, a unanimous shareholder agreement, the minutes of the meetings of the directors, a committee of directors or the shareholders, or a trust indenture or other contract to which the corporation is a party, may be signed by a director, an officer or a transfer agent of the corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 266 (1).
Evidence being proof
(2) When introduced as evidence in any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding,
(a) a fact stated in a certificate referred to in subsection (1);
(b) a certified extract from a register of a corporation required to be maintained by this Act; or
(c) a certified copy of minutes or extract from minutes of a meeting of shareholders, directors or a committee of directors of a corporation, is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof of the facts so certified without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed the certificate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 266 (2).
Idem
(3) An entry in a securities register of, or a security certificate issued by, a corporation is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof that the person in whose name the security is registered or whose name appears on the certificate is
the owner of the securities described in the register or in the certificate, as the case may be. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 266 (3).
Copy of document acceptable
267. (1) Where a notice or document is required to be sent to the Director under this Act, the Director may accept a photostatic or photographic copy thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 267 (1).
Exception to subs. (1)
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to articles, applications or documents filed under subsection 9 (3). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 267 (2).
Proof by affidavit
268. (1) The Director may require any fact relevant to the performance of the Directors duties under this Act or the regulations to be verified by affidavit or otherwise. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 268 (1).
Oaths and affirmations at hearings
(2) For the purpose of holding a hearing under this Act, the Director may administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses and require them to give evidence under oath or affirmation. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 268 (2).
269. Repealed: 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (36).
Examination, etc., of documents
270. (1) A person who has paid the required fee is entitled during usual business hours to examine and to make copies of or extracts from any document required by this Act or the regulations to be sent to the Director or the Commission, except a report sent to the Director under subsection 162 (2) that the court has ordered not to be made available to the public. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 270 (1); 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 29.
Copies to be furnished
(2) Subject to clause 162 (1) (j), the Director or the Commission shall furnish any person with a copy or a certified copy of a document required by this Act or the regulations to be sent to the Director or the Commission. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 270 (2).
Privileged documents
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in respect of documents and financial statements required, by this Act or the regulations, to be filed with the Director with an application for exemption from the requirements of Part XII of this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 270 (3).
Appeal from Commission
271. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Commission under this Act may appeal the decision to the Divisional Court and subsections 9 (2) to (6) of the Securities Act apply to the appeal. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 271.
Powers of Minister
271.1 (1) The Minister may make regulations,
(a) prescribing forms for use under this Act and providing for their use;
(b) prescribing the form and content of any notices or documents that this Act requires to be filed. 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 30.
Fees
(2) The Minister may by order require the payment of fees for search reports, copies of documents or information, filing of documents or other services under this Act and may approve the amount of those fees. 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 30.
Regulations
272. The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting any matter the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers necessary for the purposes of this Act including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, regulations,
1. respecting names of corporations or classes thereof, the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions attaching to shares or classes of shares of corporations, or any other matter pertaining to articles or the filing thereof;
2. Repealed: 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 31 (1).
3. Repealed: 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 31 (1).
4. Repealed: 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 31 (1).
Note: Despite the repeal of paragraph 2, regulations made under paragraph 2, as that paragraph read immediately before March 1, 1999, continue until the Minister makes an order under subsection 271.1 (2), as enacted by the Statutes of Ontario, 1998, chapter 18, Schedule E, section 30, that is inconsistent with those regulations. See: 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 31 (2).
Note: Despite the repeal of paragraph 2, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may by regulation revoke regulations made under paragraph 2, as that paragraph read immediately before March 1, 1999, if the Minister makes an order under subsection 271.1 (2), as enacted by the Statutes of Ontario, 1998, chapter 18, Schedule E, section 30, that is inconsistent with those regulations. See: 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 31 (3).
Note: Despite the repeal of paragraphs 3 and 4, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may by regulation revoke regulations made under paragraph 3 or 4, as those paragraphs read immediately before March 1, 1999, if the Minister makes a regulation under subsection 271.1 (1), as enacted by the Statutes of Ontario, 1998, chapter 18, Schedule E, section 30, that is inconsistent with those regulations. See: 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 31 (4).
5. designating officers of the Ministry for the purposes of endorsing certificates, issuing certificates as to any fact or certifying true copies of documents required or authorized under this Act;
6. prescribing the form and content of information circulars and proxies required by Part VIII and the discretionary authority that may be conferred in proxies;
7. prescribing requirements with respect to applications to the Director or the Commission for exemptions permitted by this Act and the practice and procedure thereon;
8. prohibiting the use of any words or expressions in a corporate name;
9. defining any word or expression used in clause 9 (1) (b);
10. prescribing requirements for the purposes of clause 9 (1) (c);
11. prescribing conditions for the purposes of subsection 9 (2);
12. prescribing the documents relating to names that shall be filed with the Director under subsection 9 (3);
13. respecting the name of a corporation under subsection 10 (2);
14. prescribing the punctuation marks and other marks that may form part of a corporate name under subsection 10 (3);
15. respecting the content of a special language provision under subsection 10 (4);
16. prescribing the form of the statutory declarations under subsection 52 (1) and subsection 146 (1);
16.1 prescribing an amount for the purposes of subclause 148 (1) (a) (iii);
17. prescribing the form and content of financial statements and interim financial statements required under this Act;
18. prescribing that, for the purposes of Part XII of this Act, the standards, as they exist from time to time, of a prescribed accounting body shall be followed;
19. prescribing standards to be used by an auditor in making an examination of financial statements required under this Act and the manner in which the auditor shall report thereon;
20. prescribing exceptions under section 177;
21. prescribing the manner in which notice may be sent under subsection 190 (3);
22. prescribing the requirements with respect to applications by the Director authorized under subsection 248 (1);
23. prescribing Acts of Canada or a province or ordinances of a territory for purposes of sections 29, 42, 45 and 56 and prescribing the notice required under subsection 45 (1);
24. prescribing the manner in which the directors of corporations may determine that restricted shares are owned contrary to restrictions under subsection 45 (1);
25. prescribing the manner in which funds may be invested under subsection 45 (5);
26. prescribing, with respect to a corporation that has imposed restrictions on the issue, transfer or ownership of its shares for a purpose under subsection 42 (2),
i. the disclosure required of the restrictions in documents issued or published by the corporation,
ii. the duties and powers of the directors to refuse to issue or register transfers of shares in accordance with the articles of the corporation,
iii. the limitations on voting rights of any shares held contrary to the articles of the corporation, and
iv. the powers of the directors to require disclosure of beneficial ownership of shares of the corporation and the rights of the corporation and its directors, employees or agents to rely on the disclosure and the effects of the reliance;
27. prescribing persons or classes of persons for the purpose of clause 42 (2) (c) and prescribing the manner of computing the ownership of shares of a corporation by persons for such purpose;
28. prescribing the circumstances and conditions under which the Director may exercise power under subsection 148 (2);
29. prescribing classes of persons for the purposes of clause (b) of the definition of resident Canadian in subsection 1 (1);
29.1 providing for and governing the filing of documents sent by electronic format, including the manner of determining the date of receipt and the form of electronic signatures;
29.2 providing for the waiver of signature requirements;
29.3 providing for the exclusion of any class or classes of documents from being filed in electronic format or by telephone transmission of a facsimile;
29.4 authorizing the Director to enter into an agreement with any person respecting the use, disclosure, sale or licensing of records required under this Act and prescribing terms and conditions for any such agreement;
30. prescribing any matter referred to in this Act as prescribed by the regulations. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 272; 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (37); 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 31 (1).
Where articles to be sent to Director
273. (1) Where this Act requires that articles relating to a corporation be sent to the Director, unless otherwise specifically provided,
(a) two duplicate originals of the articles shall be signed by a director or an officer of the corporation or, in the case of articles of incorporation, by an incorporator; and
(b) upon receiving duplicate originals of any articles in the prescribed form that have been executed in accordance with this Act, any other required documents and the prescribed fees, the Director shall, subject to his or her discretion as provided in subsection 180 (4) and subsection 241 (5), and, subject to subsection (2),
(i) endorse on each duplicate original a certificate, setting out the day, month and year of endorsement and the corporation number,
(ii) file a copy of the articles with the endorsement of the certificate thereon, and
(iii) send to the corporation or its representative one duplicate original of the articles with the endorsement of the certificate thereon.
(iv) Repealed: 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (38).
R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 273 (1); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (38).
Date on certificate
(2) A certificate referred to in subsection (1) shall be dated as of the day the Director receives the duplicate originals of any articles together with all other required documents executed in accordance with this Act and the required fee, or as of any later date acceptable to the Director and specified by the person who submitted the articles or by the court. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 273 (2); 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 32 (1).
Effective date of articles
(3) Articles endorsed with a certificate under subsection (1), are effective on the date shown in the certificate even if any action required to be taken by the Director under this Act with respect to the endorsement of the certificate and filing by the Director is taken at a later date. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 273 (3).
Electronic filing
(4) Despite subsections (1) and (2), if articles relating to a corporation are sent to the Director in a prescribed electronic format,
(a) the articles shall set out an electronic signature of a director or officer of the corporation or, in the case of articles of incorporation, the electronic signature of the incorporator, unless the regulations otherwise provide; and
(b) upon receipt of the articles in the prescribed electronic format completed in accordance with this Act and the required fee, the Director shall, subject to his or her discretion as provided in subsections 180 (4) and 241 (5), and subject to subsection (5) of this section,
(i) endorse a certificate by making an appropriate entry in an electronic database maintained under section 276, and
(ii) send to the corporation or its representative a copy of the certificate in a form prescribed by the regulations. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (39); 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 32 (2).
Date of certificate
(5) A certificate referred to in subsection (4) shall be dated as of the day the Director received the articles in a prescribed electronic format completed in accordance with this Act and the required fee or as of any later date acceptable to the Director and specified by the person who submitted the articles or by the court. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (39); 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 32 (3).
Electronic filers
273.1 (1) Information that is filed in an electronic format may be filed by a person who is authorized to do so by the Director or by a person who is a member of a class of persons that is authorized to do so. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (40).
Condition
(2) The Director may attach terms and conditions to an authorization given under subsection (1) and may require any person who applies for an authorization to enter into an agreement governing the making of filings in an electronic format. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (40).
Fax filing
273.2 (1) Despite section 273 and subject to the regulations, articles or other documents may be sent in duplicate to the Director by telephone transmission of a facsimile. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (40).
Same
(2) Where articles or another document are sent to the Director under subsection (1), a required signature may be a facsimile. 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (40).
No certificate if corporation in default
274. (1) Despite any provision of this Act requiring the Director to endorse a certificate, the Director shall not do so if a corporation is in default of a filing requirement under the Corporations Information Act or has any unpaid fees or penalties outstanding. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 274 (1).
