As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2021.
Registration No. 333-252890
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM F-10
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
British Columbia, Canada |
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3620 |
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Not Applicable |
(Province or other Jurisdiction of
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(Primary Standard Industrial
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification
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9000 Glenlyon Parkway, Burnaby, British Columbia V5J 5J8
(604) 454-0900
(Address and telephone number of Registrants principal executive offices)
CT Corporation System
28 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10005, (212) 894-8940
(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code) of agent for service in the United
States)
Copies to:
Tony Guglielmin Ballard Power Systems Inc. 9000 Glenlyon Parkway Burnaby, British Columbia Canada V5J 5J8 (604) 454-0900 |
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Michael Urbani Stikeman Elliott LLP Suite 1700 666 Burrard Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2X8 (604) 631-1340 |
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Graeme Martindale Borden Ladner Gervais LLP 1200 Waterfront Centre 200 Burrard St. P.O. Box 48600 Vancouver, British Columbia V7X 1T2 (604) 640-4179 |
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Randal R. Jones Clint Foss Dorsey & Whitney LLP Columbia Center 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 6100 Seattle, Washington 98104 (206) 903-8800 |
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Christopher J. Cummings Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP 77 King Street West, Suite 3100 P.O. Box 226 Toronto, ON M5K 1J3 (416) 504-0522 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public:
As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective
Province of British Columbia, Canada
(Principal jurisdiction regulating this offering)
It is proposed that this filing shall become effective (check appropriate box below):
A. |
o |
upon filing with the Commission, pursuant to Rule 467(a) (if in connection with an offering being made contemporaneously in the United States and Canada). |
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B. |
x |
at some future date (check the appropriate box below) |
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1. |
o |
pursuant to Rule 467(b) on ( ) at ( ) (designate a time not sooner than 7 calendar days after filing). |
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2. |
o |
pursuant to Rule 467(b) on ( ) at ( ) (designate a time 7 calendar days or sooner after filing) because the securities regulatory authority in the review jurisdiction has issued a receipt or notification of clearance on ( ). |
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3. |
o |
pursuant to Rule 467(b) as soon as practicable after notification of the Commission by the Registrant or the Canadian securities regulatory authority of the review jurisdiction that a receipt or notification of clearance has been issued with respect hereto. |
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4. |
x |
after the filing of the next amendment to this Form (if preliminary material is being filed). |
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to the home jurisdictions shelf prospectus offering procedures, check the following box. x
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of each class of securities to be
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Amount to be
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Proposed maximum
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Amount of
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Common Shares, no par value |
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N/A |
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$ |
632,718,500 |
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$ |
69,030 |
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(1) |
Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). There are being registered under this Registration Statement such indeterminate number of Common Shares of the Registrant as shall have an aggregate offering price not to exceed $632,718,500. |
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(2) |
Of the total registration fee, $38,185 was paid with the filing of the original registration statement on February 9, 2021. |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registration Statement shall become effective as provided in Rule 467 under the Securities Act of 1933 or on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Act, may determine.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED TO OFFEREES OR PURCHASERS
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 10, 2021
AMENDED AND RESTATED PRELIMINARY SHORT FORM PROSPECTUS
AMENDING AND RESTATING A PRELIMINARY SHORT FORM PROSPECTUS DATED FEBRUARY 9, 2021
New Issue |
February 10, 2021 |
BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC.
US$550,190,000
14,870,000 Common Shares
This short form prospectus (this Prospectus) qualifies the distribution (the Offering) of 14,870,000 common shares (the Offered Shares) in the capital of Ballard Power Systems Inc. (Ballard, the Company, us or we) at a price of US$37.00 per Offered Share (the Offering Price). The Company will use the net proceeds of the Offering as described in this Prospectus. See Use of Proceeds.
The Offering is being made pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated February 10, 2021 (the Underwriting Agreement) among the Company, TD Securities Inc. and National Bank Financial Inc. (together, the Co-Lead Underwriters), as co-lead underwriters and joint bookrunners, and BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., CIBC World Markets Inc., Raymond James Ltd. and Cormark Securities Inc. (collectively with the Co-Lead Underwriters, the Underwriters). The Offered Shares will be offered in the U.S. and each of the provinces and territories of Canada, other than Québec, through the Underwriters either directly or through their respective U.S. or Canadian broker-dealer affiliates or agents, as applicable. No Offered Shares will be offered or sold in any jurisdiction except by or through brokers or dealers duly registered under the applicable securities laws of that jurisdiction, or in circumstances where an exemption from such registered dealer requirements is available. See Plan of Distribution.
The Offering is being made concurrently in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, other than Québec, under the terms of this Prospectus and in the United States under the terms of the Companys registration statement on Form F-10 (the Registration Statement) filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).
The outstanding common shares of the Company (the Common Shares) are currently traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX) and on the NASDAQ Global Market (the NASDAQ) under the symbol BLDP. On February 9, 2021, the last trading day before the date hereof, the closing price of the Common Shares was CDN$51.93 on the TSX and US$40.90 on the NASDAQ. The Company has applied to list the Offered Shares distributed under this Prospectus on the TSX and will notify the NASDAQ of the Offering. Listing will be subject to the Company fulfilling all of the listing requirements of the TSX.
Price: US$37.00 per Offered Share
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Price to Public(1) |
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Underwriters Discounts
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Net Proceeds to the Company(2) |
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Per Offered Share |
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US$ |
37.00 |
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US$ |
1.48 |
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US$ |
35.52 |
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Total Offering(3) |
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US$ |
550,190,000 |
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US$ |
22,007,600 |
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US$ |
528,182,400 |
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Notes:
(1) The price of the Offered Shares was determined by negotiation between the Company and the Underwriters, with reference to the then-current market price of the Common Shares.
(2) Before deducting the expenses of the Offering, estimated to be approximately US$580,000, which, together with the Underwriters discounts and commissions, will be paid for by us out of the gross proceeds of the Offering. See Plan of Distribution.
(3) We have granted to the Underwriters an option (the Over-Allotment Option), exercisable by the Underwriters, in whole or in part at any time until 30 days after the Closing Date (as defined herein), to purchase up to 2,230,500 additional Common Shares (representing 15% of the total number of shares offered hereunder) at the Offering Price listed above, less underwriting discounts and commissions. If the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full, the total Price to the Public, Underwriters Discounts and Commissions and Net Proceeds to the Company will be US$632,718,500, US$25,308,740 and US$607,409,760 respectively. This Prospectus also qualifies under applicable Canadian securities laws the grant of the Over-Allotment Option and the distribution of up to 2,230,500 Common Shares to be sold by the Company upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option. A purchaser who acquires Common Shares forming part of the Over-Allotment Option acquires those shares under this Prospectus, regardless of whether the over-allocation position is ultimately filled through the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option or secondary market purchases. See Plan of Distribution.
The Underwriters, as principals, conditionally offer the Offered Shares qualified under this Prospectus, subject to prior sale, if, as and when issued by the Company and accepted by the Underwriters in accordance with the conditions contained in the Underwriting Agreement, as described under Plan of Distribution. Certain legal matters in connection with the Offering will be passed upon for the Company by (i) Stikeman Elliott LLP with respect to matters of Canadian law and (ii) Dorsey & Whitney LLP with respect to matters of United States law. In addition, certain legal matters in connection with the Offering will be passed upon for the Underwriters by (i) Borden Ladner Gervais LLP with respect to matters of Canadian law and (ii) Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP with respect to matters of United States law.
In accordance with and subject to applicable laws, the Underwriters may, in connection with this Offering, over-allot or effect transactions that stabilize or maintain the market price of the Offered Shares at levels other than those which might otherwise prevail on the open market. Such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. After the Underwriters have made reasonable efforts to sell the Offered Shares at the Offering Price, the Underwriters may offer the Offered Shares to the public at prices lower than the Offering Price. Any such reduction will not affect the proceeds of the Offering to be received by the Company. See Plan of Distribution.
Underwriters Position |
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Maximum Number of
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Exercise Period |
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Exercise Price |
Over-Allotment Option |
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Option to acquire up to 2,230,500 additional Common Shares |
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Exercisable at any time for a period of 30 days from and after the Closing Date |
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US$37.00 per Common Share |
Unless the context otherwise requires, when used herein, all references to Offered Shares include the Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.
Subscriptions 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. Closing of the Offering is expected to take place on or about February 23, 2021, or such earlier or later date as the Company and the Co-Lead Underwriters may agree, but in any event no later than March 31, 2021 (the Closing Date).
It is expected that the Company will arrange for the instant deposit of the Offered Shares under the book-based system of registration, to be registered to CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. (CDS) or its nominee, or The Depository Trust Company (DTC) or its nominee, and deposited with CDS or DTC on the Closing Date. No certificates evidencing the Offered Shares will be issued to purchasers of the Offered Shares. Purchasers of the Offered Shares will receive only a customer confirmation from the Underwriter or other registered dealer who is a CDS or DTC participant and from or through whom a beneficial interest in the Offered Shares is purchased. See Plan of Distribution.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE SEC) NOR HAS THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY CANADIAN SECURITIES REGULATOR APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
This Offering is made by a Canadian issuer that is permitted, under a multijurisdictional disclosure system (MJDS) adopted by the United States and Canada, to prepare this Prospectus in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements. Investors should be aware that such requirements are different from those of the United States. Financial statements included or incorporated herein have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS) and thus may not be comparable to financial statements of United States companies. Our financial statements are subject to audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and our auditor is subject
to both Canadian auditor independence standards and the auditor independence standards of the PCAOB and the SEC.
Investors should be aware that the acquisition, holding or disposition of the Offered Shares may have tax consequences both in the United States and in Canada. Such consequences for investors who are resident in, or citizens of, the United States and Canada may not be described in this Prospectus. You should consult and rely on your own tax advisors with respect to your own particular circumstances. See Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations and Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
Investing in the Offered Shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review the risks outlined in the Risk Factors section and elsewhere in this Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein for a discussion of certain considerations relevant to an investment in the Offered Shares offered hereby. See Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors.
Ms. Duy-Loan Le, Mr. Marty Neese, Mr. Sherman Sun and Mr. Kevin Jiang, directors of the Company, each reside outside of Canada, and have each appointed 152928 Canada Inc., c/o Stikeman Elliott LLP, Suite 1700, 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2X8, as agent for service of process. Purchasers are advised that it may not be possible for investors to enforce judgments obtained in Canada against any person or company that is incorporated, continued or otherwise organized under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction or resides outside of Canada, even if the person or company has appointed an agent for service of process.
The enforcement by investors of civil liabilities under the United States federal securities laws may be affected adversely by the fact that we are incorporated or organized under the laws of a foreign country, that some or all of our officers and directors may be residents of a foreign country, that some or all of the Underwriters or experts named in this Prospectus may be residents of a foreign country and that all or a substantial portion of the assets of the Company and said persons may be located outside the United States.
Our head office is located at 9000 Glenlyon Parkway, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5J 5J8. Our registered office is located at Suite 1700, 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2X8.
The financial information of the Company contained in the documents incorporated by reference herein are presented in United States dollars. References in this Prospectus to $ and US$ are to United States dollars. Canadian dollars are indicated by the symbol CDN$.
Investors should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Neither we nor the Underwriters have authorized anyone to provide readers with information different from that contained in this Prospectus (or incorporated by reference herein). We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give readers of this Prospectus.
Readers should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this Prospectus or the respective dates of the documents incorporated by reference herein, unless otherwise noted herein or as required by law. It should be assumed that the information appearing in this Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein are accurate only as of their respective dates. The business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of the Company may have changed since those dates. We do not undertake to update the information contained or incorporated by reference herein except as required by applicable securities laws.
Neither the Company nor the Underwriters are making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. This Prospectus shall not be used by anyone for any purpose other than in connection with the Offering. Information contained on, or otherwise accessed through, our website shall not be deemed to be a part of this Prospectus and such information is not incorporated by reference herein.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) which are based upon the Companys current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as expect, likely, may, will, should, intend, or anticipate, potential, proposed, estimate and other similar words, including negative and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions may or will happen, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-looking statements include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, targets, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this Prospectus, or in the case of any document incorporated by reference herein, as of the date of each such document. Forward-looking statements in this Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to:
· our objectives, goals, liquidity, sources and uses of capital, outlook, strategy, order backlog, order book of expected deliveries, future product costs and selling prices, future product sales, future production volumes, the markets for our products, expenses / costs, contributions and cash requirements to and from joint venture operations and research and development activities;
· our plan to build value for our shareholders by developing, manufacturing, selling and servicing industry-leading fuel cell products to meet the needs of our customers in select target markets;
· our ability to develop commercially viable fuel cell products on the timetable we anticipate, or at all;
· our ability to achieve, sustain and increase profitability;
· demand and market acceptance for our products;
· our limited experience manufacturing fuel cell products on a commercial basis;
· warranty claims may negatively impact our gross margins and financial performance;
· our ability to successfully execute our business plan;
· our dependence on a single customer in certain of our markets including our engineering services market and materials handling market;
· the impact of global economic conditions on our business and our key suppliers and customers;
· our ability to predict future revenues or results of operations;
· the expansion of our business through acquisitions;
· our focus on bolstering our cash reserves and our continued efforts on both product cost reduction and managing our operating expense base;
· the risks inherent in international operations;
· the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on our business, operating results, financial condition and profitability;
· commodity price fluctuations, and in particular, the price of platinum, are beyond our control and may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition and profitability;
· our dependence on system integrators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs);
· ongoing relationships between us and third-party suppliers and our dependence on them for the supply of key materials and components for our products and services;
· our ability to compete with our competitors and their technologies;
· our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
· the effect of public policy and regulatory changes on the market for our products;
· our ability to protect, expand and exploit our intellectual property;
· our compliance with increasingly stringent environmental laws and regulations including liability for environmental damages resulting from our research and development or manufacturing operations;
· the potential exposure of our products to product liability claims including the use of flammable fuels in our products, some of which generate high voltages;
· statements related to the expected or potential impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the related responses of the government, our customers and partners, joint venture operations, suppliers and the Company, on our business and operations; and
· our use of the proceeds of the Offering.
The forward-looking statements are based on a number of key expectations and assumptions made by our management, including, but not limited to:
· our ability to generate new sales;
· our ability to produce, deliver and sell the expected product volumes at the expected prices;
· our ability to control costs;
· market demand for our products;
· the successful execution of our business plan;
· achievement of current timetables for product development programs and sales;
· the availability and cost of raw materials, labour and supplies;
· the availability of additional capital; and
· general economic and financial market conditions.
Forward-looking statements contained in or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus are based on the assumptions described in this Prospectus. Although management believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to:
· the condition of the global economy, including trade, public health and other geopolitical risks;
· the duration and impact of COVID-19 on our business plans, objectives and expected operating results;
· the rate of mass adoption of our products, or related ecosystem, including the availability of cost-effective hydrogen;
· changes in product or service pricing or cost;
· changes in our customers requirements, the competitive environment and/or related market conditions;
· the relative strength of the value proposition that we offer our customers with our products or services;
· changes in competitive technologies, including battery and fuel cell technologies;
· product safety, liability or warranty issues; challenges or delays in our technology and product development activities;
· product development delays;
· product safety, liability or warranty issues;
· challenges or delays in our technology and product development activities;
· changes in the availability or price of raw materials, labour and supplies;
· our ability to attract and retain business partners, suppliers, employees and customers;
· changing government or environmental regulations, including subsidies or incentives associated with the adoption of clean energy products, including hydrogen and fuel cells;
· potential fluctuations in our financial and business results make forecasting difficult and may restrict our access to funding for our commercialization plan;
· we are subject to risks inherent in international operations;
· our access to funding and our ability to provide the capital required for product development, operations and marketing efforts, working capital requirements, and joint venture capital contributions;
· our ability to protect our intellectual property;
· our ability to extract value from joint venture operations;
· currency fluctuations, including the magnitude of the rate of change of the Canadian dollar versus the United States dollar;
· potential merger and acquisition activities, including risks related to integration, loss of key personnel, disruptions to operations, costs of integration, and the integration failing to achieve the expected benefits of the transaction; and
· those risks discussed in this Prospectus under the heading Risk Factors.
These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company; however, these factors should be considered carefully by prospective purchasers of the Offered Shares. A more detailed assessment of the risks that could cause actual events or results to materially differ from our current expectations can be found under the heading Risk Factors in this Prospectus.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Although Ballard has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended.
A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from what is projected in forward-looking statements. The purpose of forward-looking statements is to provide the reader with a description of managements expectations, and such forward-looking statements may not be appropriate for any other purpose. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this Prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference herein. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
We qualify all the forward-looking statements contained in this Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein by the foregoing cautionary statements.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Information has been incorporated by reference in this 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 at 9000 Glenlyon Parkway, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5J 5J8 or by calling the Investor Relations Department at (604) 454-0900, and are also available electronically from SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and from EDGAR (www.sec.gov). The Companys filings through SEDAR and EDGAR are not incorporated by reference in this Prospectus except as specifically set out herein.
The following documents, filed by the Company with securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada, which have also been filed with, or furnished to, the SEC, are specifically incorporated by reference into, and form an integral part of, this Prospectus:
(k) the template version of the term sheet (the Term Sheet) dated February 10, 2021 in connection with the Offering.
Any document of the type referred to in Section 11.1 of Form 44-101F1 Short Form Prospectus Distributions (excluding confidential material change reports and excluding those portions of documents that are not required pursuant to National Instrument 44-101 Short Form Prospectus Distributions to be incorporated by reference herein) filed by the Company with a securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the distribution shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and will automatically update and supersede information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference contain meaningful and material information relating to the Company and readers should review all information contained in this Prospectus and the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein.
Any statement contained in this Prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not constitute a part of this Prospectus except as so modified or superseded. The modifying or superseding statement need not state that it has modified or superseded a prior statement or include any 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 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.
Documents and information in an annual report on Form 40-F filed by the Company with the SEC under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the U.S. Exchange Act), from the date of this Prospectus and prior to the completion of the Offering shall be deemed incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. To the extent that any document or information incorporated by reference into this Prospectus is included in any report on Form 20-F, 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K or 6-K (or any respective successor form) that is filed with or furnished to the SEC after the date of this Prospectus, such document or information shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. In addition, we may incorporate by reference into this Prospectus, or the Registration Statement of which it forms a part, other information from documents that we file with or furnish to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the U.S. Exchange Act, if and to the extent expressly provided therein.
References to our website in any documents that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus do not incorporate by reference the information on such website into this Prospectus, and we disclaim any such incorporation by reference.
In connection with the Offering, the Underwriters used the Term Sheet as Marketing Materials (as such term is defined in National Instrument 41-101 General Prospectus Requirements). The Marketing Materials do not form part of this Prospectus to the extent that the contents of the Marketing Materials have been modified or superseded by a statement contained in this Prospectus. Any template version of any marketing materials that has been, or will be, filed on the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval filing website of Canadian Securities Administrators (www.sedar.com) (SEDAR) and from the EDGAR filing website of the SEC (www.sec.gov) (EDGAR) before the termination of the distribution under the Offering (including any amendments to, or an amended version of, any template version of any marketing materials) is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus solely for the purposes of the Offering.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND CURRENCY
The financial statements of the Company incorporated by reference in this Prospectus are reported in United States dollars. The Companys consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, as incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been prepared in accordance with IFRS.
References in this Prospectus to $ and US$ are to United States dollars. Canadian dollars are indicated by the symbol CDN$.
The following table sets forth (i) the rate of exchange for the Canadian dollar, expressed in United States dollars, in effect at the end of the periods indicated; (ii) the average exchange rates for the Canadian dollar during such periods, expressed in U.S. dollars; and (iii) the high and low exchange rates for the Canadian dollar, expressed in United States dollars, during such periods, each based on the daily rate of exchange as reported by the Bank of Canada for conversion of Canadian dollars into United States dollars:
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Fiscal Year Ended December 31 |
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2020 |
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2019 |
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2018 |
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Rate at the end of period |
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$ |
0.7854 |
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$ |
0.7699 |
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$ |
0.7330 |
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Average rate during period |
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$ |
0.7454 |
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$ |
0.7537 |
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$ |
0.7721 |
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Highest rate during period |
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$ |
0.7863 |
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$ |
0.7699 |
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$ |
0.8138 |
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Lowest rate during period |
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$ |
0.6898 |
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$ |
0.7353 |
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$ |
0.7330 |
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On February 9, 2021, the daily exchange rate for the Canadian dollar in terms of the United States dollar, as quoted by the Bank of Canada, was CDN$1.00 = US$0.7862.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Copies of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be obtained on request without charge from the Corporate Secretary at 9000 Glenlyon Parkway, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5J 5J8 or by calling the Investor Relations Department at (604) 454-0900, and are also available electronically from SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and from EDGAR (www.sec.gov). The Companys filings through SEDAR and EDGAR are not incorporated by reference in this Prospectus except as specifically set out herein.
The Company is subject to the information requirements of the U.S. Exchange Act, and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the SEC on EDGAR. Under MJDS, such reports and other information may be prepared in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canada, which requirements are different from those of the United States. Prospective investors may read any document the Company files with or furnishes to the SEC at the SECs public reference room at Room 1580, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549. Copies of the same documents may also be obtained from the public reference room of the SEC by paying a fee. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or access its website at www.sec.gov for further information on the public reference room.
We have filed the Registration Statement with the SEC under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), with respect to the Offered Shares offered by this Prospectus. This Prospectus, which forms a part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the
Offering, reference is made to the Registration Statement and to the schedules and exhibits filed therewith. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of certain documents are not necessarily complete and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of the document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
At Ballard, our vision is to deliver fuel cell power for a sustainable planet. We are recognized as a world leader in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell and power system development and commercialization.
Our principal business is the design, development, manufacture, sale and service of PEM fuel cell products for a variety of applications, focusing on our power product markets of Heavy-Duty Motive (consisting of bus, truck, rail and marine applications), Material Handling, and Backup Power, as well as the delivery of Technology Solutions, including engineering services, technology transfer, and the license and sale of our extensive intellectual property portfolio and fundamental knowledge for a variety of PEM fuel cell applications.
A fuel cell is an environmentally clean electrochemical device that combines hydrogen fuel with oxygen (from the air) to produce electricity. The hydrogen fuel can be obtained from natural gas, kerosene, methanol or other hydrocarbon fuels, or from water through electrolysis. Ballards PEM fuel cell products typically feature high fuel efficiency, relatively low operating temperature high durability, low noise and vibration, compact size, quick response to changes in electrical demand, and modular design. Embedded in each Ballard fuel cell product lies a stack of unit cells designed with Ballards proprietary PEM fuel cell technology, which include membrane electrode assemblies, catalysts, plates, and other key components, and which draw on intellectual property from our patent portfolio, together with our extensive experience and know-how, in key areas of PEM fuel cell stack design, operation, production processes and system integration.
We strive to build value for our shareholders by developing, manufacturing, selling and servicing zero-emission, industry-leading PEM fuel cell technology products and services to meet the needs of our customers in select target markets.
Our two-pronged approach is to build shareholder value through the sale and service of power products and the delivery of technology solutions. In power product sales, our focus is on meeting the power needs of our customers by delivering high value, high reliability, high quality and innovative PEM fuel cell products. Through technology solutions, our focus is on enabling our customers to solve their technical and business challenges and accelerate the adoption of fuel cell technology by delivering customized, high value, bundled technology solutions, including specialized engineering services, access to our intellectual property portfolio and know-how through licensing or sale, and by providing technology component supply.
Prospective purchasers of the Offered Shares should read the description of the Company and its business under the heading Our Business in the AIF.
Recent Developments
Three Months and Year Ended December 31, 2020
Consistent with disclosures made by the Company throughout 2020, we have had some delays in certain programs, activities and order intake as a result of COVID-19, and this continued through year end. The delay in implementation of the China hydrogen policy, which was announced in September 2020, affected sales in China while awaiting the policy. This has resulted in higher losses in the Weichai-Ballard JV (in which Ballard has a 49% interest) due to lower than expected sales of stacks and engines. Overall, Ballards financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2020 are consistent with management expectations.
COVID-19 Update
The Company has established an internal task force to assess, monitor and deal with the impact of COVID-19 on our business and share information across the Company. We continue to adjust our operations and take actions to protect the health of our employees, customers, suppliers and visitors.
As the COVID-19 virus spread, we developed protocols, assessment tools and guidance documents to assist all of our manufacturing facilities, as well as engineering, R&D, sales and other offices. We have also disseminated health screening tools and isolation guides for our employees, instituted contact tracing for any known cases of the virus within our employee population, instituted decontamination procedures, and also acquired and installed or disseminated personal protective equipment for employees. Throughout, we have complied with orders and guidance from public health authorities in order to promote employee safety and confidence for return to work. We have developed and continue to monitor and adapt return to work protocols which address a wide range of topics such as: social distancing in our facilities; emergency management teams;
personal protective equipment requirements; self-assessments and facility assessments; cleaning and disinfection protocols; and employee training and communications.
The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions resulted in the temporary suspension of production at many supplier production facilities in China, Europe and North America. To date, the Company has maintained its manufacturing operations without material impact on production levels.
We continue to actively monitor the situation and adjust our plans in accordance with governmental orders and legal requirements in each of the markets in which we operate. We may take further actions with respect to production, where required by law or determined by us to be in the best interests of our employees, customers, suppliers or other applicable stakeholders. See also Risk Factors.
The authorized capital of the Company consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares and an unlimited number of preferred shares issuable in series (Preferred Shares). As of the date of this Prospectus, there were 282,209,200 Common Shares outstanding and no Preferred Shares outstanding. Holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote per Common Share on all matters to be voted on by such shareholders and, subject to the rights and priorities of the holders of Preferred Shares, are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor and, in the event of liquidation, wind-up or dissolution, to receive our remaining property, after the satisfaction of all outstanding liabilities.
We have not paid any dividends to date on the Common Shares. We intend to retain our earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. Accordingly, we do not currently expect to pay any dividends on our Common Shares in the near future.
Pursuant to an investor rights agreement entered into between Ballard and Weichai Power Hong Kong International Development Co., Limited (Weichai), Weichai has certain anti-dilution rights to maintain its current level of ownership in the Company, and will be entitled to exercise its anti-dilution rights in connection with any Offered Shares issued in the Offering.
Other than as set out herein under Prior Sales, there have been no material changes in the share and loan capital of the Company since September 30, 2020 to the date of this Prospectus. As of the date hereof, the Company has 282,209,200 Common Shares issued and outstanding. Assuming no exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, there will be an aggregate of 297,079,200 Common Shares issued and outstanding following completion of the Offering (and 299,309,700 Common Shares will be issued and outstanding if the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full).
The net proceeds from the sale of the Offered Shares to be received by us are estimated to be approximately $528,182,400 (assuming no exercise of the Over-Allotment Option) and $607,409,760 (if the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full) after deducting the Underwriters discounts and commissions of $22,007,600 (assuming no exercise of the Over-Allotment Option) and $25,308,740 (if the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full) but before deducting expenses of the Offering.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the Offering to further strengthen our balance sheet, thereby providing additional flexibility to fund our growth strategies, including through activities such as product innovation, investments in production
capacity expansion and localization, future acquisitions and strategic partnerships and investments. Pending their use, we intend to invest the net proceeds from the Offering in short-term, investment grade, interest bearing instruments or hold them as cash.
The Company will retain significant discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the Offered Shares. See Risk Factors.
The following table sets forth the details regarding all issuances of Common Shares, including issuances of all securities convertible or exchangeable into Common Shares, during the 12-month period before the date of this Prospectus.