Commencement
(2) This section comes into force on a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 274 (2).
Where error in respect of certificate
275. (1) Where a certificate endorsed or issued under this Act or a predecessor of this Act contains an error or where a certificate has been endorsed or issued on articles or any other documents that contain an error,
(a) the corporation, its directors or shareholders may apply to the Director for a corrected certificate and shall surrender the certificate and related articles or documents; or
(b) the corporation shall upon the request of the Director surrender the certificate and related articles or documents, and, after giving the corporation an opportunity to be heard, where the Director is of the opinion that it is appropriate to so do and is satisfied that such steps have been taken by the corporation as the Director required, the Director shall endorse a corrected certificate. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 275 (1).
Date on certificate
(2) A corrected certificate endorsed under subsection (1) may bear the date of the certificate it replaces. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 275 (2).
(3) Repealed: 2004, c. 19, s. 3 (6).
Appeal
(4) A decision of the Director under subsection (1) may be appealed to the Divisional Court which may order the Director to change his or her decision and make such further order as it thinks fit. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 275 (4).
Records
276. (1) Records required by this Act to be prepared and maintained by the Director or Commission may be in bound or loose-leaf or electronic form or in photographic film form, or may be entered or recorded by any system of mechanical or electronic data processing or by any other information storage device that is capable of reproducing any required information in an accurate and intelligible form within a reasonable time. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 276 (1); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (41).
Admission as evidence
(2) When records maintained by the Director or the Commission are prepared and maintained other than in written form,
(a) the Director or the Commission shall furnish any copy required to be furnished under subsection 270 (2) in intelligible written or other form; and
(b) a report reproduced from those records, if it is certified by the Director or the Commission or a member thereof, as the case may be, is, without proof of the office or signature thereof, admissible in evidence. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 276 (2); 1994, c. 27, s. 71 (42, 43).
Copy in lieu of document
(3) The Director or Commission, as the case may be, is not required to produce any document where a copy of the document is furnished in compliance with clause (2) (a). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 276 (3).
Deemed amendment
277. (1) Any provision in articles, by-laws or any special resolution of a corporation that was valid immediately before the 29th day of July, 1983 and that has not been amended in accordance with this Act is deemed to be amended to the extent necessary to bring the terms of the provision into conformity with this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 277 (1).
Amendments
(2) A corporation may, by articles of amendment, change the express terms of any provision in its articles to which subsection (1) applies to conform to the terms of the provision as deemed to be amended by that subsection. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 277 (2).
Idem
(3) A corporation shall not restate its articles under section 173 unless the articles of the corporation are in conformity with this Act and, where the articles have been deemed to be amended under subsection (1), the corporation has amended the express terms of the provisions in its articles in accordance with subsection (2). R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 277 (3).
Where s. 185 does not apply
(4) A shareholder is not entitled to dissent under section 185 in respect of any amendment made for the purpose only of bringing the provisions of articles into conformity with this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 277 (4).
Appointment of Director
278. The Minister may appoint a Director to carry out the duties and exercise the powers of the Director under this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 278.
Exhibit 8(e) to Form T-6
NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 71-101
THE MULTIJURISDICTIONAL DISCLOSURE SYSTEM
PART 1 DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions
PART 2 GENERAL
2.1 Timing of Filing
2.2 Successor Issuers
2.3 Successor Issuer Interpretation
PART 3 MJDS PROSPECTUS DISTRIBUTIONS OF SECURITIES OF U.S. ISSUERS
3.1 General Eligibility Criteria
3.2 Alternative Eligibility Criteria for Certain Guaranteed Issues
3.3 Limitation on Distribution of Derivative Securities
3.4 Preliminary MJDS Prospectus and MJDS Prospectus
PART 4 FORM AND CONTENT OF MJDS PROSPECTUS
4.1 Distributions in Canada and the U.S.
4.2 Distributions only in Canada
4.3 Additional Legends and Disclosure
4.4 Incorporation by Reference
4.5 Statements Modified or Superseded
4.6 Reconciliation of Financial Statements
4.7 General Certification Requirements
4.8 Certificate Requirement for Rule 415 Offerings
4.9 Certificate Requirement for Rule 430A Offerings
4.10 Certificates for Rule 430A Pricing Prospectus
4.11 Signing of Certificates by Agent
PART 5 FILING PROCEDURES
5.1 Specification of Principal Jurisdiction
5.2 Alternate Principal Jurisdiction
5.3 SEC Review
PART 6 FILING DOCUMENTS
6.1 Principal Jurisdiction
6.2 Canada-U.S. Offering
6.3 Non-Principal Jurisdictions
6.4 Certificate Regarding Eligibility Criteria
6.5 Consents
6.6 Further Consents
6.7 Form of Consent
6.8 Reports on Property
6.9 Appointment of Agent for Service
6.10 Powers of Attorney
6.11 Notification of Effectiveness
6.12 Exhibits to Registration Statement
6.13 Rule 415 Offerings
6.14 French Language Documentation Not Required
PART 7 AMENDMENT AND SUPPLEMENT PROCEDURES
7.1 Form of Amendment or Supplement
7.2 Modification or Amendment
7.3 Post-Effective Amendment
7.4 Amendment to Additional Disclosure
7.5 Filing of Rule 415 Prospectus Supplement
7.6 Rule 415 Prospectus Supplement Not Filed
7.7 Filing of Rule 430A Pricing Prospectus
7.8 Incorporation by Reference of Pricing Information
7.9 Filing of Revised U.S. Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement
PART 8 DISSEMINATION REQUIREMENTS
8.1 General
8.2 Prospectus Supplements
8.3 Rule 430A Pricing Prospectus
8.4 Documents Incorporated by Reference
8.5 Provision of Documents Incorporated by Reference
PART 9 REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
9.1 Rights offerings
PART 10 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
10.1 Distributions of a Registrant, Connected Issuer or a Related Issuer
PART 11 GENERAL
11.1 Representations as to Listing
11.2 Solicitations of Expressions of Interest
11.3 Other Prospectus Requirements
PART 12 BIDS FOR SECURITIES OF U.S. ISSUERS
12.1 General Eligibility Criteria
12.2 MJDS Take-Over Bid Circular and MJDS Issuer Bid Circular
12.3 Securities Exchange Bids
12.4 Compliance with U.S. tender offer requirements
12.5 Form and Content of Bid Documents
12.6 Incorporation by Reference
12.7 Statements Modified or Superseded
12.8 Reconciliation of Financial Statements
12.9 Certificates
12.10 Bid Circular Filing Procedures
12.11 Notification to Offeree Issuer
12.12 French Language Documentation Not Required
12.13 MJDS Directors Circulars and MJDS Directors or Officers Circulars
12.14 Securities Exchange Bids
12.15 Notices of Variation and Notices of Change
12.16 Dissemination Requirements
PART 13 BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
13.1 Eligibility Criteria
13.2 Form and Content of Disclosure Documents and Procedures
PART 14 MATERIAL CHANGE REPORTING
14.1 News Release
14.2 Material Change Reports
PART 15 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, ANNUAL INFORMATION FORMS AND MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 44
15.1 Financial Statements
15.2 Annual Reports, Annual Information Forms and Managements Discussion and Analysis
PART 16 PROXIES AND PROXY SOLICITATION
16.1 Proxy Solicitation by a U.S. Issuer
16.2 Proxy Solicitation by Another Person or Company
16.3 Determination of Eligibility
PART 17 INSIDER REPORTING
17.1 Insider Reporting
PART 18 COMMUNICATION WITH BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF SECURITIES OF A REPORTING ISSUER
18.1 Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer
PART 19 TRUST INDENTURE REQUIREMENTS
19.1 Trust Indenture Requirements
PART 20 FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
20.1 Financial Disclosure
PART 21 EXEMPTIONS
21.1 Exemption
21.2 Evidence of Exemption
PART 22 EFFECTIVE DATE
22.1 Effective Date
APPENDIX A 50
METHOD 1 FOR PROSPECTUS CERTIFICATES FOR RULE 415 OFFERINGS
APPENDIX B 56
METHOD 2 FOR PROSPECTUS CERTIFICATES FOR RULE 415 OFFERINGS
FORM 71-101F1
FORMS OF SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION AND APPOINTMENT OF AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS
1. MJDS Prospectus Distribution of Securities
2. Take-over or Issuer Bid
3. Trust Indenture
NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 71-101
THE MULTIJURISDICTIONAL DISCLOSURE SYSTEM
PART 1 DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions
In this Instrument
acting jointly or in concert has the same interpretation as in securities legislation;
affiliated party, for an issuer, means a person or company that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the issuer;
bid means a take-over bid or an issuer bid;
bid circular means a take-over bid circular or an issuer bid circular as those terms are used in securities legislation;
business combination means a statutory merger or consolidation or similar plan or acquisition requiring the vote or consent of securityholders of a person or company, in which securities of the person or company or another person or company held by the securityholders will become or be exchanged for securities of any other person or company;
commodity pool issuer means an issuer formed and operated for the purpose of investing in commodity futures contracts, commodity futures, related products, or a combination of them;
connected issuer has the meaning ascribed to the term connected issuer or connected party in securities legislation;
control, with respect to an issuer, means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the issuer, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and under common control with has a corresponding meaning;
convertible, for debt or preferred shares, means that the rights and attributes attaching to the securities include a right or option to purchase, convert into, exchange for or otherwise acquire a security of the issuer or of another issuer that is
(a) an equity share,
(b) a debt or a preferred share not having an investment grade rating in the case of a debt or a preferred share having an investment grade rating, or
(c) another security that itself has a right or option to purchase, convert into, exchange for or otherwise acquire a security of the issuer or another issuer that is an equity share, or a debt or a preferred share not having an investment grade rating in the case of a debt or a preferred share having an investment grade rating;
convert has a corresponding meaning to the term convertible;
dealer registration requirement means the requirement in securities legislation that prohibits a person or company from trading in a security unless the person or company is registered in the appropriate category of registration under securities legislation;
equity shares means common shares, non-voting equity shares and subordinate or restricted voting equity shares, but excludes preferred shares;
expertised statement means part of a disclosure document required to be filed for a distribution or bid made under this Instrument, a document that is incorporated by reference in the disclosure document, or a report used in or in connection with the disclosure document or any document incorporated by reference in the disclosure document, that in each case is purported to be made on the authority of an expert;
foreign issuer means an issuer that is not incorporated or organized under the laws of Canada or a jurisdiction, unless
(a) voting securities carrying more than 50 percent of the votes for the election of directors are held by persons or companies whose last address as shown on the books of the issuer is in Canada, and
(b) any one or more of
(i) the majority of the senior officers or directors of the issuer are citizens or residents of Canada,
(ii) more than 50 percent of the assets of the issuer are located in Canada, or
(iii) the business of the issuer is administered principally in Canada;
independent underwriter means a person or company that underwrites securities distributed by MJDS prospectus that is not the issuer and in respect of which
(a) if the person or company is a registrant, the issuer is not a connected issuer or related issuer, or
(b) if the person or company is not a registrant, would not be a connected issuer or related issuer if the person or company was a registrant;
insider bid has the meaning ascribed to that term in securities legislation;
insider reporting requirement means the requirement in securities legislation for an insider of a reporting issuer to file reports disclosing the insiders direct or indirect beneficial ownership of, or control or direction over, securities of the issuer;
intermediary, for purposes of section 18.1, means a registered dealer or adviser, a bank or trust company, a participant in a clearing agency, a trustee or administrator of a self-administered retirement savings plan, retirement income fund, education savings plan, or other similar self-administered savings or investment plan registered under the ITA, or a nominee of any of those persons, that holds a security on behalf of another person or company that is not the registered holder of the security, unless excluded from the definition of intermediary by National Policy Statement No. 41 or any successor instrument to that national policy statement;