Date of Grant/ Issuance |
|
Price per Security ($) |
|
Number of Securities Issued |
|
Common Shares: |
|
|
|
|
|
February 12, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$3.73 |
|
1,000 |
|
February 13, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.22 |
|
1,000 |
|
February 19, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67 |
|
666 |
|
February 20, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98 |
|
4,067 |
|
February 21, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98-US$3.35 |
|
5,500 |
|
February 24, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.80 |
|
700 |
|
February 26, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98 |
|
2,000 |
|
March 2, 2020(1) |
|
US$1.19 |
|
1,000 |
|
March 4, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$4.82 |
|
1,000 |
|
March 5, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98-US$3.74 |
|
31,333 |
|
March 6, 2020(1)(2) |
|
US$2.00-9.72 |
|
268,322 |
|
March 9, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67 |
|
1,268 |
|
March 10, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.22-4.82 |
|
149,168 |
|
March 11, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.82 |
|
96,284 |
|
March 12, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.82 |
|
23,335 |
|
March 13, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67 |
|
334 |
|
March 13, 2020(3) |
|
CDN$4.82 |
|
7,608 |
|
March 13, 2020(4) |
|
US$9.20 |
|
391,240 |
|
March 16, 2020(2) |
|
CDN$4.08 |
|
1,229 |
|
March 16, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.82 |
|
6,667 |
|
March 16, 2020(4) |
|
US$8.20 |
|
185,348 |
|
March 17, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.80-$3.73 |
|
28,400 |
|
March 17, 2020(4) |
|
US$8.29 |
|
250,000 |
|
March 18, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$3.73 |
|
1,000 |
|
March 18, 2020(4) |
|
US$8.03 |
|
408,800 |
|
March 19, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98 |
|
5,250 |
|
March 19, 2020(4) |
|
US$8.00 |
|
244,317 |
|
March 20, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$4.08 |
|
5,333 |
|
March 23, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.08 |
|
11,000 |
|
March 23, 2020(4) |
|
US$7.58 |
|
214,738 |
|
March 24, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.82 |
|
48,166 |
|
March 24, 2020(4) |
|
US$8.05 |
|
292,182 |
|
Date of Grant/ Issuance |
|
Price per Security ($) |
|
Number of Securities Issued |
|
March 25, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.08 |
|
8,149 |
|
March 25, 2020(4) |
|
US$7.82 |
|
385,000 |
|
March 26, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.82 |
|
15,334 |
|
March 26, 2020(4) |
|
US$8.24 |
|
1,000,000 |
|
March 27, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.82 |
|
32,400 |
|
March 27, 2020(4) |
|
US$8.58 |
|
1,430,000 |
|
March 30, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67 |
|
10,000 |
|
March 30, 2020(4) |
|
US$8.24 |
|
1,100,000 |
|
March 31, 2020(4) |
|
US$7.81 |
|
656,000 |
|
April 1, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.08 |
|
6,333 |
|
April 1, 2020(4) |
|
US$7.67 |
|
480,000 |
|
April 2, 2020(4) |
|
US$7.65 |
|
1,160,000 |
|
April 2, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$2.98 |
|
3,107 |
|
April 9, 2020(1) |
|
US$3.06 |
|
3,333 |
|
April 14, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$3.73 |
|
5,000 |
|
April 16, 2020(1) |
|
US$1.04-CDN$2.98 |
|
3,534 |
|
April 17, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67 |
|
1,000 |
|
April 20, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$4.08 |
|
2,000 |
|
April 21, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.08 |
|
1,334 |
|
April 27, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.82 |
|
10,000 |
|
April 29, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$4.82 |
|
1,000 |
|
May 1, 2020(1) |
|
US$1.04 |
|
2,222 |
|
May 6, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98 |
|
1,000 |
|
May 11, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.80-$4.82 |
|
41,583 |
|
May 11, 2020(1) |
|
US$0.71 |
|
10,000 |
|
May 12, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.82 |
|
16,666 |
|
May 13, 2020(1) |
|
US$1.04 |
|
2,222 |
|
May 13, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.80-$4.08 |
|
8,000 |
|
May 14, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.82 |
|
21,832 |
|
May 18, 2020(1) |
|
US$1.04 |
|
2,223 |
|
May 21, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98 |
|
700 |
|
May 22, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.80-$4.08 |
|
7,416 |
|
May 28, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.80-$4.82 |
|
29,316 |
|
June 1, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$4.82 |
|
3,000 |
|
June 1, 2020(1) |
|
US$1.33 |
|
10,000 |
|
June 2, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$3.73-$4.08 |
|
7,466 |
|
June 3, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98-$4.08 |
|
4,500 |
|
June 5, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$4.82 |
|
13,333 |
|
June 8, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$3.73 |
|
1,834 |
|
June 8, 2020(1) |
|
US$3.74 |
|
3,333 |
|
June 8, 2020(2) |
|
CDN$3.81 |
|
1,317 |
|
June 9, 2020(2) |
|
CDN$4.33 |
|
13,526 |
|
June 9, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.08 |
|
4,783 |
|
June 9, 2020(1) |
|
US$1.33 |
|
10,000 |
|
Date of Grant/ Issuance |
|
Price per Security ($) |
|
Number of Securities Issued |
|
June 10, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$3.73 |
|
250 |
|
June 11, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.80-$4.82 |
|
154,147 |
|
June 12, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.80-$4.82 |
|
141,055 |
|
June 12, 2020(1) |
|
US$3.06 |
|
33,078 |
|
June 15, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.82 |
|
12,834 |
|
June 16, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$3.63 |
|
1,666 |
|
June 17, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98-$4.82 |
|
42,215 |
|
June 17, 2020(1) |
|
US$3.35 |
|
640 |
|
June 18, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.80-$4.82 |
|
22,893 |
|
June 18, 2020(1) |
|
US$3.35 |
|
360 |
|
June 19, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.80-$4.82 |
|
3,417 |
|
June 22, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$3.63-$4.82 |
|
5,499 |
|
June 23, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$3.73 |
|
1,000 |
|
June 25, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67 |
|
1,750 |
|
June 26, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98 |
|
1,200 |
|
June 29, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$4.08-$4.82 |
|
999 |
|
June 30, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.80-$3.63 |
|
18,833 |
|
July 1, 2020(1) |
|
US$1.33-$3.74 |
|
21,366 |
|
July 2, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.80-$4.82 |
|
90,598 |
|
July 3, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$4.82 |
|
10,000 |
|
July 3, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.82 |
|
25,483 |
|
July 6, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.80-$2.67 |
|
3,050 |
|
July 6, 2020(1) |
|
US$2.00 |
|
5,000 |
|
July 7, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98-$3.73 |
|
900 |
|
July 8, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$3.63 |
|
4,300 |
|
July 9, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67 |
|
334 |
|
July 15, 2020(1) |
|
US$2.00-$3.74 |
|
13,334 |
|
July 29, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98 |
|
3,000 |
|
August 5, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98 |
|
1,500 |
|
August 11, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98-$4.82 |
|
1,500 |
|
August 12, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.82 |
|
11,000 |
|
August 14, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98-$3.63 |
|
3,667 |
|
August 19, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98 |
|
1,000 |
|
August 26, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$4.82 |
|
1,000 |
|
September 3, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98 |
|
200 |
|
September 4, 2020(4) |
|
US$15.78 |
|
250,000 |
|
September 4, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$1.80 |
|
625 |
|
September 8, 2020(4) |
|
US$14.21 |
|
200,000 |
|
September 8, 2020(2) |
|
CDN$5.99 |
|
837 |
|
September 9, 2020(4) |
|
US$13.59 |
|
460,000 |
|
September 10, 2020(4) |
|
US$14.00 |
|
680,000 |
|
September 10, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$3.73-$5.99 |
|
21,000 |
|
September 11, 2020(4) |
|
US$14.23 |
|
600,000 |
|
September 14, 2020(4) |
|
US$14.29 |
|
241,807 |
|
Date of Grant/ Issuance |
|
Price per Security ($) |
|
Number of Securities Issued |
|
September 15, 2020(4) |
|
US$13.83 |
|
450,000 |
|
September 16, 2020(4) |
|
US$14.33 |
|
825,000 |
|
September 17, 2020(4) |
|
US$15.13 |
|
1,050,000 |
|
September 18, 2020(4) |
|
US$15.45 |
|
975,000 |
|
September 18, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67 |
|
2,000 |
|
September 21, 2020(4) |
|
US$15.52 |
|
495,000 |
|
September 22, 2020(4) |
|
CDN$21.12 |
|
3,400,000 |
|
September 22, 2020(4) |
|
US$16.07 |
|
650,000 |
|
September 22, 2020(2) |
|
CDN$4.02 |
|
22,993 |
|
September 23, 2020(4) |
|
CDN$21.63 |
|
100,000 |
|
September 23, 2020(4) |
|
US$16.08 |
|
900,000 |
|
September 23, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98 |
|
1,000 |
|
September 24, 2020(4) |
|
CDN$20.98 |
|
180,690 |
|
September 24, 2020(4) |
|
US$16.00 |
|
306,300 |
|
September 24, 2020(1) |
|
US$1.23-$3.06 |
|
3,299 |
|
September 25, 2020(4) |
|
US$15.49 |
|
172,397 |
|
September 28, 2020(4) |
|
US$14.35 |
|
195,555 |
|
September 29, 2020(4) |
|
US$14.33 |
|
965,793 |
|
September 30, 2020(4) |
|
US$15.17 |
|
1,149,000 |
|
September 30, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$3.63 |
|
3,333 |
|
October 1, 2020(4) |
|
US$15.08 |
|
2,204,081 |
|
October 9, 2020(1) |
|
US$1.23 |
|
334 |
|
October 14, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67 |
|
630 |
|
November 13, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$3.73 |
|
750 |
|
November 16, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98 |
|
1,510 |
|
November 17, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98 |
|
1,000 |
|
November 18, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$4.82 |
|
9667 |
|
November 19, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$3.63-$4.08 |
|
3,667 |
|
November 23, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98 |
|
100 |
|
November 24, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$2.98-$4.82 |
|
4,877 |
|
November 25, 2020(1) |
|
CDN $2.98-$4.82 |
|
19,120 |
|
November 26, 2020(1) |
|
CDN $2.67-$3.63 |
|
1,933 |
|
November 27, 2020(1) |
|
CDN $4.82 |
|
500 |
|
November 27, 2020(5) |
|
US$19.25 |
|
20,909,300 |
|
December 1, 2020(1) |
|
CDN $4.08-$4.82 |
|
19,999 |
|
December 2, 2020(1) |
|
CDN $3.73 |
|
5,000 |
|
December 3, 2020(1) |
|
CDN$3.63-$4.82 |
|
8,166 |
|
December 7, 2020(2) |
|
CDN $3.83 |
|
3,672 |
|
December 10, 2020(1) |
|
CDN $2.98 |
|
4,000 |
|
December 11, 2020(1) |
|
CDN $1.80-$4.08 |
|
2,159 |
|
December 11, 2020(1) |
|
US $1.23 |
|
7,500 |
|
December 18, 2020(1) |
|
US $1.23 |
|
7,500 |
|
December 21, 2020(1) |
|
CDN $3.63 |
|
1,667 |
|
December 22, 2020(1) |
|
CDN $1.80-$3.83 |
|
13,555 |
|
December 22, 2020(1) |
|
US $3.06 |
|
3,333 |
|
December 23, 2020(1) |
|
CDN $1.80 |
|
3,275 |
|
December 24, 2020(1) |
|
CDN $2.98-$4.82 |
|
4,324 |
|
December 29, 2020(1) |
|
CDN $1.80-$4.82 |
|
43,450 |
|
December 30, 2020(1) |
|
CDN $3.63 |
|
1,667 |
|
December 31, 2020(1) |
|
CDN $2.98-$4.08 |
|
1,150 |
|
January 4, 2021(1) |
|
CDN $1.80-$4.08 |
|
1,633 |
|
January 5, 2021(1) |
|
CDN$1.80- $4.82 |
|
11,733 |
|
January 6, 2021(1) |
|
CDN $1.80-$2.98 |
|
1,320 |
|
January 6, 2021(3) |
|
CDN $1.61-$29.78 |
|
46,388 |
|
January 7, 2021(1) |
|
US $2.00 |
|
10,000 |
|
January 8, 2021(1) |
|
US $1.23-$3.74 |
|
11,666 |
|
January 8, 2021(1) |
|
CDN $2.98-$3.63 |
|
2,667 |
|
January 11, 2021(1) |
|
US $2.00 |
|
3,334 |
|
January 11, 2021(1) |
|
CDN $2.98 |
|
100 |
|
January 12, 2021(1) |
|
CDN $3.63 |
|
1,200 |
|
January 13, 2021(1) |
|
CDN $2.98 |
|
300 |
|
January 14, 2021(1) |
|
US $2.00 |
|
5,000 |
|
January 14, 2021(1) |
|
CDN $1.80-$3.63 |
|
2,650 |
|
January 15, 2021(1) |
|
CDN $2.67-$4.08 |
|
13,281 |
|
January 15, 2021(1) |
|
US $2.00 |
|
6,667 |
|
January 19, 2021(1) |
|
CDN $3.73 |
|
250 |
|
January 27, 2021(1) |
|
CDN $2.98 |
|
1,000 |
|
February 1, 2021(1) |
|
US $2.00 |
|
7,500 |
|
February 5, 2021(1) |
|
CDN $2.67 |
|
1,000 |
|
February 8, 2021(1) |
|
CDN$2.67-$3.73 |
|
2,334 |
|
February 9, 2021(1) |
|
CDN $3.73 |
|
1,000 |
|
Options to purchase Common Shares: |
|
|
|
|
|
March 6, 2020 |
|
CDN$14.22-US$10.64 |
|
1,351,919 |
|
October 1, 2020 |
|
CDN$20.12 |
|
483,000 |
|
Restricted Share Units: |
|
|
|
|
|
March 5, 2020 |
|
CDN$14.22-US$10.64 |
|
148,375 |
|
September 30, 2020 |
|
CDN$20.12 |
|
186,381 |
|
Date of Grant/ Issuance |
|
Price per Security ($) |
|
Number of Securities Issued |
|
Deferred Share Units: |
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2020 |
|
CDN$10.67 |
|
9,926 |
|
June 30, 2020 |
|
CDN $20.89 |
|
5,068 |
|
September 30, 2020 |
|
CDN $20.12 |
|
5,261 |
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
CDN $29.78 |
|
3,554 |
|
Notes:
(1) Issued on the exercise of previously granted options.
(2) Issued on the exercise of previously granted restricted stock units from the Consolidated Share Distribution Plan.
(3) Issued on the exercise of previously granted deferred stock units from the Consolidated Share Distribution Plan.
(4) Issued pursuant to an at-the-market offering.
(5) Issued pursuant to the November 2020 Bought Deal.
The outstanding Common Shares are traded on the TSX and the NASDAQ under the trading symbol BLDP. The following tables set forth the reported intraday high and low prices and monthly trading volumes of the Common Shares for the 12-month period prior to the date of this Prospectus.
|
|
TSX
|
|
NASDAQ
|
|
||||
|
|
Price Range
|
|
Average
|
|
Price Range
|
|
Average
|
|
February 1-9, 2021 |
|
$45.70 - $52.23 |
|
1,084,900 |
|
$35.53 - $40.99 |
|
4,037,705 |
|
January 2021 |
|
$28.80 - $47.11 |
|
1,611,157 |
|
$22.53 - $37.07 |
|
8,382,372 |
|
December 2020 |
|
$23.53 - $30.17 |
|
1,012,904 |
|
$18.36 - $23.56 |
|
5,241,359 |
|
November 2020 |
|
$19.64-$25.26 |
|
998,639 |
|
$15.07-$19.29 |
|
4,158,889 |
|
October 2020 |
|
$19.26-$24.80 |
|
1,025,145 |
|
$14.44-$18.86 |
|
3,317,930 |
|
September 2020 |
|
$17.91-$22.15 |
|
1,602,448 |
|
$13.72-$16.94 |
|
4,340,850 |
|
August 2020 |
|
$18.44- $21.83 |
|
1,077,352 |
|
$13.82- $16.60 |
|
5,029,095 |
|
July 2020 |
|
$19.03- $28.16 |
|
1,116,702 |
|
$14.22- $20.76 |
|
4,386,691 |
|
June 2020 |
|
$15.33- $21.18 |
|
939,289 |
|
$11.37- $15.53 |
|
3,173,983 |
|
May 2020 |
|
$13.11- $14.85 |
|
699,530 |
|
$9.31 - $10.81 |
|
1,873,004 |
|
April 2020 |
|
$10.35 - $14.56 |
|
696,092 |
|
$7.26 - $10.48 |
|
1,896,567 |
|
March 2020 |
|
$10.51 - $14.22 |
|
1,579,205 |
|
$7.33 - $10.64 |
|
4,158,415 |
|
February 2020 |
|
$12.06 - $18.66 |
|
1,621,244 |
|
$8.44 - $14.14 |
|
4,696,914 |
|
The closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX and the NASDAQ on February 9, 2021 was CDN$51.93 and US$40.90, respectively.
Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Company has agreed to sell and the Underwriters have agreed to purchase, as principals, on the Closing Date, subject to compliance with all necessary legal requirements and the terms and conditions contained in the Underwriting Agreement, a total of 14,870,000 Offered Shares at the Offering Price of US$37.00 per Offered Share,
payable in cash to the Company against delivery of such Offered Shares, on the Closing Date. The Offering Price was determined by arms length negotiation between the Company and the Underwriters, with reference to the then-current market price of the Common Shares.
The obligations of the Underwriters under the Underwriting Agreement are several (and not joint or joint and several), are subject to certain closing conditions, and may be terminated at their discretion upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the Underwriting Agreement including standard material adverse effect out, disaster out, regulatory out, breach out, and other rights of termination. The Underwriters are, however, obligated to take up and pay for all of the securities if any of the securities are purchased under the Underwriting Agreement.
The Offering is being made concurrently in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, other than Québec, and in the United States pursuant to the MJDS implemented by the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the SEC. The Offered Shares will be offered in the U.S. and Canada, other than Québec, through the Underwriters either directly or through their respective U.S. or Canadian broker-dealer affiliates or agents, as applicable. No Offered Shares will be offered or sold in any jurisdiction except by or through brokers or dealers duly registered under the applicable securities laws of that jurisdiction, or in circumstances where an exemption from such registered dealer requirements is available. Subject to applicable law, the Underwriters may offer Offered Shares outside of the United States and Canada.
The Underwriters initially propose to offer a portion of the Offered Shares directly to the public and a portion of the Offered Shares to certain dealers, in each case at the Offering Price listed on the cover page of this Prospectus. After the Underwriters have made a reasonable effort to sell all of the Offered Shares at the Offering Price specified on the cover page, the Offering Price may be decreased from time to time to an amount not greater than that set out on the cover page, and the compensation realized by the Underwriters will be decreased by the amount that the aggregate price paid by purchasers for the Offered Shares is less than the gross price paid by the Underwriters to the Company. The Offered Shares are being offered in the United States and Canada in U.S. dollars.
Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Company has granted to the Underwriters the Over-Allotment Option, exercisable by the Co-Lead Underwriters on behalf of the Underwriters, in whole or in part at any time until 30 days after the Closing Date, to purchase up to 2,230,500 additional Common Shares (representing 15% of the total number of shares offered hereunder) at the Offering Price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. If the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full, the total Price to the Public, Underwriters Discounts and Commissions and Net Proceeds to the Company will be US$632,718,500, US$25,308,740 and US$607,409,760, respectively. This Prospectus also qualifies under applicable Canadian securities laws the grant of the Over-Allotment Option and the distribution of up to 2,230,500 Common Shares to be sold by the Company upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option. A purchaser who acquires Common Shares forming part of the Over-Allotment Option acquires those shares under this Prospectus.
In consideration of the services provided by the Underwriters in connection with the Offering, and pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay to the Underwriters an aggregate cash fee of 4% of the gross proceeds from the Offering (including any gross proceeds raised on exercise of the Over-Allotment Option). The Company has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to reimburse the Underwriters for all costs and expenses of, or incidental to, the distribution of the Offered Shares, including legal expenses (up to a maximum of CDN$75,000, exclusive of taxes and disbursements, for the Underwriters Canadian counsel, and up to a maximum of US$100,000, exclusive of taxes and disbursements, for the Underwriters U.S. counsel), and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Underwriters. The remaining sales proceeds, after deducting the fee payable to the Underwriters, the expenses, and any transaction fees imposed by any governmental, regulatory, or self-regulatory organization in connection with the sales, will equal our net proceeds for the sale of the Offered Shares.
Under the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, for a period from the date of this Prospectus until thirty (30) days following the Closing Date (the Restricted Period), the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Co-Lead Underwriters on behalf of the Underwriters, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, directly or indirectly offer, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, or agree to or announce any of the foregoing, any Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares, other than: (i) the Companys sale of the Common Shares pursuant to the Offering; (ii) the issuance of securities to acquire Common Shares in a manner materially consistent with past practice pursuant to the Companys compensation plans as in effect as of the date of this Prospectus and the issuance of Common Shares pursuant to the valid exercises, redemptions or conversion of securities to acquire Common Shares issued pursuant to such compensation plans or warrants outstanding on the date hereof; (iii) the issuance of Common Shares, or other securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Shares, in connection with the acquisition of assets or other rights, including for greater certainty the issuance of such securities in connection with raising funds for the acquisition of assets or other rights, from an unaffiliated third party in an aggregate amount not to exceed (upon issue, conversion or exchange) 10% of the
outstanding Common Shares of the Company after taking into account the Common Shares issued pursuant to such acquisitions and the Offering, including exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, if applicable; (iv) the issuance of Common Shares pursuant to any pre-emptive or anti-dilution rights (including, for greater certainty, the pre-emptive and anti-dilution rights granted to Weichai); and (v) the issuance of Common Shares to a strategic investor on a private placement basis. In addition, during the Restricted Period, the Company will not file any registration statement, preliminary prospectus or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, under Canadian securities laws or the U.S. Securities Act for any transaction which registers, or offers for sale, Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares, except: (A) for a base shelf prospectus and related registration statement, provided no take-down is effected under such base shelf prospectus during the Restricted Period without the prior written consent of the Underwriters, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; or (B) where such filing is subject to an existing contractual obligation of the Company or in accordance with the exception in (iii).
In connection with the Offering, the Underwriters may purchase and sell Common Shares in the open market, subject to the limitations described below. These transactions may include over-allotment, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales of Common Shares in excess of the number of Common Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters in the Offering, which creates a syndicate short position. Covered short sales are sales of Common Shares made in an amount up to the number of Common Shares represented by the Over-Allotment Option. In determining the source of Common Shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the Underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of Common Shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase Common Shares through the Over-Allotment Option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of the Common Shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option. The Underwriters may also make naked short sales of Common Shares in excess of the Over-Allotment Option. The Underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing Common Shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the Underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the Common Shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the Offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of Common Shares in the open market while the Offering is in progress.
In accordance with Canadian securities laws, the Underwriters may not, throughout the period of distribution, bid for or purchase the Common Shares. Exceptions, however, exist where the bid or purchase is not made to create the appearance of active trading in, or rising prices of, the Common Shares. These exceptions include a bid or purchase permitted under the by-laws and rules of applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the TSX, including the Universal Market Integrity Rules for Canadian Marketplaces, relating to market stabilization and passive market making activities and a bid or purchase made for and on behalf of a customer where the order was not solicited during the period of distribution. Subject to the foregoing and applicable laws, in connection with the Offering and pursuant to the first exception mentioned above, the Underwriters may over-allot or effect transactions that stabilize or maintain the market price of the Common Shares at levels other than those which might otherwise prevail on the open market. Any of the foregoing activities may have the effect of preventing or slowing a decline in the market price of the Common Shares. They may also cause the price of the Common Shares to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The Underwriters may conduct these transactions on the TSX and the NASDAQ or otherwise. If the Underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable Canadian securities laws.
The Common Shares of the Company are listed for trading on the TSX and the NASDAQ under the trading symbol BLDP. The Company has applied to list the Offered Shares distributed under this Prospectus on the TSX and will notify the NASDAQ of the Offering. Listing is subject to the Company fulfilling all of the listing requirements of the TSX.
Subscriptions 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. The Closing Date of the Offering is expected to be on or about February 23, 2021, or such earlier or later date as the Company and the Underwriters may agree, but in any event no later than March 31, 2021.
It is expected that the Company will arrange for the instant deposit of the Offered Shares under the book-based system of registration, to be registered to CDS or its nominee, or DTC or its nominee, and deposited with CDS or DTC on the Closing Date. No certificates evidencing the Offered Shares will be issued to purchasers of the Offered Shares. Purchasers of the Offered Shares will receive only a customer confirmation from the Underwriter or other registered dealer who is a CDS or DTC participant and from or through whom a beneficial interest in the Offered Shares is purchased.
Conflicts of Interest
The Underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the Underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the Underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments. The Underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Selling Restrictions
Other than in the United States and each of the provinces and territories of Canada, other than Québec, no action has been taken by the Company that would permit a public offering of the Offered Shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The Offered Shares may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this Prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such Offered Shares be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this Prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the Offering and the distribution of this Prospectus. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any Offered Shares in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.
CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is, as of the date of this Prospectus, a general summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under the Tax Act generally applicable to an investor who acquires beneficial ownership of Offered Shares pursuant to the Offering. This summary applies only to a holder who, for the purposes of the Tax Act and at all relevant times: (i) deals at arms length and is not affiliated with the Company or the Underwriters, and (ii) acquires and holds the Offered Shares as capital property (a Holder). The Offered Shares will generally be considered to be capital property to a Holder unless they are held in the course of carrying on a business of trading or dealing in securities or were acquired in one or more transactions considered to be an adventure or concern in the nature of trade.
This summary is based upon: (i) the facts set out in this Prospectus, (ii) the current provisions of the Tax Act in force as of the date hereof, (iii) all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act that have been publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof (the Tax Proposals), assuming that the Tax Proposals will be enacted in the form proposed, although no assurance can be given that the Tax Proposals will be enacted in the form proposed, or at all, and (iv) our understanding of the current published administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (the CRA) published in writing by the CRA prior to the date hereof. Other than the Tax Proposals, this summary does not otherwise take into account or anticipate any changes in law, whether by legislative, governmental, administrative or judicial decision or action, nor does it take into account or consider any provincial, territorial or foreign income tax considerations, which considerations may differ significantly from the Canadian federal income tax considerations discussed in this summary. This summary also does not take into account or anticipate any change in the administrative policies or assessing practices of the CRA.
This summary is not applicable to a Holder: (i) that is a financial institution within the meaning of the Tax Act for the purposes of the mark-to-market rules; (ii) that is a specified financial institution within the meaning of the Tax Act for the purposes of mark-to-market rules; (iii) that reports its Canadian tax results as defined in the Tax Act in a currency other than Canadian currency; (iv) an interest in which is a tax shelter investment within the meaning of the Tax Act; (v) that enters into a synthetic disposition arrangement or derivative forward agreement each as defined in the Tax Act, in respect of the Offered Shares; (vi) that receives dividends on the Offered Shares under or as part of a dividend rental arrangement, as defined in the Tax Act; (vii) that is a corporation resident in Canada that is, or becomes, or does not deal at arms length for
purposes of the Tax Act with a corporation resident in Canada that is or becomes, as part of a transaction or event or series of transactions or events that includes the acquisition of Offered Shares, controlled by a non-resident corporation or a non-resident person or group of persons (comprised of any combination of non-resident corporations, non-resident individuals or non-resident trusts) that do not deal with each other at arms length for the purposes of the rules in section 212.3 of the Tax Act; (viii) that carries on, or is deemed to carry on, an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere; or (ix) that is an authorized foreign bank as defined in the Tax Act, with respect to the Offered Shares. Such Holders, and all other holders (including Non-Resident Holders (as defined herein)) of special status or in special circumstances, should consult their own tax advisors with respect to an investment in the Offered Shares.
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 Offered Shares.
For purposes of the Tax Act, all amounts relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of the Offered Shares (including dividends, adjusted cost base and proceeds of disposition) must be expressed in Canadian dollars, based on the relevant exchange rate determined in accordance with the detailed rules in the Tax Act in that regard. Amounts denominated in any other currency must be converted into Canadian dollars based on the exchange rate as quoted by the Bank of Canada for the applicable day or such other rate of exchange that is acceptable to the Minister of National Revenue (Canada).
This summary is of a general nature only, is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax considerations and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular Holder. The tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of Offered Shares will vary according to the Holders particular circumstances. Holders (including Non-Resident Holders) should consult their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.
Residents of Canada
This section of the summary applies to a Holder who, for the purposes of the Tax Act, and at all relevant times, is, or is deemed to be, resident in Canada (a Resident Holder). A Holder who is resident in Canada for the purposes of the Tax Act and whose Offered Shares might not otherwise qualify as capital property, may, in certain circumstances, be entitled to make the irrevocable election provided by subsection 39(4) of the Tax Act to have its Offered Shares and every other Canadian security (as defined in the Tax Act) owned by such Holder in the taxation year of the election and in all subsequent years deemed to be capital property. Such Canadian resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors as to whether an election under subsection 39(4) of the Tax Act is available and/or advisable in their particular circumstances.