investment grade rating means a provisional rating by a rating organization in one of its generic rating categories that signifies investment grade;
issuer tender offer statement means an issuer tender offer statement on Schedule 13E-4 under Section 13(e)(1) of the 1934 Act;
issuer bid has the meaning ascribed to that term in securities legislation;
majority-owned subsidiary means a person or company of which voting securities carrying more than 50 percent of the votes for the election of directors are held by any one or more of
(a) another person or company, and
(b) the other majority-owned subsidiaries of that other person or company;
method 1 means the first of the two alternative methods of providing prospectus certificates for rule 415 offerings made under this Instrument set forth in Appendix A;
method 2 means the second of the two alternative methods of providing prospectus certificates for rule 415 offerings made under this Instrument set forth in Appendix B;
MJDS means the multijurisdictional disclosure system established by this Instrument;
MJDS directors circular means, for a take-over bid for a class of securities of a U.S. issuer made under this Instrument, a tender offer solicitation/recommendation statement, amendments to that statement and all other information and materials required or permitted to be disseminated to holders of the securities by the offeree issuer or its board of directors for a tender offer made for the securities under U.S. federal securities law, that in each case complies with the form and content requirements of subsection 12.4(2);
MJDS directors or officers circular means, for a take-over bid for a class of securities of a U.S. issuer made under this Instrument, a tender offer solicitation/recommendation statement, amendments to that statement and all other information and materials required or permitted to be disseminated to holders of the securities by an individual director or officer for a tender offer made for the securities under U.S. federal securities law, that in each case complies with the form and content requirements of subsection 12.4(2);
MJDS issuer bid circular means, for an issuer bid for a class of securities of a U.S. issuer made under this Instrument, an issuer tender offer statement, amendments to that statement and all other information and materials required to be disseminated to holders of the securities by the issuer for an issuer tender offer made for the securities under U.S. federal securities law, that in each case complies with the form and content requirements of subsection 12.4(1);
MJDS prospectus means, for a distribution of securities under this Instrument other than under section 12.3, a U.S. prospectus that contains the additional information, legends and certificates required by, and otherwise complies with the disclosure requirements of, this Instrument;
MJDS take-over bid circular means, for a take-over bid for a class of securities of a U.S. issuer made under this Instrument, a tender offer statement, amendments to that statement and all other information and materials required to be disseminated to holders of the securities by the offeror for a tender offer made for the securities under U.S. federal securities law, that in each case complies with the form and content requirements of subsection 12.4(1);
MTN program means a continuous rule 415 offering of debt in which the specific variable terms of the individual securities and the offering of the securities are determined at the time of sale;
Nasdaq means the Nasdaq Stock Market;
NNM means the Nasdaq National Market;
non-convertible means securities that are not convertible;
offeree issuer has the meaning ascribed to that term in securities legislation;
offeror has the meaning ascribed to that term in securities legislation;
parent, for a majority-owned subsidiary, means a person or company that, alone or together with any one or more of the person or companys other majority-owned subsidiaries, holds voting securities of the majority-owned subsidiary carrying more than 50 percent of the votes for the election of directors;
preliminary MJDS prospectus means, for a distribution of securities under this Instrument other than under section 12.3, a preliminary form of MJDS prospectus;
principal jurisdiction means the jurisdiction specified in accordance with section 5.1;
principal market, for a class of securities, means the single securities market with the largest aggregate trading volume for the class of securities in the preceding 12 calendar month period;
prospectus requirement means the prohibition in securities legislation from a person or company distributing a security unless a preliminary prospectus and prospectus for the distribution have been filed and receipts obtained for them;
public float, for a class of securities, means
(a) the aggregate market value of the securities held by persons or companies that are not affiliated parties of the issuer of the securities, calculated by using the price at which the securities were last sold in the principal market for the securities on the date specified in the applicable provision of this Instrument, or the average of the bid and asked prices of the securities in the principal market on that date if there were no sales on that date,
(b) if there is no market for the class of securities, the book value of the securities held by persons or companies that are not affiliated parties of the issuer of the securities computed on that date, and
(c) if the issuer of the class of securities is in bankruptcy or receivership or has an accumulated capital deficit, one-third of the principal amount, par value or stated value of the securities held by persons or companies that are not affiliated parties of the issuer of the securities computed on that date;
rating organization means each of CBRS Inc., Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited, Moodys Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poors Corporation and any entity recognized by the SEC as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization as that term is used in Rule 15c3-1(c)(2) (vi)(F) under the 1934 Act;
related issuer has the meaning ascribed to the term related issuer or related party in securities legislation;
rule 415 offering means a distribution under Rule 415 under the 1933 Act that is made under this Instrument;
rule 415 prospectus supplement means a form of prospectus supplement prepared for a rule 415 offering;
rule 430A offering means a distribution under Rule 430A under the 1933 Act that is made under this Instrument;
rule 430A pricing prospectus means a MJDS prospectus prepared for a rule 430A offering that contains the information omitted from the U.S. prospectus included as part of the registration statement at the time of effectiveness of the registration statement, as permitted by Rule 430A under the 1933 Act;
securities exchange bid means a bid in which the consideration for the securities of the offeree issuer consists, in whole or in part, of securities of an offeror or other issuer;
specified predecessor means, for a successor issuer continuing after a business combination, a predecessor to the successor issuer whose assets and gross revenues in aggregate would contribute less than 20 percent of the total assets and gross revenues from continuing operations of the successor issuer, based on a pro forma combination of each predecessors financial position and results of operations for its most recently completed financial year ended before the business combination for which financial statements have been filed;
successor issuer means an issuer subsisting as an issuer after a business combination;
take-over bid has the meaning ascribed to that term in securities legislation;
tender offer solicitation/recommendation statement means a statement made under rule 14d-9 or 14e-2 under the 1934 Act;
tender offer statement means a tender offer statement on Schedule 14D-1 under section 14(d) of the 1934 Act;
U.S. federal securities law means the federal statutes of the United States of America concerning the regulation of securities markets and trading in securities and the regulations, rules, forms and schedules under those statutes;
U.S. issuer means a foreign issuer that is incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory of the United States of America or the District of Columbia;
U.S. prospectus means a prospectus that has been prepared in accordance with the disclosure and other requirements of U.S. federal securities law for an offering of securities registered under the 1933 Act, or if the offering is not being made contemporaneously in the U.S., as if the offering is being made on a registered basis in the United States of America;
voting securities means securities the holders of which have a present entitlement to vote for the election of directors;
1934 Act filings means all filings required to be made with the SEC under sections 13, 14 and 15(d) of the 1934 Act; and
1940 Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940 of the United States of America.
PART 2 GENERAL
2.1 Timing of Filing Unless otherwise provided in this Instrument, documents that must be filed under this Instrument that are also filed with the SEC shall be filed as nearly as practicable contemporaneously with the filing with the SEC.
2.2 Successor Issuers A successor issuer satisfies the eligibility criteria set forth in subparagraphs 3.1(a)(iii), 3.1(b)(ii) and (iii) and paragraphs
12.3(1)(c) and 13.1(1)(c) if
(a) since the business combination the successor issuer has made all 1934 Act filings and, if applicable, has had a class of its securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or quoted on NNM;
(b) the successor issuer is in compliance with the obligations arising from the listing or quotation referred to in paragraph (a), if applicable; and
(c) the filing, listing or quotation requirement to be satisfied for a period of 12 or 36 months is satisfied for each predecessor, other than a specified predecessor.
2.3 Successor Issuer Interpretation - In determining if the filing, listing or quotation requirement in paragraph 2.2(c) is satisfied for a period of 12 or 36 months for each predecessor, the period during which the successor issuer satisfied the requirement shall be added to the immediately preceding period during which the predecessor satisfied the requirement.
PART 3 MJDS PROSPECTUS DISTRIBUTIONS OF SECURITIES OF U.S. ISSUERS
3.1 General Eligibility Criteria - Subject to section 3.3, this Instrument may be used to distribute
(a) debt that has an investment grade rating or preferred shares that have an investment grade rating, in each case at the time the preliminary MJDS prospectus is filed in the principal jurisdiction, or rights that, upon issuance, are immediately exercisable for any of these securities, if
(i) the issuer is a U.S. issuer,
(ii) the issuer
(A) has a class of securities registered under section 12(b) or 12(g) of the 1934 Act, or
(B) is required to file reports under section 15(d) of the 1934 Act,
(iii) the issuer has filed with the SEC all 1934 Act filings for a period of 12 calendar months immediately before the filing of the preliminary MJDS prospectus in the principal jurisdiction,
(iv) the issuer is not registered or required to be registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act,
(v) the issuer is not a commodity pool issuer, and
(vi) the securities being offered or issuable upon the exercise of the rights either,
(A) are non-convertible, or
(B) if convertible, may not be converted for at least one year after issuance, and the equity shares of the issuer of the securities into which the offered securities are convertible have a public float of not less than U.S. $75,000,000, determined as of a date within 60 days before the filing of the preliminary MJDS prospectus in the principal jurisdiction;
(b) rights to purchase additional securities of its own issue issued by a U.S. issuer to its existing securityholders and the securities issued upon the exercise of the rights, if
(i) the issuer meets the eligibility criteria specified in subparagraphs (a)(ii), (iv) and (v),
(ii) the issuer has filed with the SEC all 1934 Act filings for a period of 36 calendar months immediately before the filing of the preliminary MJDS prospectus in the principal jurisdiction,
(iii) the issuer has had a class of its securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or quoted on the NNM for a period of at least 12 calendar months immediately before the filing of the preliminary MJDS prospectus in the principal jurisdiction and is in compliance with the obligations arising from the listing or quotation,
(iv) the rights are exercisable immediately upon issuance,
(v) subject to subparagraph (vi), the rights issued to residents of Canada have the same terms and conditions as the rights issued to residents of the United States of America, and
(vi) beneficial ownership of rights issued to a resident of Canada are not transferable to a resident of Canada, other than residents to whom rights of the same issue were granted, provided that,
(A) the securities issuable upon exercise of the rights may be so transferable, and
(B) this limitation does not restrict the transfer of rights on a securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system outside of Canada; or
(c) any securities of a U.S. issuer if
(i) the issuer meets the eligibility criteria specified in subparagraphs (a)(ii) to (v), and
(ii) the equity shares of the issuer have a public float of not less than U.S. $75,000,000, determined as of a date within 60 days before the filing of the preliminary MJDS prospectus in the principal jurisdiction.