Dividends on Offered Shares
A Resident Holder will be required to include in computing its income for a taxation year any taxable dividends received or deemed to be received on the Offered Shares. In the case of a Resident Holder that is an individual (other than certain trusts) such dividends will be subject to the gross-up and dividend tax credit rules normally applicable under the Tax Act to taxable dividends received from taxable Canadian corporations. To the extent the Company designates the dividends as eligible dividends within the meaning of the Tax Act in the prescribed manner, such dividends will be subject to an enhanced gross-up and tax credit regime in accordance with the rules in the Tax Act. There may be limitations on the ability of the Company to designated dividends as eligible dividends. In the case of a Resident Holder that is a corporation, the amount of any such taxable dividend that is included in its income for a taxation year will generally be deductible in computing its taxable income for that taxation year. In certain circumstances, subsection 55(2) of the Tax Act will deem a taxable dividend received or deemed to be received by a Resident Holder that is a corporation as proceeds of disposition or a capital gain. Resident Holders that are corporations should consult their own tax advisors having regard to their own circumstances.
Dispositions of Offered Shares
A Resident Holder who disposes of, or is deemed for the purposes of the Tax Act to have disposed of, an Offered Share (other than to the Company, unless purchased by the Company in the open market in the manner in which shares are normally purchased by any member of the public in the open market) will generally realize a capital gain (or capital loss) in the taxation year of the disposition equal to the amount by which the proceeds of disposition are greater (or less) than the total of: (i) the adjusted cost based to the Resident Holder of the Offered Shares immediately before the disposition or deemed disposition, and (ii) any reasonable costs of disposition. The adjusted cost base to a Resident Holder of Offered Shares acquired pursuant to this Offering will be determined by averaging the adjusted cost base of such Offered Shares with the adjusted cost base of all other Common Shares (if any) held by the Resident Holder as capital property at that time.
A Resident Holder will generally be required to include in computing its income for the taxation year of disposition, one-half of the amount of any capital gain (a taxable capital gain as defined in the Tax Act) realized in such year. Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the Tax Act, a Resident Holder will generally be required to deduct one-half of the amount of any capital loss (an allowable capital loss as defined in the Tax Act) realized in the taxation year of disposition against taxable capital gains realized in the same taxation year. Allowable capital losses in excess of taxable capital gains for the taxation year of disposition 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 taxation years, to the extent and under the circumstances specified in the Tax Act.
If a Resident Holder is a corporation, any capital loss realized on a disposition or deemed disposition of Offered Shares may, in certain circumstances, be reduced by the amount of any dividends which have been received or which are deemed to have been received on such Offered Shares (or a share for which an Offered Share has been substituted). Similar rules may apply where a Resident Holder that is a corporation is a member of a partnership or a beneficiary of a trust that owns Offered Shares directly or indirectly through a partnership or a trust. Resident Holders to whom these rules may be relevant should consult their own tax advisors.
Other Taxes
A Resident Holder that is a private corporation or a subject corporation, each as defined in the Tax Act, will generally be liable to pay under Part IV of the Tax Act an additional tax on dividends received or deemed to be received on the Offered Shares to the extent such dividends are deductible in computing the Resident Holders taxable income for the year. This additional tax may be refundable in certain circumstances. Such Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.
A Resident Holder that is throughout the relevant taxation year a Canadian-controlled private corporation (as defined in the Tax Act) may be liable to pay an additional tax on its aggregate investment income, as defined in the Tax Act, for the year, including any dividends or deemed dividends that are not deductible in computing the Resident Holders taxable income and taxable capital gains realized on the disposition of the Offered Shares by the Resident Holder. Such additional tax may be refundable in certain circumstances. Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.
Capital gains and taxable dividends received by a Resident Holder who is an individual (other than certain trusts) may result in such Resident Holder being liable for alternative minimum tax under the Tax Act. Such Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.
Non-Resident Holders
This section of the summary applies to a Holder who, for the purposes of the Tax Act and any applicable tax treaty or convention, and at all relevant times: (i) is not, and is not deemed to be, resident in Canada; and (ii) does not use or hold, and is not deemed to use or hold, the Offered Shares in the course of carrying on a business in Canada (a Non-Resident Holder).
Dividends
Dividends paid or credited (or deemed to be paid or credited under the Tax Act) to a Non-Resident Holder by the Company on the Offered Shares are subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 25% on the gross amount of the dividend unless such rate is reduced by the terms of an applicable tax treaty. Under the Canada-United States Tax Convention (1980), as amended (the Treaty), the rate of withholding tax on dividends paid or credited to a Non-Resident Holder who is a resident of the United States that is entitled to full benefits under the Treaty and is the beneficial owner of the dividends (a U.S. Holder) is generally limited to 15% of the gross amount of the dividend (or 5% in the case of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation that beneficially owns at least 10% of our voting shares). Non-Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine their entitlement to relief under an applicable income tax treaty.
Dispositions of Offered Shares
A Non-Resident Holder generally will not be subject to tax under the Tax Act in respect of a capital gain realized on the disposition or deemed disposition of an Offered Share unless: (i) the Offered Share constitutes taxable Canadian property to the Non-Resident Holder for purposes of the Tax Act; and (ii) the Non-Resident Holder is not entitled to relief under the terms of an applicable tax treaty. In addition, capital losses arising on the disposition or deemed disposition of an Offered Share will not be recognized under the Tax Act unless the Offered Share constitutes taxable Canadian property to the Non- Resident Holder for purposes of the Tax Act.
Provided the Offered Shares are listed on a designated stock exchange as defined in the Tax Act (which currently includes the TSX and the NASDAQ) at the time of disposition, the Offered Shares will not constitute taxable Canadian property to the Non-Resident Holder at that time, unless at any time during the 60-month period immediately preceding the disposition the following two conditions are met concurrently: (i) one or any combination of (a) the Non-Resident Holder, (b) persons with whom the Non-Resident Holder did not deal at arms length, or (c) partnerships in which the Non-Resident Holder or a person with whom the Non-Resident Holder did not deal at arms length holds a membership interest (directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships) owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of shares of the Company; and (ii) more than 50% of the fair market value of the shares of the Company was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of (a) real or immovable property situated in Canada, (b) Canadian resource properties (as defined in the Tax Act), (c) timber resource properties (as defined in the Tax Act) or (d) an option in respect of, an interest in, or for civil law a right in any of the foregoing property, whether or not such property exists. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Offered Share may also be deemed to be taxable Canadian property to a Non-Resident Holder under other provisions of the Tax Act.
IN THE EVENT THAT A NON-RESIDENT HOLDER DISPOSES (OR IS DEEMED TO HAVE DISPOSED) AN OFFERED SHARE THAT IS (OR IS DEEMED TO BE) TAXABLE CANADIAN PROPERTY TO THAT NON-RESIDENT HOLDER, AND THE NON-RESIDENT HOLDER IS NOT ENTITLED TO AN EXEMPTION UNDER AN APPLICABLE TAX TREATY, THE INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES DISCUSSED ABOVE UNDER THE HEADING RESIDENTS OF CANADA DISPOSITIONS OF OFFERED SHARES WILL GENERALLY APPLY TO THE NON-RESIDENT HOLDER. NON-RESIDENT HOLDERS WHOSE OFFERED SHARES MAY BE TAXABLE CANADIAN PROPERTY SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS.
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Offered Shares acquired pursuant to this Offering.
This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences that may apply to a U.S. Holder arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular U.S. Holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such U.S. Holder. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any U.S. Holder. Except as discussed below, this summary does not discuss applicable income tax reporting requirements. This summary does not address the U.S. federal net investment income, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Offered Shares. Each prospective U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal net investment income, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Offered Shares.
No legal opinion from U.S. legal counsel or ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Offered Shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary.
Each U.S. Holder should also review the separate discussion regarding Canadian income tax considerations discussed above under Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations.
Scope of this Summary
Authorities
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, the Treaty, and U.S. court decisions that are applicable, and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date hereof. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied retroactively or prospectively which could affect the U.S. federal income tax considerations described in this summary. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis.
U.S. Holders
For purposes of this summary, the term U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of the Offered Shares acquired in the Offering that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
· an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.;
· a corporation (or other entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
· an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
· a trust that (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (b) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed
This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, U.S. Holders that: (a) are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) are financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (c) are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in securities or currencies that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (d) have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar; (e) own the Offered Shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other integrated transaction; (f) acquire the Offered Shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (g) hold the Offered Shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes); (h) are subject to special tax accounting rules; or (i) own, have owned or will own (directly, indirectly, or by attribution) 10% or more of the total combined voting power or value of our outstanding shares. This summary also does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders who are: (a) U.S. expatriates, dual-residents or former long-term residents of the U.S.; (b) persons that have been, are, or will be a resident or deemed to be a resident in Canada for purposes of the Tax Act; (c) persons that use or hold, will use or hold, or that are or will be deemed to use or hold the Offered Shares in connection with carrying on a business in Canada; or (d) persons that have a permanent establishment in Canada for the purposes of the Treaty. U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, U.S. Holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal net investment income, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the Offered Shares.
If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership (or other pass-through entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds the Offered Shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such entity or arrangement and the partners (or other owners or participants) of such entity or arrangement generally will depend on the activities of the entity or arrangement and the status of such partners (or owners or participants). This summary does not address the tax consequences to any such partner (or owner or participants). Partners (or other owners or participants) of entities or arrangements that are classified as partnerships or as pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the Offered Shares.
Ownership and Disposition of Offered Shares
The following discussion is subject in its entirety to the rules described below under the heading Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.
Taxation of Distributions
A U.S. Holder that receives a distribution, including a constructive distribution, with respect to an Offered Share will be required to include the amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend (without reduction for any foreign income tax withheld from such distribution) to the extent of the current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Company, as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that a distribution exceeds the current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Company, such distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holders
tax basis in the Offered Shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of such Offered Shares (see Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Offered Shares below). However, the Company may not maintain the calculations of earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, and each U.S. Holder should therefore assume that any distribution by the Company with respect to the Offered Shares will constitute ordinary dividend income. Dividends received on Offered Shares generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction.
Subject to applicable limitations and provided the Company is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty or the Offered Shares are readily tradable on a United States securities market, dividends paid by the Company to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, generally will be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains for dividends provided certain holding period and other conditions are satisfied, including that the Company not be classified as a PFIC (as defined below) in the tax year of distribution or in the preceding tax year. The dividend rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the application of such rules.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Offered Shares
A U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of Offered Shares in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between (a) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and (b) such U.S. Holders tax basis in such Offered Shares sold or otherwise disposed of. Any such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other disposition, such Offered Shares are held for more than one year.
Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation. Deductions for capital losses are subject to significant limitations under the Code.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
If the Company were to constitute a passive foreign investment company or PFIC for any year during a U.S. Holders holding period, then certain potentially adverse rules would affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder resulting from the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Offered Shares. The Company believes that it was not a PFIC during the prior tax year, and based on current business plans and financial expectations, the Company expects that it will not be a PFIC for the current tax year and does not expect to be a PFIC for the foreseeable future. No opinion of legal counsel or ruling from the IRS concerning the status of the Company as a PFIC has been obtained or is currently planned to be requested.
However, PFIC classification is fundamentally factual in nature, generally cannot be determined until the close of the tax year in question, and is determined annually. Additionally, the analysis depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the Company has never been, is not and will not become a PFIC for any tax year during which U.S. Holders hold Offered Shares.
In addition, in any year in which the Company is classified as a PFIC, such holder will be required to file an annual report with the IRS containing such information as Treasury Regulations and/or other IRS guidance may require. In addition to penalties, a failure to satisfy such reporting requirements may result in an extension of the time period during which the IRS can assess tax. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing such information returns under these rules, including the requirement to file an IRS Form 8621 annually.
The Company will be a PFIC under Section 1297 of the Code if, for a tax year, (a) 75% or more of the gross income of the Company for such tax year is passive income (the income test) or (b) 50% or more of the value of the Companys assets either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (the asset test), based on the quarterly average of the fair market value of such assets. Gross income generally includes all sales revenues less the cost of goods sold, plus income from investments and from incidental or outside operations or sources, and passive income generally includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from the sale of stock and securities, and certain gains from commodities transactions.
In addition, for purposes of the PFIC income test and asset test described above, if the Company owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the total value of the outstanding shares of another corporation, the Company will be treated as if it (a) held a proportionate share of the assets of such other corporation and (b) received directly a proportionate share of the income of such other corporation. In addition, for purposes of the PFIC income test and asset test described above and assuming certain other requirements are met, passive income does not include certain interest, dividends, rents, or royalties that are received or accrued by the Company from a related person (as defined in Section 954(d)(3) of the Code), to the extent such items are
properly allocable to the income of such related person that is not passive income and certain other requirements are satisfied.
Under certain attribution rules, if the Company is a PFIC, U.S. Holders will be deemed to own their proportionate share of any subsidiary of the Company which is also a PFIC (a Subsidiary PFIC), and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on (i) a distribution on the shares of a Subsidiary PFIC or (ii) a disposition of shares of a Subsidiary PFIC, both as if the holder directly held the shares of such Subsidiary PFIC.
If the Company were a PFIC in any tax year and a U.S. Holder held Offered Shares, such holder generally would be subject to special rules under Section 1291 of the Code with respect to excess distributions made by the Company on the Offered Shares and with respect to gain from the disposition of Offered Shares. An excess distribution generally is defined as the excess of distributions with respect to the Offered Shares received by a U.S. Holder in any tax year over 125% of the average annual distributions such U.S. Holder has received from the Company during the shorter of the three preceding tax years, or such U.S. Holders holding period for the Offered Shares, as applicable. Generally, a U.S. Holder would be required to allocate any excess distribution or gain from the disposition of the Offered Shares ratably over its holding period for the Offered Shares. Such amounts allocated to the year of the disposition or excess distribution would be taxed as ordinary income, and amounts allocated to prior tax years would be taxed as ordinary income at the highest tax rate in effect for each such year and an interest charge at a rate applicable to underpayments of tax would apply.
While there are U.S. federal income tax elections that sometimes can be made to mitigate these adverse tax consequences (including, without limitation, the QEF Election under Section 1295 of the Code and the Mark-to-Market Election under Section 1296 of the Code), such elections are available in limited circumstances and must be made in a timely manner.
U.S. Holders should be aware that, for each tax year, if any, that the Company is a PFIC, the Company can provide no assurances that it will satisfy the record keeping requirements of a PFIC, or that it will make available to U.S. Holders the information such U.S. Holders require to make a QEF Election with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary PFIC.
Certain additional adverse rules may apply with respect to a U.S. Holder if the Company is a PFIC, regardless of whether the U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election. These rules include special rules that apply to the amount of foreign tax credit that a U.S. Holder may claim on a distribution from a PFIC. Subject to these special rules, foreign taxes paid with respect to any distribution in respect of stock in a PFIC are generally eligible for the foreign tax credit. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules to the ownership and disposition of Offered Shares, and the availability of certain U.S. tax elections under the PFIC rules.
Additional Considerations
Receipt of Foreign Currency
The amount of any distribution paid to a U.S. Holder in foreign currency, or on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Offered Shares, generally will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such foreign currency based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt (regardless of whether such foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars at that time). If the foreign currency received is not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder will have a basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any U.S. Holder who receives payment in foreign currency and engages in subsequent conversion or other disposition of the foreign currency may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss, and generally will be U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. Different rules apply to U.S. Holders who use the accrual method of tax accounting. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of receiving, owning, and disposing of foreign currency.
Foreign Tax Credit
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, a U.S. Holder that pays (whether directly or through withholding) Canadian income tax with respect to dividends paid on the Offered Shares generally will be entitled, at the election of such U.S. Holder, to receive either a deduction or a credit for such Canadian income tax paid. Generally, a credit will reduce a U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas a deduction will reduce a U.S. Holders income subject to U.S. federal income tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign taxes paid (whether directly or through withholding) by a U.S. Holder during a year. The foreign tax credit rules are complex and involve the application of rules that depend on a U.S. Holders particular circumstances. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisors regarding the foreign tax credit rules.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Under U.S. federal income tax law and Treasury Regulations, certain categories of U.S. Holders must file information returns with respect to their investment in, or involvement in, a foreign corporation. For example, U.S. return disclosure obligations (and related penalties) are imposed on U.S. Holders that hold certain specified foreign financial assets in excess of certain threshold amounts. The definition of specified foreign financial assets includes not only financial accounts maintained in foreign financial institutions, but also, unless held in accounts maintained by a financial institution, any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person, any financial instrument or contract held for investment that has an issuer or counterparty other than a U.S. person and any interest in a foreign entity. U.S. Holders may be subject to these reporting requirements unless their Offered Shares are held in an account at certain financial institutions. Penalties for failure to file certain of these information returns are substantial. U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing information returns, including the requirement to file an IRS Form 8938.
Payments made within the U.S. or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, of dividends on, and proceeds arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of, Offered Shares will generally be subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax, (currently at the rate of 24%), if a U.S. Holder (a) fails to furnish such U.S. Holders correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9), (b) furnishes an incorrect U.S. taxpayer identification number, (c) is notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has previously failed to properly report items subject to backup withholding tax, or (d) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such U.S. Holder has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number and that the IRS has not notified such U.S. Holder that it is subject to backup withholding tax. However, certain exempt persons generally are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes required information to the IRS in a timely manner.
This discussion of reporting requirements set forth above is not intended to constitute an exhaustive description of all reporting requirements that may apply to a U.S. Holder. A failure to satisfy certain reporting requirements may result in an extension of the time period during which the IRS can assess a tax, and under certain circumstances, such an extension may apply to assessments of amounts unrelated to any unsatisfied reporting requirements. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the information reporting and backup withholding rules.
THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION DOES NOT COVER ALL U.S. TAX MATTERS THAT MAY BE IMPORTANT TO U.S. HOLDERS. PROSPECTIVE U.S. HOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE OFFERED SHARES, IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCE AND ALSO REVIEW THE CANADIAN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS DISCUSSED SEPARATELY ABOVE UNDER CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS.
Before making an investment decision, prospective purchasers of Offered Shares should carefully consider the information described in this Prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, including without limitation the risk factors described under the section Risk Factors in the AIF and under Risks and Uncertainties in the managements discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company incorporated by reference herein. There are certain risks inherent in an investment in the Offered Shares, including the factors listed below, and any other risk factors described in a document incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, which investors should carefully consider before investing. Some of the following factors and the risk factors described in the documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus are interrelated and, consequently, investors should treat such risk factors as a whole. The risks described in this Prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein describe certain currently known material factors, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Companys business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. If any of the following or other risks occur, it could have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations of the Company and on the trading price of the Common Shares, which could materially decline, and investors may lose all or part of their investment. It is also believed that these factors could cause actual results to be different from expected results. Additional risks and uncertainties of which the Company is currently unaware or that are unknown or that it currently deems to be immaterial could also have a material adverse effect on the Companys business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. The Company cannot assure prospective purchasers that it will successfully address any or all of these risks. There is no assurance that any risk management steps taken will avoid future loss due to the occurrence of any of the risks described in this Prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein,
or other unforeseen risks. The market in which the Company currently competes is very competitive and changes rapidly. Sometimes new risks emerge and management may not be able to predict them, or be able to predict how they may cause actual results to be different from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Prospective purchasers should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of future results. In addition to the risks described elsewhere in this Prospectus, including in the documents incorporated by reference herein, the following risks for the Company should be considered.
Risks Related to our Business
We may not be able to successfully execute our business plan.
The execution of our business plan poses many challenges and is based on a number of assumptions. We may not be able to successfully execute our business plan. If we experience significant cost overruns on our programs, or if our business plan is more costly than we anticipate, certain research and development activities may be delayed or eliminated, resulting in changes or delays to our commercialization plans, or we may be compelled to secure additional funding (which may or may not be available) to execute our business plan. We cannot predict with certainty our future revenues or results from our operations. If the assumptions on which our revenue or expenditure forecasts are based change, the benefits of our business plan may change as well. In addition, we may consider expanding our business beyond what is currently contemplated in our business plan. Depending on the financing requirements of a potential acquisition or new product opportunity, we may be required to raise additional capital through the issuance of equity or debt. If we are unable to raise additional capital on acceptable terms, we may be unable to pursue a potential acquisition or new product opportunity.
We depend on Chinese customers for a significant portion of our revenues in our Heavy-Duty market, and we are subject to risks associated with economic conditions and government practices in China.
We sell most of our products in the Heavy-Duty Motive market to Chinese customers, and while we are continually seeking to expand our customer base, we expect this will continue for the foreseeable future. Any significant economic slowdown in China, change in Chinese government policy around subsidies for zero-emission vehicles or hydrogen fueling infrastructure could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, macro-economic conditions, including changes in government subsidy programs and significant volatility in Chinas capital markets, may adversely impact our Chinese customers access to capital and program plans which could adversely impact our business. Furthermore, successful large-scale deployment of zero-emission vehicles will require adequate investment in hydrogen fueling infrastructure and competitive pricing of hydrogen fuel. Inadequate hydrogen fueling infrastructure and/or excessive hydrogen fuel costs could negatively impact deployment of fuel cell powered zero-emission vehicles and may negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our performance in China is dependent on our business model of localization, including the strength and performance of our localization partners.
In China, a significant amount of operations are conducted by joint ventures that we cannot operate solely for our benefit.
A key part of our strategy is based on the localization of stack and module production with joint venture partners, where we do not have sole control of the joint venture. We share ownership and management of the Synergy-Ballard JV and the Weichai-Ballard JV with one or more parties who may not have the same goals, strategies, priorities or resources as we do and may compete with us outside the joint venture.
Joint ventures are intended to be operated for the equal benefit of all co-owners, rather than for our exclusive benefit. Operating a business as a joint venture often requires additional organizational formalities as well as time-consuming procedures for sharing information and making decisions. If a co-owner changes or relationships deteriorate, our success in the joint venture may be materially adversely affected. In addition, because we have a minority share ownership, we have limited control over the actions of each of the Synergy-Ballard JV and the Weichai-Ballard JV. As a result, we may be unable to prevent misconduct or other violations of applicable laws by the Synergy-Ballard JV and the Weichai-Ballard JV. To the extent another party makes decisions that negatively impact the Synergy-Ballard JV or the Weichai-Ballard JV or internal control issues arise within either joint venture, we may have to take responsive or other action or we may be subject to penalties, fines or other related actions for these activities.
We are dependent on third party suppliers for the supply of key materials and components for our products and services.
We have established relationships with third party suppliers, on whom we rely to provide materials and components for our products. A suppliers failure to supply materials or components in a timely manner, or to supply materials and components that
meet our quality, quantity or cost requirements, or our inability to obtain substitute sources for these materials and components in a timely manner or on terms acceptable to us, could harm our ability to manufacture our products. In addition, to the extent that our product development plans rely on development of supplied materials or components, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to leverage our relationships with suppliers to support these plans. To the extent that the processes that our suppliers use to manufacture the materials and components are proprietary, we may be unable to obtain comparable materials or components from alternative suppliers, which could adversely affect our ability to produce viable fuel cell products or significantly raise our cost of producing such products.
In our Heavy-Duty Motive market, we depend on a limited number of customers for a majority of our revenues and are subject to risks associated with early stage market activities related to fuel cell bus, truck, rail and marine applications.
In our Heavy-Duty Motive market, we depend on a limited number of customers for a majority of our revenues and are subject to risks associated with early stage market activities related to fuel cell bus, truck, rail and marine applications. While we continually seek to expand our customer base, we expect the limited number of customers will continue for the next several years. Our future success is dependent upon the continued purchases of our products by these customers. Any fluctuations in anticipated demand from these customers may negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to broaden our customer base and expand relationships with other potential customers, our business in the Heavy-Duty Motive market will continue to be impacted by unanticipated demand fluctuations due to our dependence on these customers. Unanticipated demand fluctuations may have a negative impact on our revenues and business, and an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, our dependence on a small number of customers in our Heavy-Duty Motive market exposes us to numerous other risks, including: (i) a slowdown or delay in the customers deployment of our products could significantly reduce demand for our products as well as increase pricing pressure on our products due to increased purchasing leverage; (ii) customer-specific factors resulting in a choice to pursue an alternative technology or supplier; (iii) reductions in a few customers forecasts and demand could result in excess inventories; (iv) the current or future economic conditions could negatively affect our major customers and cause them to significantly reduce operations or file for bankruptcy; (v) concentration of accounts receivable credit risk, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and financial condition if one of our major customers declared bankruptcy or delayed payment of their receivables; and (vi) changes in government support for zero-emission vehicles could adversely affect the end-user cost of vehicles incorporating our heavy-duty motive products.
In our Technology Solutions market, we depend on a limited number of customers for a majority of our revenues and are subject to risks related to the continued commitment of these customers to their fuel cell programs.
We provide most of our services in the Technology Solutions market to two customers, the Volkswagen Group and the Weichai-Ballard JV, and while we are continually seeking to expand our customer base, we expect this will continue for the foreseeable future. Our future success in this market is dependent upon the continued demand by these customers and expansion of our customer base. Any decline in or loss of demand from these customers or other customers for any reason may have a negative impact on our revenues, and an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, our dependence on a limited number of customers in this market exposes us to numerous other risks, including that current or future economic conditions could negatively affect our major customers and cause them to significantly reduce operations or file for bankruptcy.
We currently face and will continue to face significant competition, and many current and future competitors may have significantly more resources.
As fuel cell products have the potential to replace existing power products, competition for our products will come from current power technologies, from improvements to current power technologies, and from new alternative energy technologies, including other types of fuel cells. Each of our target markets is currently serviced by existing manufacturers with existing customers and suppliers. These manufacturers use proven and widely accepted technologies such as internal combustion engines and batteries as well as coal, oil and nuclear-powered generators.
Additionally, there are competitors working on developing technologies other than PEM fuel cells (such as other types of fuel cells and advanced batteries) in each of our targeted markets. Some of these technologies are as capable of fulfilling existing and proposed regulatory requirements as the PEM fuel cell.
Within the PEM fuel cell market, we also have a large number of competitors. Across the world, corporations, national laboratories and universities are actively engaged in the development and manufacture of PEM fuel cell products and components. Each of these competitors has the potential to capture market share in each of our target markets.
Many of our competitors have substantial financial resources, customer bases, manufacturing, marketing and sales capabilities, and businesses or other resources, which give them significant competitive advantages over us.
We could lose or fail to attract the personnel necessary to operate our business.
Our success depends in large part on our ability to attract and retain key management, engineering, scientific, marketing, manufacturing and operating personnel. As we develop additional manufacturing capabilities and expand the scope of our operations, we will require more skilled personnel. Recruiting personnel for the fuel cell industry is highly competitive. We may not be able to continue to attract and retain qualified executive, managerial and technical personnel needed for our business. Our failure to attract or retain qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Emerging diseases, like COVID-19, may adversely affect our operations (including our joint ventures in China), our suppliers, our customers and/or partners.
Emerging diseases, like coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and government actions to address them, may adversely affect our operations, our suppliers, our customers, or our joint ventures.
A local, regional, national or international epidemic, including the COVID-19 pandemic, may prevent, or cause delays in, acquiring components of our products, producing our products, delivering our services, completing sales of our products or services whether by direct impacts to our operations, or impacts to the operations of our suppliers, customers or to the financial markets. Our joint ventures may similarly be affected.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve rapidly and, as a result, it is difficult to accurately assess its continued magnitude, outcome and duration, but it could:
· worsen economic conditions, which could negatively impact levels of investment in fuel cell technology deployments by governments and/or our customers;
· impact our production levels, including as a result of full or partial shutdowns of our manufacturing facilities;
· impact our customers or joint ventures production volume levels, including as a result of prolonged unscheduled facility shutdowns;
· cause potential shortages of employees to staff our facilities, or the facilities of our customers, suppliers or joint ventures;
· lead to prolonged disruptions of critical components, including because of the bankruptcy/insolvency of one or more suppliers; or
· result in governmental regulation adversely impacting our business,
all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, which could be rapid and unexpected.
We could be adversely affected by risks associated with mergers and acquisitions.
We may in the future, seek to expand our business through acquisitions and investments.
Acquisitions will be in part dependent on managements ability to identify, acquire and develop suitable acquisition targets in both new and existing markets. In certain circumstances, acceptable acquisition targets might not be available. Acquisitions involve a number of risks, including: (i) the possibility that we, as successor owner, may be legally and financially responsible for liabilities of prior owners; (ii) the possibility that we may pay more than the acquired company or assets are worth; (iii) the additional expenses associated with completing an acquisition and amortizing any acquired intangible assets; (iv) the difficulty of integrating the operations and personnel of an acquired business; (v) the challenge of implementing uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies throughout an acquired business; (vi) the inability to integrate, train, retrain and motivate key personnel of an acquired business; (vii) the potential disruption of our ongoing business and the distraction of management from our day-to-day operations; and (viii) an inability to realize the full extent of, or any of, the anticipated benefits of a merger
or acquisition transaction, including failure to realize projected revenue gains or achieve expected cost savings within the assumed timeframe.
The above risks and difficulties, if they materialize, could disrupt our ongoing business, distract management, result in the loss of key personnel, increase expenses and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial performance.
We are dependent upon Original Equipment Manufacturers and Systems Integrators to purchase certain of our products.
To be commercially useful, our fuel cell products must be integrated into products manufactured by Systems Integrators and OEMs. We can offer no guarantee that Systems Integrators or OEMs will manufacture appropriate, durable or safe products or, if they do manufacture such products, that they will choose to use our fuel cell products. Any integration, design, manufacturing or marketing problems encountered by Systems Integrators or OEMs could adversely affect the market for our fuel cell products and our financial results.
We, directly or through our joint ventures, sell a significant portion of our products in the Heavy-Duty Motive market in China and to relatively small System Integrator customers with limited experience developing fuel cell system products on a commercial basis. We do not know whether these customers will be able to successfully develop, manufacture or market products to their customers. In addition, our dependence on such customers in this market increases the risks of difficulties in integration, design, manufacturing or marketing of their products; and that current or future macro-economic conditions in China could negatively affect them and cause them to significantly reduce operations or file for bankruptcy.
In our Material Handling market, we depend on a single customer for the majority of our revenues and are subject to risks from that customers internal fuel cell stack development and commercialization plans.
We sell most of our products in the Material Handling market to a single customer, Plug Power, and while we are continually seeking to expand our customer base, we expect this will continue for the foreseeable future. Plug Power has developed its own fuel cell stacks to integrate into their material handling products. If Plug Power decides to solely use its own fuel cell stacks, then these fuel cell stacks may displace our fuel cell stacks. Any decline in business with this customer could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Any fluctuations in demand from this customer or other customers may negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to broaden our customer base and expand relationships with other potential customers, our business in this market will continue to be impacted by unanticipated demand fluctuations due to our dependence on a single customer. Unanticipated demand fluctuations can have a negative impact on our revenues and business, and an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our dependence on a single customer in this market exposes us to numerous other risks, including: (i) a slowdown or delay in the customers deployment of our products could significantly reduce demand for our products as well as increase pricing pressure on our products due to increased purchasing leverage; (ii) reductions in the customers forecasts and demand could result in excess inventories; (iii) the current or future economic
conditions could negatively affect the customer and cause it to significantly reduce operations or file for bankruptcy; (iv) concentration of accounts receivable credit risk, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and financial condition if the customer declared bankruptcy or delayed payment of their receivables; and (v) reductions in the customers demand as a result of their own strategic action to dual source their supply of fuel cell stacks.
Our technology and products may not meet the market requirements, including requirements relating to performance, integration and / or cost.
The market requirements for our products and, by extension, our technology changes rapidly. Our existing and planned products may not meet the market requirements for any number of characteristics, including performance, integration characteristics, cost, freeze-protection, ingress protection, and durability.
We may not be able to sell our products on a commercially viable basis on the timetable we anticipate, or at all.
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to develop commercially viable fuel cell products on the timetable we anticipate, or at all. Selling our fuel cell products on a commercially viable basis requires technological advances to improve the durability, reliability and performance of these products, and to develop commercial volume manufacturing processes for these products. It also depends upon our ability to reduce the costs of these products, since they are currently more expensive than products based on existing technologies, such as internal combustion engines and batteries. We may not be able to sufficiently reduce the cost of these products without reducing their performance, reliability and durability, which would adversely affect the
willingness of consumers to buy our products. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to internally develop the technology necessary to sell our fuel cell products on a commercially viable basis or that we will be able to acquire or license the required technology from third parties.
In addition, before we release any product to market, we subject it to numerous field tests. These field tests may encounter problems and delays for a number of reasons, many of which are beyond our control. If these field tests reveal technical defects or reveal that our products do not meet performance goals, our anticipated timeline for selling our products on a commercially viable basis could be delayed, and potential purchasers may decline to purchase our products.
We have limited experience manufacturing fuel cell products on a commercial basis and our experience has been limited to relatively low production volumes.
To date, we have limited experience manufacturing fuel cell products on a commercial basis and our experience has been limited to relatively low production volumes. We cannot be sure that we will be able to develop efficient, low-cost, high-volume automated processes that will enable us to meet our cost goals and profitability projections. While we currently have sufficient production capacity to fulfill customer orders in the near-term, we expect that we will increase our production capacity based on market demand. We cannot be sure that we will be able to achieve any planned increases in production capacity or that unforeseen problems relating to our manufacturing processes will not occur. Even if we are successful in developing high-volume automated processes and achieving planned increases in production capacity, we cannot be sure that we will do so in time to meet our product commercialization schedule or to satisfy customer demand. If our business does not grow as quickly as anticipated, our existing and planned manufacturing facilities would, in part, represent excess capacity for which we may not recover the cost, in which case our revenues may be inadequate to support our committed costs and planned growth, and our gross margins and business strategy would be adversely affected. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial performance.
We are subject to risks inherent in international operations, including restrictions on the conversion of currencies and restrictions on repatriation of funds, including out of China.
Our success depends on our ability to secure international customers and receive payments from international customers and joint ventures in which we are participants.
We face numerous challenges in our international business activities, including restrictions on the conversion of currencies, restrictions on repatriation of funds, war, insurrection, civil unrest, strikes and other political risks, negotiation of contracts with government entities, unexpected changes in regulatory and other legal requirements, fluctuations in exchange rates, longer accounts receivable requirements and collections, difficulties in managing international operations, potentially adverse tax consequences, and the burdens of complying with a wide variety of international laws.
Trade disputes and trade barriers, whether tariff or non-tariff, could prevent us from selling our products in key geographical markets, make our products uncompetitive with local competitors, and prevent us from sourcing key components of our products.
We have limited experience developing and manufacturing products that meet foreign regulatory and commercial requirements in our target markets.
Any of the above factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial performance.
A mass market for our products may never develop or may take longer to develop than we anticipate.
Our fuel cell products represent emerging markets, and we do not know whether end-users will want to use them in commercial volumes. In such emerging markets, demand and market acceptance for recently introduced products and services are subject to a high level of uncertainty and risk. The development of a mass market for our fuel cell products may be affected by many factors, some of which are beyond our control, including the emergence of newer, more competitive technologies and products, the cost of fuels used by our products, regulatory requirements, consumer perceptions of the safety of our products and related fuels, and end-user reluctance to buy a new product.
If a mass market fails to develop, or develops more slowly than we anticipate, we may never achieve profitability. In addition, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to develop, manufacture or market our products if sales levels do not support the continuation of the product.
Warranty claims, product performance guarantees, or indemnification claims could negatively impact our gross margins and financial performance.
There is a risk that our warranty accrual estimates are not sufficient and we may recognize additional expenses, including those related to litigation, as a result of warranty claims in excess of our current expectations. Such warranty claims may necessitate changes to our products or manufacturing processes and/or a product recall, all of which could hurt our reputation and the reputation of our products and may have an adverse impact on our financial performance and/or on future sales. While we attempt to mitigate these risks through product development, quality assurance and customer support and service processes, there can be no assurance that these processes are adequate. Even in the absence of any warranty claims, a product deficiency such as a design or manufacturing defect could be identified, necessitating a product recall or other corrective measures, which could hurt our reputation and the reputation of our products and may have an adverse impact on our financial performance and/or on future sales.
New products may have different performance characteristics from previous products. In addition, we have limited field experience with existing commercial products from which to make our warranty accrual estimates.
We could be adversely affected by risks associated with capital investments and new business processes.
We may in the future, seek to expand our business through investments in capital equipment and new business processes.
While necessary for the growth of our business, investments in capital equipment and new business processes involve allocating resources based on future expectations that may or may not be correct. Investments in capital equipment and new business processes may not address the requirements of the targeted markets in the future and may result in lower than expected returns on such investments.
The above risks and difficulties, if they materialize, could disrupt our ongoing business, distract management, result in the loss of key personnel, increase expenses and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial performance.
We depend on our intellectual property, and our failure to protect that intellectual property could adversely affect our expected future growth and success.
Failure to protect our existing intellectual property rights may result in the loss of our exclusivity regarding, or the right to use, our technologies. If we do not adequately ensure our freedom to use certain technology, we may have to pay others for rights to use their intellectual property, pay damages for infringement or misappropriation, or be enjoined from using such intellectual property. We rely on patent, trade secret, trademark and copyright laws to protect our intellectual property. Some of our intellectual property is not covered by any patent or patent application, and the patents to which we currently have rights expire between 2021 and 2038. Our present or future-issued patents may not protect our technological leadership, and our patent portfolio may not continue to grow at the same rate as it has in the past. Moreover, our patent position is subject to complex factual and legal issues that may give rise to uncertainty as to the validity, scope and enforceability of a particular patent. Accordingly, there is no assurance that: (i) any of the patents owned by us or other patents that third parties license to us will not be invalidated, circumvented, challenged, rendered unenforceable or licensed to others; or (ii) any of our pending or future patent applications will be issued with the breadth of claim coverage sought by us, if issued at all. In addition, effective patent, trade secret, trademark and copyright protection may be unavailable, limited or not applied for in certain countries.
We also seek to protect our proprietary intellectual property, including intellectual property that may not be patented or patentable, in part by confidentiality agreements and, if applicable, inventors rights agreements with our strategic partners and employees. We can provide no assurance that these agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for any breach, or that such persons or institutions will not assert rights to intellectual property arising out of these relationships.
Certain of our intellectual property have been licensed to us on a non-exclusive basis from third parties who may also license such intellectual property to others, including our competitors. If necessary or desirable, we may seek further licences under the patents or other intellectual property rights of others. However, we may not be able to obtain such licences or the terms of any offered licences may not be acceptable to us. The failure to obtain a licence from a third party for intellectual property we use could cause us to incur substantial liabilities and to suspend the manufacture or shipment of products or our use of processes requiring the use of such intellectual property.
We may become subject to lawsuits in which it is alleged that we have infringed the intellectual property rights of others or commence lawsuits against others who we believe are infringing upon our rights. Our involvement in intellectual property
litigation could result in significant expense to us, adversely affecting the development of sales of the challenged product or intellectual property and diverting the efforts of our technical and management personnel, whether or not such litigation is resolved in our favour.
We may experience cybersecurity threats to our information technology infrastructure and systems, and unauthorized attempts to gain access to our proprietary or confidential information, as may our customers, suppliers, subcontractors and joint venture partners.
We depend on information technology infrastructure and systems (IT Systems), hosted internally and outsourced, to process, transmit and store electronic data and financial information (including proprietary or confidential information), and manage business operations. Our business requires the appropriate and secure utilization of sensitive, confidential or personal data or
information belonging to our employees, customers and partners. In addition, Ballard proprietary or confidential information may be stored on IT Systems of our suppliers, customers and partners. Increased global cybersecurity vulnerabilities, threats and more sophisticated and targets cyber-related attacks pose a risk to the security of Ballards and its customers, partners, suppliers and third-party service providers IT Systems and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of Ballards and its customers and partners data or information. While we have made investments seeking to address these threats, including monitoring of networks and systems, hiring of experts, employee training and security policies for employees, we may face difficulties in anticipating and implementing adequate preventative measures and remain potentially vulnerable. We must rely on our own safeguards as well as the safeguards put in place by our suppliers, customers and partners to mitigate the threats. Our internal systems are audited for cybersecurity vulnerabilities by third party security firms to ensure we are prepared for new and emerging threats. Our suppliers, customers and partners have varying levels of cybersecurity expertise and safeguards, most have yearly compliance audits that are available upon request.
An IT System failure or non-availability, cyber-attack or breach of systems security could disrupt our operations, cause the loss of, corruption of, or unauthorized access to sensitive, confidential or personal data or information or expose us to regulatory investigation, litigation or contractual penalties. Our customers, partners or governmental authorities may question the adequacy of cybersecurity processes and procedures and this could have a negative impact on existing business or future opportunities. Furthermore, given the highly evolving nature of cybersecurity threats or disruptions and their increased frequency, the impact of any future incident cannot be easily predicted or mitigated, and the costs related to such threats or disruptions may not be fully insured or indemnified by other means.
Global macro-economic conditions are beyond our control and may have an adverse impact on our business, our joint ventures, our key suppliers, and/or customers.
Current global economic conditions, including volatility in China, may adversely affect the development of sales of our products, and thereby delay the commercialization of our products. Customers and/or suppliers may not be able to successfully execute their business plans; product development activities may be delayed or eliminated; new product introduction may be delayed or eliminated; end-user demand may decrease; and some companies may not continue to be commercially viable.
Climate change risks may adversely affect our operations, or the operations of our suppliers, customers and/or partners.
Our business interruption risk is exacerbated by an increasing number of extreme weather events related to climate change. Extreme weather events such as floods and fires caused or exacerbated by climate change could impair our ability to carry on business or disrupt the markets to which we supply products. For example, extreme weather events could cause catastrophic destruction to some of our or our suppliers and/or customers facilities, which could in turn disrupt our production and/or prevent us from supplying products to our customers.
Transitioning to a lower-carbon economy creates opportunities for us and may increase demand for zero-emission products like those that we produce. However, we may also become subject to potential negative impacts of new environmental regulations, laws, and policies that could result in increased costs of carrying on our business. Our financial condition may be negatively impacted by costs associated with changes in environmental laws and regulations and regulatory enforcement.
Public policy and regulatory changes could hurt the market for our products and services.
Changes in existing government regulations and the emergence of new regulations with respect to fuel cell products may hurt the market for our products and services. Environmental laws and regulations have driven interest in fuel cells. We cannot guarantee that these laws and policies, including subsidies or incentives associated with the adoption of clean energy products, will not change. Changes in these laws and other laws and policies, or the failure of these laws and policies to become more widespread, could result in manufacturers abandoning their interest in fuel cell products or favouring alternative technologies.
In addition, as fuel cell products are introduced into our target markets, governments may impose burdensome requirements and restrictions on the use of fuel cell products that could reduce or eliminate demand for some or all of our products and services.
Government budgetary constraints could reduce the demand for our products by restricting the funding available to public transportation agencies and militaries. We cannot guarantee that current government direct and indirect financial support for our products will continue.
Regulatory agencies could require us to modify or terminate existing investments, acquisitions or joint ventures and could delay or prevent future opportunities.
Our current and future investment, acquisition and joint venture opportunities are, or may be, subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) under the Investment Canada Act (the ICA), the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the HSR Act) and related legislation and regulations, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and other similar regulatory schemes. The ICA regulates the acquisition of control of a Canadian business by a non-Canadian and requires that certain transactions be reviewed by ISED before they are permitted to close. The HSR Act regulates certain transactions that affect U.S. commerce and requires that certain transactions be reported to the FTC and DOJ before they are permitted to close. CFIUS has jurisdiction over investments in U.S. businesses by non-U.S. persons that involve U.S. national security concerns, which concerns may change or evolve over time in response to political, economic or other events. Unlike the ICA and the HSR Act, CFIUS may intervene in the transaction before or after the closing if the parties to a transaction do not make a voluntary or required filing with CFIUS.
Because we are a British Columbia-based company with operations and assets in the United States, joint ventures in China and Denmark and significant shareholders in China, from time to time, we have received and responded to inquiries from these agencies. We may receive additional inquiries from, or be required to make filings with, these agencies in the future. Any of these agencies could delay or prevent us from participating in future investment, acquisition or joint venture opportunities, or could require us to take steps to address concerns identified by the regulatory agency with respect to existing investments or joint ventures. Each of these regulatory agencies has broad discretion to investigate and intervene in transactions that fall within the scope of their respective regulatory authority. In addition, CFIUS could intervene in our previously completed transactions and require us to modify or amend the terms of those transactions, or terminate or unwind all or part of the transactions, if CFIUS determines that it is necessary to address U.S. national security concerns, without regard to whether the transaction was completed and operated in accordance with applicable law. If these regulatory agencies modify, delay, prevent or terminate our participation in these investments, acquisitions and joint ventures, our results of operations or financial condition may be adversely impacted.
Exchange rate fluctuations are beyond our control and may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition and profitability.
We report our financial results in United States dollars. Our operating expenditures are particularly affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and the United States dollar. We generate the majority of our revenues in United States dollars while the majority of our operating expenditures are incurred in Canadian dollars. As a result, any increase in the value of the Canadian dollar, relative to the United States dollar, increases the amount of reported operating expenditures in excess of any corresponding increase in revenues and gross margins. Exchange rate fluctuations are beyond our control, and the Canadian dollar may appreciate against the United States dollar in the future, which would result in higher operating expenditures and lower net income. In order to reduce the potential negative effect of a strengthening Canadian dollar, we occasionally enter into various hedging programs. Regardless, if the Canadian dollar increases in value, it will negatively affect our financial results and our competitive position compared to other fuel cell product manufacturers in jurisdictions where operating costs are lower.
Commodity price fluctuations are beyond our control and may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition and profitability.
Commodity prices, in particular the price of platinum and palladium, affect our costs. Platinum and palladium are key components of our fuel cell products. Platinum and palladium are scarce natural resources and we are dependent upon a sufficient supply of these commodities. While we do not anticipate significant near or long-term shortages in the supply of platinum or palladium, such shortages could adversely affect our ability to produce commercially viable fuel cell products or significantly raise our cost of producing such products. In order to reduce the impact of platinum price fluctuations, we occasionally enter into various hedging programs.
We expect our cash reserves will be reduced due to future operating losses, working capital requirements, capital expenditures, capital contributions to our joint venture(s) in China and potential acquisitions and other investments by our business, and we cannot provide certainty as to how long our cash reserves will last or that we will be able to access additional capital when necessary.
We expect to incur continued losses and generate negative cash flow until we can produce sufficient revenues to cover our costs. Further, we are obligated to fund our pro rata share of the Weichai-Ballard JV based on an agreed business plan. We may never become profitable. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may be unable to sustain or increase our profitability in the future. For the reasons discussed in more detail below, there are substantial uncertainties associated with our achieving and sustaining profitability. We expect our cash reserves will be reduced due to future operating losses, working capital requirements and funding obligations to the Weichai-Ballard JV, and we cannot provide certainty as to how long our cash reserves will last or that we will be able to access additional capital if and when necessary.
Potential fluctuations in our financial and business results make forecasting difficult and may restrict our access to funding for our commercialization plan.
We expect our revenues and operating results to vary significantly from quarter to quarter. As a result, quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our revenues and operating results may not be meaningful. Due to the stage of development of our business, it is difficult to predict our future revenues or results of operations accurately. We are also subject to normal operating risks such as credit risks, foreign currency risks and fluctuations in commodity prices. As a result, it is possible that in one or more future quarters, our operating results may fall below the expectations of investors and securities analysts. Not meeting investor and security analyst expectations may materially and adversely impact the trading price of our common shares and restrict our ability to secure required funding to pursue our commercialization plans.
Our products use flammable fuels and some generate high voltages, which could subject our business to product safety, product liability or other claims.
Our business exposes us to potential product safety, product liability and similar claims that are inherent in electrical products, and in products that use hydrogen or hydrogen-rich reformate fuels. High-voltage electricity poses potential shock hazards, and hydrogen is a flammable gas and therefore a potentially dangerous fuel. Any accidents involving our products or other hydrogen-based products could materially impede widespread market acceptance and demand for our fuel cell products. Involvement in litigation could result in significant expense to us, adversely affecting the development and sales of our products, and diverting the efforts of our technical and management personnel, whether or not the litigation is resolved in our favour. In addition, we may be held responsible for damages beyond the scope of our insurance coverage. We also cannot predict whether we will be able to maintain our insurance coverage on acceptable terms.
We could be liable for environmental damages resulting from our research, development or manufacturing operations.
Our business exposes us to the risk of harmful substances escaping into the environment, resulting in personal injury or loss of life, damage to or destruction of property, and natural resource damage. Depending on the nature of the claim, our current insurance policies may not adequately reimburse us for costs incurred in settling environmental damage claims, and in some instances, we may not be reimbursed at all. Our business is subject to numerous laws and regulations that govern environmental protection and human health and safety. These laws and regulations have changed frequently in the past and it is reasonable to expect additional and more stringent changes in the future. Our operations may not comply with future laws and regulations, and we may be required to make significant unanticipated capital and operating expenditures. If we fail to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations, governmental authorities may seek to impose fines and penalties on us, or to revoke or deny the issuance or renewal of operating permits, and private parties may seek damages from us. Under those circumstances, we might be required to curtail or cease operations, conduct site remediation or other corrective action, or pay substantial damage claims.
The board of directors may issue, without shareholder approval, Preferred Shares that have rights and preferences potentially superior to those of the Common Shares. Such an issuance may delay or prevent a change of control.
While there are no Preferred Shares currently outstanding, Ballards articles allow the issuance of Preferred Shares in one or more series. Subject to the TSX, NASDAQ and any applicable regulatory approvals, the board of directors may set the rights and preferences of any series of Preferred Shares in its sole discretion without shareholder approval. The rights and preferences of those Preferred Shares may be superior to those of the Common Shares. Accordingly, the issuance of Preferred Shares may adversely affect the rights of holders of Common Shares and could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of
control, which may deprive Ballards shareholders of a control premium that might otherwise have been realized in connection with an acquisition of Ballard.
Risks Relating to the Offering
Investing in Common Shares is speculative, and investors could lose their entire investment.
An investment in the Offered Shares is speculative and may result in the loss of an investors entire investment. Only potential investors who are experienced in high risk investments and who can afford to lose their entire investment should consider an investment in the Offered Shares.
We will have broad discretion over the use of proceeds from the Offering, and we may not use the proceeds in the desired manner.
Management will have discretion concerning the use of the proceeds of the Offering as well as the timing of their expenditure. As a result, an investor will be relying on the judgment of management for the application of the proceeds of the Offering. Management may use the net proceeds of the Offering other than as described under the heading Use of Proceeds if they believe it would be in our best interest to do so and in ways that an investor may not consider desirable. The results and the effectiveness of the application of the proceeds are uncertain. If the proceeds are not applied effectively, our results of operations may suffer.
Future sales or issuances of securities could decrease the value of existing securities, including the Offered Shares, dilute investors voting power and reduce our earnings per share.
We may issue additional Common Shares or securities convertible into Common Shares in the future, which may dilute a shareholders holdings in the Company. Our articles permit the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares, and purchasers of Offered Shares will have no pre-emptive rights in connection with such further issuance. Our directors have discretion to determine the price and the terms of further issuances. Moreover, we may issue additional Common Shares on the exercise of options under our Consolidated Share Option Plan and Consolidated Share Distribution Plan.
The market price for Common Shares has been volatile in the past, and may be subject to fluctuations in the future.
The market price of the Common Shares may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control. This volatility may affect the ability of holders of Common Shares to sell their securities at an advantageous price. Market price fluctuations in the Common Shares may be due to our operating results failing to meet expectations of securities analysts or investors in any period, downward revision in securities analysts estimates, adverse changes in general market conditions or economic trends, acquisitions, dispositions or other material public announcements by us or our competitors, along with a variety of additional factors. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the Common Shares.
We cannot assure you that the market price of the Common Shares will not significantly fluctuate from its current level. In addition to general economic, political and market conditions, the price and trading volume of the Common Shares could fluctuate widely in response to many factors, including:
· governmental approvals, delays in expected governmental approvals or withdrawals of any prior governmental approvals or public or regulatory agency concerns regarding the safety or effectiveness of our products;
· changes in Canadian, U.S. or other foreign regulatory policy during the period of product development;
· changes in Canadian, U.S. or foreign political environment and the passage of laws, including tax, environmental or other laws, affecting the product development business;
· developments in patent or other proprietary rights, including any third-party challenges of our intellectual property rights;
· announcements of technological innovations by us or our competitors;
· actual or anticipated variations in our operating results due to the level of development expenses and other factors;
· changes in financial estimates by securities analysts and whether our earnings meet or exceed the estimates; and
· conditions and trends in energy and other industries.
Financial markets historically at times experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected the market prices of equity securities of companies and that have often been unrelated to the operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects of such companies. Accordingly, the market price of the Common Shares may decline even if our operating results, underlying asset values or prospects have not changed. Additionally, these factors, as well as other related factors, may cause decreases in asset values that are deemed to be other than temporary, which may result in impairment losses. There can be no assurance that continuing fluctuations in price and volume will not occur. If such increased levels of volatility and market turmoil continue, our operations could be adversely impacted and the trading price of the Common Shares may be materially adversely affected.
We do not currently intend to pay cash dividends
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our Common Shares. We currently intend to retain future earnings to finance the operation, development and expansion of our business. The Company does not anticipate paying cash dividends on the Common Shares, including the Offered Shares, in the foreseeable future. Payment of future cash dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors that our board of directors considers relevant. Accordingly, investors will only see a return on their investment if the value of the Offered Shares appreciates.
Potential fluctuations in financial results make financial forecasting difficult
Our revenues, cash flows and other operating results can vary from quarter to quarter. Sales and margins may be lower than anticipated due to general economic conditions, market-related factors, unanticipated changes in contractual arrangements and competitive factors. Cash receipts may also vary from quarter to quarter due to the timing of cash collections from customers. As a result, quarter-to-quarter comparisons of revenues, cash flows and other operating results may not be meaningful. In addition, due to the early stage of development of the market for hydrogen fuel cell products and our licensing and sales contracts with third parties, we cannot accurately predict its future revenues, cash flows or results of operations. It is likely that in one or more future quarters, financial results will fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. If this occurs, the trading price of our shares may be materially and adversely affected.
United States investors may not be able to obtain enforcement of civil liabilities against us.
The enforcement by investors of civil liabilities under the United States federal or state securities laws may be affected adversely by the fact that we are governed by the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), that the majority of our officers and directors are residents of Canada or otherwise reside outside the United States, and that all, or a substantial portion of their assets and a substantial portion of our assets, are located outside the United States. It may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States on certain of our directors and officers or enforce judgments obtained in the United States courts against us or certain of our directors and officers based upon the civil liability provisions of United States federal securities laws or the securities laws of any state of the United States.
There is some doubt as to whether a judgment of a United States court based solely upon the civil liability provisions of United States federal or state securities laws would be enforceable in Canada against us or our directors and officers. There is also doubt as to whether an original action could be brought in Canada against us or our directors and officers to enforce liabilities based solely upon United States federal or state securities laws.
If we are characterized as a passive foreign investment company (PFIC), U.S. Holders may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
Based in part on current operations and financial projections, we do not expect to be a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our current taxable year or in the foreseeable future. However, we must make an annual determination as to whether we are a PFIC based on the types of income we earn and the types and value of our assets from time to time, all of which are subject to change. Therefore, we cannot assure you that we will not be a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year. A non-U.S. corporation generally will be considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. The market value of our assets may be determined in large part by the market price of the Common Shares, which is likely to fluctuate. In addition, the composition of our income and assets will be affected by how, and how quickly, we use any cash that
we raise. If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold Common Shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to U.S. Holders.
As a foreign private issuer, we are subject to different U.S. securities laws and rules than a domestic U.S. issuer, which may limit the information publicly available to our U.S. shareholders.
We are a foreign private issuer under applicable U.S. federal securities laws and, therefore, we are not required to comply with all the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the U.S. Exchange Act, as amended, and related rules and regulations. As a result, we do not file the same reports that a U.S. domestic issuer would file with the SEC, although we will be required to file with or furnish to the SEC the continuous disclosure documents that we are required to file in Canada under Canadian securities laws. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the U.S. Exchange Act. Therefore, our shareholders may not know on as timely a basis when our officers, directors and principal shareholders purchase or sell Common Shares as the reporting periods under the corresponding Canadian insider reporting requirements are longer. In addition, as a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the proxy rules under the U.S. Exchange Act.
We may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses to us.
In order to maintain our current status as a foreign private issuer, a majority of our Common Shares must be either directly or indirectly owned by non-residents of the United States unless we also satisfy one of the additional requirements necessary to preserve this status. We may in the future lose our foreign private issuer status if a majority of the Common Shares are held in the United States and we fail to meet the additional requirements necessary to avoid loss of foreign private issuer status. The regulatory and compliance costs to us under U.S. federal securities laws as a U.S. domestic issuer may be significantly more than the costs we incur as a Canadian foreign private issuer eligible to use MJDS. If we are not a foreign private issuer, we would not be eligible to use the MJDS or other foreign issuer forms and would be required to file periodic and current reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms with the SEC, which are more detailed and extensive than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. In addition, we may lose the ability to rely upon exemptions from NASDAQ corporate governance requirements that are available to foreign private issuers.
Certain legal matters in connection with the Offering will be passed upon for the Company by (i) Stikeman Elliott LLP with respect to matters of Canadian law and (ii) Dorsey & Whitney LLP with respect to matters of United States law. In addition, certain legal matters in connection with the Offering will be passed upon for the Underwriters by (i) Borden Ladner Gervais LLP with respect to matters of Canadian law and (ii) Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP with respect to matters of United States law.