3.2 Alternative Eligibility Criteria for Certain Guaranteed Issues - Subject to section 3.3, this Instrument may also be used to distribute securities of an issuer, if
(a) the securities distributed are
(i) non-convertible debt having an investment grade rating, or non-convertible preferred shares having an investment grade rating, of a majority-owned subsidiary whose parent meets the eligibility criteria set forth in subparagraphs 3.1(a)(i) through (v),
(ii) convertible debt having an investment grade rating, or convertible preferred shares having an investment grade rating, of a majority-owned subsidiary that may not be converted for at least one year after issuance and are convertible only into securities of a parent that meets the eligibility requirements set forth in subparagraphs 3.1(a)(i) through (v) and sub-subparagraph 3.1(a)(vi)(B),
(iii) non-convertible debt, or non-convertible preferred shares, of a majority-owned subsidiary whose parent meets the eligibility requirements set forth in paragraph 3.1(c), or
(iv) convertible debt, or convertible preferred shares, of a majority-owned subsidiary that are convertible only into securities of a parent that meets the eligibility requirements set forth in paragraph 3.1(c);
(b) the issuer meets the eligibility criteria set forth in subparagraphs 3.1(a)(i), (iv) and (v); and
(c) the parent fully and unconditionally guarantees payment in respect of the securities being distributed, as to principal and interest if the securities are debt, and as to liquidation preference, redemption and dividends if the securities are preferred shares.
3.3 Limitation on Distribution of Derivative Securities
(1) No person or company shall file a prospectus for the distribution of derivative securities under this Instrument.
(2) Despite subsection (1), warrants, options, rights or convertible securities may be distributed under this Instrument if the issuer of the underlying securities to which the warrants, options, rights or convertible securities relate is eligible under this Instrument to distribute the underlying securities.
3.4 Preliminary MJDS Prospectus and MJDS Prospectus
(1) A U.S. issuer shall file a preliminary MJDS prospectus and a MJDS prospectus for a distribution of securities under this Instrument other than under section 12.3.
(2) A preliminary MJDS prospectus, an amendment to a preliminary MJDS prospectus, a MJDS prospectus and an amendment to a MJDS prospectus is a preliminary prospectus, an amendment to a preliminary prospectus, a prospectus and an amendment to a prospectus, respectively, for the purposes of securities legislation.
PART 4 FORM AND CONTENT OF MJDS PROSPECTUS
4.1 Distributions in Canada and the U.S. - Subject to section 4.2, an issuer of securities distributed under this Instrument shall file the registration statement and amendments to the registration statement filed for the offering
with the SEC, together with the related preliminary MJDS prospectus and MJDS prospectus and amendments and supplements to the preliminary MJDS prospectus and MJDS prospectus.
4.2 Distributions only in Canada - If a distribution is being made only in Canada, the issuer does not need to file a registration statement and amendments to the registration statement, or other information required in a registration statement but not required in the U.S. prospectus.
4.3 Additional Legends and Disclosure
(1) The following statements shall be printed
(a) in red ink on the outside front cover page, or on a sticker on that page, of each preliminary MJDS prospectus used for a distribution under this Instrument
This preliminary MJDS prospectus relating to the securities described in it has been filed in [each of/certain of] the [provinces/provinces and territories] of Canada but has not yet become final for the purpose of a distribution. Information contained in this preliminary MJDS prospectus may not be complete and may have to be amended. The securities may not be distributed until a receipt is obtained for the MJDS prospectus.;
(b) on the outside or inside front cover page, or on a sticker on that page, of each preliminary MJDS prospectus and MJDS prospectus
(i) This offering is being made by a U.S. issuer using disclosure documents prepared in accordance with U.S. securities laws. Purchasers should be aware that these requirements may differ from those of [insert the names of the provinces and territories where qualified]. The financial statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus have not been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles and may not be comparable to financial statements of Canadian issuers.
(ii) [All of] [Certain of] the directors and officers of the issuer and [all of] [certain of] the experts named in this prospectus reside outside of Canada. [[Substantially] [A]ll of the assets of these persons and of the issuer may be located outside Canada.] The issuer has appointed [name and address of agent for service] as its agent for service of process in Canada, but it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within Canada upon the directors, officers and experts referred to above. It may also not be possible to enforce against the issuer, its directors and officers and [certain of] the experts named in this prospectus judgments obtained in Canadian courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of applicable securities laws in Canada.
(iii) This prospectus constitutes a public offering of these securities only in those jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale and in those jurisdictions only by persons permitted to sell such securities. No securities commission or similar authority in Canada or the United States of America has in any way passed upon the merits of the securities offered by this prospectus and any representation to the contrary is an offence.; and
(c) in each preliminary MJDS prospectus and MJDS prospectus
Securities legislation in [certain of the provinces [and territories] of Canada] [the Province of... [insert name of local jurisdiction, if applicable]] provides purchasers with the right to withdraw from an agreement to purchase securities within two business days after receipt or deemed receipt of a prospectus and any amendment. [In several of the provinces [and territories], the] securities legislation further provides a purchaser with remedies for rescission [or [, in some jurisdictions,] damages] if the prospectus and any amendment contains a misrepresentation or is not delivered to the purchaser, provided that such remedies for rescission [or damages] are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchasers province [or territory]. The purchaser should refer to the applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchasers province [or territory] for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal adviser. Rights and remedies also may be available to purchasers under U.S. law; purchasers may wish to consult with a U.S. legal adviser for particulars of these rights.
(2) A preliminary MJDS prospectus, MJDS prospectus or amendment or supplement to a preliminary MJDS prospectus or MJDS prospectus need not contain any disclosure relevant solely to U.S. offerees or purchasers, including
(a) any red herring legend required by U.S. federal securities law;
(b) except as provided in paragraph (1)(b)(iii), any legend regarding approval or disapproval by the SEC;
(c) any discussion of U.S. tax considerations other than those material to Canadian purchasers; and
(d) the names of U.S. underwriters not acting as underwriters in Canada or a description of the U.S. plan of distribution, except to the extent necessary to describe facts material to the Canadian distribution.
4.4 Incorporation by Reference Except as otherwise provided in this Instrument, documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into a U.S. prospectus under U.S. federal securities law shall be, and are deemed to be, incorporated by reference into a preliminary MJDS prospectus or MJDS prospectus.
4.5 Statements Modified or Superseded
(1) A statement in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into a MJDS prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded, for the purposes of the MJDS prospectus, to the extent that a statement in the MJDS prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference into the MJDS prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement.
(2) The modifying or superseding statement need not state that it has modified or superseded a prior statement or include any other information in the document that it modifies or supersedes.
(3) The making of a modifying or superseding statement shall not be deemed an admission for any purpose that the modified or superseded statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation, an untrue statement of material fact or an omission to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it was made.
(4) A statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed in its unmodified or superseded form to constitute part of the MJDS prospectus.
(5) If documents are incorporated by reference into a preliminary MJDS prospectus or MJDS prospectus, the section in the preliminary MJDS prospectus or MJDS prospectus that provides information about incorporation by reference shall include a statement that information has been incorporated by reference from documents filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authority in each jurisdiction in which the distribution is being made and shall state the name, address and telephone number of an officer of the issuer from whom copies of the documents may be obtained on request without charge.
4.6 Reconciliation of Financial Statements
(1) A preliminary MJDS prospectus and a MJDS prospectus used to distribute securities eligible under paragraph 3.1(c) shall include a reconciliation of the financial statements required to be included or incorporated by reference in the preliminary MJDS prospectus and MJDS prospectus to Canadian GAAP in the notes to the financial statements or as a supplement included or incorporated by reference in the preliminary MJDS prospectus and MJDS prospectus.
(2) A reconciliation required to be included in the financial statements under subsection (1) shall explain and quantify as a separate reconciling item any significant differences between the principles applied in the financial
statements, including note disclosure, and Canadian GAAP and, in the case of the reconciliation of the annual financial statements, shall be covered by an auditors report.
4.7 General Certification Requirements - Except as provided in sections 4.8 to 4.10, each preliminary MJDS prospectus and MJDS prospectus used for a distribution under this Part shall contain
(a) a certificate in the following form, signed by the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, and, on behalf of the board of directors of the issuer, any two directors of the issuer, other than the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, any person or company who is a promoter of the issuer and each person or company who is a guarantor of the securities distributed under the MJDS prospectus
The foregoing [insert, if applicable, , together with the documents incorporated in this prospectus by reference,] constitutes full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to the securities offered by this prospectus as required by [insert applicable references] [insert if offering made in Quebec and does not contain any misrepresentation likely to affect the value or the market price of the securities to be distributed]; and
(b) if there is an underwriter, a certificate in the following form, signed by each underwriter who is in a contractual relationship with the issuer or selling securityholder for the securities distributed under the MJDS prospectus
To the best of our knowledge, information and belief, the foregoing [insert, if applicable, , together with the documents incorporated in this prospectus by reference,] constitutes full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to the securities offered by this prospectus as required by [insert applicable references] [insert if offering made in Quebecand does not contain any misrepresentation likely to affect the value or the market price of the securities to be distributed.].
4.8 Certificate Requirement for Rule 415 Offerings - A preliminary MJDS prospectus, an amendment to a preliminary MJDS prospectus, a MJDS prospectus and an amendment to a MJDS prospectus filed for a rule 415 offering under this Part shall contain certificates prepared in accordance with method 1 or method 2.