Ballards auditor, KPMG LLP, have advised that they are independent of the Company, pursuant to the rules of professional conduct applicable to auditors in all provinces and territories of Canada and that they are independent accountants with respect to the Company under all relevant United States professional and regulatory standards.
The registrar and transfer agent for the Common Shares is Computershare Investor Services Inc. at its offices in Toronto, Ontario, and Computershare Trust Company N.A., at its offices in Canton, Massachusetts is the U.S. co-transfer agent for the Common Shares.
As of the date hereof, the partners, counsel and associates of each of Stikeman Elliott LLP and Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, respectively as a group, beneficially own directly and indirectly, less than one percent of our outstanding securities. None of the aforementioned persons have received or will receive a direct or indirect interest in any other property of the Company or any associate or affiliate of the Company.
DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
The following documents referred to in this Prospectus have been or will (through post-effective amendment or incorporation by reference) be filed with the SEC as part of the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part:
(i) the documents referred to under the heading Documents Incorporated by Reference in this Prospectus;
(ii) consents of those persons named under Auditors in this Prospectus;
(iii) powers of attorney from certain of the Companys officers and directors; and
(iv) the Underwriting Agreement dated February 10, 2021 among the Company and the Underwriters.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES BY U.S. INVESTORS
The Company is a corporation existing under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). All but two of our directors and officers, and all of the experts named in this Prospectus, are residents of Canada or otherwise reside outside the United States, and all or a substantial portion of their assets, and a majority of our assets, are located outside the United States. We have appointed an agent for service of process in the United States, but it may be difficult for holders of the Offered Shares who reside in the United States to effect service within the United States upon those directors, officers and experts who are not residents of the United States. It may also be difficult for holders of the Offered Shares who reside in the United States to realize upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the Companys civil liability and the civil liability of its directors, officers and experts under the United States federal securities laws.
You should not assume that Canadian courts would enforce judgments of United States courts obtained in actions against us or such persons predicated on the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws or the securities or blue sky laws of any state within the United States or would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us or such persons predicated on the United States federal securities or any such state securities or blue sky laws. We have been advised by our Canadian legal counsel, Stikeman Elliott LLP, that a judgment of a United States court predicated solely upon civil liability under United States federal securities laws would probably be enforceable in Canada if the United States court in which the judgment was obtained has a basis for jurisdiction in the matter that would be recognized by a Canadian court for the same purposes. We have also been advised by Stikeman Elliott LLP, however, that there is substantial doubt whether an action could be brought in Canada in the first instance on the basis of liability predicated solely upon United States federal securities laws.
We have filed with the SEC, concurrently with our Registration Statement on Form F-10, an appointment of agent for service of process on Form F-X. Under the Form F-X, we appointed CT Corporation System as our agent for service of process in the United States in connection with any investigation or administrative proceeding conducted by the SEC, and any civil suit or action brought against or involving the Company in a United States court arising out of, related to, or concerning the Offering of the Offered Shares under this Prospectus.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED TO OFFEREES OR PURCHASERS
Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Registrant is subject to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the Act).
Under Section 160 of the Act, an individual who:
· is or was a director or officer of the Registrant,
· is or was a director or officer of another corporation (i) at a time when the corporation is or was an affiliate of the Registrant, or (ii) at the request of the Registrant, or
· at the request of the Registrant, is or was, or holds or held a position equivalent to that of, a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity,
and includes, the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of that individual (collectively, an eligible party), may be indemnified by the Registrant against a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, a proceeding (an eligible penalty) in which, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, the Registrant or an associated corporation, (a) the eligible party is or may be joined as a party, or (b) the eligible party is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding (eligible proceeding) to which the eligible party is or may be liable. Section 160 of the Act also permits the Registrant to pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party after the final disposition of the eligible proceeding.
Under Section 161 of the Act, the Registrant must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the eligible party in respect of that proceeding if the eligible party (a) has not been reimbursed for those expenses, and (b) is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the outcome of the proceeding or is substantially successful on the merits in the outcome of the proceeding.
Under Section 162 of the Act, the Registrant may pay, as they are incurred in advance of the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding; provided the Registrant must not make such payments unless it first receives from the eligible party a written undertaking that, if it is ultimately decided that the payment of expenses is prohibited by Section 163, the eligible party will repay the amounts advanced.
Under Section 163 of the Act, the Registrant must not indemnify an eligible party against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable or pay the expenses of an eligible party in respect of that proceeding under Sections 160, 161 or 162 of the Act, as the case may be, if any of the following circumstances apply:
· if the indemnity or payment is made under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the agreement to indemnify or pay expenses was made, the Registrant was prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by its memorandum or articles;
· if the indemnity or payment is made otherwise than under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the indemnity or payment is made, the Registrant is prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by its memorandum or articles;
· if, in relation to the subject matter of the eligible proceeding, the eligible party did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Registrant or the associated corporation, as the case may be; or
· in the case of an eligible proceeding other than a civil proceeding, if the eligible party did not have reasonable grounds for believing that the eligible partys conduct in respect of which the proceeding was brought was lawful.
If an eligible proceeding is brought against an eligible party by or on behalf of the Registrant or by or on behalf of an associated corporation, the Registrant must not either indemnify the eligible party against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable in respect to the proceeding, or, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses of the eligible party under Sections 160, 161 or 162 of the Act in respect of the proceeding.
Under Section 164 of the Act, the Supreme Court of British Columbia may, on application of the Registrant or an eligible party, order the Registrant to indemnify the eligible party or to pay the eligible partys expenses, despite Sections 160 to 163 of the Act.
The articles of a company may affect its power or obligation to give an indemnity or pay expenses. As indicated above, this is subject to the overriding power of the Supreme Court of British Columbia under Section 164 of the Act.
The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Act.
The Registrant is a party to an indemnity agreement with each director and officer of the Registrant providing that if such director or officer is or was involved in any threatened, pending or completed eligible proceeding by reason of the fact that such director or officer is or was a director or officer of the Registrant, such director or officer will be indemnified and held harmless by the Registrant against all expense, liability and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by such director or officer in connection therewith.
Under the articles of the Registrant, the Registrant may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any eligible party against any liability incurred by such party as a director, officer or person who holds or held an equivalent position.
The Registrant maintains directors and officers liability insurance. The policies provide a maximum coverage in any one policy year of U.S. $50 million in annual claims (subject to deductibles of U.S. $200,000 to U.S. $500,000 per claim, payable by the Registrant). The primary policy insures (a) the directors and officers of the Registrant against losses arising from claims against them for certain of their actual or alleged wrongful acts (as defined within the insurance policy), (b) the Registrant for payments made pursuant to the Registrants indemnification of its directors and officers, and (c) the Registrant when it is directly named in a securities claim. The excess policy insures the directors and officers of the Registrant against losses arising from claims against them for certain of their actual or alleged wrongful acts (as defined within the insurance policy). The premiums for the policies are not allocated between directors and officers as separate groups.
Under the articles of the Registrant, subject to the provisions of the Act, the Registrant must indemnify a director or former director of the Registrant and the heirs and legal personal representatives of all such persons against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and the Registrant must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding. Each director and officer is deemed to have contracted with the Registrant on the terms of the indemnity contained in the Registrants articles. The failure of a director or officer of the Registrant to comply with the Act or the articles of the Registrant does not invalidate any indemnity to which such person is entitled under the Registrants articles.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the United States Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the United States Securities Act of 1933 and is therefore unenforceable.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit |
|
Description |
3.1 |
|
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3.2 |
|
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4.1 |
|
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4.2 |
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4.3 |
|
|
4.4 |
|
|
4.5 |
|
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4.6 |
|
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4.7 |
|
|
4.8 |
|
|
4.9 |
|
|
4.10 |
|
|
5.1 |
|
|
6.1 |
|
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement) |
101 |
|
PART III
UNDERTAKING AND CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS
Item 1. Undertaking.
The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the SEC staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the SEC staff, information relating to the securities registered pursuant to this Form F-10 or to transactions in said securities.
Item 2. Consent to Service of Process.
(a) A written irrevocable consent and power of attorney on Form F-X was filed by the Registrant concurrently with the initial filing of this Registration Statement.
(b) Any change to the name or address of the Registrants agent for service shall be communicated promptly to the SEC by amendment to Form F-X referencing the file number of this Registration Statement.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
|
Description |
3.1 |
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
4.2 |
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
4.4 |
|
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4.5 |
|
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4.6 |
|
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4.7 |
|
|
4.8 |
|
|
4.9 |
|
|
4.10 |
|
|
5.1 |
|
|
6.1 |
|
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement) |
101 |
|
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-10 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Burnaby, Province of British Columbia, Canada, on this 10th day of February, 2021.
|
BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC. |
||
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By: |
/s/ R. Randall MacEwen |
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Name: |
R. Randall MacEwen |
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Title: |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature |
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Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Randall MacEwen |
|
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
|
February 10, 2021 |
R. Randall MacEwen |
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Tony Guglielmin |
|
Vice President and Chief |
|
February 10, 2021 |
Tony Guglielmin |
|
Financial Officer (Principal Financial |
|
|
|
|
Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Director |
|
February 10, 2021 |
Douglas P. Hayhurst |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Director |
|
February 10, 2021 |
Duy-Loan Le |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Director and Authorized United States Representative |
|
February 10, 2021 |
Marty Neese |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Director |
|
February 10, 2021 |
James Roche |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Director |
|
February 10, 2021 |
Janet Woodruff |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Director |
|
February 10, 2021 |
Kui Jiang |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Director |
|
February 10, 2021 |
Shaojun Sun |
|
|
|
|
* |
By: |
/s/ Tony Guglielmin |
|
|
Name: |
Tony Guglielmin |
|
|
Title: |
Attorney-in-fact |
|
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
February 10, 2021
Ballard Power Systems Inc.
9000 Glenlyon Parkway
Burnaby, British Columbia
V5J 5J8
Attention: |
Tony Guglielmin |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Dear Mr. Guglielmin:
TD Securities Inc., National Bank Financial Inc. (the Co-Lead Underwriters), BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., CIBC World Markets Inc., Raymond James Ltd. and Cormark Securities Inc. (each, including the Co-Lead Underwriters, an Underwriter and collectively the Underwriters) understand that Ballard Power Systems Inc. (the Corporation) proposes to issue and sell 14,870,000 Common Shares (as hereinafter defined) (the Firm Shares). Upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, the Underwriters hereby severally, but not jointly or jointly and severally, agree to purchase from the Corporation, in the respective percentages provided for in Article 13 hereof, and by its acceptance hereof the Corporation agrees to sell to the Underwriters, at the Closing Time (as hereinafter defined), all but not less than all of the Firm Shares at a price of US$37.00 per Firm Share (the Offering Price), being an aggregate purchase price of US$550,190,000.
Upon and subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, the Corporation hereby grants to the Underwriters an option (the Over-Allotment Option) to purchase up to an additional 2,230,500 Common Shares (the Option Shares) at a price of US$37.00 per Option Share to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes. The Over-Allotment Option may be exercised at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, until the date that is 30 days following the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) by written notice from the Co-Lead Underwriters on the Underwriters behalf to the Corporation, setting forth the aggregate number of Option Shares to be purchased. If the Over-Allotment Option is exercised, the number of Option Shares specified in the notice shall be purchased by the Underwriters, severally, but not jointly or jointly and severally, in the same proportion as their respective obligations to purchase the Firm Shares as set forth in Article 13 hereof. The offering of the Firm Shares and any Option Shares by the Corporation described in this Agreement are hereinafter referred to as the Offering.
In consideration of the Underwriters agreement to purchase the Firm Shares and to offer them to the public, which agreement will result from the acceptance of this offer by the Corporation, and in consideration of the services rendered and to be rendered by the Underwriters in connection herewith, the Corporation agrees to pay to the Underwriters at the Closing Time a fee (the Underwriting Fee) equal to 4.0% of the aggregate purchase price for the Firm Shares and the Option Shares purchased by the Underwriters. The Underwriting Fee shall be payable on the Closing Date.
The agreement resulting from the acceptance of this letter by the Corporation (herein referred to as this Agreement) shall be subject to the following additional terms and conditions.
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
1.1 In this Agreement:
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement means an amendment to the Initial Registration Statement, including the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus with such deletions therefrom and additions thereto as are permitted or required by Form F-10 and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and including the exhibits thereto and the documents incorporated by reference therein and the documents otherwise deemed under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC to be a part thereof or included therein;
Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement means a further amendment to the Initial Registration Statement, including the Canadian Final Prospectus with such deletions therefrom and additions thereto as are permitted or required by Form F-10 and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and including the exhibits thereto and the documents incorporated by reference therein and the documents otherwise deemed under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC to be a part thereof or included therein;
BCBCA has the meaning specified in section 7.1(d);
Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus means the amended and restated preliminary short form prospectus of the Corporation to be dated February 10, 2021 relating to the Distribution of the Offered Shares and, unless the context otherwise requires, includes all documents incorporated therein by reference;
Canadian Final Prospectus means the final short form prospectus of the Corporation relating to the Distribution of the Offered Shares and, unless the context otherwise requires, includes all documents incorporated therein by reference, including the template version of any marketing materials provided to potential investors in accordance with section 2.4 in connection with the Distribution of the Purchased Shares;
Canadian Preliminary Prospectus means the preliminary short form prospectus of the Corporation dated February 9, 2021 relating to the Distribution of the Offered Shares and, unless the context otherwise requires, includes all documents incorporated therein by reference;
Canadian Prospectuses means, collectively, the Canadian Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Final Prospectus and any Prospectus Amendment to any of the foregoing;
Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions means all the provinces and territories of Canada other than Québec, and Canadian Qualifying Jurisdiction means any one of them;
Canadian Securities Laws means all applicable securities laws in each of the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions and all rules, regulations, policy statements, instruments, notices and blanket orders and rulings thereunder;
CDS has the meaning specified in section 8.3;
CFPOA has the meaning specified in section 7.1(oo);
Closing Date means February 23, 2021 or such other date as the Co-Lead Underwriters and the Corporation may agree upon in writing, but in any event not later than 42 days following the date of the Passport Receipt for the Canadian Final Prospectus;
Closing Time means 5:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on the Closing Date (or, if the context so requires, on the Option Closing Date) or such other time on the Closing Date (or, if the context so requires, on the Option Closing Date) as the Co-Lead Underwriters and the Corporation may agree upon;
Co-Lead Underwriters has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement;
Common Shares means the common shares in the capital of the Corporation;
comparables has the meaning given to that term in NI 41-101;
Corporation has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement;
Distribution has the meaning attributed thereto under applicable Canadian Securities Laws;
Effective Date means the date and time that the Registration Statement becomes effective;
Environmental Laws has the meaning given to that term in subsection 7.1(aa);
Exchanges means the TSX and the NASDAQ;
Execution Time means the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto;
FCPA has the meaning specified in section 7.1(oo);
Final Prospectuses means, collectively, the Canadian Final Prospectus and the U.S. Final Prospectus;
Firm Shares has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement;
Form F-10 means Form F-10 under the U.S. Securities Act;
Form F-X has the meaning specified in section 2.1(e);
Free Writing Prospectus means a free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405 under the U.S. Securities Act;
Governmental Entity has the meaning specified in section 7.1(cc);
Governmental Permits has the meaning specified in section 7.1(n);
IASB has the meaning specified in section 7.1(r);
IFRS has the meaning specified in section 7.1(r);
Indemnified Parties has the meaning specified in section 11.1;
Initial Registration Statement means the registration statement on Form F-10 (File No. 333-252890) filed with the SEC on February 9, 2021 registering the offer and sale of the Offered Shares under the U.S. Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, including the Canadian Preliminary Prospectus with such deletions therefrom and additions thereto as are permitted or required by Form F-10 and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and including the exhibits thereto and the documents incorporated by reference therein and the documents otherwise deemed under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC to be a part thereof or included therein;
Intellectual Property has the meaning specified in section 7.1(x);
Investment Company Act has the meaning specified in section 7.1(v);
Issuer Free Writing Prospectus means an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 under the U.S. Securities Act, of the Corporation;
IT Systems and Data has the meaning specified in section 7.1(pp);
Lien has the meaning specified in section 7.1(f);
limited-use version has the meaning ascribed to such term in NI 41-101;
Lock-Up Period has the meaning specified in section 7.3(d);
marketing materials has the meaning ascribed to such term under NI 41-101;
material or materially, when used in relation to the Corporation, means material in relation to the Corporation and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole);
Material Adverse Change has the meaning specified in section 7.1(t);
Material Adverse Effect has the meaning specified in section 7.1(f);
material change, material fact and misrepresentation have the respective meanings attributed thereto under applicable Canadian Securities Laws;
Material Subsidiary and Material Subsidiaries have the meaning specified in section 7.1(f);
Money Laundering Laws has the meaning specified in section 7.1(mm);
NASDAQ means the Nasdaq, Inc.;
NI 41-101 means National Instrument 41-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators;
NI 44-101 means National Instrument 44-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators;
NP 11-202 means National Policy 11-202 of the Canadian Securities Administrators;
Offered Shares means, collectively, the Firm Shares and the Option Shares;
Offering has the meaning given to that term on page 1 of this Agreement;
Offering Documents means, collectively, the Canadian Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Final Prospectus, the Initial Registration Statement, Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement, Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement, the Registration Statement, any U.S. Registration Statement Amendment, the U.S. Preliminary Prospectus, the U.S. Amended Preliminary Prospectus, the U.S. Final Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any Prospectus Amendment;
Offering Price has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement;
Option Closing Date has the meaning specified in section 8.2;
Option Shares has the meaning specified in the second paragraph of this Agreement;
Over-Allotment Option has the meaning specified in the second paragraph of this Agreement;
Passport Receipt means the receipt issued by the Principal Regulator, which is deemed to also be a receipt of the other Securities Commissions pursuant to the Passport System, for the Canadian Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Final Prospectus and any Prospectus Amendment, as the case may be;
Passport System means the system and procedures for prospectus filing and review under Multilateral Instrument 11-102 adopted by the Securities Commissions (other than Ontario) and NP 11-202;
PCAOB has the meaning specified in 3.1(f);
Permitted Free Writing Prospectus has the meaning specified in section 7.2;
Principal Regulator means the British Columbia Securities Commission;
Prospectus Amendment means any amendment to the Canadian Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Final Prospectus, or any U.S. Amended Prospectus, other than the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus and the U.S. Amended Preliminary Prospectus and other than merely by incorporation by reference of Subsequent Disclosure Documents;
Prospectuses means, collectively, the Canadian Prospectuses and the U.S. Prospectuses;
provide, in the context of sending or making available marketing materials to a potential purchaser of Offered Shares, has the meaning ascribed to such term under applicable Securities Laws, whether in the context of a road show (as defined in NI 41-101) or otherwise and provided has like meaning;
Public Record means all information filed by or on behalf of the Corporation with the Securities Commissions after December 31, 2019, in compliance, or intended compliance, with applicable Canadian Securities Laws, together with all documents incorporated by reference in the Canadian Prospectuses;
Purchased Shares means the Firm Shares and, if the Over-Allotment Option is exercised, also includes the Option Shares that the Underwriters have, at the relevant time, elected to purchase pursuant to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option;
Registration Statement means the registration statement on Form F-10 (File No. 333-252890) registering the offer and sale of the Offered Shares under the U.S. Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, including the exhibits thereto and the documents incorporated by reference therein and the documents deemed under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC to be a part thereof or included therein, as amended at the date on which such registration statement becomes effective;
Sanctions has the meaning specified in section 7.1(nn);
Sanctioned Country has the meaning specified in section 7.1(nn);
SEC means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;
Securities Commissions means, collectively, the securities commission or similar securities regulatory authority in each of the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions;
Securities Laws means, collectively, the Canadian Securities Laws and the U.S. Securities Laws;
SEDAR means the computer system for the transmission, receipt, acceptance, review and dissemination of documents filed in electronic format known as the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval;
Selling Firms has the meaning specified in section 5.1;
Stock Plan has the meaning specified in section 7.1(s);
Subsequent Disclosure Documents means any financial statements, managements discussion and analysis, information circulars, annual information forms, material change reports (other than confidential material change reports), business acquisition reports or other documents issued by the Corporation after the Execution Time which are, or are deemed to be, pursuant to applicable Securities Laws, incorporated by reference into the Final Prospectuses or any Prospectus Amendment;
Subsidiary and Subsidiaries have the meaning specified in section 7.1(e);
template version has the meaning ascribed thereto under NI 41-101 and includes any revised template version of marketing materials as contemplated by such instrument;
TMX Group has the meaning specified in section 15.7;
TSX means the Toronto Stock Exchange;
Underwriters has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement;
Underwriting Fee has the meaning specified in the third paragraph of this Agreement;
U.S. Amended Preliminary Prospectus means, as of any time prior to the time the Registration Statement is declared or becomes effective, the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus with such deletions therefrom and additions thereto as are permitted or required by Form F-10 and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, to be included in the Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement, including the documents incorporated by reference therein;
U.S. Amended Prospectus means a prospectus included in any U.S. Registration Statement Amendment;
U.S. Exchange Act means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
U.S. Final Prospectus means the Canadian Final Prospectus with such deletions therefrom and additions thereto as are permitted or required by Form F-10 and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, included in the Registration Statement at the time it becomes effective, including the documents incorporated by reference therein;
U.S. Preliminary Prospectus means, as of any time prior to the time the Registration Statement is declared or becomes effective, the Canadian Preliminary Prospectus with such deletions therefrom and additions thereto as are permitted or required by Form F-10 and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC included in the Initial Registration Statement, including the documents incorporated by reference therein;
U.S. Prospectuses means, collectively, the U.S. Preliminary Prospectus, the U.S. Amended Preliminary Prospectus, the U.S. Final Prospectus and any Prospectus Amendment to any of the foregoing;
U.S. Registration Statement Amendment means any amendment to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (other than Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement) and any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement filed with the SEC during the offer and sale of the Offered Shares;
U.S. Securities Act means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
U.S. Securities Laws means all of the applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations of the United States, including without limitation the U.S. Securities Act, the U.S. Exchange Act and the respective rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder; and
Weichai has the meaning specified in section 7.1(m).
Where any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement is expressly qualified by reference to the knowledge of the Corporation, or where any other reference is made herein to the knowledge of the Corporation, it shall be deemed to refer to the actual knowledge of the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Corporation, after having made due inquiry of appropriate and relevant persons and after reviewing relevant documentation.
Any reference herein to the terms amend, amendment or supplement with respect to the Initial Registration Statement, Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement, Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement, the Registration Statement, the Canadian Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Final Prospectus, the U.S. Preliminary Prospectus, the U.S. Amended Preliminary Prospectus or the U.S. Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Securities Laws after the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or the issue date of the Canadian Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Final Prospectus, the U.S. Preliminary Prospectus, the U.S. Amended Preliminary Prospectus or the U.S. Final Prospectus, as the case may be, deemed to be incorporated therein by reference.
ARTICLE 2
FILING OF PROSPECTUSES
2.1 The Corporation represents, warrants and covenants to and with the Underwriters and acknowledges that the Underwriters are relying thereon in connection with the purchase of the Purchased Shares, that:
(a) the Corporation is eligible in accordance with the provisions of NI 44-101 to file a short form prospectus in each of the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions and the British Columbia Securities Commission is the principal regulator for the Corporation under the Passport System for purposes of the filing of the Canadian Prospectuses;
(b) the Corporation meets the general eligibility requirements for the use of Form F-10;
(c) the Corporation has filed under, and as required by, Canadian Securities Laws, the Canadian Preliminary Prospectus with the Securities Commissions;
(d) the Corporation has filed with the SEC the Initial Registration Statement to register the offer and sale of the Offered Shares under the U.S. Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, including the U.S. Preliminary Prospectus;
(e) the Corporation has filed with the SEC an Appointment of Agent for Service of Process and Undertaking for the Corporation on Form F-X in conjunction with the filing of the Initial Registration Statement (the Form F-X);
(f) the Corporation shall, under Canadian Securities Laws:
(i) as promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement and in any event by 2:30 pm (Vancouver time) on February 10, 2021 and on a basis acceptable to the Underwriters, acting reasonably, prepare and file the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus under and as required by Canadian Securities Laws with each of the Securities Commissions; and
(ii) as promptly as practicable thereafter, obtain and deliver to the Underwriters a Passport Receipt dated February 10, 2021, issued by the Principal Regulator evidencing that a receipt for the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus has been issued or deemed to be issued by the Securities Commissions in each of the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions;
(g) the Corporation shall, as promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement and in any event no later than 5:30 pm (Vancouver time) on February 10, 2021 and on a basis acceptable to the Underwriters, acting reasonably, prepare and file with the SEC pursuant to the multijurisdictional disclosure system Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement, including the U.S. Amended Preliminary Prospectus;
(h) the Corporation shall, as promptly as practicable after any comments of the Securities Commissions in respect of the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus have been satisfied, and in any event by 2:30 pm (Vancouver time) on February 18, 2021 (or in any case by such later date or dates as may be determined by the Co-Lead Underwriters in their sole discretion) and on a basis acceptable to the Underwriters, acting reasonably, prepare and file the Canadian Final Prospectus under and as required by Canadian Securities Laws with each of the Securities Commissions and obtain and deliver to the Underwriters a Passport Receipt issued by the Principal Regulator evidencing that a receipt for the Canadian Final Prospectus has been issued or deemed to be issued by the Securities Commissions in each Canadian Qualifying Jurisdiction;
(i) the Corporation shall, immediately after the filing of the Canadian Final Prospectus but no later than 5:30 pm (Vancouver time) on February 18, 2021 (or in any case, by such later date or dates as may be determined by the Co-Lead Underwriters in their sole discretion) and on a basis acceptable to the Underwriters, acting reasonably, prepare and file with the SEC pursuant to the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system, Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement, including the U.S. Final Prospectus, which Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement will become effective under the U.S. Securities Act upon filing thereof pursuant to Rule 467(a) under the US. Securities Act; and
(j) the Corporation will obtain the conditional listing of the Offered Shares on the TSX by the Closing Time, subject to the satisfaction by the Corporation of customary conditions specified by the TSX, and approval for listing of the Offered Shares on the NASDAQ by the Closing Time, subject only to the official notice of issuance, and the Corporation will promptly satisfy all such conditions to listing of both the Exchanges.
2.2 The Corporation agrees to allow the Underwriters, prior to the filing of the Offering Documents, to participate fully in the preparation of, and approve the form and content of, the Offering Documents and such other documents as may be required under Securities Laws to qualify the Distribution of the Offered Shares in the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions and in the United States, in each case, acting reasonably, and to allow the Underwriters to conduct all due diligence which the Underwriters may reasonably require in order to:
(a) confirm the Public Record is accurate and current in all material respects;
(b) fulfill the Underwriters obligations as underwriters; and
(c) enable the Underwriters to responsibly execute the certificates in the Canadian Prospectuses required to be executed by the Underwriters.
2.3 After the date of the Final Prospectuses and until the conclusion of the Distribution of the Offered Shares, the Corporation shall take or cause to be taken all steps as may, from time to time, be necessary to maintain the qualification of, or if the qualification shall cease for any reason to requalify, the Distribution of the Offered Shares in each of the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions and in the United States; provided, however, that with respect to state securities law qualifications in the United States, the Corporation shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subjected.
2.4 During the Distribution of the Purchased Shares:
(a) the Corporation shall approve in writing the template version of any marketing materials prepared by the Co-Lead Underwriters and proposed to be provided by the Underwriters to any potential investor of Purchased Shares, any such marketing materials to comply with Canadian Securities Laws and U.S. Securities Laws and to be acceptable in form and substance to the Corporation, in its sole discretion;
(b) the Co-Lead Underwriters shall, on behalf of the Underwriters, approve a template version of any such marketing materials in writing prior to the time such marketing materials are provided to potential investors of Purchased Shares;
(c) the Corporation shall file the template version of any such marketing materials on SEDAR and with the SEC on or before the day the marketing materials are first provided to any potential investor of Purchased Shares, and any comparables shall
be removed from the template version in accordance with NI 44-101 prior to filing such on SEDAR (provided that if any such comparables are removed, the Corporation shall deliver a complete template version of any such marketing materials to the Securities Commissions), and the Corporation shall provide a copy of such filed template version to the Underwriters as promptly as practicable following such filing; and
(d) following the approvals set forth in sections 2.4(a) to (c), the Underwriters may provide a limited-use version of such marketing materials that complies with Section 7.6(2) of NI 44-101 to potential investors of Purchased Shares in accordance with Securities Laws.