4.9 Certificate Requirement for Rule 430A Offerings - For a rule 430A offering,
(a) a preliminary MJDS prospectus, amendment to a preliminary MJDS prospectus and a MJDS prospectus,
(b) an amended MJDS prospectus filed to commence a new period for filing a rule 430A pricing prospectus, and
(c) an amendment to a MJDS prospectus filed for a rule 430A offering before the information omitted from the MJDS prospectus has been filed in either a rule 430A pricing prospectus or an amendment
shall contain
(i) a certificate in the following form, signed by the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, and, on behalf of the board of directors of the issuer, any two directors of the issuer, other than the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, any person or company who is a promoter of the issuer and each person or company who is a guarantor of the securities to be distributed under the MJDS prospectus
The foregoing, together with the documents incorporated in this prospectus by reference as of the date of the prospectus providing the information permitted to be omitted from this prospectus, will constitute full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to the securities offered by this prospectus as required by [insert applicable references] [insert if offering made in Quebec and will not contain any misrepresentation likely to affect the value or the market price of the securities to be distributed.]; and
(ii) if there is an underwriter, a certificate in the following form, signed by each underwriter who is in a contractual relationship with the issuer or selling securityholder for the securities distributed under the MJDS prospectus
To the best of our knowledge, information and belief, the foregoing, together with the documents incorporated in this prospectus by reference, as of the date of the prospectus providing the information permitted to be omitted from this prospectus, will constitute full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to the securities offered by this prospectus as required by [insert applicable references] [insert if offering made in Quebec and will not contain any misrepresentation likely to affect the value or the market price of the securities to be distributed.].
4.10 Certificates for Rule 430A Pricing Prospectus - A rule 430A pricing prospectus shall contain in place of the certificates referred to in section 4.9
(a) a certificate in the following form, signed by the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, and, on behalf of the board of directors of the issuer, any two directors of the issuer, other than the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, any person or company who is a promoter of the issuer and each person or company who is a guarantor of the securities distributed under the MJDS prospectus
The foregoing [insert, if applicable, together with the documents incorporated in this prospectus by reference,] constitutes full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to the securities offered by this prospectus as required by [insert applicable references] [insert if offering made in Quebecand does not contain any misrepresentation likely to affect the value or the market price of the securities to be distributed.]; and
(b) if there is an underwriter, a certificate in the following form, signed by each underwriter who is in a contractual relationship with the issuer or selling securityholder for securities distributed under the MJDS prospectus
To the best of our knowledge, information and belief, the foregoing [insert, if applicable, together with the documents incorporated in this prospectus by reference,] constitutes full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to the securities offered by this prospectus as required by [insert applicable references] [insert if offering also made in Quebecand does not contain any misrepresentation likely to affect the value or the market price of the securities to be distributed.].
4.11 Signing of Certificates by Agent - Certificates contained in a preliminary MJDS prospectus, MJDS prospectus, amendment to a preliminary MJDS prospectus or MJDS prospectus, rule 415 prospectus supplement or rule 430A pricing prospectus shall be signed in accordance with securities legislation provided that any or all of the persons or companies required to sign a certificate may sign the certificate for a distribution made under this Instrument by an agent duly authorized in writing.
PART 5 FILING PROCEDURES
5.1 Specification of Principal Jurisdiction - At the time of filing a preliminary MJDS prospectus, the issuer shall send written notice to the securities regulatory authority and, unless the distribution is being made in Canada only, to the SEC, stating that the distribution is being made under the MJDS and specifying the principal jurisdiction.
5.2 Alternate Principal Jurisdiction - If the securities regulatory authority in the jurisdiction specified in the notice sent under section 5.1 advises the issuer that it is not prepared to act as principal jurisdiction, the issuer shall specify another jurisdiction that is prepared to act as principal jurisdiction and notify the security regulatory authority in each jurisdiction in which the preliminary MJDS prospectus was filed and the SEC.
5.3 SEC Review If the SEC notifies an issuer that a filing made under the MJDS has been selected for review, the issuer shall notify the securities regulatory authority in the principal jurisdiction.
PART 6 FILING DOCUMENTS
6.1 Principal Jurisdiction The issuer shall file in the principal jurisdiction
(a) the preliminary MJDS prospectus, the MJDS prospectus, each amendment and supplement to the preliminary MJDS prospectus and MJDS prospectus, the rule 430A pricing prospectus and each rule 415 prospectus supplement used in Canada,
(b) all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the MJDS prospectus, and
(c) all other documents required by this Instrument.
6.2 Canada-U.S. Offering If the distribution is being made in Canada and the United States of America, the issuer shall also file in the principal jurisdiction one unsigned copy of the registration statement and all amendments and exhibits to the registration statement in addition to the documents specified in section 6.1.
6.3 Non-Principal Jurisdictions In the jurisdictions other than the principal jurisdiction, the issuer shall file
(a) the preliminary MJDS prospectus, the MJDS prospectus, each amendment and supplement to the preliminary MJDS prospectus and MJDS prospectus, the rule 430A pricing prospectus and, subject to section 7.6, each rule 415 prospectus supplement used in Canada,
(b) all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the MJDS prospectus, and
(c) all other documents required by this Instrument.
6.4 Certificate Regarding Eligibility Criteria - At the time of filing a preliminary MJDS prospectus, an issuer shall file a certificate, signed on its behalf by a senior officer of the issuer, confirming that the issuer satisfies the applicable eligibility criteria.
6.5 Consents
(1) The issuer shall file the written consent of an attorney, auditor, accountant, engineer, appraiser or any other person or company named as having prepared or certified any expertised statement as follows:
(a) if the expertised statement is in the preliminary MJDS prospectus, an amendment to the preliminary MJDS prospectus, the MJDS prospectus or a document incorporated by reference into the MJDS prospectus that was filed before the filing of the MJDS prospectus, the consent shall be filed at the time of filing the MJDS prospectus; and
(b) if the expertised statement is in an amendment to the MJDS prospectus, a rule 415 prospectus supplement, a rule 430A pricing prospectus, or a document incorporated by reference into a MJDS prospectus that was filed after the filing of the MJDS prospectus, the consent shall be filed at the time of filing the amendment, the rule 415 prospectus supplement, the rule 430A pricing prospectus or the document.
(2) Despite subsection (1), the filing requirements in paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) do not apply to the consent of a rating organization that issues a rating or provisional rating that is used in or in connection with a preliminary MJDS prospectus, an amendment to a preliminary MJDS prospectus, a MJDS prospectus, an amendment to a MJDS prospectus, a rule 415 prospectus supplement or a rule 430A pricing prospectus.
6.6 Further Consents If a change to the MJDS prospectus is material to the consent filed under subsection 6.5(1), the issuer shall file a further consent contemporaneously with the filing of the change to the MJDS prospectus.
6.7 Form of Consent The consent referred to in sections 6.5 and 6.6 shall be prepared in accordance with securities legislation.
6.8 Reports on Property An issuer satisfies the requirement of securities legislation to file a report on the property of a natural resource company if it files a report prepared in accordance with U.S. federal securities law if a report is required to be filed with the SEC.
6.9 Appointment of Agent for Service - At the time of filing of the MJDS prospectus, the issuer shall file a duly executed submission to jurisdiction and appointment of agent for service of process in the required form.
6.10 Powers of Attorney If a person or company signs a certificate by an agent under section 4.11, the issuer shall file a duly executed copy of the document authorizing the agent to sign the certificate not later than the time of filing the document in which the certificate is included.
6.11 Notification of Effectiveness - If the securities distributed under this Instrument are also offered or sold in the United States of America, the issuer whose securities are being distributed under this Instrument shall notify in writing the principal jurisdiction once the related registration statement filed with the SEC has become effective.
6.12 Exhibits to Registration Statement - An issuer shall file any exhibits to a registration statement requested by the securities regulatory authority in a non-principal jurisdiction.
6.13 Rule 415 Offerings A commercial copy of each MJDS prospectus and rule 415 prospectus supplement need not be refiled if it is used, without change, in distributions of additional tranches of securities.
6.14 French Language Documentation Not Required - A preliminary MJDS prospectus and a MJDS prospectus in the French language need not be filed in Quebec for an offering of rights eligible to be made under paragraph 3.1(b), unless
(a) the issuer is a reporting issuer in Quebec other than solely as a result of one or more rights offerings made under paragraph 3.1(b); or
(b) 20 percent or more of the class of securities in respect of which the rights are issued is held by persons or companies whose last address as shown on the books of the issuer is in Canada.
PART 7 AMENDMENT AND SUPPLEMENT PROCEDURES
7.1 Form of Amendment or Supplement
(1) An issuer shall amend or supplement disclosure documents filed under this Instrument in accordance with U.S. federal securities law.
(2) The amending or supplementing document shall contain the legends and certificates required by this Instrument.
7.2 Modification or Amendment
(1) If a registration statement is amended in a manner that modifies the related U.S. prospectus, an issuer shall file the documents containing the modification.
(2) If the receipt for the MJDS prospectus has not been issued and the filing has been made as a result of the occurrence of an adverse material change since the filing of the preliminary MJDS prospectus or an amendment to the preliminary MJDS prospectus, an issuer shall file the documents as an amendment to the preliminary MJDS prospectus.
7.3 Post-Effective Amendment If a modification is made to a U.S. prospectus by filing with the SEC a post-effective amendment to the registration statement, an issuer shall file an amendment to the MJDS prospectus.
7.4 Amendment to Additional Disclosure - An issuer shall file an amendment in the event of an adverse material change in the additional disclosure contained only in the preliminary MJDS prospectus or a material change in the additional disclosure contained only in the MJDS prospectus.
7.5 Filing of Rule 415 Prospectus Supplement
(1) An issuer shall file a rule 415 prospectus supplement.
(2) A rule 415 prospectus supplement filed under subsection (1) shall be deemed to be incorporated into the MJDS prospectus as of the date of filing with the SEC, but only for the purpose of the distribution of the securities covered by the supplement.
7.6 Rule 415 Prospectus Supplement Not Filed - Despite sections 6.3 and 7.5, an issuer is not required to file a rule 415 prospectus supplement in the local jurisdiction unless it is the principal jurisdiction, if
(a) the rule 415 prospectus supplement is used to describe the terms of a tranche of securities distributed under the MJDS prospectus, or is a preliminary form of the rule 415 prospectus supplement for use in marketing, and the securities covered by the supplement will not be distributed in the local jurisdiction; or
(b) the rule 415 prospectus supplement is used to establish an MTN program or other continuous offering program or to update disclosure for the program, and securities will not be distributed under the program in the local jurisdiction.
7.7 Filing of Rule 430A Pricing Prospectus - An issuer shall file a rule 430A pricing prospectus.
7.8 Incorporation by Reference of Pricing Information
The information contained in a rule 430A pricing prospectus that was omitted from the U.S. prospectus in accordance with Rule 430A under the 1933 Act and any other additional information that the issuer has elected to include in the rule 430A pricing prospectus in accordance with U.S. federal securities law shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the MJDS prospectus as of the date of the rule 430A pricing prospectus.
7.9 Filing of Revised U.S. Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement
(1) If an issuer files with the SEC a revised U.S. prospectus, other than as an amendment to the related registration statement under rule 424(b) or another rule under the 1933 Act, or a prospectus supplement, to modify a U.S. prospectus, other than a U.S. prospectus for a rule 415 offering or a rule 430A offering, the issuer shall file the revised U.S. prospectus or prospectus supplement.