2.5 The Corporation and the Co-Lead Underwriters, on behalf of the Underwriters, approve the marketing materials attached as Schedule B hereto.
2.6 The Corporation and each Underwriter, on a several basis, covenants and agrees not to provide any potential investor of Purchased Shares with any marketing materials except for marketing materials or any limited-use versions thereof which have been approved as contemplated in section 2.4, and then only to potential investors of Purchased Shares in the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions, the United States and other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States in compliance with applicable local laws in such jurisdictions.
ARTICLE 3
DELIVERY OF THE PROSPECTUSES AND RELATED DOCUMENTS
3.1 The Corporation shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Underwriters and the Underwriters counsel the documents set out below at the respective times indicated:
(a) promptly following the issuance thereof, a Passport Receipt issued by the Principal Regulator evidencing that a receipt for the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus and the Canadian Final Prospectus has been issued or deemed to be issued by the Securities Commissions in each of the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions;
(b) prior to or contemporaneously, as nearly as practicable, with the filing with the Securities Commissions of each of the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus and the Canadian Final Prospectus, copies of the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus and the Canadian Final Prospectus, signed as required by Canadian Securities Laws;
(c) prior to or contemporaneously, as nearly as practicable, with the filing thereof with the SEC, copies of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement and Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement, including in each case the prospectus contained therein, as filed with the SEC and copies of all exhibits and documents filed therewith which have not previously been delivered to the Underwriters;
(d) as soon as they are available, copies of any Prospectus Amendment required to be filed under any Canadian Securities Laws, signed as required by Canadian Securities Laws, and any amendment to the Registration Statement;
(e) as soon as they are available, copies of any documents incorporated by reference in or exhibits to the Canadian Prospectuses, the U.S. Prospectuses, the Registration Statement or any amendment to any of them which have not been previously available on SEDAR or delivered to the Underwriters; and
(f) at the time of filing with the Securities Commissions of the Canadian Final Prospectus or any Prospectus Amendment to the Canadian Final Prospectus, as the case may be, comfort letters from KPMG LLP, addressed to the Underwriters, the Corporation and the board of directors of the Corporation and dated the date of the Canadian Final Prospectus or any Prospectus Amendment to the Canadian Final Prospectus, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, acting reasonably, relating to the verification of certain of the financial information relating to the Corporation and its respective subsidiaries contained in any such document, the Registration Statement and the U.S. Final Prospectus or incorporated by reference therein, which comfort letter shall be based on a review having a cut-off date not more than two business days prior to the date of such letter. Such letter shall also state that such auditor is independent within the meaning of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia and within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act and the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder adopted by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the PCAOB).
3.2 The delivery to the Underwriters of the filed Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus and the Canadian Final Prospectus shall constitute a representation and warranty to the Underwriters by the Corporation that:
(a) the information and statements contained in the Canadian Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus and the Canadian Final Prospectus, as the case may be (except any information and statements relating solely to the Underwriters which have been furnished in writing to the Corporation by or on behalf of any Underwriters through the Co-Lead Underwriters specifically for inclusion therein, it being understood and agreed that for the purposes of this Agreement, including, without limitation, sections 3.2, 3.3, and 11.1 hereto, the names of the Underwriters set forth on the cover of the Prospectuses constitute the only information or statements relating to the Underwriters which has been furnished by the Underwriters, through the Co-Lead Underwriters, in writing, specifically for inclusion in the Prospectuses) constitute full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to the Offered Shares as required by Canadian Securities Laws as at the respective dates thereof; and
(b) the Canadian Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus or the Canadian Final Prospectus, as the case may be, does not contain
a misrepresentation within the meaning of Canadian Securities Laws provided that such representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Corporation by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Co-Lead Underwriters specifically for inclusion therein.
Such delivery shall also constitute the consent of the Corporation to the use of the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus and the Canadian Final Prospectus by the Underwriters in connection with the Distribution of the Offered Shares in the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions and elsewhere outside the United States in compliance with this Agreement and applicable securities laws, including Securities Laws.
3.3 The Corporation hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Underwriters as follows:
(a) the documents incorporated by reference in the Offering Documents, when they were filed with the Securities Commissions, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of Canadian Securities Laws, and to the extent filed pursuant to the U.S. Exchange Act, conformed in all material respect to any applicable requirements of the U.S. Exchange Act when they were filed with the SEC; and any further documents incorporated by reference in the Offering Documents, when such documents are filed with the Securities Commissions or the SEC, as applicable, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of Canadian Securities Laws or the U.S. Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, as applicable;
(b) on the Effective Date, the Registration Statement will, and on the date it is first filed and at the Closing Time (including on any Option Closing Date) the U.S. Final Prospectus will, conform in all material respects with the requirements of the US. Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC under the U.S. Securities Act, including the requirements of Form F-10; on the date first filed the Canadian Preliminary Prospectus conformed, and on the date first filed the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus and the Canadian Final Prospectus and any Prospectus Amendment will, and at the Closing Time the Canadian Final Prospectus, as amended by any Prospectus Amendment will, conform in all material respects with the applicable requirements of Canadian Securities Laws and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; the Registration Statement, as of the Effective Date, will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and the U.S. Final Prospectus, as of its filing date and as of the Closing Time (including on any Option Closing Date), will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Corporation by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Co-Lead Underwriters specifically for
inclusion in the Registration Statement, the Canadian Prospectuses or the U.S. Final Prospectus;
(c) as of the time it was issued and as of the Closing Time (including on any Option Closing Date), each electronic roadshow, if any, when taken together as a whole with the U.S. Final Prospectus, does not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Corporation by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Co-Lead Underwriters specifically for inclusion therein;
(d) at the time the Initial Registration Statement was filed, the Corporation was not an Ineligible Issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the US. Securities Act), without taking account of any determination by the SEC pursuant to Rule 405 under the U.S. Securities Act that it is not necessary that the Corporation be considered an Ineligible Issuer; and
(e) each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus will not include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, including any document incorporated therein by reference that has not been superseded or modified; if there occurs an event or development as a result of which the U.S. Prospectuses would include an untrue statement of a material fact or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances then prevailing, not misleading, or as a result of which any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus would include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Corporation will notify promptly the Co-Lead Underwriters so that any use of the U.S. Prospectuses may cease until it is amended or supplemented, and in such event the Corporation will prepare and file a new Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to correct such conflict as soon as possible; and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.
ARTICLE 4
COMMERCIAL COPIES OF PROSPECTUSES
4.1 The Corporation shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Underwriters, as promptly as practicable and in any event no later than 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on the business day following the date of filing of the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus, at offices designated by the Underwriters, such number of commercial copies of the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus and the U.S. Amended Preliminary Prospectus as the Underwriters may reasonably request by instructions to the printer thereof given no later than 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the date of the filing of such documents. The Corporation shall, until the conclusion of the Distribution of the Offered Shares, as promptly as practicable following a reasonable request by the Underwriters, cause to be delivered to
the Underwriters such additional commercial copies of the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus and the U.S. Amended Preliminary Prospectus in such numbers and at such offices in such cities as the Underwriters may reasonably request from time to time.
4.2 The Corporation shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Underwriters, as promptly as practicable and in any event no later than 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on the business day following the date of the filing of the Canadian Final Prospectus with the Securities Commissions, at offices designated by the Underwriters, such number of commercial copies of the Canadian Final Prospectus and the U.S. Final Prospectus as the Underwriters may reasonably request by instructions to the printer thereof given no later than the day prior to the time when the Corporation plans to authorize the printing of the commercial copies of the Canadian Final Prospectus and the U.S. Final Prospectus. The Corporation shall, until the conclusion of the Distribution of the Offered Shares, as promptly as practicable following a reasonable request by the Underwriters, cause to be delivered to the Underwriters such additional commercial copies of the Canadian Final Prospectus and the U.S. Final Prospectus in such numbers and at such offices in such cities as the Underwriters may reasonably request from time to time.
4.3 The Corporation shall from time to time deliver to the Underwriters, as promptly as practicable at the offices in such cities designated by the Underwriters pursuant to sections 4.1 or 4.2, the number of copies of any documents incorporated, or containing information incorporated by reference in the Canadian Prospectuses or the U.S. Prospectuses and of any Subsequent Disclosure Documents which the Underwriters may from time to time reasonably request; provided that if such documents or information are generally available to the public, such documents or information shall be deemed to have been delivered in satisfaction of this request.
ARTICLE 5
DISTRIBUTION OF OFFERED SHARES
5.1 Each of the Underwriters covenants and agrees with the Corporation to offer the Offered Shares for sale to the public in the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions and the United States, directly (including through any affiliate of an Underwriter) and through other investment dealers and brokers (the Underwriters, together with such other investment dealers and brokers, referred to herein as the Selling Firms), only in compliance with all applicable Securities Laws, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Canadian Final Prospectus or the U.S. Final Prospectus, as applicable, any Prospectus Amendment and this Agreement.
5.2 Each of the Underwriters covenants and agrees with the Corporation:
(a) to offer the Offered Shares for sale to the public outside of Canada and the United States, directly (including through any affiliate of an Underwriter) and through other Selling Firms, only in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in each jurisdiction into and from which they may offer or sell the Offered Shares, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Canadian Final Prospectus or the U.S. Final Prospectus, as applicable, any Prospectus Amendment and this Agreement
provided the distribution of the Offered Shares in such other jurisdictions will not result in the Corporation inheriting any reporting obligations in such jurisdictions;
(b) to use all reasonable efforts to complete and to cause the Selling Firms to complete the Distribution of the Offered Shares as soon as possible after the Closing Time; and
(c) to comply with applicable Securities Laws with respect to the use of green sheets and other marketing materials.
5.3 The Underwriters may, after a reasonable effort has been made to sell all of the Offered Shares at the Offering Price, offer the Offered Shares at a price less than the Offering Price in compliance with Securities Laws and, specifically in the case of any Offered Shares offered in the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions, the requirements of NI 44-101 and the disclosure concerning the same which is contained in the Canadian Prospectuses. The Underwriters will notify the Corporation in writing if the Offering Price is to be reduced prior to commencing any such offer or sales. Such reduction in the Offering Price shall not affect the Offering Price to be paid by the Underwriters to the Corporation as specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
5.4 For the purposes of this Article 5, the Underwriters shall be entitled to assume that the Distribution of the Offered Shares is qualified in each of the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions and that the Offered Shares are registered under U.S. federal securities laws after receipt by the Co-Lead Underwriters of notification from the Corporations counsel that a Passport Receipt for the Canadian Final Prospectus has been issued or is deemed to be issued and that the Registration Statement has been declared or otherwise become effective, as applicable, unless the Underwriters receive notice to the contrary from the Corporation or any applicable securities regulatory authority.
5.5 No Underwriter will be liable to the Corporation under this Article 5 with respect to a default by another Selling Firm (that is not an affiliate of such Underwriter), another Underwriter, or the Corporation under this Agreement if neither the Underwriter nor any of its affiliated Selling Firms is itself in violation.
5.6 The Co-Lead Underwriters will notify the Corporation when, in its opinion, the Underwriters have ceased Distribution of the Offered Shares and shall, as promptly as practicable, and in any event, no later than 25 days thereafter, provide the Corporation with a breakdown of the number of Offered Shares distributed in each of the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions where such breakdown is required for the purpose of calculating fees payable to a Securities Commission.
ARTICLE 6
MATERIAL CHANGES
6.1 During the period commencing on the date hereof until the completion of the Distribution of the Offered Shares, the Corporation shall promptly notify the Underwriters, in writing, with full particulars of:
(a) any change (actual, anticipated, contemplated or threatened) in the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or capital of the Corporation and its subsidiaries (taken as whole); or
(b) any change in any matter covered by a statement contained in the Canadian Prospectuses, the Registration Statement, the U.S. Prospectuses or any Subsequent Disclosure Document or amendment or supplement to any of them; or
(c) any fact which has arisen which would have been required to have been stated in the Canadian Prospectuses, the Registration Statement, the U.S. Prospectuses, or any Subsequent Disclosure Document as amended or supplemented from time to time, had the fact arisen on or prior to the date thereof;
which change or fact in any such case is, or may be, of such a nature as: (i) to render the Canadian Prospectuses, the Registration Statement, the U.S. Prospectuses, or any Subsequent Disclosure Document, as amended or supplemented immediately prior to such change or fact, misleading or untrue in any material respect, or (ii) would result in a misrepresentation in the Canadian Prospectuses, the Registration Statement, the U.S. Prospectuses, or any Subsequent Disclosure Document, as amended or supplemented from time to time immediately prior to such change or fact or (iii) would result in the Canadian Prospectuses, the Registration Statement, the U.S. Prospectuses, or any Subsequent Disclosure Document, as amended or supplemented from time to time immediately prior to such change or fact, not complying with any of the Securities Laws, or (iv) would result in it being necessary to amend the Registration Statement or to amend or supplement the U.S. Preliminary Prospectus, the U.S. Amended Preliminary Prospectus or the U.S. Final Prospectus in order that such document will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein (in the case of the Registration Statement) or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the case of the Registration Statement, not misleading, and in the case of the U.S. Preliminary Prospectus, the U.S. Amended Preliminary Prospectus or U.S. Final Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which such statements are made, not misleading, or (v) would reasonably be expected to have a significant effect on the market price or market value of the Common Shares. The Corporation shall promptly comply with all applicable filing and other requirements, if any, under the Securities Laws arising as a result of such change or fact. In addition, if during the period of the Distribution of the Offered Shares under the Canadian Prospectuses, the Registration Statement, the U.S. Prospectuses, or any Subsequent Disclosure Document, as amended or supplemented from time to time, there is any change in any applicable Securities Laws which results in a requirement to file a Prospectus Amendment, the Corporation shall make such filing as promptly as practicable. In addition to the foregoing, the Corporation shall, in good faith, discuss with the Underwriters any change in circumstances (actual or proposed) which is of such a nature that there is or ought to be consideration given by the Corporation as to whether notice in writing of such change need be given to the Underwriters pursuant to this paragraph.
6.2 During the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the completion of the Distribution of the Offered Shares, the Corporation shall promptly comply to the reasonable satisfaction of the Underwriters and their counsel with any applicable filing and
other requirements under the Securities Laws arising as a result of any change, event or circumstance referred to in section 6.1 above and shall prepare and file under all applicable Securities Laws, with all reasonable dispatch, and in any event within any time limit prescribed under applicable Securities Laws, any Subsequent Disclosure Document or Prospectus Amendment or amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement as may be required under applicable Securities Laws; provided that the Corporation shall allow the Underwriters and their counsel to participate fully in the preparation of any such Subsequent Disclosure Document or Prospectus Amendment or amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and to conduct all due diligence investigations which the Underwriters may reasonably require in order to fulfill their obligations as underwriters and in order to enable the Underwriters to responsibly execute the certificate required to be executed by them in any Prospectus Amendment and the Underwriters shall have approved the form of any Prospectus Amendment or amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld and to be provided in a timely manner. The Corporation shall further promptly deliver to the Underwriters and the Underwriters counsel a copy of each Prospectus Amendment or amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement signed as required by applicable Securities Laws, and each Subsequent Disclosure Document, such number of commercial copies of each Prospectus Amendment or amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement as the Underwriters may reasonably request, in the same manner as set forth in section 4.1 hereof, as well as opinions and letters with respect to each such Prospectus Amendment or amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement substantially similar to those referred to in section 3.1(f) above.
6.3 The delivery to the Underwriters of each Prospectus Amendment and Subsequent Disclosure Document shall constitute a representation and warranty to the Underwriters by the Corporation, with respect to the Canadian Preliminary Prospectus, the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus and the Canadian Final Prospectus, as amended, modified or superseded by such Prospectus Amendment or Subsequent Disclosure Document and by each Prospectus Amendment and Subsequent Disclosure Document previously delivered to the Underwriters as aforesaid, to the same effect as set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 3.2 above. Such delivery shall also constitute the consent of the Corporation to the use of the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus and the Canadian Final Prospectus, together with all Prospectus Amendments and Subsequent Disclosure Documents, as applicable, by the Underwriters in connection with the Distribution of the Offered Shares in the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions and elsewhere outside the United States; provided that the use of the Canadian Amended Preliminary Prospectus and the Canadian Final Prospectus, together with all Prospectus Amendments and Subsequent Disclosure Documents, as applicable, and the Distribution of the Offered Shares by the Underwriters is conducted in compliance with this Agreement and applicable securities laws, including Securities Laws.
6.4 During the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the completion of the Distribution of the Offered Shares, the Corporation will promptly inform the Underwriters of the full particulars of:
(a) any request of any Securities Commission or the SEC for any amendment to the Canadian Prospectuses, the Registration Statement, the U.S. Prospectuses or any Subsequent Disclosure Document or any part of the Public Record or for any additional information;
(b) the issuance by any Securities Commission, the SEC or by any other competent authority of any order to cease or suspend trading of any securities of the Corporation or of the institution or, to the knowledge of the Corporation, threat of institution of any proceedings for that purpose; or
(c) the receipt by the Corporation of any communication from any Securities Commission, the SEC, the TSX, the NASDAQ or any other competent authority relating to the Canadian Prospectuses, the Registration Statement, the U.S. Prospectuses, any Subsequent Disclosure Document or the Distribution of the Offered Shares,
and the Corporation will use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any such order preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus relating to the Offered Shares or the suspension of any such qualification and, in the event of the issuance of any such order preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus relating to the Offered Shares or suspending any such qualification, to use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order as promptly as practicable.
ARTICLE 7
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
7.1 The Corporation represents and warrants to the Underwriters, and acknowledges that the Underwriters are relying upon such representations and warranties in entering into this Agreement, that:
(a) Prospectuses. The Registration Statement and the Prospectuses will be prepared and filed in compliance with the applicable Securities Laws, and, at the time of delivery of the Firm Shares and Option Shares to the Underwriters, the Final Prospectuses will comply with the applicable Securities Laws and the Corporation shall fulfill and comply with the necessary requirements of the applicable Securities Laws in order to enable the Firm Shares, the Over-Allotment Option and any Option Shares, to be lawfully distributed in the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions through the Underwriters or any other investment dealers or brokers registered as such in the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions and acting in accordance with the terms of their registrations and the applicable Securities Laws;
(b) Accuracy. The Prospectuses will contain no untrue statement of a material fact and will not omit to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to prevent a statement that is made from being false or misleading in the circumstances in which it is made and, together with all of the information incorporated by reference in the Prospectuses, will constitute full, true and plain
disclosure of all material facts relating to the Corporation and the securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering and comply with applicable Securities Laws;
(c) Capitalization. The Corporation has an authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the sections of the Prospectuses entitled Consolidated Capitalization; all of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Corporation, being the Common Shares, have been duly authorized and validly allotted and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, have been issued in compliance with all applicable Canadian, U.S. and other securities laws and were not issued in violation of any pre-emptive right, resale right, right of first refusal or similar right; the Common Shares are duly listed, and admitted and authorized for trading, on the NASDAQ and the TSX.
(d) Corporate Status. The Corporation (i) is duly continued and validly existing under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the BCBCA), and is up-to-date in all material corporate filings and in good standing under the BCBCA, (ii) has all requisite power, authority and capacity to carry on its business as now conducted and to own, lease and operate its properties and assets as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, (iii) is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing or equivalent status in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except for such jurisdictions where the failure to so qualify or be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below), and (iv) has all requisite corporate power, authority and capacity to undertake the distribution of the Offered Shares and this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder.
(e) Subsidiaries. Each of the Corporations direct or indirect subsidiaries (each, a Subsidiary and, collectively, the Subsidiaries) is a valid and subsisting corporation duly incorporated and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, continued or amalgamated and has full corporate power, authority and capacity and is duly registered and licensed to carry on business as now carried on by it and as is or will be described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses in the jurisdictions in which it carries on business or owns property where so required by the laws of that jurisdiction and is not otherwise precluded from carrying on its business as currently conducted or owning its property in such jurisdictions by any other commitment, agreement or document.
(f) Material Subsidiaries. Ballard Power Corporation and Ballard Hong King Limited (each, a Material Subsidiary and, collectively, the Material Subsidiaries) are the only Subsidiaries that are significant subsidiaries of the Corporation within the meaning of Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under U.S. Securities Act or are otherwise material to the Corporation; no Subsidiary is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Corporation, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiarys capital stock, from repaying to the Corporation any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Corporation or from transferring any of such Subsidiarys property or assets to the Corporation or any
other Subsidiary of the Corporation; all of the issued share capital of or other ownership interests in each Material Subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and, except as otherwise set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, are owned directly or indirectly by the Corporation free and clear of any lien, charge, mortgage, pledge, security interest, claim, or other encumbrance of any kind whatsoever (any Lien); each Material Subsidiary has been duly organized and validly exists as a corporation, partnership or limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses; each Material Subsidiary is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character or location of its properties (owned, leased or licensed) or the nature or conduct of its business makes such qualification necessary, except for those failures to be so qualified or in good standing which (individually or in the aggregate) could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. A Material Adverse Effect for this Agreement shall mean any fact, change, event, circumstance or effect which is or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on (i) the Corporations business, affairs, liabilities (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise), capital, operations, financial condition, properties, or assets, in all cases, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business and considered on a consolidated basis or (ii) the ability of the Corporation to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(g) No Breach of Obligations or Charter. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Corporation and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Corporation enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof, as the case may be, except as the enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors rights generally or general equitable principles. The execution and delivery by the Corporation of this Agreement and the performance of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the application of the net proceeds from the sale of the Offered Shares to be sold by the Corporation in the manner set forth in the Prospectuses under Use of Proceeds do not and will not (i) violate the organizational documents of the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation, or (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation pursuant to the terms or provisions of, or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or give any other party a right to terminate any of its obligations under, or result in the acceleration of any obligation under any contract to which the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries or any of its properties is bound or affected, or violate or conflict with any judgment, ruling, decree, order, statute, rule or regulation of any court or other governmental agency or body applicable to the business or properties of the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries. This
Agreement conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses.
(h) The Offered Shares. When issued in accordance with this Agreement, and upon receipt of payment for the Offered Shares, the Offered Shares will have been duly and validly allotted and issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(i) Compliance with Applicable Laws; No Defaults. Neither the Corporation nor any Material Subsidiary is in (i) violation of its charter or by-laws (or analogous governing instrument, as applicable), (ii) default in any respect, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant, obligation, agreement or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which the Corporation or any Material Subsidiaries are bound or to which any of its property or assets is subject, or (iii) violation in any respect of any statute, law, ordinance, governmental rule, regulation, ordinance, or court order, decree or judgment to which it or its property or assets may be subject except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 7.1(i), for any violations or defaults which would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(j) No Violation. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the distribution of the Offered Shares and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the application of the net proceeds from the sale of the Offered Shares to be sold by the Corporation in the manner set forth in the Prospectuses under Use of Proceeds do not and will not (i) violate the provisions of the charter or by-laws (or analogous governing instruments, as applicable) of the Corporation or any Material Subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any encumbrance, security interest, claim or charge upon any property or assets of the Corporation or any Material Subsidiary pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Corporation or any Material Subsidiary is a party or by which the Corporation or any Material Subsidiary is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Corporation or any Material Subsidiary is subject, (iii) violate any law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Corporation or any Material Subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets.
(k) No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing, qualification or registration with, any court or governmental agency or body, foreign or domestic, is required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Corporation, the distribution of the Offered Shares or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than (i) as may be
required under the securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Offered Shares are being offered, (ii) as have been obtained and are in full force and effect and (iii) as may be required under the rules of the NASDAQ and the TSX.
(l) Due Authorization. The Corporation has the necessary corporate power, authority and capacity to execute and deliver the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses and, if applicable, will have the necessary corporate power, authority and capacity to execute and deliver any amendment to the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses prior to the filing thereof, and all necessary corporate action has been taken by the Corporation to authorize the execution and delivery by it of the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses and the filing thereof, as the case may be, in each of the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions under Canadian Securities Laws or with the SEC under U.S. Securities Act, as applicable.
(m) No Pre-emptive Rights. Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses (including, for greater certainty, the purchase rights granted to Weichai Power Hong Kong International Development Co. Limited (Weichai)), the Corporation has no outstanding warrants, options to purchase, or any pre-emptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell any Common Shares or other security of the Corporation or any security convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, Common Shares or any other security of the Corporation; except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, no person has any rights to require registration or qualification under U.S. Securities Act or the Canadian Securities Laws of any security in connection with the offer and sale of the Offered Shares contemplated hereby, and any such rights so disclosed have either been fully complied with by the Corporation or effectively waived by the holders thereof.
(n) All Requisite Consents. The Corporation and each Material Subsidiary have made all filings, applications and submissions required by, and owns or possess all approvals, licenses, certificates, clearances, consents, exemptions, marks, notifications, orders, authorizations and permits issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate local, state, federal, provincial, territorial or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies, which are necessary or desirable for the ownership of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses (collectively, the Governmental Permits) and is in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Permits, except where any failures to possess, make or comply with the same would not, singly or in the aggregate, be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. All such Governmental Permits are valid and in full force and effect, except where such invalidity or failure to be in full force or effect would not, singly or in the aggregate, be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. All such Governmental Permits are free and clear of any restriction or condition that are in addition to, or materially different from those normally applicable to similar licenses, certificates, authorizations and permits. Neither the Corporation nor any Material Subsidiary has received any notice of any
investigation or proceedings which, if decided adversely to the Corporation or any such Material Subsidiary, could reasonably be expected to result in, the revocation of, or imposition of a materially burdensome restriction on, any such Governmental Permit, which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(o) Legal Proceedings. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary is involved (either as plaintiff or defendant), in any civil, criminal, arbitration, administrative or other proceeding and, to the Corporations knowledge, none of the same is pending or threatened in writing by or against the Corporation or any Subsidiary which would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the date of this Agreement, to the Corporations knowledge, no fact or circumstance exists which would reasonably be expected to give rise to any civil, criminal, arbitration, administrative or other proceeding involving the Corporation or any Subsidiaries which would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, other than as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses.
(p) Independent Accountant. KPMG LLP, which has audited the annual consolidated financial statements of the Corporation that are included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses and whose reports appear or are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, are independent with respect to the Corporation as required by Canadian Securities Laws and are independent registered public accountants as required by U.S. Securities Act, U.S. Exchange Act and by the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
(q) No Reportable Event. There has not been any reportable event (within the meaning of NI 51-102) between the Corporation and its auditors.
(r) Financial Statements. The audited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation, including the notes thereto, included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectuses have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (the IASB) and, present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Corporation as at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and its consolidated financial performance and its consolidated cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, in conformity with IFRS as issued by the IASB and all material liabilities (accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) of the Corporation as of the date thereof, and there have been no adverse material changes in the financial position of the Corporation since the date thereof and, except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, the business of the Corporation has been carried on, in all material respects, in the usual and ordinary course consistent with past practice since December 31, 2019.
(s) Stock Plan. Each stock option granted under any stock option plan of the Corporation (each, a Stock Plan) was granted with a per share exercise price no less than the fair market value per Common Share on the grant date of such option, and no such grant involved any back-dating, forward-dating or similar practice with respect to the effective date of such grant; each such option (i) was granted in compliance with applicable law and with the applicable Stock Plan(s), (ii) was duly approved by the board of directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof) of the Corporation or such Subsidiary, as applicable, and (iii) has been properly accounted for in the Corporations consolidated financial statements and disclosed, to the extent required, in the Corporations filings or submissions with the SEC and the Securities Commissions.
(t) No Material Adverse Changes. Subsequent to the dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, (i) the Corporation has not declared or paid any dividends, or made any other distribution of any kind, on or in respect of its share capital, (ii) there has not been any material change in the share capital or long-term or short-term debt of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (iii) neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary has sustained any material loss or interference with its business or properties from fire, explosion, flood, hurricane, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or any legal or governmental proceeding, in any such case that is material to the Corporation and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and (iv) there has not been any material adverse change or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, in or affecting the business, general affairs, management, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, shareholders equity, properties or prospects of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (each a Material Adverse Change); since the date of the latest balance sheet included, or incorporated by reference, in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary has incurred or undertaken any liabilities or obligations, whether direct or indirect, liquidated or contingent, matured or unmatured, or entered into any transactions, including any acquisition or disposition of any business or asset, which are material to the Corporation and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except for liabilities, obligations and transactions which are disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses.