(2) The revised U.S. prospectus or prospectus supplement shall be deemed to be incorporated into the MJDS prospectus as of the date of the revised U.S. prospectus or prospectus supplement.
PART 8 DISSEMINATION REQUIREMENTS
8.1 General Subject to section 8.3, a preliminary MJDS prospectus, a MJDS prospectus and amendments and supplements to either shall be sent to offerees and purchasers in accordance with prospectus delivery requirements of securities legislation.
8.2 Prospectus Supplements All prospectus supplements applicable to the securities being distributed shall be attached to, or included with, the MJDS prospectus that is sent to offerees and purchasers of the securities.
8.3 Rule 430A Pricing Prospectus Instead of the related MJDS prospectus, a rule 430A pricing prospectus shall be sent to offerees and purchasers in accordance with prospectus delivery requirements of securities legislation.
8.4 Documents Incorporated by Reference - Documents that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into a preliminary MJDS prospectus or a MJDS prospectus, other than rule 415 prospectus supplements and rule 430A pricing prospectuses, shall be sent to offerees or purchasers if the documents are required to be sent to offerees or purchasers under U.S. federal securities law.
8.5 Provision of Documents Incorporated by Reference - Documents incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference shall be provided by the issuer to any person or company upon request without charge.
PART 9 REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
9.1 Rights offerings The dealer registration requirement does not apply to a trade made by a U.S. issuer in accordance with this Instrument of a right to purchase additional securities of its own issue issued by a U.S. issuer to its existing securityholders and of the securities issued upon the exercise of the right.
PART 10 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
10.1 Distributions of a Registrant, Connected Issuer or a Related Issuer - The provisions of securities legislation that regulate conflicts of interest in connection with a distribution of securities of a registrant, a connected issuer of a registrant or a related issuer of a registrant that require specified disclosure in a preliminary prospectus or prospectus do not apply to a distribution under this Instrument.
PART 11 GENERAL
11.1 Representations as to Listing - The prohibitions in securities legislation regarding representations as to the listing, posting for trading or quotation of securities or to an application having been made or to be made for the listing, posting for trading or quotation of securities do not apply to distributions made under this Instrument.
11.2 Solicitations of Expressions of Interest - The prospectus requirement does not apply to solicitations of expressions of interest for the purchase of securities before the filing of a preliminary MJDS prospectus if
(a) the issuer or selling securityholder has entered into an enforceable agreement with an underwriter who has, or underwriters who have, agreed to purchase the securities;
(b) the agreement referred to in paragraph (a) has fixed the terms of the distribution and requires that the issuer file a preliminary MJDS prospectus for the securities and obtain a receipt for the preliminary MJDS prospectus from
(i) the regulator in at least one jurisdiction dated not more than two business days after the date that the agreement is entered into, and
(ii) the Canadian securities regulatory authorities in any other jurisdictions in which the distribution is to be made dated not more than three business days after the date that the agreement is entered into;
(c) immediately upon entering into the agreement the issuer issues and files a news release announcing the agreement;
(d) upon issuance of the receipt for the preliminary MJDS prospectus, a preliminary MJDS prospectus is sent to the person or company who has expressed an interest in acquiring the securities; and
(e) except as provided in paragraph (a), no agreement of purchase and sale for the securities is entered into until the MJDS prospectus has been filed and a receipt obtained.
11.3 Other Prospectus Requirements - National Instrument 41-101 Prospectus Disclosure Requirements, National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Exploration and Development and Mining Properties, National Instrument 43-102 Guide for Engineers and Geologists Submitting Oil and Gas Reports and National Instrument 45-101 Rights Offerings do not apply to a distribution of securities under this Instrument.
PART 12 BIDS FOR SECURITIES OF U.S. ISSUERS
12.1 General Eligibility Criteria
(1) A bid may be made under this Instrument if
(a) the offeree issuer is a U.S. issuer;
(b) the offeree issuer is not registered or required to be registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act;
(c) the offeree issuer is not a commodity pool issuer;
(d) the bid is subject to section 14(d) of the 1934 Act in the case of a take-over bid, or section 13(e) of the 1934 Act in the case of an issuer bid, and is not exempt from the 1934 Act;
(e) the bid is made to all holders of the class of securities in Canada and the United States of America;
(f) the bid is made to residents of Canada on the same terms and conditions as it is made to residents of the United States of America; and
(g) less than 40 percent of each class of securities that is the subject of the bid is held by persons or companies whose last address as shown on the books of the issuer is in Canada.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), the calculation under paragraph (1)(g) shall be made as of the end of the offeree issuers last quarter before the date of filing the tender offer statement or issuer tender offer statement with the SEC or, if the quarter terminated within 60 days of the filing date, as of the end of the offeree issuers preceding quarter.
(3) If another bid for securities of the same class of the offeree issuer is in progress at the date of the filing, the calculation for the subsequent bid shall be made as of the same date as for the first bid already in progress.
(4) If a take-over bid is made without the prior knowledge of the directors of the offeree issuer who are not insiders of the offeror or acting jointly or in concert with the offeror, or upon informing the directors of the proposed bid the offeror has a reasonable basis for concluding that the bid is being regarded as a hostile bid by a majority of the directors, and in either case the offeror lacks access to the relevant list of securityholders of the offeree issuer, it will be conclusively presumed that paragraph (1)(g) is satisfied and paragraph (a) in the definition of foreign issuer is not satisfied, unless
(a) the aggregate published trading volume of the class on The Toronto Stock Exchange, The Montreal Exchange, the Vancouver Stock Exchange, the Alberta Stock Exchange and the Canadian Dealing Network Inc. exceeded the aggregate published trading volume of the class on national securities exchanges in the United States of America and Nasdaq for the 12 calendar month period before commencement of the bid or, if another bid for securities of the same class is in progress, the 12 calendar month period before commencement of the first bid already in progress;
(b) disclosure that paragraph (1)(g) was not satisfied or paragraph (a) of the definition of foreign issuer was satisfied had been made by the issuer in its Form 10-K most recently filed with the SEC under the 1934 Act; or
(c) the offeror has actual knowledge that paragraph (1)(g) is not satisfied or paragraph (a) of the definition of foreign issuer is satisfied.
12.2 MJDS Take-Over Bid Circular and MJDS Issuer Bid Circular
(1) An offeror that makes a take-over bid or issuer bid under this Part shall file a MJDS take-over bid circular or MJDS issuer bid circular, respectively.
(2) A MJDS take-over bid circular, MJDS issuer bid circular, MJDS directors circular, MJDS directors or officers circular, a change to any of these documents or a variation to a MJDS take-over bid circular or a MJDS issuer bid circular, is a take-over bid circular, issuer bid circular, directors circular, individual directors or officers circular, a notice of change and a notice of variation, respectively, for purposes of securities legislation.
12.3 Securities Exchange Bids
(1) A securities exchange bid may be made under this Instrument if
(a) the eligibility criteria set out in section 12.1 are satisfied;
(b) the offeror or, if the securities being offered are of another issuer, the other issuer, meets the eligibility criteria set out in subparagraphs 3.1(a)(i), (ii), (iv) and (v) and has filed with the SEC all 1934 Act filings for a period of 36 calendar months immediately before the filing of the registration statement with the SEC;
(c) the offeror or, if the securities being offered are of another issuer, the other issuer, has had a class of its securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or quoted on the NNM for a period of at least 12 calendar months immediately before the filing of the registration statement with the SEC and is in compliance with the obligations arising from the listing or quotation; and
(d) one of the following is satisfied:
(i) the equity shares of the offeror or, if the securities being offered are of another issuer, the other issuer, have a public float of not less than U.S. $75,000,000, determined as of a date within 60 days before the filing of the registration statement with the SEC;
(ii) the securities being offered are non-convertible debt having an investment grade rating or non-convertible preferred shares having an investment grade rating; or
(iii) the bid is an issuer bid made under this Instrument with securities of the issuer being offered as consideration.
(2) The dealer registration requirement does not apply to the trade of securities of an offeror or another issuer in a securities exchange issuer bid if the eligibility criteria in subsection (1) are met.
(3) The prospectus requirement does not apply to the distribution of securities of an offeror or another issuer in a securities exchange issuer bid if the eligibility criteria in subsection (1) are met and the offeror complies with the requirements of U.S. federal securities law applicable as a result of the consideration for the securities of the offeree issuer being at least in part securities of the offeror or other issuer.
12.4 Compliance with U.S. tender offer requirements
(1) If an offeror makes a bid under this Part, the offeror shall comply with the requirements of
(a) sections 14(d) and 14(e) of the 1934 Act and Regulations 14D and 14E under the 1934 Act for a take-over bid made under this Instrument; and
(b) sections 13(e) and 14(e) of the 1934 Act and Regulations 13E and 14E under the 1934 Act for an issuer bid made under this Instrument.
(2) If the directors or an individual director or officer of an offeree issuer elects to comply with this Part instead of securities legislation otherwise applicable in preparation of a directors circular or individual directors or officers circular for a take-over bid made under this Part, each person so electing shall comply with sections 14(d) and 14(e) of the 1934 Act and Regulations 14D and 14E under the 1934 Act.
12.5 Form and Content of Bid Documents
(1) A MJDS take-over bid circular or a MJDS issuer bid circular shall contain the additional information, legends and certificates required by this section.
(2) The U.S. prospectus forming part of the registration statement filed with the SEC for a securities exchange bid shall be included in, or incorporated by reference into, the MJDS take-over bid circular or MJDS issuer bid circular.
(3) If an offeror makes a take-over bid under this Part and the directors or an individual director or officer elects to comply with this Part, instead of the securities legislation otherwise applicable, the directors shall prepare a MJDS directors circular and an individual director or officer may prepare a MJDS directors or officers circular, in each case, that contains the additional information, legends and certificates required by this section.
(4) The following statements shall be printed on the outside front cover page, or on a sticker on that page, of a MJDS take-over bid circular or MJDS issuer bid circular
(a) This bid is made in Canada [for applicable securities exchange bids by a U.S. issuer] for securities of a U.S. issuer in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws. Securityholders should be aware that the U.S. requirements applicable to the bid may differ from those of [insert the names of the provinces and territories where bid is made]. [For securities exchange bids, also insert the followingThe financial statements included or incorporated by reference in this bid circular have not been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles and thus may not be comparable to financial statements of Canadian issuers.]