(u) COVID-19. There is no undisclosed closure or suspension of the operations of the Corporation due to COVID-19 and the Corporation has put appropriate control measures in place to support employees and operations. The Corporation has undertaken an asset analysis and the Corporation is not aware of any material asset impairment and, subject to the evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Corporation does not anticipate making any write downs in respect of the assets of the Corporation or any parts thereof. Except as mandated by an applicable regulatory or governmental authority, which mandates have not materially affected the Corporation, as at the date hereof, and except as disclosed in the Public Record, there has been no material adverse effect on the operations of the Corporation as a result of COVID-19. The Corporation has been monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and the potential impact at all of its operations, and management believes it has implemented appropriate measures to support the wellness of its employees where the Corporation operates while continuing to operate.
(v) Investment Company. Neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary is or, after the distribution of the Offered Shares and the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, will be (i) required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Investment Company Act) or (ii) an entity controlled by an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.
(w) Properties. The Corporation and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have good, valid and marketable title in fee simple to, or have valid rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real or personal property which are material to the business of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, claims and defects, except those that do not, singly or in the aggregate, materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere in any material respect with the use made and proposed to be made and described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, of such property by the Corporation or any Subsidiary and except for those liens, encumbrances, security interest, claims and defects that would not be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; and all of the leases and subleases material to the business of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and under which the Corporation or any Subsidiary holds properties described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, are in full force and effect, and neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Corporation or any Subsidiary under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Corporation or such Subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease.
(x) Intellectual Property. The Corporation owns, possesses, or can acquire on reasonable terms, all Intellectual Property (as defined below) necessary for the conduct of its business as now conducted or as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses to be conducted, except where the failure to so own, possess or acquire would not individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, (i) to the knowledge of the Corporation, there is no infringement, misappropriation or violation by third parties of any such Intellectual Property, except for such infringements, misappropriations or violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Corporation, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Corporations rights in or to any such Intellectual Property, and the Corporation is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim, (iii) the Intellectual Property owned by the Corporation, and to the knowledge of the Corporation, the Intellectual Property licensed to the Corporation, have not been adjudged invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Corporation, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity or scope of any such Intellectual Property, and the Corporation is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim, (iv) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Corporation, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Corporation infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates any Intellectual Property or other proprietary rights of others, and the Corporation has not received any written notice of such claim and the Corporation is unaware of any other fact which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim, and (v) to
the knowledge of the Corporation, no employee of the Corporation is in or has ever been in violation of any term pertaining to Intellectual Property of any employment contract, patent disclosure agreement, invention assignment agreement, non-competition agreement, non-solicitation agreement, nondisclosure agreement or any restrictive covenant to or with a former employer where the basis of such violation relates to such employees employment with the Corporation or actions undertaken by the employee while employed with the Corporation, except for such violations that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Intellectual Property shall mean all patents, patent applications, trade and service marks, trade and service mark registrations, trade names, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets and other intellectual property.
(y) Suppliers and Manufacturers. The Corporation has no knowledge that any existing supplier, manufacturer or contractor of the Corporation or the Subsidiaries intends to terminate its relationship with the Corporation or the Subsidiaries or that it will be unable to meet any of the Corporations or the Subsidiaries material supply, manufacturing or contracting requirements.
(z) Labour Matters. No labour disturbance or dispute with the employees of the Corporation or any Material Subsidiary exists or, to the Corporations knowledge, is threatened or imminent, and the Corporation is not aware of any existing or imminent labour disturbance by the employees of any of its or any Material Subsidiarys principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors, that could reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Corporation is not aware that any key employee or significant group of employees of the Corporation and/or any of the Subsidiaries plans to terminate employment with the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries.
(aa) Compliance with Environmental Laws. The Corporation and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Canadian federal, territorial and provincial laws, all United States federal, state and local and any other applicable foreign rules, laws and regulations relating to the use, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous or toxic substances or waste and protection of health and safety or the environment which are applicable to their businesses (Environmental Laws), except where the failure to comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no storage, generation, transportation, handling, treatment, disposal, discharge, emission, or other release of any kind of toxic or other wastes or other hazardous substances by, due to, or caused by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (or, to the Corporations knowledge, any other entity for whose acts or omissions the Corporation or any Subsidiary is or may otherwise be liable) upon any of the property now or previously owned or leased by the Corporation or any Subsidiary, or upon any other property, in violation of any law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or which would, under any law, statute, ordinance, rule (including rule of common law), regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, give rise to any liability, except for any violation or liability which would not have, singly or in the aggregate with all such violations
and liabilities, a Material Adverse Effect; and there has been no disposal, discharge, emission or other release of any kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding such property of any toxic or other wastes or other hazardous substances with respect to which the Corporation has knowledge, except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; there is no pending or, to the best of the Corporations knowledge, threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial action, claim or notice of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Corporation or any Subsidiary, except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; no property of the Corporation or any Subsidiary is subject to any Lien under any Environmental Law; except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary is subject to any order, decree, agreement or other individualized legal requirement related to any Environmental Law, which, in any case (individually or in the aggregate), could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(bb) Costs and Liabilities related to Compliance with Environmental Laws. Any costs and liabilities associated with the effect of Environmental Laws on the business and assets of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or Governmental Permits issued thereunder, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties) would not have, singly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(cc) Tax Matters. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Corporation and the Subsidiaries (taken as a whole), the Corporation and the Subsidiaries have timely filed all federal, provincial, local and foreign tax returns which are required to be filed and have paid all taxes required to be paid by them and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against them, or any amounts due and payable to any governmental authority, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and payable; the Corporation and the Subsidiaries have established on their books and records reserves which are adequate for the payment of all taxes not yet due and payable and there are no liens for taxes on the assets of the Corporation or the Subsidiaries except for taxes not yet due, and there are no examination, audits or other proceedings of any of the tax returns of the Corporation or the Subsidiaries which are known by the Corporations management to be pending, and the Corporation has withheld or collected all amounts required to be withheld or collected by it on account of taxes and has remitted all such amounts to the appropriate Governmental Entity (as defined below) when required by law to do so, and there are no claims which have been or may be asserted relating to any such tax returns which, if determined adversely, would result in the assertion by any governmental agency of any deficiency which would have a Material Adverse Effect on the properties, business or assets of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries (taken as a whole); the Corporation is not a party to any indemnification, allocation or sharing agreement (other than any contractual obligation that does not principally relate to taxes) with respect to any taxes that could give rise to a payment or
indemnification obligation to any person other than the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries. The Corporation has no liability for taxes of any person (other than the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries) under any tax legislation, as a transferee or successor, or otherwise other than any contractual obligation that does not principally relate to taxes. Governmental Entity means any domestic or foreign federal, provincial, regional, state, municipal or other government, governmental department, agency, authority or body (whether administrative, legislative, executive or otherwise), court, tribunal, commission or commissioner, bureau, minister or ministry, board or agency, or other regulatory authority, including any securities regulatory authorities and the TSX and the NASDAQ.
(dd) No Transfer Taxes. There are no transfer taxes or other similar fees or charges under Canadian or U.S. federal law or the laws of any state, province or any political subdivision thereof, required to be paid in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance by the Corporation or sale by the Corporation of the Offered Shares.
(ee) No Stamp Duty, Registration or Documentary Taxes. No stamp duty, registration or documentary taxes, duties or similar charges are payable under the federal laws of Canada or the laws of any province in connection with: (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement; or (ii) the enforcement or admissibility in evidence of this Agreement; or (iii) the issuance, sale and delivery to one or more Underwriters of the Offered Shares; or (iv) the sale of the Offered Shares through one or more Underwriters to U.S. residents.
(ff) Insurance. The Corporation and each of the Material Subsidiaries carries, or is covered by insurance provided by recognized, financially sound and reputable institutions with policies in such amounts and covering such risks as the Corporation reasonably considers is adequate for the conduct of their respective businesses and the value of their respective properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries; there are no material claims by the Corporation or any Subsidiary under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause. The Corporation has no reason to believe that it and the Material Subsidiaries will not be able to renew their existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain comparable coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Corporation nor any of the Material Subsidiaries has been denied any insurance coverage that they have sought or for which they have applied.
(gg) No Franchise, Contract or Other Document. There is no franchise, lease, contract, agreement or document required by U.S. Securities Act or applicable Canadian Securities Laws to be described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses or a document incorporated by reference therein or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or a document incorporated by reference therein which is not described or filed therein; and all descriptions of any such franchises, leases,
contracts, agreements or documents contained in the Registration Statement or in a document incorporated by reference therein are accurate and complete descriptions of such documents in all material respects. Other than as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, no such franchise, lease, contract or agreement has been suspended or terminated for convenience or default by the Corporation or any Subsidiary or any of the other parties thereto, and neither the Corporation nor any of the Subsidiaries has received notice nor does the Corporation have any other knowledge of any such pending or threatened suspension or termination, except for such pending or threatened suspensions or terminations that would not reasonably be expected to, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(hh) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Internal Accounting Controls. The Corporation and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting and other controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with managements general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS and to maintain accountability for assets, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with managements general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accounting for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; the Corporation believes that the Corporations internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under U.S. Exchange Act and Canadian Securities Laws) is effective and the Corporation is not aware of any material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting.
(ii) No Change in the Corporations Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Since the date of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, there has been no change in the Corporations internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporations internal control over financial reporting.
(jj) Disclosure Controls. The Corporation maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under U.S. Exchange Act and Canadian Securities Laws) that comply with the requirements of U.S. Exchange Act and Canadian Securities Laws; such disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that material information relating to the Corporation is made known to the Corporations principal executive officer and principal financial officer by others within those entities; such disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
(kk) Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. There is and has been no failure on the part of the Corporation or any of its directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith, including, without limitation, Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications,
except as any such failure could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ll) Statistical, Industry-Related and Market-Related Data. Any statistical, industry-related or market-related data included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, are based on or derived from sources that the Corporation believes in good faith to be reliable and accurate, and such data agree with the sources from which they are derived.
(mm) Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws. None of the Corporation, any Subsidiary or, to the Corporations knowledge, any of its employees or agents, has at any time during the last five years (i) made any unlawful contribution to any candidate for non-United States office, or failed to disclose fully any such contribution in violation of law, or (ii) made any payment to any federal or state governmental officer or official, or other person charged with similar public or quasi-public duties, other than payments required or permitted by the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction thereof; the operations of the Corporation and each Subsidiary are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada) and the money laundering statutes of all other applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the Money Laundering Laws) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Corporation or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Corporation, threatened.
(nn) No Conflicts with Sanctions Laws. Neither the Corporation nor any of the Subsidiaries, nor any director or officer of the Corporation or the Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Corporation, any agent, employee or representative of the Corporation or the Subsidiaries, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Corporation or the Subsidiaries is currently the subject or target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. government (including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department or the U.S. Department of State and including, without limitation, the designation as a specially designated national or blocked person), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majestys Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, Sanctions), nor is the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or the target of Sanctions, including, without limitation, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, the Crimean region, Sudan and Syria (each, a Sanctioned Country); and the Corporation will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Offered Shares hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person that, at the time of such
funding or facilitation, is the subject or the target of Sanctions, (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business in any Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions. For the past five years, the Corporation and the Subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in, are not now knowingly engaged in, and will not engage in, any dealings or transactions with any person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Country.
(oo) Compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws. None of the Corporation, any of the Subsidiaries, directors or officers or, to the knowledge of the Corporation, any agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries, is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the FCPA) or the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) (the CFPOA), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any foreign official (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA or the CFPOA and the Corporation and, to the knowledge of the Corporation, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and the CFPOA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
(pp) Cybersecurity. (i)(x) Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, there has been no material security breach or other compromise of or relating to any of the Corporations information technology and computer systems, networks, hardware, software, data (including the data of its customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and any third party data maintained by or on behalf of it), equipment or technology (collectively, IT Systems and Data) and (y) the Corporation has not been notified of, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any security breach or other compromise to its IT Systems and Data; (ii) the Corporation is presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification, except as would not, in the case of this clause (ii), individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) the Corporation has implemented and maintained commercially reasonable safeguards to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and
security of all IT Systems and Data; and (iv) the Corporation has implemented backup and disaster recovery technology consistent with industry standards and practices.
(qq) Canadian Reporting Issuer; Listing of Common Shares. The Corporation is a reporting issuer in each of the provinces and territories of Canada and has been a reporting issuer in such provinces and territories for at least four months. The Corporation is not included in a list of defaulting reporting issuers maintained by the securities regulators in the provinces and territories in which it is a reporting issuer. The Corporation has not taken any action to cease to be a reporting issuer in any jurisdiction in which it is a reporting issuer, and has not received any notification from a securities regulator seeking to revoke the Corporations reporting issuer status.
(rr) No Commissions or Finders Fees. There are no persons acting or purporting to act on behalf of the Corporation in connection with the distribution of the Offered Shares, this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby who are entitled to any brokerage or finders fee.
(ss) Lending Relationship with the Underwriters; Repayment of Debts. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, neither the Corporation nor any of the Subsidiaries (i) has any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of the Underwriters or (ii) intends to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Offered Shares hereunder to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of the Underwriters.
(tt) No Stabilization. Neither the Corporation, the Subsidiaries nor, to the Corporations knowledge, any of the Corporations or the Subsidiaries officers, directors or affiliates has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed or intended to stabilize or manipulate the price of any security of the Corporation, or which caused or resulted in, or which could in the future reasonably be expected to cause or result in, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Corporation.
(uu) Accurate Disclosure. The statements set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses under the headings Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations, Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations, Description of Share Capital, Consolidated Capitalization, and Enforceability of Civil Liabilities by U.S. Investors, insofar as such statements summarize legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings discussed therein, are, in all material respects, accurate, complete and fair summaries of such legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings.
(vv) Transfer Agent and Registrar. Computershare Investor Services Inc. at its principal office in the city of Toronto, Ontario is the duly appointed registrar and transfer agent of the Corporation with respect to its Common Shares, and Computershare Trust Company N.A. at its principal office in Canton, Massachusetts is the duly
appointed U.S. co-transfer agent of the Corporation with respect to its Common Shares.
(ww) Minute Books and Corporate Records. The minute books of the Corporation and each of the Subsidiaries that would be a significant subsidiary within the meaning of Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under U.S. Exchange Act have been made available to the Underwriters and counsel for the Underwriters, and such books contain all minutes of meetings and all resolutions of the board of directors (including each board committee) and shareholders of such entity (or analogous governing bodies and interest holders, as applicable), since the time of its respective incorporation or organization through the date of the latest meeting or resolution.
(xx) Foreign Private Issuer. The Corporation is, and upon completion of the transactions described herein, will be, a foreign private issuer within the meaning of Rule 3b-4 under U.S. Exchange Act.
(yy) Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of U.S. Securities Act, Section 21E of U.S. Exchange Act or forward-looking information (within the meaning of Section 1(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario)), or similar provisions in the other Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions) contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.
(zz) Free Writing Prospectus. Any free writing prospectus that the Corporation is required to file pursuant to Rule 433(d) under U.S. Securities Act has been, or will be, filed with the SEC in accordance with the requirements of U.S. Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Each free writing prospectus that the Corporation has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under U.S. Securities Act or that was prepared by or on behalf of or used or referred to by the Corporation complies or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of U.S. Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Except for the free writing prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule A hereto, and electronic road shows, if any, each furnished to you before first use, the Corporation has not prepared, used or referred to, and will not, without your prior consent, prepare, use or refer to, any free writing prospectus.
(aaa) Certificates. Any certificate signed by any officer of the Corporation and delivered to the Underwriters or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Corporation, as the case may be, to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.
7.2 Unless the Corporation and the Co-Lead Underwriters otherwise agree in writing, neither the Corporation nor any Underwriter has made and none of them will make any offer relating to the Offered Shares that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a Free Writing Prospectus; provided that the prior written consent of the parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, included in Schedule A hereto and in respect of any electronic
roadshow furnished to the Co-Lead Underwriters prior to first use and not objected to by the Co-Lead Underwriters. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Co-Lead Underwriters or the Corporation is hereinafter referred to as a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus. The Corporation agrees that (i) it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (ii) it will comply with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 under the U.S. Securities Act applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the SEC, legending and record keeping.
7.3 The Corporation covenants to the Underwriters that it shall:
(a) prior to the Closing Time, fulfill to the satisfaction of the Underwriters all legal requirements (including, without limitation, compliance with applicable Securities Laws) to be fulfilled by the Corporation to enable the Offered Shares to be distributed free of resale restrictions in the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions, subject only to the requirements of applicable Securities Laws;
(b) use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain its listing of the Common Shares on the Exchanges through the period of Distribution of the Offered Shares;
(c) from and including the date of this Agreement through to and including the Closing Time, do all such acts and things necessary to ensure that all of the representations and warranties of the Corporation contained in this Agreement or any certificates or documents delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement remain materially true and correct and not do any such act or thing that would render any representation or warranty of the Corporation contained in this Agreement or any certificates or documents delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement materially untrue or incorrect;
(d) not, for a period from the date of execution of this Agreement until thirty (30) days following the Closing Date (the Lock-Up Period), without the prior written consent of the Co-Lead Underwriters (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), directly or indirectly offer, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, or agree to or announce any of the foregoing, any Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares, other than (i) the Corporations sale of the Common Shares pursuant to the Offering; (ii) the issuance of securities in a manner materially consistent with past practice pursuant to the Corporations compensation plans as in effect as of the date hereof and the issuance of Common Shares pursuant to the valid exercises, redemptions or conversion of securities to acquire Common Shares issued pursuant to such compensation plans or warrants outstanding on the date hereof; (iii) the issuance of Common Shares, or other securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Shares, in connection with the acquisition of assets or other rights, including for greater certainty the issuance of such securities in connection with raising funds for the acquisition of assets or other rights, from an unaffiliated third party in an aggregate amount not to exceed (upon issue, conversion or exchange) 10% of the outstanding Common Shares of the
Corporation after taking into account the Common Shares issued pursuant to such acquisitions and the Offering, including exercise of the option to purchase the Option Shares, if applicable; (iv) the issuance of Common Shares pursuant to any pre-emptive or anti-dilution rights (including, for greater certainty, the pre-emptive and anti-dilution rights granted to Weichai); and (v) the issuance of Common Shares to a strategic investor on a private placement basis. The Corporation also agrees that, during the Lock-Up Period, the Corporation will not file any registration statement, preliminary prospectus or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, under Canadian Securities Laws or the U.S. Securities Act for any transaction which registers, or offers for sale, Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares except (i) for a base shelf prospectus and related registration statement, provided no take-down is effected under such base shelf prospectus during the Lock-Up Period without the prior written consent of the Underwriters, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, or (ii) where subject to an existing contractual obligation of the company or in accordance with the exception in (iii) above;
(e) advise the Underwriters, promptly after receiving notice or obtaining knowledge thereof; of: (i) the issuance by Securities Commissions of any order suspending or preventing the use of any of the Canadian Prospectuses; (ii) the suspension of the qualification of the Firm Shares, Over-Allotment Option or Option Shares for offering or sale in any of the Canadian Qualifying Jurisdictions; (iii) the institution, threatening or contemplation of any proceeding for any such purposes; or (iv) any requests made by Securities Commissions for amending or supplementing and of the Canadian Prospectuses or for additional information, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any order referred to in (i) or (ii) above and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the withdrawal thereof as promptly as possible;
(f) not reproduce, disseminate, quote from or refer to any written or oral opinions, advice, analysis and materials provided by the Underwriters to the Corporation in connection with the Offering in whole or in part at any time, in any manner or for any purpose, without the Co-Lead Underwriters prior written consent in each specific instance, and the Corporation shall and shall cause its affiliates, officers, directors, shareholders, agents and advisors (including those shareholders who have an advisory relationship with the Corporation and the directors, officers, and employees of such shareholders) to keep confidential the opinions, advice, analysis and materials furnished to the Corporation by the Underwriters and its counsel in connection with the Offering;
(g) during the period commencing on the date hereof and until completion of the distribution of any Option Shares, promptly provide to the Underwriters drafts of any press releases of the Corporation for review by the Underwriters and the Underwriters counsel prior to issuance, provided that any such review will be completed in a timely manner;
(h) forthwith notify the Underwriters of any breach of any covenant of this Agreement by any party thereto, or upon it becoming aware that any representation or warranty of the Corporation contained in this Agreement is or has become untrue or inaccurate in any material respect;
(i) use the net proceeds of the Offering substantially in the manner set out in the Final Prospectuses under the heading Use of Proceeds, subject to the qualification set out therein; and
(j) make management of the Corporation available to provide such assistance in marketing the Offering as the Underwriters may reasonably request.
ARTICLE 8
CLOSING
8.1 The closing of the purchase and sale of the Firm Shares shall take place at the Closing Time.
8.2 The closing of the purchase and sale of any Option Shares shall be completed at the Closing Time on such date (the Option Closing Date), which may be the same as the Closing Date but shall in no event be earlier than the Closing Date, nor less than three nor more than five business days after the giving of the notice hereinafter referred to (provided that if the Option Closing Date is the same as the Closing Date, such notice may be given not less than two business days prior to the Option Closing Date), as shall be specified in a written notice from the Co-Lead Underwriters, on behalf of the Underwriters, to the Corporation of the Underwriters determination to purchase that number of Option Shares specified in such notice. If the Over-Allotment Option is exercised, all of the provisions of this Agreement relating to the purchase by the Underwriters of the Firm Shares shall apply mutatis mutandis in relation to the purchase by the Underwriters of any Option Shares at the Closing Time on the Option Closing Date.
8.3 At the Closing Time, the Corporation shall deliver to CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. (CDS), on behalf of the Underwriters, in electronic form (or if not possible, by means of a certificate or certificates), the Firm Shares registered in name or names as the Co-Lead Underwriters may notify the Corporation not less than two business days before the Closing Date. The Co-Lead Underwriters, on behalf of the Underwriters, shall furnish to CDS not less than two business days before the Closing Date, a breakdown of the number of Firm Shares to be allocated in the book-based system of CDS to the Underwriters and other brokers or dealers which are participants of CDS and act on behalf of beneficial owners, together with the financial institution numbers of each person to whom Firm Shares are to be allocated in the book-based system. The delivery of the Firm Shares in electronic or certificated form to CDS shall be made against payment by the Underwriters to the Corporation of the aggregate purchase price, net of the Underwriting Fee, for the Firm Shares by wire transfer in immediately available funds as set forth in section 8.4.
8.4 Payment of the amount of the aggregate purchase price for the Purchased Shares, net of the Underwriting Fee and expenses in accordance with section 12.1, shall be effected by wire transfer in immediately available United States dollars payable to the Corporation or as the Corporation may otherwise direct the Underwriter in writing not later than 2:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the second business day immediately preceding the Closing Date.
ARTICLE 9
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
9.1 The following are conditions precedent to the obligations of the Underwriters to close the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which conditions the Corporation covenants to exercise all commercially reasonable efforts to have fulfilled at or prior to the Closing Time and which conditions may be waived in writing in whole or in part by the Underwriters at any time. If any of the conditions are not met, each of the Underwriters may terminate its obligations under this Agreement without prejudice to any other remedies it may have. At the Closing Time:
(a) the Canadian Final Prospectus shall have been filed with the Securities Commissions and the U.S. Final Prospectus and the Registration Statement shall have been filed with the SEC; the Registration Statement shall have become effective under the U.S. Securities Act; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the SEC; no order having the effect of preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus (including any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus) relating to the Offered Shares shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Securities Commissions or the SEC; and all requests for additional information on the part of the Securities Commissions and the SEC shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Underwriters;
(b) the Underwriters shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, from the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, or by such other senior officers satisfactory to the Underwriters, acting reasonably, certifying on behalf of the Corporation and not in their respective personal capacity and without personal liability, that:
(i) the Corporation has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date;
(ii) the representations and warranties of the Corporation contained herein are true and correct as of the Closing Date
(iii) there has been no Material Adverse Effect;
(c) the Underwriters shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed by the Secretary of the Corporation or another officer acceptable to the Underwriters in form and substance acceptable to the Underwriters, acting reasonably, with respect to:
(i) the constating documents of the Corporation;
(ii) the resolutions of the directors of the Corporation relevant to the offering, the allotment, issue (or reservation for issue) and sale of the Offered Shares, the authorization of this Agreement and the other agreements and transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and
(iii) the incumbency and signatures of officers of the Corporation who have executed, or will be executing, any documents being provided to the Underwriters hereunder;
(d) the Corporation shall have furnished to the Underwriters evidence that the Offered Shares have been conditionally approved for listing and trading on the TSX and that the Offered Shares purchased at that time will be posted for trading on the TSX and authorized for trading on the NASDAQ on the Closing Date;
(e) the Underwriters shall have received , a letter dated the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from KPMG LLP, bringing the information contained in the comfort letter or letters from such auditor referred to in section 3.1(e) hereof forward to the Closing Time, which letter shall use a cut-off date not earlier than two business days prior to the Closing Date;
(f) the Underwriters shall have received at the Closing Time a legal opinion from Stikeman Elliott LLP, Canadian counsel to the Corporation, who may rely on, or alternatively provide directly to the Underwriters, the opinions of local counsel acceptable to counsel to the Underwriters, acting reasonably, as to the qualification of the Offered Shares for sale to the public and as to other matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions in Canada other than the provinces in which they are qualified to practice, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, acting reasonably;
(g) the Underwriters shall have received at the Closing Time an opinion and negative assurance letter of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, outside U.S. counsel for the Corporation, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, acting reasonably, to the effect that:
(i) the statements in the U.S. Final Prospectus under the heading Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations with respect to the tax considerations
under United States federal income tax law, to the extent that they constitute summaries of United States federal statutes, rules and regulations, or portions thereof, fairly summarize the matters described therein;
(ii) the Corporation is not and, after giving effect to the offering and the sale of the Offered Shares and the application of their proceeds as described in each of the U.S. Final Prospectus, will not be, required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder;
(iii) assuming the compliance of the Canadian Prospectuses, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, with the requirements of the securities laws and regulations of the Province of British Columbia and other requirements of Canadian law, the Registration Statement and the U.S. Final Prospectus (other than the financial statements, including schedules, and other financial and statistical information contained therein or omitted therefrom, as to which such counsel need not express any opinion) appear on its face to be appropriately responsive as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; the Form F-X, as of its date, appears on its face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of the U.S. Securities Act;
(iv) the issuance and sale of the Offered Shares by the Corporation, the execution and delivery by the Corporation of this Agreement and the performance by the Corporation of its obligations thereunder will not (1) breach or result in a default under certain agreements, indentures or instruments identified by such counsel on a schedule to its opinion, (2) violate those laws, rules and regulations of the United States of America and the State of New York, in each case which in such counsels experience are normally applicable to the transactions of the type contemplated by this Agreement (U.S. Applicable Law) or (3) violate any judgments, orders or decrees of any Governmental Authority binding upon the Corporation identified by such counsel on a schedule to its opinion. For purposes of the opinion, the term Governmental Authority shall mean any executive, legislative, judicial, administrative or regulatory body of the State of New York or the United States of America;
(v) no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any Governmental Authority, which has not been obtained, taken or made (other than as required by any state securities laws, as to which such counsel may express no opinion) is required on the part of the Corporation under any U.S. Applicable Law for the issuance or sale of the Offered Shares or the performance by the Corporation of its obligations under this Agreement;
(vi) such counsel has participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement and the U.S. Final Prospectus and in conferences and telephone conversations with officers and other representatives of the Corporation, including its Canadian counsel, representatives of the Underwriters, including their United States and Canadian counsel, and the independent auditors for the Corporation, during which the contents of the Registration Statement and the U.S. Final Prospectus and related matters were discussed and, although the limitations inherent in independent verification of factual matters and the role of outside counsel are such that such counsel has not undertaken to verify independently, and does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement and the U.S. Prospectuses, except as set forth in section 9.1(g)(i) above, on the basis of the foregoing (and relying as to factual matters on officers, employees and other representatives of the Corporation), in the course of such counsels work in connection with the matters contemplated by this Agreement, no information has come to the attention of such counsel that have caused such counsel to believe that (1) the Registration Statement, at the time it became effective, (except for the financial statements, financial statement schedules and other financial or accounting data, included or incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom or from those documents incorporated by reference, in each case, as to which such counsel need not express any belief) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and (2) the U.S. Final Prospectus at the time it was issued or as of the Closing Date (except for the financial statements, financial statement schedules and other financial or accounting data, included or incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom or from those documents incorporated by reference, in each case, as to which such counsel need not express any belief) included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(h) the Underwriters shall have received at the Closing Time an opinion and negative assurance letter of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, U.S. counsel for the Underwriters, in a form and substance acceptable to the Underwriters, acting reasonably;
(i) the Underwriters shall have received at the Closing Time, a certificate of the registrar and transfer agent of the Common Shares, which certifies the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding on the date prior to the Closing Date; and
(j) the Underwriters shall have received at the Closing Time, such other materials (the Closing Materials) as the Underwriters may reasonably require and as are customary in a transaction of this nature, and the Closing Materials will be addressed to the Underwriters and to such parties as may be reasonably directed by
the Underwriters and will be dated as of the Closing Date or such other date as the Underwriters may reasonably require.