(b) [All of] [Certain of] the directors and officers of the offeror and [all of] [certain of] the experts named in this bid circular reside outside of Canada. [[Substantially] all of the assets of these persons and of the offeror may be located outside of Canada.] The offeror has appointed [name and address of agent for service] as its agent for service of process in Canada, but it may not be possible for securityholders to effect service of process within Canada upon the directors, officers and experts referred to above. It may also not be possible to enforce against the offeror, its directors and officers and [certain of] the experts named in this bid circular judgments obtained in Canadian courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of applicable securities laws in Canada.
(5) The legend contained in paragraph 4(b) is not required if the offeror is incorporated or organized under the laws of Canada or a jurisdiction.
(6) An offeror shall include the following statement in a MJDS take-over bid circular or MJDS issuer bid circular
Securities legislation in certain of the provinces [and territories] of Canada provides securityholders of the offeree issuer with, in addition to any other rights they may have at law, remedies for rescission [or [, in some jurisdictions,] damages if a circular or notice that is required to be delivered to such securityholders contains a misrepresentation or is not delivered to the securityholder, provided that such remedies for rescission [or damages] are exercised by the
securityholder within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the securityholders province or territory. The securityholder should refer to the applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the securityholders province [or territory] for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal adviser. Rights and remedies also may be available to securityholders under U.S. law; securityholders may wish to consult with a U.S. legal adviser for particulars of these rights.
(7) A MJDS take-over bid circular, MJDS issuer bid circular, MJDS directors circular or MJDS directors or officers circular need not contain disclosure relevant only to U.S. securityholders.
12.6 Incorporation by Reference Except as otherwise provided in this Instrument, documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into a tender offer statement, issuer tender offer statement or tender offer solicitation/recommendation statement under U.S. federal securities law shall be, and are deemed to be, incorporated by reference into a MJDS take-over bid circular, MJDS issuer bid circular, MJDS directors circular or MJDS directors or officers circular.
12.7 Statements Modified or Superseded
(1) A statement in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into a MJDS take-over bid circular, a MJDS issuer bid circular, a MJDS directors circular or a MJDS directors or officers circular shall be deemed to be modified or superseded, for the purposes of the applicable circular, to the extent that a statement in the MJDS take-over bid circular, the MJDS issuer bid circular, the MJDS directors circular or the MJDS directors or officers circular, or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference into the applicable circular modifies or supersedes the statement.
(2) The modifying or superseding statement need not state that it has modified or superseded a prior statement or include any other information in the document that it modifies or supersedes.
(3) The making of a modifying or superseding statement shall not be deemed an admission for any purpose that the modified or superseded statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation, an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it was made.
(4) A statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed in its unmodified or superseded form to constitute part of the MJDS take-over bid, the MJDS issuer bid circular, the MJDS directors circular or the MJDS directors or officers circular.
(5) If documents are incorporated by reference into a MJDS take-over bid circular, a MJDS issuer bid circular, a MJDS directors circular or a MJDS directors or officers circular, the section that provides information about incorporation by reference shall include a statement that information has been incorporated by reference from documents filed with securities regulatory authorities in each jurisdiction in Canada in which the documents have been filed and shall state the name, address and telephone number of a person in Canada or the United States of America from whom copies of the documents may be obtained on request without charge.
12.8 Reconciliation of Financial Statements - A MJDS take-over bid circular or a MJDS issuer bid circular for a securities exchange bid that satisfies the eligibility criteria of subsection 12.3(1) is not subject to the requirement of securities legislation to reconcile to Canadian GAAP the financial statements included in, or incorporated by reference into, the bid circular.
12.9 Certificates
(1) A MJDS take-over bid circular shall contain a certificate in the following form signed by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the offeror and, on behalf of the board of directors, by any two directors of
the offeror other than the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and each person or company that is a promoter of the offeror or a guarantor of the securities being offered in a securities exchange bid:
The foregoing [, together with documents incorporated by reference,] contains no untrue statement of a material fact and does not omit to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in the light of the circumstances in which it was made.
(2) A MJDS issuer bid circular shall contain a certificate in the form set out in subsection (1) signed by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the issuer and, on behalf of the board of directors, by any two directors of the issuer other than the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and each person or company that is a promoter of the issuer or a guarantor of the securities being offered in a securities exchange bid.
(3) A MJDS directors circular shall contain a certificate in the form set out in subsection (1) signed on behalf of the board of directors by any two directors of the issuer.
(4) A MJDS directors or officers circular shall contain a certificate in the form set out in subsection (1) signed by each director or officer sending the circular.
(5) The certificate for notices of variation and notices of change shall be in the form set out in subsection (1), amended to refer to the initial MJDS take-over bid circular or MJDS issuer bid circular and all notices of variation or change to the MJDS take-over bid circular or MJDS issuer bid circular.
(6) Any or all of the persons required to sign a certificate under subsections (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) may sign by an agent duly authorized in writing.
12.10 Bid Circular Filing Procedures
(1) If an offeror makes a bid under this Instrument, the offeror shall file
(a) the tender offer statement or issuer tender offer statement and all exhibits and amendments to the tender offer statement or issuer tender offer statement,
(b) the MJDS take-over bid circular or MJDS issuer bid circular,
(c) a certificate of the offeror, signed on its behalf by a senior officer, confirming that the eligibility criteria set forth in subsection 12.1(1) and, if applicable, section 12.3 are satisfied and that the circular has been prepared in accordance with U.S. federal securities law,
(d) the written consent of an attorney, auditor, accountant, engineer, appraiser or any other person or company who is named as having prepared or certified any expertised statement in any document filed under this section or section 12.14,
(e) a submission to jurisdiction and appointment of agent for service of process duly executed by the offeror in section 2 of the required form, and
(f) if a person or company signs a certificate by an agent under subsection 12.9(6), a duly executed copy of the document authorizing the agent to sign the certificate.
(2) Despite subsection (1), the filing requirement in paragraph (1)(d) does not apply to the consent of a rating organization that issues a rating or provisional rating that is used in or in connection with a MJDS take-over bid circular or MJDS issuer bid circular.
12.11 Notification to Offeree Issuer - An offeror filing a MJDS take-over bid circular shall so notify the offeree issuer at its principal office not later than the business day following the day the MJDS take-over bid circular is filed.
12.12 French Language Documentation Not Required - A MJDS take-over bid circular or MJDS issuer bid circular in the French language is not required to be filed in Quebec unless
(a) the offeree issuer is a reporting issuer in Quebec; or
(b) 20 percent or more of the class of securities that is the subject of the bid is held by persons or companies whose last address as shown on the books of the issuer is in Canada.
12.13 MJDS Directors Circulars and MJDS Directors or Officers Circulars - If an offeror makes a take-over bid under this Part, and the directors or an individual director or officer of the offeree issuer elects to comply with this Instrument in preparation of a directors circular or individual directors or officers circular instead of securities legislation otherwise applicable, the directors or an individual director or officer who so elects shall file
(a) the tender offer solicitation/recommendation statement and all exhibits or amendments to that statement,
(b) the MJDS directors circular or MJDS directors or officers circular,
(c) a statement by the directors or an individual director or officer that the circular has been prepared in accordance with U.S. federal securities law,
(d) the written consent of an attorney, auditor, accountant, engineer, appraiser or any other person or company who is named as having prepared or certified an expertised statement contained in the MJDS directors circular or MJDS directors or officers circular, and
(e) if a person signs a certificate by an agent under subsection 12.9(3), a duly executed copy of the document authorizing the agent to sign the certificate.
12.14 Securities Exchange Bids In the case of a securities exchange bid made under section 12.3 for which a registration statement is filed with the SEC, the offeror shall file contemporaneously with the filing of the bid circular the registration statement and all exhibits and amendments to the registration statement, together with all documents incorporated by reference into the registration statement.
12.15 Notices of Variation and Notices of Change
(1) Documents filed under this Part shall be changed or varied in accordance with U.S. federal securities law as additional tender offer materials, but the additional tender offer materials shall contain the legends and certificates required by this Part.
(2) An offeror shall file additional tender offer materials that vary the terms of the bid as a notice of variation and identify the materials as such.
(3) An offeror shall file additional tender offer materials that change the information in the tender offer materials or previous additional tender offer materials, other than information about a variation in the terms of the bid, as a notice of change and identify the materials as such.
(4) Additional tender offer materials required to be filed as a notice of variation and a notice of change shall be filed as both a notice of variation and a notice of change and identified as such.
(5) The directors or an individual director or officer of an offeror issuer shall file additional materials prepared by the directors or an individual director or officer as a notice of change.
(6) If a person or company signs a certificate by an agent under subsection 12.9(6), an offeror shall file a duly executed copy of a document authorizing an agent to sign a certificate.
(7) If a change to a MJDS take-over bid circular or MJDS issuer bid circular is material to the consent filed under paragraph 12.10(1)(d), an offeror shall file a further consent contemporaneously with the filing of the change to the MJDS take-over bid circular or MJDS issuer bid circular.
(8) If a change to a MJDS directors circular or MJDS directors or officers circular is material to the consent filed under paragraph 12.13(d), the directors in the case of a MJDS directors circular or the director or officer sending the circular in the case of a MJDS directors or officers circular shall file a further consent contemporaneously with the filing of the change to a MJDS directors circular or MJDS directors or officers circular.
12.16 Dissemination Requirements
(1) An offeror shall send a MJDS take-over bid circular, MJDS issuer bid circular, a notice of change and a notice of variation to each securityholder whose last address as shown on the books of the offeree issuer is in the local jurisdiction.
(2) Despite subsection (1), a notice of change or a notice of variation shall be sent only to those securityholders whose securities were not taken up at the date of the occurrence of the change or variation.
(3) An offeree issuer shall send a MJDS directors circular, MJDS directors or officers circular and a notice of change to the MJDS directors circular or MJDS directors or officers circular to every person or company to whom a MJDS take-over bid circular is required to be sent under subsections (1) and (2).
(4) Documents referred to in subsections (1) and (3) that are sent or given to securityholders resident in the United States of America shall be sent by the offeror or offeree issuer as appropriate to each securityholder whose last address as shown on the books of the offeree issuer is in the local jurisdiction as soon as practicable following the time they are sent or given to securityholders resident in the United States of America.
(5) Documents referred to in subsections (1) and (3) that are published by long form or summary publication in the United States of America shall be sent by the offeror or offeree issuer as appropriate to each securityholder whose last address as shown on the books of the offeree issuer is in the local jurisdiction as soon as practicable following publication.
(6) Documents that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into documents filed under this Part shall be sent to each securityholder whose last address as shown on the books of the offeree issuer is in the local jurisdiction if those documents are required to be sent to securityholders under U.S. federal securities law.
(7) Documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference shall be provided to any person or company upon request without charge by the person or company that filed the documents into which the documents are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference.
PART 13 BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
13.1 Eligibility Criteria
(1) This Part may be used for the distribution of securities of a successor issuer in connection with a business combination if
(a) each person or company participating in the business combination meets the eligibility criteria specified in subparagraphs 3.1(a)(i), (iv) and (v) and, other than participating persons or companies that are specified predecessors, subparagraphs 3.1(a)(ii) and 3.1(b)(ii);
(b) the equity shares of each person or company participating in the business combination, other than a specified predecessor, have a public float of not less than U.S. $75,000,000, determined as of a date within 60 days before the filing of the preliminary MJDS prospectus with the principal jurisdiction;
(c) each person or company participating in the business combination, other than a specified predecessor, has had a class of its securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or quoted on the NNM for a period of at least 12 calendar months immediately preceding the filing of the preliminary MJDS prospectus in the principal jurisdiction and is in compliance with the obligations arising from the listing or quotation;
(d) the issue or exchange of securities in the business combination is made to residents of Canada on the same basis, terms and conditions as it is made to residents of the United States of America; and
(e) less than 40 percent of the class of securities to be distributed in the business combination by the successor issuer will be distributed to persons or companies whose last address as shown on the books of the participating person or company is in Canada.
(2) The requirement in paragraph (1)(b) may be satisfied for a participating person or company whose securities were the subject of a bid made under or eligible to have been made under this Instrument that terminated within the preceding 12 months if the requirement would have been satisfied immediately before commencement of the bid.
(3) The calculation in paragraph 1(e) shall be made
(a) for each participating person or company as of the end of the participating persons or companys last quarter before the date of filing of the preliminary MJDS prospectus in the principal jurisdiction or, if that quarter terminated within 60 days of the filing date, as of the end of the participating persons or companys preceding quarter; and
(b) on the basis that all persons or companies that have an option in respect of the consideration to be received under the business combination elect the option that would result in the issuance of the greatest number of securities.
13.2 Form and Content of Disclosure Documents and Procedures
(1) If the eligibility criteria set forth in section 13.1 are satisfied, securities may be distributed under this Part in connection with a business combination by complying with the requirements set out in Part 4, other than section 4.6, Parts 5 through 9 and Part 11.
(2) If securities are being distributed under this Part in connection with a business combination, the disclosure documents prepared for the business combination shall be filed as a MJDS prospectus and, if proxies will be solicited from holders of voting securities of the issuer and the issuer is a reporting issuer in the local jurisdiction, as an information circular.
PART 14 MATERIAL CHANGE REPORTING
14.1 News Release A U.S. issuer that has a class of securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or quoted on Nasdaq satisfies the requirement of securities legislation to issue and file a news release upon the occurrence of a material change in its affairs by
(a) complying with the requirements of the exchange on which its securities are listed or Nasdaq, as applicable, for making public disclosure of material information on a timely basis; and
(b) immediately issuing in Canada and filing each news release disclosed by it for the purpose of complying with the requirements referred to in paragraph (a).
14.2 Material Change Reports A U.S. issuer that has a class of securities registered under section 12 of the 1934 Act or is required to file reports under section 15(d) of the 1934 Act satisfies the requirement of securities legislation to file a material change report upon the occurrence of a material change in its affairs by
(a) complying with the requirements of U.S. federal securities law relating to current reports; and
(b) filing the current report filed with the SEC.
PART 15 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, ANNUAL INFORMATION FORMS AND MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
15.1 Financial Statements A U.S. issuer that has a class of securities registered under section 12 of the 1934 Act or is required to file reports under section 15(d) of the 1934 Act satisfies the requirements of securities legislation relating to the preparation, certification, filing and sending of interim financial statements, and annual financial statements and auditors reports thereon by
(a) complying with the requirements of U.S. federal securities law relating to quarterly reports and annual reports;
(b) filing the quarterly reports and annual reports filed with the SEC; and
(c) either
(i) sending each financial statement included in the report required to be filed under paragraph (b) to each securityholder whose last address as shown on the books of the reporting issuer is in the local jurisdiction in the manner and at the time required by U.S. federal securities law if
(A) the issuer is a reporting issuer solely as a result of a distribution or securities exchange bid made under this Instrument;
(B) the issuer meets the eligibility requirements in paragraph 3.1(c); or
(C) the issuer meets the eligibility requirements in subparagraphs 3.1(a)(i) to (v) and the issuer is a reporting issuer solely as the result of the distribution of securities that had an investment grade rating and met the eligibility requirements of subparagraph 3.1(a)(vi) at the time of distribution; or
(ii) sending each financial statement included in the report required to be filed under paragraph (b) to each securityholder whose last address as shown on the books of the issuer is in the local jurisdiction in the manner and at the time required by securities legislation other than this Instrument.
15.2 Annual Reports, Annual Information Forms and Managements Discussion and Analysis A U.S. issuer that has a class of securities registered under section 12 of the 1934 Act or that is required to file reports under section 15(d) of the 1934 Act satisfies the requirements of securities legislation to file annual reports, annual information forms and managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations by
(a) complying with the requirements of U.S. federal securities law relating to annual reports, quarterly reports and managements discussion and analysis;
(b) filing the annual report and quarterly report filed with the SEC; and
(c) sending the annual report to each securityholder whose last address as shown on the books of the reporting issuer is in the local jurisdiction in the manner and at the time required by U.S. federal securities law.
PART 16 PROXIES AND PROXY SOLICITATION
16.1 Proxy Solicitation by a U.S. Issuer - A U.S. issuer that has a class of securities registered under section 12 of the 1934 Act satisfies the requirements of securities legislation relating to information circulars, proxies and proxy solicitation by
(a) complying with the requirements of U.S. federal securities law relating to proxy statements, proxies and proxy solicitation;
(b) filing all material relating to the meeting that is filed with the SEC; and
(c) sending each document filed under paragraph (b) to each securityholder whose last address as shown on the books of the reporting issuer is in the local jurisdiction in the manner and at the time required by U.S. federal securities law.
16.2 Proxy Solicitation by Another Person or Company - A person or company other than the issuer satisfies the requirements of securities legislation relating to proxies and proxy solicitation with respect to a U.S. issuer that has a class of securities registered under section 12 of the 1934 Act by fulfilling the requirements of paragraphs 16.1(a), (b) and (c).
16.3 Determination of Eligibility - If a proxy solicitation is made under section 16.2 and the person or company soliciting proxies lacks access to the relevant list of securityholders of the issuer, it will be conclusively presumed that paragraph (a) of the definition of foreign issuer is not satisfied, unless
(a) the aggregate published trading volume of the class on The Toronto Stock Exchange, The Montreal Exchange, the Vancouver Stock Exchange, the Alberta Stock Exchange and the Canadian Dealing Network Inc. exceeded the aggregate published trading volume of the class on national securities exchanges in the United States of America and Nasdaq for the 12 calendar month period before commencement of the proxy solicitation or, if another proxy solicitation for securities of the same class is in progress, the 12 calendar month period before commencement of the first proxy solicitation already in progress;
(b) disclosure that paragraph (a) of the definition of foreign issuer was satisfied had been made by the issuer in its Form 10-K most recently filed with the SEC under the 1934 Act; or
(c) the person or company soliciting proxies has actual knowledge that paragraph (a) of the definition of foreign issuer is satisfied.
PART 17 INSIDER REPORTING
17.1 Insider Reporting The insider report filing requirement does not apply to an insider of a U.S. issuer that has a class of securities registered under section 12 of the 1934 Act if the insider
(a) complies with the requirements of U.S. federal securities law regarding insider reporting; and
(b) files with the SEC any insider report required to be filed with the SEC under section 16(a) of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations under the 1934 Act.
PART 18 COMMUNICATION WITH BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF SECURITIES OF A REPORTING ISSUER
18.1 Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer - A U.S. issuer satisfies the requirements of securities legislation relating to communications with, delivery of materials to and conferring voting rights upon non-registered holders of its securities who hold their interests in the securities through one or more intermediaries by
(a) complying with the requirements of Rule 14a-13 under the 1934 Act for any Canadian clearing agency and any intermediary whose last address as shown on the books of the issuer is in the local jurisdiction; and
(b) complying with the requirements of National Policy Statement No. 41 or any successor instrument to that national policy statement with respect to fees payable to intermediaries, for any Canadian clearing agency and any intermediary whose last address as shown on the books of the issuer is in the local jurisdiction.
PART 19 TRUST INDENTURE REQUIREMENTS
19.1 Trust Indenture Requirements - The requirements of the legislation of the local jurisdiction applicable to trust indentures, for debt outstanding or guaranteed under the indenture, including a requirement that a person or company appointed as a trustee under a trust indenture be resident or authorized to do business in the local jurisdiction, do not apply to distributions made under this Instrument, if
(a) the trust indenture under which the obligations are issued or guaranteed is subject to and complies with the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the United States of America; and
(b) at least one person or company appointed as trustee under the trust indenture
(i) is resident in the local jurisdiction,
(ii) is authorized to do business in the local jurisdiction, or
(iii) has filed a duly executed submission to jurisdiction and appointment of agent for service of process in section 3 of the required form.
PART 20 FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
20.1 Financial Disclosure National Instruments 52-101 Future-Oriented Financial Information, 52-102 Use of Currencies, 52-103 Change of Auditor, 52-104 Basis of Accounting, Auditing and Reporting and 52-105 Change in the Ending Date of a Financial Year do not apply to a U.S. issuer distributing securities or making a bid or filings in accordance with this Instrument.
PART 21 EXEMPTIONS
21.1 Exemption
(1) The regulator or the securities regulatory authority may grant an exemption to this Instrument, in whole or in part, subject to such conditions or restrictions as may be imposed in the exemption.
(2) Despite subsection (1), in Ontario, only the regulator may grant such an exemption.
(3) Despite subsection (1), in Alberta, only the regulator may grant such an exemption.
(4) An application made to the securities regulatory authority or regulator for an exemption from this Instrument shall include a letter or memorandum describing the matters relating to the exemption, and indicating why consideration should be given to the granting of the exemption.
21.2 Evidence of Exemption Without limiting the manner in which an exemption under section 21.1 may be evidenced, the issuance by the regulator of a receipt for a MJDS prospectus or an amendment to a MJDS prospectus is evidence of the granting of the exemption if
(a) the person or company that sought the exemption sent to the regulator the letter or memorandum referred to in subsection 21.1(4)
(i) on or before the date of filing of the preliminary MJDS prospectus, or
(ii) after the date of filing of the preliminary MJDS prospectus and received a written acknowledgement from the regulator that the exemption may be evidenced by the issuance of a receipt for the MJDS prospectus or an amendment to the MJDS prospectus; and
(b) the regulator has not sent notice of refusal to grant the exemption to the person or company that sought the exemption before, or concurrent with, the issue of the receipt for the MJDS prospectus.
PART 22 EFFECTIVE DATE
22.1 Effective Date This Instrument comes into force on November 1, 1998.