ARTICLE 10
TERMINATION
10.1 Except as otherwise provided herein, all terms and conditions set out herein shall be construed as conditions and any breach or failure by the Corporation to comply with any material conditions in favour of the Underwriters shall entitle the Underwriters to terminate in accordance with section 10.2 its obligation to purchase the Firm Shares and any Option Shares by written notice to that effect given to the Corporation prior to the Closing Time on the Closing Date or Option Closing Date (as applicable). The Corporation shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all conditions in this Agreement to be satisfied. It is understood that the Underwriters may waive in whole or in part, or extend the time for compliance with, any of such terms and conditions without prejudice to its rights in respect of any subsequent breach or non-compliance, provided that to be binding on the Underwriters, any such waiver or extension must be in writing.
10.2 In addition to any other remedies which may be available to the Underwriters, this Agreement and any obligation of the Underwriters to purchase Firm Shares and any Option Shares may be terminated by the Co-Lead Underwriters, on behalf of the Underwriters, upon delivery of written notice to the Corporation at any time up to the closing of the Offering if at any time prior to the closing of the Offering:
(a) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on, or by, as the case may be, either of the TSX or the NASDAQ;
(b) any inquiry, action, suit, investigation (whether formal or informal) or other proceeding is instituted, announced or threatened or any order is issued under or pursuant to any relevant statute or policy or made by any federal, provincial, state or other governmental authority, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality (including without limitation the TSX, NASDAQ or any securities regulatory authority in Canada or the United States) in relation to the Corporation or any of its Material Subsidiaries, or there is any change in law, regulation or policy, or the interpretation or administration thereof, or there is a general moratorium on banking activities in the United States or Canada declared by relevant authorities, or a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services, which, in any such cases, in the opinion of any of the Underwriters, acting reasonably, operates to impact, suspend, restrict, inhibit, prevent or otherwise adversely impact the distribution or trading of the Common Shares;
(c) there should develop, occur or come into effect or existence any event, action, state, condition or major financial occurrence or catastrophe, war, act of terrorism or plague of national or international consequence, including by way of COVID-19 only to the extent that there are material adverse developments related thereto after February 9, 2021, or a new or change in any law or regulation which, in the
opinion of any Underwriter acting reasonably, seriously adversely affects, or will seriously adversely affect, the financial markets or the business, operations or affairs of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(d) there should occur, be discovered by the Underwriters or be announced by the Corporation, any material change, a new material fact or a change in any material fact in the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business, affairs or business prospects of the Corporation (on a consolidated basis) which, in the opinion of any of the Underwriters, acting reasonably, has or could be reasonably expected to have a significant adverse effect on the market price or value of the Common Shares or could reasonably be expected to result in the purchasers of a material number of Common Shares exercising their rights under applicable securities laws to withdraw from or rescind their purchase thereof or sue for damages in respect thereof
(e) the Corporation is in breach or failed to comply in all material respects with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; or
(f) completion of satisfactory due diligence to ensure that there are no undisclosed material changes or material facts, or any misrepresentations (and for the avoidance of doubt, the Underwriters have confirmed to the Corporation that their due diligence has been substantially completed, to the Underwriters satisfaction, prior to the filing of the Canadian Preliminary Prospectus and the U.S. Preliminary Prospectus and any amendments thereto).
10.3 The Co-Lead Underwriters shall make reasonable efforts to give notice to the Corporation (in writing or by other means) of the occurrence of any of the events referred to in section 10.2 provided that neither the giving nor the failure to give such notice shall in any way affect the entitlement of the Co-Lead Underwriters to exercise its rights under section 10.2, on behalf of the Underwriters, at any time prior to or at the Closing Time on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date (as the case may be).
10.4 The rights of termination contained in this Article 10 as may be exercised by the Co-Lead Underwriters, on behalf of the Underwriters, are in addition to any other rights or remedies the Underwriters may have in respect of any default, act or failure to act or non-compliance by the Corporation in respect of any of the matters contemplated by this Agreement.
10.5 If the obligations of the Underwriters are terminated under this Agreement pursuant to these termination rights, the Corporations liabilities to the Underwriters shall be limited to the Corporations obligations under subsection 7.3(g), Article 10, Article 11, and Article 12.
ARTICLE 11
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
11.1 The Corporation (the Indemnitor) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and its respective affiliates, its respective present and former directors, officers, employees, partners, advisors, shareholders and each other person, if any,
controlling an Underwriter or any of its affiliates (collectively, the Indemnified Parties and individually, an Indemnified Party), to the full extent lawful, from and against any and all expenses, losses, claims, actions, damages and liabilities, joint or several, (including the aggregate amount paid in reasonable settlement of any actions, suits, proceedings, investigations or claims and the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel that may be incurred in advising with respect to and/or defending any action, suit, proceeding, investigation or claim that may be made or threatened against any Indemnified Party) to which any Indemnified Party may become subject or otherwise involved in any capacity under any statute or common law or otherwise insofar as such expenses, losses, claims, actions, damages or liabilities relate to, are caused by, result from, arise out of or are based upon, directly or indirectly
(a) any breach of or default under any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the Corporation in this Agreement or any other document to be delivered in connection with the Offering, or the failure of the Corporation to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or under those other documents;
(b) the Corporation not complying with any requirement of any securities laws relating to the Offering of the Firm Shares and Option Shares;
(c) any information or statement contained in any of the Offering Documents or any other document or material filed or delivered by or on behalf of the Corporation in connection with the Offering (except any information or statement relating solely to the Underwriters and furnished by the Underwriters, through the Co-Lead Underwriters, in writing, specifically for use in such documents, being or being alleged to be an untrue statement or misrepresentation);
(d) any omission or alleged omission to state in any Offering Document filed or delivered by or on behalf of the Corporation in connection with the Offering (except facts relating solely to the Underwriters and furnished by the Underwriters, through the Co-Lead Underwriters, in writing, specifically for use in such documents), required to be stated in such Offering Document or necessary to make any statement in such Offering Document not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made; or
(e) any order made or any inquiry, investigation or proceeding instituted, threatened or announced by any court, securities regulatory authority, stock exchange or any other governmental authority, based upon any untrue statement, omission or misrepresentation or alleged untrue statement, omission or misrepresentation contained in any of the Offering Documents or in any certificate or other document of the Corporation filed or delivered in connection with the Offering or based on any failure to comply with the securities laws (except an untrue statement, omission or misrepresentation relating solely to the Underwriters and furnished by them, through the Co-Lead Underwriters, in writing, specifically for use in such documents) preventing or restricting the trading in or the sale or distribution of the Firm Shares and Option Shares.
11.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, this indemnity shall not apply to an Indemnified Party to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment that has become non-appealable shall determine that such expenses, losses, claims, actions, costs, damages or liabilities to which the Indemnified Party may be subject were caused by the breach of this Agreement, fraud, gross negligence or wilful misconduct of such Indemnified Party.
11.3 The Indemnitor also agrees that no Indemnified Party will have any liability (either direct or indirect, in contract or tort or otherwise) to the Indemnitor or any person asserting claims on the Indemnitors behalf or in right for or in connection with the Offering, except to the extent that any expenses, losses, claims, actions, costs, damages or liabilities incurred by the Indemnitor are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment that has become non-appealable to have resulted from the breach of this Agreement, fraud, gross negligence or wilful misconduct of such Indemnified Party.
11.4 If for any reason (other than a determination by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment that has become non-appealable that such expenses, losses, claims, actions, costs, damages or liabilities to which the Indemnified Party may be subject were caused by the breach of this Agreement, fraud, negligence or wilful misconduct of such Indemnified Party) the indemnification provided for herein is unavailable to any Indemnified Party or is insufficient to hold any Indemnified Party harmless, the Indemnitor shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by any Indemnified Party as a result of such expense, loss, claim, action, damage or liability in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits received by the Indemnitor on the one hand and the Indemnified Party on the other hand but also the relative fault of the Indemnitor or any Indemnified Party as well as any relevant equitable considerations; provided that the Indemnitor shall in any event contribute to the amount paid or payable by any Indemnified Party as a result of such expense, loss, claim, action, damage or liability in excess of such amount over the aggregate amount of the fee received by the Underwriters pursuant to the Offering.
11.5 The Indemnitor agrees that in case any legal proceeding shall be brought against the Indemnitor and/or any Indemnified Party by any governmental authority or stock exchange or if such authority or exchange shall investigate the Indemnitor and/or any Indemnified Party and such Indemnified Party shall be required to testify in connection therewith or shall be required to respond to procedures designed to discover information regarding, in connection with or by reason of this Agreement, such Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ its own counsel in connection therewith, and the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel as well as the reasonable costs (including an amount to reimburse an Underwriter for time spent by its, or any of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, partners or agents (collectively, Personnel) in connection therewith based on such Underwriters then current schedule of per diem fees for its personnel) and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by its Personnel in connection therewith shall be paid by the Indemnitor as they occur.
11.6 Promptly after receiving notice of an action, suit, proceeding or claim against any Indemnified Party or receipt of notice of the commencement of any investigation which is based, directly or indirectly, upon any matter in respect of which indemnification may be sought from the Indemnitor pursuant to this indemnity, such Indemnified Party will notify
the Indemnitor in writing of the particulars thereof, will provide copies of all relevant documentation to the Indemnitor and, unless the Indemnitor assumes the defence thereof, will keep the Indemnitor advised of the progress thereof and will discuss all significant actions proposed. The omission so to notify the Indemnitor shall not relieve the Indemnitor of any liability which the Indemnitor may have to any Indemnified Party, except only to the extent that any such delay in or failure to give notice as herein required prejudices the defence of such action, suit, proceeding, claim or investigation or results in any material increase in the liability which the Indemnitor would otherwise have under this indemnity had an Indemnified Party not so delayed in or failed to give the notice required hereunder.
11.7 The Indemnitor shall have 30 days after receipt of the notice, at its own expense, to participate in and, to the extent it may wish to do so, assume the defence thereof, provided such defence is conducted by experienced and competent counsel. Upon the Indemnitor notifying an Indemnified Party in writing of its election to assume the defence and retaining counsel, the Indemnitor shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with such defence. If such defence is assumed by the Indemnitor, the Indemnitor throughout the course thereof will provide copies of all relevant documentation to the Indemnified Party, will keep the Indemnified Party advised of the progress thereof and will discuss with the Indemnified Party all significant actions proposed.
11.8 Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Indemnified Party shall have the right, at the Indemnitors expense, to employ counsel of such Indemnified Partys choice, in respect of the defence of any action, suit, proceeding, claim or investigation if: (i) the employment of such counsel has been authorized by the Indemnitor; (ii) the Indemnitor has not assumed the defence and employed counsel therefor within 30 days after receiving notice of such action, suit, proceeding, claim or investigation; (iii) the Indemnified Party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnitor; or (iv) counsel retained by the Indemnitor or the Indemnified Party has advised the Indemnified Party in writing that representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate because there is a conflict of interest between the Indemnitor and the Indemnified Party or the subject matter of the action, suit, proceeding, claim or investigation may not fall within the indemnity set forth herein (in either of which events the Indemnitor shall not have the right to assume or direct the defence on the Indemnified Partys behalf).
11.9 No admission of liability and no settlement of any action, suit, proceeding, claim or investigation shall be made without the consent of the Indemnified Parties affected, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. No admission of liability shall be made and the Indemnitor shall not be liable for any settlement of any action, suit, proceeding, claim or investigation made without its consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
11.10 The Indemnitors hereby acknowledges that the Underwriters act as trustee for the other Indemnified Parties of the Indemnitors covenants under this indemnity with respect to such persons and the Underwriters agree to accept such trust and to hold and enforce such covenants on behalf of such persons.
11.11 This indemnity and contribution obligations of the Indemnitor hereunder shall be in addition to any liability which the Indemnitor may otherwise have, shall extend upon the same terms and conditions to the Indemnified Parties and shall be binding upon and enure to the benefit of any successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the Indemnitor, and any Indemnified Party. The foregoing provisions shall survive the completion of the Offering.
ARTICLE 12
EXPENSES
12.1 Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of the Corporations obligations under this Agreement, including: (iii) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Corporations counsel and the Corporations auditors in connection with the registration, qualification and delivery of the Offered Shares under the U.S. Securities Act and Canadian Securities Laws and all other fees or expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, the Prospectuses, any marketing materials, any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, including all regulatory and stock exchange filing fees and the costs and charges of any transfer agent, registrar, custodian or depositary, all printing and translation costs associated therewith, and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers, in the quantities hereinabove specified, (iv) all costs and expenses related to the transfer and delivery of the Offered Shares to the Underwriters, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (v) all costs and expenses incident to listing the Offered Shares on the NASDAQ and the TSX, (vi) the cost of printing certificates representing the Offered Shares, if applicable, (vii) the document production charges and expenses associated with printing this Agreement, and (viii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section. In addition, the Company will pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Underwriters, incurred in connection with the Offering, including the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Underwriters legal counsel, to a maximum of C$75,000, exclusive of taxes and disbursements for Canadian counsel, and to a maximum of US$100,000, exclusive of taxes and disbursements for United States counsel.
ARTICLE 13
UNDERWRITING PERCENTAGES
13.1 The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder, including the obligation to purchase Firm Shares and if the Over-Allotment Option is exercised, any obligation to purchase Option Shares at the Closing Time shall be several, and not joint, and shall be limited to the percentages of the aggregate percentage of the Firm Shares and Option Shares set out opposite the name of the Underwriters below:
TD Securities Inc. |
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30.0 |
% |
National Bank Financial Inc. |
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30.0 |
% |
BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. |
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12 |
% |
CIBC World Markets Inc. |
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12 |
% |
Raymond James Ltd. |
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12 |
% |
Cormark Securities Inc. |
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4 |
% |
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100 |
% |
13.2 If, on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Offered Shares that it has or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, the other Underwriters shall have the right to purchase, but not the obligation to purchase, in the proportions that the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names above bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as you may specify, the Offered Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date. If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm Shares and the aggregate number of Firm Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Firm Shares to be purchased on such date, and non-defaulting Underwriters have not elected to purchase such default Firm Shares within 36 hours after such default, then each non-defaulting Underwriter shall have the several right to terminate its purchase obligation under this Agreement without any liability to it, and the Corporation shall have the right to proceed with the sale of the Offered Shares (less the defaulted shares and any other terminations by the Underwriters) to the remaining Underwriters or to terminate this Agreement without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Corporation. In any such case either you or the Corporation shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Prospectuses or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. If, on an Option Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Option Shares and the aggregate number of Option Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Option Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall have the option to (1) terminate their obligation hereunder to purchase the Option Shares to be sold on such Option Closing Date or (2) purchase not less than the number of Option Shares that such non-defaulting Underwriters would have been obligated to purchase in the absence of such default. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 14
CO-LEAD UNDERWRITERS
14.1 All steps which must or may be taken by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement but with the exception of the steps contemplated by Article 10, Article 11,
Article 12, Article 13 and Section 15.8 hereof may be taken by the Co-Lead Underwriters on the Underwriters behalf (upon reasonable consultation with the other Underwriters), and this Agreement is the Corporations authority for dealing solely with, and accepting notification from, the Co-Lead Underwriters with respect to any such steps on its behalf. Other than as set forth in this section 14.1, no action by any Underwriter shall be binding on any other Underwriter.
ARTICLE 15
GENERAL
15.1 Any notice to be given hereunder shall be in writing and may be given by electronic mail (email) or by hand delivery and shall, in the case of notice to the Corporation, be addressed and e-mailed or delivered to:
Ballard Power Systems Inc.
9000 Glenlyon Parkway
Burnaby, British Columbia V5J 5J8
Attention: Tony Guglielmin, Chief Financial Officer
Email: tony.guglielmin@ballard.com
with a copy to:
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Suite 1700 666 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2X8
Attention: Michael Urbani
Email: murbani@stikeman.com
and to:
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 6100
Seattle, Washington 98104
Attention: Clint Foss
Email: foss.clint@dorsey.com
and in the case of the Underwriters, be addressed and emailed or delivered as follows:
TD Securities Inc.
700 West Georgia Street, Suite 1700
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B6
Attention: Edward McGurk
Email: ted.mcgurk@tdsecurities.com
National Bank Financial Inc.
130 King Street West, 4th Floor Podium
Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1J9
Attention: ECM
Email: ECM-Origination@nbc.ca
with a copy to:
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
1200 Waterfront Centre, 200 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V7X 1T2
Attention: Graeme D. Martindale
Email: gmartindale@blg.com
with a copy to:
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
77 King Street West, Suite 3100
Toronto, ON M5K 1J3
Attention: Christopher Cummings
Email: ccummings@paulweiss.com
The Corporation and the Underwriters may change its respective addresses for notice by notice given in the manner referred to above.
Any notice or other communication shall be in writing and, unless delivered personally to a responsible officer of the addressee, shall be given by e-mail, and shall be deemed to be given at the time e-mailed or delivered, if e-mailed or delivered to the recipient on a business day (in the city in which the addressee is located) and before 5:00 p.m. (local time in the city in which the addressee is located) on such business day, and otherwise shall be deemed to be given at 9:00 a.m. (local time in the city in which the addressee is located) on the next following business day (in the city in which the addressee is located). Any party hereto may change its address for notice by notice to the other parties hereto given in the manner herein provided.
15.2 The obligations of the Underwriters under this Agreement shall be several and not joint or joint and several.
15.3 Time and each of the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be of the essence of this Agreement and any waiver by the parties of this section 15.2 or any failure by them to
exercise any of their rights under this Agreement shall be limited to the particular instance and shall not extend to any other instance or matter in this Agreement or otherwise affect any of their rights or remedies under this Agreement.
15.4 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto in respect of the matters referred to herein and there are no representations, warranties, covenants or agreements, expressed or implied, collateral hereto other than as expressly set forth or referred to herein and this Agreement supersedes any previous agreements, arrangements or understandings among the parties, including the bought deal offering letter dated February 9, 2021.
15.5 The headings in this Agreement are for reference only and do not constitute terms of this Agreement.
15.6 Except as expressly provided for in this Agreement, all warranties, representations, covenants and agreements of the Corporation herein contained, or contained in, documents submitted or required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement, shall survive the purchase by the Underwriters of the Firm Shares and any Option Shares and shall continue in full force and effect, regardless of the closing of the sale of the Firm Shares and any Option Shares and regardless of any investigation which may be carried on by the Underwriters, or on its behalf, subject only to the applicable limitation period prescribed by law. For greater certainty, the provisions contained in this Agreement in any way related to the indemnification or the contribution obligations, including those provided for in Article 11, shall survive and continue in full force and effect, subject only to the applicable limitation period prescribed by law.
15.7 Each of National Bank Financial Inc. and CIBC World Markets Inc. or its affiliates, may own or control an equity interest in TMX Group Limited (TMX Group) and may have a nominee director serving on TMX Groups board of directors. As such, each such investment dealer may be considered to have an economic interest in the listing of securities on any exchange owned or operated by TMX Group, including the Toronto Stock Exchange, the TSX Venture Exchange and the Alpha Exchange. No person or company is required to obtain products or services from TMX Group or its affiliates as a condition of any such dealer supplying or continuing to supply a product or service.
15.8 No alteration, amendment, modification or interpretation of this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement shall be valid and binding upon the parties hereto unless such alteration, amendment, modification or interpretation is in written form executed by the parties directly affected by such alteration, amendment, modification or interpretation.
15.9 The parties hereto shall execute and deliver all such further documents and instruments and do all such acts and things as any party may, either before or after the Closing Date, reasonably require in order to carry out the full intent and meaning of this Agreement.
15.10 This Agreement may not be assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of all of the parties hereto.
15.11 This Agreement shall be subject to, governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the Canadian federal laws applicable therein (excluding any conflict of law rule or principle of such laws that might refer such interpretation or enforcement to the laws of another jurisdiction). Each of the Corporation and the Underwriters irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of British Columbia with respect to any matter arising hereunder or relating hereto.
15.12 The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect or limit the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
15.13 The parties may sign this Agreement in as many counterparts as may be deemed necessary and may be delivered by facsimile, all of which so signed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
15.14 (a) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity (as defined below) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime (as defined below), the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
(b) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a Covered Affiliate (as defined below) of any such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights (as defined below) under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
As used in this Section:
(i) Covered Affiliate has the meaning assigned to the term affiliate in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).
(ii) Covered Entity means any of the following:
(A) a covered entity as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);
(B) a covered bank as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or
(C) a covered FSI as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
(iii) Default Right has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
(iv) U.S. Special Resolution Regime means each of (i) the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding and agreed to by you, please signify your acceptance on the accompanying counterparts of this Agreement and return same to the Underwriters whereupon this Agreement as so accepted shall constitute an agreement between the Corporation and the Underwriters enforceable in accordance with its terms.
[Signature Page Follows]
TD SECURITIES INC. |
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NATIONAL BANK FINANCIAL INC. |
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Per: |
/s/Edward J. McGurk |
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Per: |
/s/ Daniel McCarthy |
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Edward J. McGurk |
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Daniel McCarthy |
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Managing Director |
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Managing Director and Vice Chairman |
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BMO NESBITT BURNS INC. |
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CIBC WORLD MARKETS INC. |
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Per: |
/s/ Carter Hohmann |
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Per: |
/s/ Kathy Butler |
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Carter Hohmann |
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Kathy Butler |
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Managing Director |
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Managing Director |
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RAYMOND JAMES LTD. INC. |
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CORMARK SECURITIES INC. |
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Per: |
/s/Jimmy Leung |
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Per: |
/s/Alfred Avanessy |
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Jimmy Leung |
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Alfred Avanessy |
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Managing Director, Head of Sustainability Investment Banking |
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Managing Director, Head of Investment Banking |
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The foregoing is accepted and agreed to effective as of the date appearing on the first page of this Agreement.
BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC. |
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Per: |
/s/ Tony Guglielmin |
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Tony Guglielmin |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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SCHEDULE A
ISSUER FREE WRITING PROSPECTUSES
Term Sheet dated February 9, 2021 (included in Schedule B)
Amended Term Sheet dated February 10, 2021 (Included in Schedule B)
BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC.
TREASURY OFFERING OF COMMON SHARES |
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February 9, 2021 |
An amended and restated preliminary short form prospectus containing important information relating to the securities described in this document has not yet been filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada (excluding Quebec). A copy of the amended and restated preliminary short form prospectus is required to be delivered to any investor that received this document and expressed an interest in acquiring the securities.
There will not be any sale or any acceptance of an offer to buy the securities until a receipt for the final short form prospectus has been issued.
This document does not provide full disclosure of all material facts relating to the securities offered. Investors should read the amended and restated preliminary short form prospectus, final short form prospectus and any amendment, for disclosure of those facts, especially risk factors relating to the securities offered, before making an investment decision.
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
ISSUER: |
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Ballard Power Systems Inc. (the Company) |
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ISSUE: |
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9,460,000 common shares of the Company (the Shares). |
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AMOUNT: |
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US$350,020,000 |
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ISSUE PRICE: |
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US$37.00 per Share. |
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OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION: |
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The Company has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable at the Issue Price at any time up to 30 days following the closing of the offering, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the offering to cover over-allotments, if any. |
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USE OF PROCEEDS: |
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The Company plans to use the net proceeds of the offering to further strengthen the balance sheet, thereby providing additional flexibility to fund its growth strategy, including through activities such as product innovation, investments in production capacity expansion and localization, future acquisitions and strategic partnerships and investments. |
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LISTING: |
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The existing common shares of the Company trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange and NASDAQ under the symbol BLDP. |
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FORM OF OFFERING: |
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Public offering in all provinces and territories of Canada (excluding Quebec) by way of a short form prospectus and in the United States pursuant to a registration statement under the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System. |
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FORM OF UNDERWRITING: |
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Bought deal, subject to a mutually acceptable underwriting agreement containing disaster out, regulatory out and material adverse change out clauses running to Closing. |
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ELIGIBILITY: |
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Eligible for RRSPs, RRIFs, RESPs, TFSAs, RDSPs and DPSPs. |
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BOOKRUNNERS: |
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TD Securities Inc. and National Bank Financial Inc. |
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UNDERWRITING FEE: |
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4.00% |
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CLOSING: |
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February 23, 2021 |
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The offering will be made in the United States pursuant to the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System. A registration statement on Form F-10 relating to these securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus or you may request it from TD Securities Inc. in Canada, Attention: Symcor, NPM (tel: 289-360-2009, email: sdcconfirms@td.com), 1625 Tech Avenue, Mississauga ON L4W 5P5; or you may request it from TD Securities (USA) LLC in the U.S. (tel: 212-827-7392), 31 W 52nd Street, New York NY 10019 or from National Bank Financial Inc. by phone at (416)-869-6534 or email at ECM-Origination@nbc.ca
BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC. |
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TREASURY OFFERING OF COMMON SHARES |
February 10, 2021 |
An amended and restated preliminary short form prospectus containing important information relating to the securities described in this document has not yet been filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada (excluding Quebec). A copy of the amended and restated preliminary short form prospectus is required to be delivered to any investor that received this document and expressed an interest in acquiring the securities.
There will not be any sale or any acceptance of an offer to buy the securities until a receipt for the final short form prospectus has been issued.
This document does not provide full disclosure of all material facts relating to the securities offered. Investors should read the amended and restated preliminary short form prospectus, final short form prospectus and any amendment, for disclosure of those facts, especially risk factors relating to the securities offered, before making an investment decision.
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
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Revised Terms & Conditions |
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ISSUER: |
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Ballard Power Systems Inc. (the Company) |
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ISSUE: |
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14,870,000 common shares of the Company (the Shares). |
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AMOUNT: |
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US$550,190,000 |
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ISSUE PRICE: |
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US$37.00 per Share. |
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OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION: |
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The Company has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable at the Issue Price at any time up to 30 days following the closing of the offering, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the offering to cover over-allotments, if any. |
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USE OF PROCEEDS: |
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The Company plans to use the net proceeds of the offering to further strengthen the balance sheet, thereby providing additional flexibility to fund its growth strategy, including through activities such as product innovation, investments in production capacity expansion and localization, future acquisitions and strategic partnerships and investments. |
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LISTING: |
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The existing common shares of the Company trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange and NASDAQ under the symbol BLDP. |
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FORM OF OFFERING: |
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Public offering in all provinces and territories of Canada (excluding Quebec) by way of a short form prospectus and in the United States pursuant to a registration statement under the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System. |
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FORM OF UNDERWRITING: |
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Bought deal, subject to a mutually acceptable underwriting agreement containing disaster out, regulatory out and material adverse change out clauses running to Closing. |
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ELIGIBILITY: |
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Eligible for RRSPs, RRIFs, RESPs, TFSAs, RDSPs and DPSPs. |
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BOOKRUNNERS: |
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TD Securities Inc. and National Bank Financial Inc. |
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UNDERWRITING FEE: |
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4.00% |
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CLOSING: |
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February 23, 2021 |
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BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC. |
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TREASURY OFFERING OF COMMON SHARES |
February 10, 2021 |
The offering will be made in the United States pursuant to the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System. A registration statement on Form F-10 relating to these securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus or you may request it from TD Securities Inc. in Canada, Attention: Symcor, NPM (tel: 289-360-2009, email: sdcconfirms@td.com), 1625 Tech Avenue, Mississauga ON L4W 5P5; or you may request it from TD Securities (USA) LLC in the U.S. (tel: 212-827-7392), 31 W 52nd Street, New York NY 10019 or from National Bank Financial Inc. by phone at (416)-869-6534 or email at ECM-Origination@nbc.ca
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KPMG LLP
PO Box 10426 777 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver BC V7Y 1K3
Canada
Telephone (604) 691-3000
Fax (604) 691-3031
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors
Ballard Power Systems Inc.
We, KPMG LLP, consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form F-10/A (the Registration Statement) of
· our Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated March 4, 2020, on the consolidated financial statements of Ballard Power Systems Inc., which comprise the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes; and
· our Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated March 4, 2020 on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019,
each of which is incorporated by reference herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading Auditors in the prospectus included as part of the Registration Statement.
Our report on the consolidated financial statements refers to changes in the accounting policy for leases in 2019 due to the adoption of IFRS 16, Leases.
//s// KPMG LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
February 10, 2021
Vancouver, Canada
KPMG LLP is a Canadian limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (KPMG International), a Swiss entity. KPMG Canada provides services to KPMG LLP.